PhD fellowship/scholarship, Untapping belowground plant interactions for optimal plant defence in crops

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 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title:
Untapping belowground plant interactions for optimal plant defence in crops.

Research area and project description:
Plant synthesized phytochemicals are a rich source of metabolites affecting above and belowground interactions. An increasing body of literature demonstrates tremendous benefits of regenerative farming approaches where nutrient balance, pest control, pollination and overall insect biodiversity are optimized based on the plant combination in intercropping approaches. To understand the full potential of intercropping phytochemical interactions in the rhizosphere (benzoxazinoids, flavonoids, phytohormones), may provide a novel tool in sustainable pest control. This project approaches the agricultural transition by its “roots” with the goal to dissect, understand and utilize phytochemical interactions in the rhizosphere of intercropping cereal and legumes for optimal crop production and ecosystem multifunctionality regulating pest insects on crops.

The ideal PhD candidate is motivated about unravelling the chemical ecology of ecological interactions in agricultural ecosystems. Interest in conducting field, common-garden and greenhouse studies and first experience in metabolomics via LC-MS and GC-MS to analyse phytochemical pattern is desired. For detailed information contact Benjamin Fuchs, [email protected].

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to future plant protection approaches. Please upload a project description (½-4 pages). This document should describe your ideas, approach, and overall research plans for this specific project. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.

This PhD position is part of the project, “One Crop Health for Next-Generation Crop Protection”, integrating latest advances in agricultural technology, ecology, data science, and robotics. The Novo Nordisk Foundation has from 2024-2030 funded a consortium of the University of Copenhagen (Plant & Environmental Sciences, Computer Science) and Aarhus University (Agroecology) in Denmark, and Rothamsted Research and University of Sheffield in the UK to explore innovative ways to reduce reliance on pesticides in cropping systems.

The project aims to develop a holistic One Crop Health system that emphasizes the interconnectedness of plant, soil, and agroecosystem health, inspired by the One Health concept from human health. By optimizing these relationships, the project seeks to minimize pest control interventions while enhancing environmental sustainability. The research will focus on agroecological practices, digital and data-driven solutions for early detection and prediction of pest, weed and disease outbreaks, and ecology-inspired solutions for sustainable pest control. The outcomes are expected to reduce pesticide use, boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and create more resilient cropping systems.

The project includes 12 PhD projects distributed across the five partner institutions. These projects are designed to train the next generation of scientists in systems-based approaches to sustainable agriculture and crop protection. The PhD programme will commence in 2025.
Each student will be based at one of the partner institutions but will have supervisors from both Denmark and the UK to promote international collaboration. The programme will offer cohort activities such as workshops and training sessions, provide valuable networking opportunities, as well as encouraging international student mobility across the institutions, ensuring a collaborative and well-rounded research environment. The emphasis on interdisciplinary, strategic research will equip students for diverse career paths.

Qualifications and specific competences:
We are looking for an avid and motivated candidates with an extensive academic background to advance knowledge in the interconnectedness of plant, soil, and agroecosystem health. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in agroecology, chemical ecology, biology, entomology, environmental science, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of and interest in agroecology and sustainable pest control, along with relevant experience in biological or chemical data analysis. Skills in handling data using R or other coding environments are beneficial. The ability to solve complex research problems, including designing experiments and interpreting results within the context of global environmental change and ecosystem dynamics, is essential.

Applicants are expected to show proficiency in both oral and written English and the ability to write scientific publications. Experience communicating scientific ideas to both specialized and broader audiences will be highly valued. The ability to assume responsibility for tasks and seek guidance as appropriate, while contributing constructively within interdisciplinary and international research teams is important. We are looking for someone who is motivated to work in a collaborative academic environment and can bring effort and insight into their work.

We expect that you will be an involved and engaged member of the research environment, contributing positively to the social and academic community at Aarhus University.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Forsøgsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark

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

• Michael Kristensen, [email protected] (main supervisor)
• Benjamin Fuchs, [email protected] (co-supervisor)

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

• [email protected]

How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 1 May 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
Preferred starting date is 1 September 2025.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• 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.