PhD fellowship/scholarship, Soil carbon sequestration and soil health in agroecosystems

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Agroecology programme. The position is available from 01 September 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title:
Soil carbon sequestration and soil health in agroecosystems

Research area and project description:
The Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University is offering a PhD position focused on carbon inputs from plant to soil, soil carbon dynamics and soil health in agroecosystems. The position is available from 01-09-2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

This PhD project aims to advance our understanding of soil carbon sequestration and to improve soil carbon models by quantifying carbon inputs from plants to soil and validating model predictions using data from long-term field experiments. Focus will be placed on understanding the contribution of both above- and belowground plant residues to soil carbon storage. In addition, the project will investigate agricultural management practices that can mitigate climate change by increasing soil carbon sequestration while simultaneously enhancing soil health and functionality.

The position is funded by two projects supported by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark, which aim to provide science-based advice to policymakers on carbon accounting in agricultural soils and soil health indicators for Danish agroecosystems.

Soil plays a crucial role in delivering essential ecosystem services, including climate change mitigation through sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere. The provision of soil ecosystem services depends on the ability of the soil to perform its functions and hence soil health. In this context, soil organic matter, of which carbon is the main component, is central.

The overall objective of the PhD project is to improve our understanding of soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems, with a particular focus on quantifying carbon inputs from crops and evaluating effects on soil carbon stocks and soil health indicators. Data will be derived from ongoing long-term experiments and farmers’ fields across Denmark.

Project description: For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.

Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants to the PhD position must hold a relevant MSc degree within soil science, agrobiology, agricultural sciences, biosystems engineering, biology or similar.

• Have an interest in sustainable agriculture and environment.
• Be fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Have scientific writing and communication skills.
• Have the ability to work independently and collaborate in a constructive way with the research team.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is AU Viborg, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.

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

• Jørgen Eriksen, lawrencerosarioduncantimjorgen.eriksenwilliamjackson@wallsflores-flowersagro.aumaxwell.dk (main supervisor)
• Johannes Lund Jensen, jljbrianjensenmelissa72angelakirk@morrisagro.auwood.dk (co-supervisor)

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:

• admission.gradschool.tech@au.dk

How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 01 June 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Preferred starting date is 01 September 2026.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be considered.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.