PhD fellowship in sustainable fertiliser management and greenhouse gas mitigation Full-time

PhD Fellowship In Climate Change Mitigation And Sustainable Soil Management

The Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Soil Management research group at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a PhD fellowship focused on quantifying the nitrous oxide (N2O) mitigation potential of synthetic nitrification inhibitors (SNIs) applied with synthetic and organic fertilizers for various cropping rotations in Denmark. The PhD project is part of the multi-partner research project “SYNERGI – Synthetic nitrification inhibitors for N2O emissions reduction and improved GHG inventories?”, funded by the Danish Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment.

The expected start date is 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project aims to quantify N2O emissions and NO3⁻ leaching from synthetic and organic fertilizers applied to major crops, such as winter wheat and spring barley, and to assess the effectiveness of SNIs in mitigating these nitrogen losses.

As part of this PhD, activities will include:

• Conducting controlled laboratory incubation experiments to investigate the effects of SNIs on N2O emissions under different soil types and moisture regimes on nitrifier and denitrifier activities and the interaction of SNIs with biochar to explore potential synergies for N2O mitigation.
• Performing field experiments to assess the impacts of SNIs on N2O emissions and NO3⁻ leaching from synthetic and organic fertilizers applied to spring- and winter-sown crops.

We are looking for a candidate with professional as well as personal skills and qualifications as stated below:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project, including a MSc degree in environmental science, soil science, biology, physical geography, agronomy or a related discipline.
• Solid knowledge about soil biogeochemistry and plant biology in the context of agricultural systems.
• Interest and flair for conducting experimental, environmental and agricultural research in both the laboratory and the field.
• Interest in, or experience with, measuring GHG fluxes using closed chambers, gas chromatography and laser-based analysers.
• Good computer skills, experience with advanced data management and analysis, including statistical tools and methods.
• Relevant work experience or other professional activities will be an advantage.
• Excellent English language skills (written as well as oral)
• Good communicative and interpersonal skills.

The positions will be affiliated with the Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Soil Management research group at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at University of Copenhagen. The group focuses on soil fertility issues and environmental impacts related to sustainable agriculture with a special focus on nutrient cycling and climate change. Our research aims at a mechanistic understanding of soil nutrient and organic matter dynamics at both the level of micro-scale biogeophysical processes and at eco-system scales, in the pursuit of increased nutrient use efficiency, improved crop productivity and reduced environmental impacts from agriculture.

We are located in Copenhagen, with main campus in Frederiksberg and field trial facilities at our experimental farm in Taastrup, 20 km from the main campus. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, growth chambers, greenhouses and experimental fields. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

The PhD student will be required to go on a secondment for some time to another institution.

Principal supervisor is Professor Sander Bruun, E-mail: sab@plen.ku.dk, Direct Phone: 35333481. The daily project supervisors (Co-supervisors) will be Researcher Azeem Tariq and Assistant Professor Andreas Brændholt.

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project. Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years. The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks include carrying through an independent research project under supervision, completing PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE, participating in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad, teaching and knowledge dissemination activities, writing scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals, and writing and defending a PhD thesis on the basis of your project.

Application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Please include cover letter / motivated letter of application (max. one page), a short reflection on your research interests, experiences, and how the project objectives can be approached (max. one page), curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position, original diplomas for Bachelor of Science and Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted, publication list (if possible), and contact information for two referees (to contact upon request).

Application deadline: 1 June 2026, 23:59 GMT +1. We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment. Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in June-July, 2026.