PhD fellowship on methane and VOC emissions from paddy rice soils

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The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management invites applicants for a PhD fellowship on methane and VOC emissions from paddy rice soils. The project is a collaboration between the Global Wetland Center, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the ACROVOC project (Aerial sensing of CROpland VOC emissions), funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.

Start date is 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Rice paddies are a source of BVOC and methane to the atmosphere. Mitigation strategies have been proposed to reduce methane emissions but it remains unclear what the consequences are for net greenhouse gas budgets and BVOC emissions. 

We are looking for a PhD candidate to work on measurements of wetland biogeochemistry with a focus on exchange of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds based on chamber measurements and aerial measurements using drones. Field manipulation experiments in Vietnam will focus on options for water management as a mitigation strategy.

The PhD candidate will be responsible for the field manipulation experiments and for subsequent analysis of the observations.  

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of geography, ecology, environmental sciences or similar relevant backgrounds. Prior experience with measuring greenhouse gas exchange or other ecosystem/soil biogeochemical processes is considered an asset.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The candidate will join an inspiring team bringing together in situ measurements, Earth observation, and modelling of wetland biogeochemistry and hydrology.

The position is co-financed by the two projects. The Global Wetland Center will contribute to the development of wetland-based climate change mitigation strategies through a combination of biogeochemical and hydrological modelling, satellite remote sensing and use of Artificial Intelligence techniques. The Center is a collaboration between two departments from the University of Copenhagen (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management and Department of Computer Sciences), DHI, and GEUS (The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland). The ACROVOC project will collaborate on the site infrastructure with the Global Wetland Center and bring in a complementing focus on interactions between volatile organic compounds (VOC), climate, and cropland. ACROVOC will combine meteorology with near-field (drones, ground-based sensors) and satellite remote sensing, to upscale net VOC emissions. 

The position is hosted at the research group Terrestrial Ecosystem Analysis, part of the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Further information on the Department can be found at ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fign.ku.dk%2Fenglish%2F&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fign.ku.dk%2Fenglish%2F&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://ign.ku.dk/english/
Further information on the research group Terrestrial Ecosystem Analysis can be found at ign.ku.dk/english/research-groups/­geography/terres...
Further information on the GWC can be found at ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fglobalwetlandcenter.ku.dk%2F&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fglobalwetlandcenter.ku.dk%2F&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://globalwetlandcenter.ku.dk/
 

Supervisors:

Professor Bo Elberling, Dept of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, beign.ku.dk , +45 35 32 25 20

Associate professor Andreas Westergaard-Nielsen, Dept of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, awnign.ku.dk , +45 35 32 58 40.

The PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. geography, ecology, environmental sciences. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD candidate at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / 1/2 FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Planning and execution of fieldwork in Vietnam
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in collaborating with other disciplines
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

1. A cover letter (max 2 page) describing your background, personal qualities, research interest and motivation for applying for this position, as well as an outline of research ideas for the position
2. A short abstract of the MSc thesis 
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
5. Publication list (if relevant)
6. Up to three reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 6 April 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at ?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.dk%2Ffaculty%2Frecruitment-process%2F&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.dk%2Ffaculty%2Frecruitment-process%2F&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/­recruitment-process/ .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 19.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.science.ku.dk%2Fphd&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.science.ku.dk%2Fphd&module=jobs&id=3217387" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.science.ku.dk/phd

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position. 

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation - with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture - creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Info

Application deadline: 06-04-2026

Employment start: 01-08-2026

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: Institut for Geovidenskab og Naturforvaltning

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