PhD-Position: AI-Driven Pathways to Healthy Soils University of Basel in Switzerland

The Environmental Geosciences group at the University of Basel is offering a PhD fellowship within the PhD Program Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). The project, 'AI-Driven Pathways to Healthy Soils', aims to leverage artificial intelligence to support the achievement of healthy soils by 2050 through EU policy implementation, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Soil Monitoring Law, and CRCF. The research will focus on developing AI tools to map and predict soil health across spatial and temporal scales, accelerate literature reviews, extract best management practices from long-term experiments, and design innovative methods to evaluate soil health. Additionally, the project will explore translating outcomes from Soil Living Labs into actionable policy recommendations and conducting scenario analyses relevant to policy.

This PhD position is part of the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships programme, which trains researchers at the science-policy interface. The successful candidate will benefit from a joint training environment between Basel (Switzerland) and the JRC in Ispra, Italy, participating in an international, policy-relevant doctoral programme focused on soil health and AI-based tools.

Applicants must hold (or be near completion of) a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Environmental or Soil Sciences, AI, Data Science, or Geosciences. Essential qualifications include basic knowledge of soil science, a strong interest in AI and soil health, experience with data analysis/modelling and programming (R or Python), and excellent English communication skills. Advantageous skills include geostatistics, digital soil mapping, remote sensing, GIS, big data, or cloud tools. Relevant publications are considered a plus. Eligibility is restricted to EU Member State or associated country nationals (or those with at least 5 years residency in the EU) who are enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a PhD programme at the University of Basel (≤12 months enrolled at start). Proof of enrolment must be provided within six months of confirmation.

Funding is provided according to JRC Grantholder Category 20 during JRC periods (approx. €45,000 gross/year) and University of Basel conditions during university employment. The preferred starting date is 1st June 2026. The application deadline is 6th April 2026, 23:59 CET.

To apply, submit your complete application documents, including a motivation letter, a short statement of research and teaching interests, experience and skills, a CV, and contact details of at least two references via the online recruiting platform. Applications via email will not be accepted. For further information, visit the Environmental Geosciences group website or contact Professor Christine Alewell at [email protected]. Detailed application requirements and mandatory attachments are available in the application guide.