Fully Funded PhD Fellowships in Robotic Intercropping (Agroecology, Plant Science, Robotics) at University of Copenhagen & Wageningen University

Five fully funded PhD fellowships are available in the Robotic Intercropping Project, a major international research initiative funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The program is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) and Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), with joint supervision and research stays at both institutions. The project integrates agroecology, robotics, digital twins, AI, and proximal sensing to develop advanced intercropping systems that maximize biodiversity, food security, and resource efficiency. Three PhD positions are based at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, focusing on crop yield optimization, spatial and temporal crop arrangements, and nutrient cycling with soil microbial dynamics. Supervisors include Prof. Svend Christensen, Dr. Dirk van Apeldoorn, Assoc. Prof. Signe Marie Jensen, Prof. Jonne Rodenburg, Asst. Prof. Veronica Hansen, and Asst. Prof. Stephanie Watts-Fawkes. Two PhD positions at Wageningen University & Research focus on experimental intercropping for climate-smart systems and functional-structural plant modelling, supervised by Dr. Luuk Croijmans, Dr. Dirk van Apeldoorn, Prof. Niels Anten, Dr. Franca Bongers, and Prof. Jochem Evers. Applicants should have an MSc in agroecology, crop or plant science, soil science, plant ecophysiology, computational biology, biostatistics, or environmental modelling. Experience with field experiments, 3D crop modelling, remote sensing, or soil-plant-microbe interactions is advantageous. English proficiency at C1 level is required. All positions are fully funded, with competitive salaries, research costs, benefits, and international research collaboration. University of Copenhagen PhDs offer a 3-year contract and access to state-of-the-art facilities, while Wageningen University PhDs provide a salary up to €3,881/month, visa support, relocation services, and training. To apply, candidates must specify the PhD project of interest and submit applications online via the respective university portals before the deadline of 14 December 2025. The employment start date is 1 March 2026. For more information, visit the project page or contact the listed supervisors by email.