PhD fellowship/scholarship - Impact of alternative N-fertilization strategies on wheat diseases and health
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PhD fellowship/scholarship - Impact of alternative N-fertilization strategies on wheat diseases and health
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 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title:
Impact of alternative N-fertilization strategies on wheat diseases and health
Research area and project description:
The PhD offered is a part of a project entitled “Protecting wheat and environment through biological Approaches”. Overall, the project aims to develop integrated strategies combining reduced use of chemicals with biologicals to improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency and disease control in wheat under climate change. The overall project objectives are (1) to reduce the environmental impacts of wheat production, while enhancing its resilience to future intensified stresses due to climate change, and (2) to integrate biological approaches to reduce the reliance on synthetic input for a more sustainable, high yielding and environmentally friendly wheat production.
The aim of the PhD project is to evaluate the impact of biological solutions for N-fertilization strategies on wheat diseases and health. Bioligical strategies for N-fertilization can include under sown crops/cover crops/intercrops, bio stimulants, leaf fertilization etc. The experimental platform should include field as well as pot experiments employing visual/molecular disease assessments and N-use efficiency as well as methodology for evaluating plant-microbe interactions important for crop health. We expect applicants to upload their own short project description according to the GSTS guidelines to reveal their ideas and approach to the PhD project.
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.
Qualifications and specific competences:
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate who has an M.Sc. degree in agriculture, biology, plant pathology or closely related fields.
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in English are required. The applicant must be able to present results at international conferences and publish in international peer-reviewed journals. The ap-applicant should be enthusiastic about working in an international and interdisciplinary academic environment.
Applications from women and people from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged. Further, we would prefer candidates with some of the following qualifications:
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Agroecology, Research Centre Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
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 17 March 2026 at 23:59.
Preferred starting date is 01 September 2026.
Please note:
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.
Title:
Impact of alternative N-fertilization strategies on wheat diseases and health
Research area and project description:
The PhD offered is a part of a project entitled “Protecting wheat and environment through biological Approaches”. Overall, the project aims to develop integrated strategies combining reduced use of chemicals with biologicals to improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency and disease control in wheat under climate change. The overall project objectives are (1) to reduce the environmental impacts of wheat production, while enhancing its resilience to future intensified stresses due to climate change, and (2) to integrate biological approaches to reduce the reliance on synthetic input for a more sustainable, high yielding and environmentally friendly wheat production.
The aim of the PhD project is to evaluate the impact of biological solutions for N-fertilization strategies on wheat diseases and health. Bioligical strategies for N-fertilization can include under sown crops/cover crops/intercrops, bio stimulants, leaf fertilization etc. The experimental platform should include field as well as pot experiments employing visual/molecular disease assessments and N-use efficiency as well as methodology for evaluating plant-microbe interactions important for crop health. We expect applicants to upload their own short project description according to the GSTS guidelines to reveal their ideas and approach to the PhD project.
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.
Qualifications and specific competences:
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate who has an M.Sc. degree in agriculture, biology, plant pathology or closely related fields.
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in English are required. The applicant must be able to present results at international conferences and publish in international peer-reviewed journals. The ap-applicant should be enthusiastic about working in an international and interdisciplinary academic environment.
Applications from women and people from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged. Further, we would prefer candidates with some of the following qualifications:
- Good scientific and technical writing skills
- Experience in conducting field experiments following guidelines of “good experimental practice”
- Solid knowledge of plant diseases
- Experience with assessment of plant diseases in the field
- Knowledge of alternative N-fertilization strategies
- An ability to communicate effectively in English, and will contribute to dissemination, teaching and reporting research outcome in high-impact scientific journals
- An ability and interest to collaborate across disciplines
- Collaborative and interpersonal skills, and will contribute positively to the social working environment
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Agroecology, Research Centre Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
- Sabine Ravnskov, sabine.ravnskov@agro.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Julie Pedersen, jupe@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 17 March 2026 at 23:59.
Preferred starting date is 01 September 2026.
Please note:
- Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be considered.
- 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.