PhD in Fruit Science

The PhD student will work on a project on crop physiology in grapevine and apple as part of the research project “EmcoClim-Viti”, financed by Horizon Europe and cofounded by the Foundation Foreningen PlanDanmark./nField trials will be conducted at the Pometum at Copenhagen University and in living labs hosted by vine growers in Denmark. Agroecological methods are to be implemented and effects on yield and quality components measured and evaluated. Crop physiological measurements such as carbon balance and stomatal conductance are to be conducted and combined with yield components to explore source-sink relationships and production potential in Danish conditions./nA digital twin is developed together with a partner in the Netherlands to simulate effects of climate change on viticulture. Life cycle and sustainability assessments for viticulture in emerging vine regions of Northern Europe will be made with a partner in Belgium./nThe production systems include a slim and tall leaf wall for grape and a ‘2D Orchard’ system for apple. Cultivars, rootstocks and pruning methods are important factors in the experimental setup./nThe PhD student will be hosted in the Horticultural Science and Biotechnology research group, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. Location: Taastrup Campus near Copenhagen./nExpected start date: 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.