Applicants are invited for a fully funded PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Agroecology programme. The position is available from 1 September 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title:
PhD position in the role of cropping system diversification supporting weed-arthropod interactions, biodiversity and ecosystem services in arable fields.
Research area and project description
Arthropod populations are declining globally, with agricultural landscapes among the most affected. Declines have been attributed to the intensification of farming systems, and many studies have focused on the influence of semi-natural habitat in the landscape and the use of chemicals. However, within-field arable weeds are also an important driver of arthropod density, diversity and the ecosystem services to which they contribute. This project will focus on the role of arable weeds in supporting arthropod populations and ecosystem services they deliver in arable crops under the influence of different cropping system diversification measures. Different cropping systems established at Aarhus University will serve as platforms for the integration of various sub-cropping system diversification measures with the aim to investigate weed /arthropod interactions. The project could include i) monitoring biodiversity, ii) weed-arthropod interactions, iii) cropping system effects, iv) methodological innovations.
The position offers the opportunity to contribute to future plant protection approaches. Please upload a project description (½-4 pages) that describes your ideas, approach, and overall research plans for this specific project. If necessary, 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.
- Project description (½-4 pages). This document should describe your ideas and research plans for this specific project. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
We are looking for an avid and motivated candidate 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 and ecological data analysis. Skills in handling data using R or other coding environments is 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 to 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 Research Centre Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark.
Contacts
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
- Professor Bo Melander, bo.melander@agro.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Claus Rasmussen, Claus.rasmussen@agro.au.dk (co-supervisor)
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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Slagelse Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aarhus Universitet, Forsøgsvej, 4200 Slagelse
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 01-05-2025;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/68c80f54-02e0-42d3-94fd-42986389931f
