PhD Position in Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research (TIME N Project)

SEGES Innovation P/S – in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen

Supervisors: Dr. Cecilie Skov Nielsen & Dr. Franziska Petra Eller (SEGES Innovation), & Prof. Per Ambus (UCPH)

About the Project: TIME‑N – Temporal effects of synthetic nitrification inhibitors on nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen losses under Danish cropping conditions

TIME‑N is a pioneering research project that moves beyond conventional emissions monitoring to understand how synthetic nitrification inhibitors (NIs) influence nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions throughout the entire year. N₂O is a potent greenhouse gas and a major contributor to agriculture’s climate impact, yet traditional measurement approaches often miss critical emission periods. TIME‑N aims to close this knowledge gap by integrating continuous automatic chamber systems, strategically timed manual measurements, and innovative ¹⁵N isotope tracing to unravel soil N‑dynamics with unprecedented detail.

As a PhD student, you will contribute to the project’s central ambition: not only improving the accuracy of N₂O emission estimates, but advancing fundamental understanding of nitrogen‑related soil processes, temporal emission dynamics, and the mechanisms through which NIs shape both direct and indirect N₂O losses. You will also assess how measurement frequency influences annual emission calculations—knowledge that is crucial for developing more robust emission factors for national climate reporting.

TIME‑N offers the opportunity to engage in research that is both methodologically novel and highly applied—supporting better climate assessments and informing real‑world nitrogen management strategies in Danish agriculture. If you are motivated by hands-on fieldwork, innovative methodology, and the ambition to strengthen climate‑smart agricultural solutions, TIME‑N provides an excellent framework for developing your expertise and making a meaningful research contribution.

The PhD position

SEGES Innovation invites applications for a 3‑year PhD position within the project TIME‑N, funded under the Danish Climate Action Programme 2026–2029. The project focuses on the temporal dynamics of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and nitrogen losses from agricultural soils following the application of synthetic nitrification inhibitors (NIs).

You will be employed at SEGES Innovation P/S and enrolled at the PhD School of SCIENCE (Faculty of SCIENCE), the University of Copenhagen.

Earliest start date is August 2026. Your office will be at Meldahlsgade 3, 1613 København V.

As PhD student, you will be a core member of the TIME‑N project team and conduct field measurements of N₂O using both automated and manual chambers. You will also be responsible for the data processing, statistical analysis, and modelling of greenhouse gas fluxes, as well as the publication of research results in international peer-reviewed journals.

Together with researchers from SEGES Innovation, Aarhus University and Copenhagen University, you will participate in carrying out ¹⁵N tracer experiments to identify N₂O sources and nitrogen pathways, quantifying nitrate leaching, project meetings, scientific conferences, and outreach activities.

The project will provide access to cutting‑edge measurement systems and collaboration with experts from SEGES Innovation, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and industry partners.

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious candidate who is eager to work at the intersection of agricultural science, environmental research, and climate action. You thrive in a setting where fieldwork, advanced measurement techniques, and data analysis come together, and you are comfortable taking responsibility for your own research while collaborating closely with colleagues from different disciplines. You enjoy diving deep into complex questions, whether that means standing in the field collecting greenhouse gas measurements or analysing large datasets to uncover subtle emission dynamics.

You are driven by scientific integrity, a wish to contribute to society’s climate solutions, and a genuine interest in understanding soil processes, nitrogen cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions. You communicate clearly, work in a structured manner, and are motivated by both the scientific challenges and the practical relevance of your research. Most importantly, you bring enthusiasm, independence, and a willingness to grow as a researcher in an interdisciplinary environment spanning SEGES Innovation, the University of Copenhagen, and collaborating research groups.

Essential requirements

• Master’s degree in agroecology, biology, environmental science, biogeochemistry, geography, or a related field
• Strong interest in greenhouse gas emissions, soil processes, and climate‑smart agriculture
• Experience with experimental field or laboratory work
• Solid analytical and quantitative skills
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Driver’s license valid in Denmark

We Offer

We offer an inspiring PhD position within a dynamic research environment at SEGES Innovation — an independent research and innovation organisation dedicated to advancing a sustainable and competitive agricultural and food sectors. We combine scientific expertise with cutting‑edge digital technologies to ensure that new knowledge creates real impact in the field, in the barn, and across the entire value chain from soil to fork.

As part of the TIME‑N project, you will gain access to state‑of‑the‑art measurement technologies, long‑term field experiments, and close collaboration with leading experts at SEGES Innovation and the University of Copenhagen. We provide strong scientific supervision, excellent training opportunities, and a supportive team committed to helping you develop as a researcher and contribute to climate‑smart agricultural solutions.

• Employment at SEGES Innovation, the leading Danish agricultural R&D organisation
• Enrolment at the University of Copenhagen’s SCIENCE PhD School, including coursework and academic supervision
• Access to advanced measurement technologies and long‑term field trials
• A dynamic, supportive, and highly interdisciplinary research environment
• Opportunities for professional development, networking, and international exposure

Application

Your application must include:

• Motivation letter
• CV and documentation of academic degrees
• Transcript of grades
• Contact information for two references

Applications should be submitted electronically through SEGES Innovation’s recruitment system.

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Franziska Eller, Senior Specialist, SEGES Innovation, E: santiagopatriciafrelclewis@grosssegeswelch.dk | cell: +45 23 30 01 10

Prof. Per Ambus, University of Copenhagen, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (www.ign.ku.dk), E: jimmydavispeamvvincent@pricemeyersrossign.ku.dk