PhD fellowship in Plant Nutrition and Nitrogen Fixation

Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen; Pludual; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious university in France offers a PhD fellowship in Plant Nutrition and Nitrogen Fixation. The role includes conducting independent research, participating in collaborative experiments, and completing relevant PhD courses. Candidates should have a strong background in plant science and related fields, with a focus on sustainable plant production.

Prestations

Creative research environment

State-of-the-art facilities

International collaboration opportunities

Qualifications

• Completed degree equivalent to a Danish master's degree.
• Background in plant nutrition, agronomy, or biology.
• Experience with crop fertilization and biofortification.

Responsabilités

• Conduct an independent research project.
• Complete PhD courses (approx. 30 ECTS).
• Participate in research activities, including international stay.

Connaissances

Plant nutrition

Agronomy

Biology

Experience with plant growth experiments

Knowledge about nitrogen fixation

Formation

Danish master's degree or equivalent

Description du poste

PhD fellowship in Plant Nutrition and Nitrogen Fixation

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Plant and Soil Science Section invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Plant Nutrition and Nitrogen Fixation. The fellowship is part of the research project “B12Fundamentals: Solving fundamental challenges for vitamin B12 fortification of plant-based foods”, which is financed by Independent Research Fund Denmark.

Start date is (expected to be) 15 December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The PhD project will investigate how varying cobalt concentrations in plants influence symbiotic nitrogen fixation, with a particular focus on peas and faba beans. Cobalt is an integral component of cobalamin or vitamin B12, which is required by several enzymes involved in nitrogen fixation. Despite its importance, cobalt availability in soils and uptake by plants is highly variable, which may influence the nitrogen fixation capacity. The project will: i) quantify cobalt uptake in selected legume species under different soil and fertilization conditions, ii) assess nodule formation and the nitrogen fixation capacity by isotope ratio mass spectrometry and, iii) evaluate the potential for biofortification strategies that enhance both plant nutritional value and nitrogen fixation efficiency.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field of plant nutrition. Applicants can have a background from plant science, agronomy, biology or related fields.

Our group and research - and what do we offer?

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen with approximately 500 staff members including 140 PhD students divided into 9 sections. The research group “Plant Nutrients and Food Quality” is a part of the Plant and Soil Science Section. The research group mission is to provide new knowledge and recommendations regarding sustainable and resource efficient plant production that simultaneously delivers safe, authentic and nutritious food.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and highly international research environment. Our research facilities include greenhouses, climate chambers and a field trial station for plant growth experiments. We have state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities for analysis of plant nutrients including Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), ICP-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS).

Principal supervisor

Associate Professor, Kristian Holst Laursen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, [e-mail], [phone].

Co-supervisor

Associate Professor, Jakob Magid, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, [e-mail], [phone].

Qualifications Needed For The Regular 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, Agronomy, Biology and related fields.

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Responsibilities And Tasks In Both PhD Programmes

• 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, preferably abroad
• 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 including
• A background in plant nutrition, agronomy, biology or similar
• Experience with plant growth experiments – under controlled and/or field conditions
• Experience with fertilisation and/or biofortification of crops
• Knowledge about methods for analysing nutrient contents of plants
• Knowledge about methods for studying nitrogen fixation in plants
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in plant nutrition, plant science, agronomy, biology and related fields
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically.

• Motivated letter of application (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.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is 19 October 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor.

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