PhD in Agronomy

The Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Soil Management research group at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), University of Copenhagen invites applications for a PhD fellowship focused on exploring the effects of biochar application on ammonia (NH3) volatilisation and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural fields following fertilisation. The project is part of the research project “BholdN”, funded by the Agency for Green Land Use and Aquatic Environment (SGAV) under the Ministry of Green Transition. The start date is expected to be the 1st of April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter./nThe overall objective of the PhD project is to identify key biochar properties that, in combination with different soil and fertiliser types, may enhance NH3 volatilisation from Danish agricultural fields. The project involves detailed characterisation of biochar properties, laboratory incubations with simultaneous measurements of NH3 and N2O emissions, use of optical 2D chemical sensors (optodes) to study spatial patterns of pH and N in soils amended with biochar and fertilisers, and validation in field experiments primarily at the Experimental Farm of the University of Copenhagen, Taastrup./nLocation: Copenhagen (main campus in Frederiksberg; experimental farm in Taastrup).