Agroecological approaches to reduce nitrogen losses in vegetable production

Technical Sciences - Institut for Fødevarer; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 368,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for a PhD fellowship in Agroecological approaches to reduce nitrogen losses in vegetable production. The project is part of the Food Science programme within the Graduate School of Technical Sciences and starts 15 January 2027 or later.

The successful candidate will investigate agroecological mitigation measures, conduct field trials at AU-Auning, collaborate with Danish and European projects, and contribute to publications and an international research

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Plant, Horticultural, Agricultural, Biological, Environmental or Soil Science (120 ECTS).
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• Experience handling and analysing experimental data.
• Ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in field experiments.

Responsibilities

• Investigate agroecological approaches to reduce nitrogen losses in vegetable production.
• Design and conduct field trials at AU-Auning and collaborate with partners.
• Contribute to Danish/European projects and publish findings.

Skills

English fluency

Independent work

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Field experiments

Education

Master’s degree in Plant, Horticultural, Agricultural, Biological, Environmental or Soil Science (120 ECTS)

Job description

Agroecological approaches to reduce nitrogen losses in vegetable production

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Food Science programme. The position is available from 15 January 2027 or later.

Research area and project description

This PhD project will investigate how to reduce nitrogen losses from vegetable production systems. The aim is to successfully introduce and optimize mitigation measures such as catch crops, biomass removal, precision fertilization and irrigation in open field vegetable crop rotations to reduce residual soil N. The focus will be on losses by nitrate leaching as well as vegetable growth and nitrogen use efficiency. The aim is to optimize resource use and reduce environmental and climate impact of both organic and conventional vegetable systems using agroecological approaches. Relationships will be studied by experimental and modelling methodologies between soil nitrogen availability, crop nitrogen uptake and nitrate leaching losses based on soil water, soil and plant sampling from field trials at research and commercial fields. Investigations of losses of nitrous oxide may be included.

Statistically designed field experiments will be available for studying mitigation measures on nitrate leaching in vegetable crop rotations at the research station AU-Auning. Fields at vegetable producers are equipped and available. The Department provides access to the state-of-the-art field and laboratory facilities. The PhD student will join the Science Team of Plant, Food and Sustainability, which includes PhD students and other scientific and technical staff. We foster a friendly and respectful working environment in an international atmosphere. We aim to collaborate and enjoy while contributing to the sustainability of food production.

The study will be conducted as part of Danish (Nvirkværk, GUDP) and European (Gound2Live, Agroecology Partnership, HEU) projects, which aim to: Integrate cover crops and other measures in sustainable vegetable cropping; Reduce losses of nitrate and nitrous oxide from intensive vegetable production; A Living Lab methodology is used in an agroecological framework, including European stakeholders from horticultural industries and universities.

Research questions to be addressed include:

• How do crop traits influence the effectiveness of various mitigation measures in efficiently reducing nitrogen losses in organic and conventional vegetable production?
• How to optimize fertilization and irrigation practices for adequate root zone availability of nitrogen for high yielding and low nitrogen leaching vegetable production?

Qualifications and specific competences

Applicants are expected to have a relevant master’s degree in Plant, Horticultural, Agricultural, Biological, Environmental or Soil Science (120 ECTS)

• Write and speak English fluently
• Knowledge of handling and analysing experimental data
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience in field experiments

It is an advantage to have:

• Experience in conducting plant and soil experiments
• A proven record in scientific writing

Place of employment and place of work

The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is FOOD, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N., Denmark.

Contacts

Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:

• Hanne Lakkenborg Kristensen, e-mail: [e-mail] (main supervisor)
• Mesfin T. Gebremikael, e-mail: [e-mail] (co-supervisor)

For further information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see available documentation.

If answers cannot be found there, please contact: [e-mail].

Application deadline

01 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Preferred starting date is 15 January 2027.

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions. You will be employed as an academic staff member at basic salary grades 4–8. As a PhD fellow you will also receive a monthly non-pensionable allowance.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which everyone has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.