PhD in improving the utilization of the phosphorus resource in soil and biochar

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

Title
PhD in improving the utilization of the phosphorus resource in soil and biochar

Research area and project description
Efficient utilization of phosphorus (P) in plant production is a key strategy towards a sustainable use of P in agricultural systems. In this PhD project, the successful candidate will investigate management strategies that enhance the utilization of P resources in soil (“legacy P”) and in biochar. These strategies encompass biochar placement and interactions with nitrogen fertilization, among other factors. An improved understanding of how P from soil and biochar can be effectively utilized by the crop will ensure the maintenance of crop productivity, while reducing dependence on mineral P fertilizers and achieving a more balanced P use with lower soil P accumulation.

The experimental work includes exploring management strategies under controlled conditions in climate chambers and carrying out experiments under field conditions to test the effectiveness of promising strategies. Phosphorus leaching studies will also be performed to study environmental effects of the proposed strategies. The successful candidate will be trained in and perform soil, water and plant analyses for this purpose.

This PhD study is funded by the projects “Improved utilization of P by positioned application and use of biochar - PiBalance” (GUDP, journal ID 34009-22-2061) and” Unlocking the soil phosphorus resources by targeted nitrogen fertilization: Understanding and exploiting the key mechanisms behind -uNlockP”, grant ID 10.46540/3105- 00051B, Research Fund 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 have a relevant Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in agrobiology, biology, soil science or related field.

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

Contacts
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:

• Lars Juhl Munkholm, [email protected] (main supervisor)
• Ingeborg Frøsig Pedersen, [email protected] (co-supervisor)

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

Application deadline is 01 April 2025 at 23:59 CEST

Preferred starting date is 01 August 2025.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.

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.