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 1 April 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title
PhD position in wheat nutritional genomics on identifying and investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying nutritional characteristics in winter wheat
Research area and project description
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to generate and analyze genomic datasets, perform precise phenotypic profiling of diverse winter wheat accessions, and integrate multi-omics datasets to investigate genetic mechanisms underlying key nutritional traits in winter wheat. Wheat research so far has been focused on improving yield and disease resistance characteristics. However, there is a need to look beyond it to make wheat farming more sustainable. In this regard, improving nutritional characteristics becomes a top priority.
Owing to advances in sequencing technologies, extensive genomic information is now available for thousands of wheat accessions. These developments have enabled the construction of systematic core collections that represent the species’ genetic diversity. Precise phenotyping of these collections and its integration with advanced genomic approaches has the potential to identify and characterize genomic regions responsible for enhancing the nutritional characteristics of wheat.
The PhD project focuses on precise phenotyping of diverse winter wheat accessions and implementing advanced genomics to identify genetic loci linked with enhanced nutritional characteristics in winter wheat. The latter part of project involves utilizing molecular biology techniques for the detailed characterization of identified loci.
The research duties will include, but not limited to:
- Recording phenotypic characteristics.
- Large scale omics data analysis.
- Data interpretation and integration.
- Performing molecular biology experiments.
Research Group: You will work in the Section for Crop Genetics and Biotechnology (CGB) section, in Dapertment of Agroecology, Aarhus University. The section is located at Research Center Flakkebjerg close to Slagelse and offers a dynamic, inclusive, and multidisciplinary environment.
Selection Process: Candidates will be evaluated based on their CV, motivation statement, and reference letters. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview (online or in person).
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
Mandatory qualifications: Applicants to the PhD position must have a relevant MSc degree in Plant Breeding, Biotechnology or similar disciplines.
Additional qualifications:
- Strong interest and motivation in wheat nutritional genomics.
- Documented experience in basic molecular biology techniques.
- Basic knowledge of scripting (bash) and programming languages (R, Python, etc.).
- Previous experience in handling multi-omic dataset will be plus.
- Previous experience in molecular biology experiments will be a plus.
- Ability to work both independently and within an international academic environment.
- Be fluent in English (written and spoken).
Place of employment and place of work
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Agroecology, Research Center Flakkebjerg, 4200 Slagelse
Contacts
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
- Professor Henrik Brinch-Pedersen, e-mail: hbp@agro.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Tenure Track Assistant Professor Sandip M Kale, e-mail: smkale@agro.au.dk (co-supervisor)
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:
How to apply
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 31 January 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Preferred starting date is 1 April 2026.
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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Slagelse Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aarhus Universitet, Forsøgsvej, 4200 Slagelse
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 31-01-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/3fef4bc3-fffe-44d3-a3f3-9049dbd6189f
