PhD Fellowship in Plant-Soil Interactions

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship focused on quantifying the multi-species benefits of grassland ley mixtures. The project is part of the research initiative “Grassy – Can diversity deliver climate-smart grassland systems?”, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark.

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Scientific Background and Project Vision

Grassland systems composed of diverse mixtures of grasses, legumes, and forbs have the potential to deliver higher productivity, greater resilience to environmental stress, enhanced biodiversity, and increased soil carbon storage. However, the mechanisms underlying these benefits remain insufficiently understood.

This PhD project aims to unravel the belowground processes that drive the performance of diverse ley mixtures, with a particular focus on:

Root growth and root traits
Stabilisation of soil organic matter (SOM)
Soil biota, especially earthworms
Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in plant–soil systems

Research Project Description

A central component of the project is a field experiment conducted in the state-of-the-art DeepRootLab at the Crop Sciences section of PLEN. The PhD candidate will combine field-based and controlled-environment experiments to quantify how plant diversity influences ecosystem functioning.

Key research activities include:

Measuring plant productivity and root growth
Analysing carbon and nitrogen in soil organic matter fractions
Assessing soil biodiversity, with emphasis on earthworms
Applying isotopic labelling techniques
Sampling and imaging roots, soil, and earthworm casts
Conducting soil analyses and fractionation
Performing plant growth experiments in field and glasshouse conditions

Research Environment and Collaboration

The PhD fellow will be part of the Belowground Crop Ecology group within the Crop Sciences section at PLEN, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The group is based at the KU Taastrup campus and focuses on root–soil interactions that underpin resilient and resource-efficient cropping systems.

The project involves close collaboration with:

University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
Technische Universität Berlin (TUB)
Wageningen University (WUR)

Supervision team:

Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll
Project supervisor (UCPH): Tenure-track Assistant Professor Frederik van der Bom
Daily supervisor during research visits to WUR: Dr. Alix Vidal

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Responsibilities During the PhD Programme

Conduct an independent research project under supervision
Complete PhD courses corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS
Participate in international research environments, including research stays at WUR and TUB
Engage in teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
Publish scientific papers in high-impact journals
Write and defend a PhD thesis

Applicants should have:

A degree equivalent to a Danish Master’s degree in plant science, soil science, agronomy, agroecology, soil biology, or a closely related field
Strong interest in plant–soil interactions, root traits, and soil biogeochemical processes
Experimental experience in field studies and/or controlled plant growth experiments
Experience with plant and soil sampling, isotopic techniques, or root imaging (advantageous)
Ability to translate theoretical questions into practical experiments
Strong data analysis and interpretation skills
Independence, initiative, and hands-on problem-solving ability
Excellent spoken and written English skills (minimum C1 level)

The department explicitly encourages applications from candidates who may not meet every listed requirement but demonstrate strong motivation, curiosity, and learning potential.

What the University of Copenhagen Offers

A full-time PhD position for up to three years
Competitive salary and employment conditions according to Danish collective agreements
Enrolment at the PhD School, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen
Access to modern laboratories, greenhouses, climate chambers, and specialised root research infrastructure
A dynamic, international, and collaborative research environment
Strong commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted in English via the official application portal.

Please include:

Cover letter (max. one page)
Short reflection on research interests and approach to the project (max. one page)
Curriculum vitae
Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas and transcripts (with certified English translation if required)
Publication list (if applicable)
Contact details of two referees