PhD Fellowship in Plant Nutrition at University of Copenhagen
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. The candidate will work with controlled plant growth experiments and advanced analytical techniques. Collaboration with the Innovation Centre for Organic Farming and the Department of Food Science will support the development of naturally cobalt-enriched plant matrices for further use in B12 production. This interdisciplinary project bridges plant nutrition, microbiology, and food science, contributing to the development of more sustainable agricultural practices and nutrient-rich plant-based foods.
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. At PLEN 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). Further information about the Department can be found here: https://plen.ku.dk/. We are located in Copenhagen.
Principal supervisor isAssociate Professor, Kristian Holst Laursen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, williamhallusmithhudsonmatthewholst@lopez.dkplen.ku.dkclark.dkparker.dk, +45 35333728.
Co-supervisor isAssociate Professor, Jakob Magid, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, carolsmithjmarichardadamslisa78@mitchell.dkplen.ku.dkmalone.dk, +45 35333491.
You will undertake the PhD programme as a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.
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. 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 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 by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- 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. 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 19 October 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.
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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 46-47.
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.