The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen is offering three fully funded PhD fellowships in the innovative Robotic Intercropping project, supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. These positions focus on advancing sustainable agriculture through the integration of robotics, intercropping systems, and ecological research. The research environment is highly international and interdisciplinary, involving collaboration with Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), the University of Southern Denmark, and the Technical University of Denmark. The three PhD projects address key areas in crop science and agroecology: (1) optimizing crop yield and nutrient balances through cutting management strategies in intercropping systems, (2) investigating spatial and temporal crop arrangements for improved yield, weed suppression, and resource efficiency in robotic intercropping, and (3) studying nutrient cycling and soil microbial dynamics in service crops under various cutting and pruning strategies. All projects involve both field and controlled experiments, advanced crop and soil measurements, remote sensing, and biostatistical analysis. Supervision is provided by leading academics from the University of Copenhagen and Wageningen University & Research, including Prof. Svend Christensen, Dr. Dirk van Apeldoorn, Assoc. Prof. Signe Marie Jensen, Prof. Jonne Rodenburg, Assistant Prof. Veronica Hansen, and Assistant Prof. Stephanie Watts-Fawkes. The fellows will join a vibrant cohort of PhD students and postdocs, with opportunities for research stays abroad and participation in cutting-edge research on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Applicants must have an MSc in Plant/Crop Science, Agroecology, Soil Science, Plant Ecophysiology, or related fields, with experience in experimental research, crop and soil analysis, remote sensing, and biostatistics considered advantageous. The positions are fully funded for three years, including salary, tuition, and research expenses, and are based at the Taastrup Campus near Copenhagen. To apply, candidates should submit a motivated letter, CV, diplomas, transcripts, publication list, and reference letters electronically via the University of Copenhagen job portal before the deadline of 14 December 2025. For more information, visit the project webpage or contact the principal supervisor at [email protected].

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.

The University of Copenhagen is recruiting three PhD fellows for the Novo Nordisk Foundation–funded Robotic Intercropping project, a major international research initiative focused on advancing sustainable agriculture through the integration of robotics and intercropping systems. The project is a collaboration between leading institutions in Denmark and the Netherlands, including the University of Copenhagen, Wageningen University & Research, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Technical University of Denmark. The Robotic Intercropping project aims to co-develop innovative solutions for sustainable crop production by combining agroecology, plant science, robotics, and modelling. The research addresses key challenges in modern agriculture, such as resource competition, biodiversity loss, and the need for climate-resilient farming systems. The project introduces intercropping strips of cash and service crops (e.g., wheat, oilseed rape, faba beans, alfalfa) and leverages lightweight, autonomous robots for precise monitoring and management of crop interactions and resource use. The three PhD positions are based at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Crop Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and are part of Focus Areas 1 (agroecological potential) and 2 (ecological interactions). The research will involve field and controlled experiments, data collection on crop and weed performance, nutrient and soil analysis, and the use of biostatistical and modelling tools. All PhD fellows will collaborate closely with project partners at Wageningen University & Research, including a research stay in the Netherlands. Supervisors include Prof. Svend Christensen (University of Copenhagen), Dr. Ir. Dirk van Apeldoorn (Wageningen University & Research), Assoc. Prof. Signe Marie Jensen (University of Copenhagen), Prof. Jonne Rodenburg (Wageningen University & Research), Assistant Prof. Veronica Hansen (University of Copenhagen), and Assistant Prof. Stephanie Watts-Fawkes (Wageningen University & Research). Applicants should have an MSc in plant or crop science, agroecology, soil science, or a related field, with experience or strong interest in crop functional traits, resource competition, field and controlled experiments, crop and soil measurements, remote sensing, and data analysis. Good language skills and a collaborative mindset are essential. The PhD fellowships are fully funded for three years, including salary, benefits, and research expenses, with tuition covered. The positions are part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment with state-of-the-art facilities at the Taastrup Campus near Copenhagen. Application deadline is 14 December 2025. To apply, submit your application via the University of Copenhagen job portal, including a motivated letter, CV, diplomas, transcripts, publication list, and reference letters if available. For more information, visit the project website or contact Prof. Svend Christensen at [email protected].