PhD fellowship in plant-soil interactions

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at University of Copenhagen invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in quantifying the role of ley mixture roots in soil carbon sequestration. The project is part of the research project “Deep Carbon”.

Start date is 1 January 2025.

The project
The overarching aim is to develop more ‘climate-friendly’ lay systems that can store carbon in deep soil layers while maintaining high yields and yield stability. Work will revolve around an existing the mixture diversity field trial in Taastrup, with a selection of pure-stand species and diverse mixtures. Objectives will involve (amongst others), determining yields and yield stability; quantifying relationships between deep root mass and carbon sequestration potential; determining species composition in shoot and root samples to estimate individual species contributions; and examining soil carbon stocks across the soil profile. As part of this, activities include use of isotope labelling, imaging of roots using minirhizotrons, soil coring and sampling of roots and soil, and developing methods to determine composition of shoot and root samples.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with a MSc degree in the field of agriculture. Applicants should be familiar with plant-soil interactions and belowground processes, production systems, and plant genetics – particularly in a grassland setting. We are looking for demonstrated experimental experience in crop field studies and laboratory work, including plant and soil sampling, root imaging and analyses (e.g. ability to work with and troubleshoot camera systems, and processing of images using Rhizovison and RootPainter), plant analyses (processing, extractions), soil analyses (processing, C measurements, extractions) and data analyses. Proficiency in spoken/written English, including skills in academic writing are essential. In addition, ability and experience with communicating complex topics to a diverse audience in both Danish and English will be an advantage.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The successful candidate will be anchored in the Belowground Crop Ecology group in the Crop Sciences section within the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen (https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/crop_sciences/belowground-crop-ecology/). We are located at the KU Taastrup campus. Our research group focuses on interactions belowground between roots and the surrounding environment, contributing to the development of resilient cropping systems with efficient resource use. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, growth facilities (greenhouses, climate chambers), and specialized infrastructure to investigate plant roots and their interactions. Being part of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and faculty of Science, we also have access to state of the art instruments and a wealth of methods relevant to plant-soil interactions.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll, Department of Plant and Environmental Science, E-mail: [email protected] , Direct Phone: +45 35 33 34 52.

The PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the programme
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, e.g. agriculture. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• A short reflection on your research interests, experience, and how the project aims 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 or 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)
• Contact information for two referees (to contact upon request)

The further process
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.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held asap after the application deadline

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 01-11-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-01-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: PLEN