Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section of Crop Sciences invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in above- and belowground traits affecting yield stability of faba bean. The PhD project is part of the “DIGIFABA” project, which is a data science collaborative research project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. We focus on faba bean research and innovation in agronomy, statistics, morphometry, and crop modelling. Our vision is to facilitate the development of resilient agri-food systems delivering high-quality plant food protein. The start date is expected to be 1 December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
There is a need to integrate more grain legumes into our agricultural systems to build efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly plant-based food systems. DIGIFABA aims to develop digital phenotyping tools specifically designed to quantify and qualify the yield components of faba beans and detect drought stress in the field, thereby optimizing breeding strategies for yield stability in protein-rich crops for a sustainable future. To achieve this, the DIGIFABA project will focus on the creation and application of computer vision segmentation for the delineation of plant characteristics, the establishment of methodologies for the study of plant morphometry, the expansion and utilization of statistical analysis for growth profile evaluation, and the formulation and implementation of a mechanistic model tailored to faba beans.
The PhD will focus on field and greenhouse experiments designed to enhance the understanding of plant plasticity towards drought stress. Above- as well as belowground traits will be examined with focus on responses to drought. The PhD will closely collaborate with project partners focusing on statistics, machine learning and crop modelling.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of crop science, agronomy and/or plant physiology. Applicants can have a background with specific knowledge of grain legume production, drought tolerance in plants and biological nitrogen fixation. Experience with greenhouse and/or field studies in combination with one or more of the above-mentioned topics is an advantage. Furthermore, experience or interest in water sensor technology as well as irrigation methods is beneficial.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The PhD position is placed in the Belowground Crop Ecology research group headed by Associate professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll. Focus of the research group is on resilient and sustainable cropping systems with special emphasis on belowground interactions, root development and function. We are working with grain legumes, forage legumes and cereals for food and feed. Main topics of the group are drought tolerance, nutrient acquisition and root exudation. The group is a part of the Section for Crop Sciences at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at the Taastrup Campus outside Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include field and greenhouse facilities, modern laboratories and specialized root research facilities.
Principal supervisor is Associate professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, dbdr@plen.ku.dk, +45 35333452. Co-supervisor Associate Professor, Signe M. Jensen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, smj@plen.ku.dk and Postdoc Tomke Susanne Wacker, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences tsw@plen.ku.dk.
The PhD programme
Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme
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, Crop Science or Biology. 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.
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 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, 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
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in crop science, grain legumes, and drought resilience
- 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)
- Reference letters (if available)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 21 September 2025, 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.
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 in medio October 2025
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.