PhD fellowship in Fruit Science

PhD Project in Crop Physiology in Pomology and Viticulture

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science

University of Copenhagen

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, section of Crop Science invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Crop Physiology in Pomology and Viticulture. The project is part of the research project “EmcoClim-Viti”, which is financed by Horizon Europe and cofounded by the Foundation Foreningen PlanDanmark.

Start date is (expected to be) 1. April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The PhD student will be working on a recently funded project on crop physiology in grapevine and apple. The project is a part of an EU partnership project with partners in Belgium and Netherlands. Field trials will be made at the Pometum at Copenhagen University but also in living labs hosted by vine growers in Denmark. Agroecological methods are to be implemented and the 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 in order to explore the source-sink relationships and production potential in Danish conditions. Together with the partner in Netherlands a digital twin is developed which allows for simulation of effects of climate change on viticulture. With the partner in Belgium life cycle and sustainability assessments for viticulture in the emerging vine regions of Northern Europe will be made. The production system in grape is based on a slim and tall leaf wall ensuring good light distribution and interception as well as ventilation. A system well adapted to the humid and light limited Danish conditions. The work in apple is based on a similar ‘2D Orchard’ system established in a running project at the Pometum. The PhD will dive deeper into the physiological benefits of the growing system in relation to yield and quality potentials. Cultivars, rootstocks and pruning methods are important factors in the experimental setup.

Description of the scientific environment
The PhD student will be hosted in the Horticultural Science and Biotechnology research group, which focuses on high quality plants and plant products, fruit and berry physiology, quality improvement, postharvest and ethylene biology. Additionally, we integrate processing and wine production, and emerging technologies for organic fruit production. More information about the research group is available at: https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/crop_sciences/hsb/ 

The group is a part of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located at the Taastrup Campus near Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and experimental orchard and vineyard areas as well as greenhouses and climate chambers.

Required qualifications
The applicant should hold professional and personal skills and qualifications as stated below:

• An MSc degree in agricultural science, or related disciplines
• Solid knowledge of whole plant and crop physiology especially with perennial fruiting plants
• Knowledge of agroecology, plant pathology and growing techniques related to sustainability within orchard systems.
• Good applied horticultural technical skills related to fruit growing and practical experimental experience with perennial plants.
• Knowledge and experience with winemaking including fruit wine
• Competence in data management and statistical analysis
• Good interpersonal skills, and experience with collaborative work.
• Experience with and interest in teaching and instruction is valued.
• Excellent English writing and speaking abilities.

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the position
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in fruiting plants
• Good language skills

Principal supervisor is Associate professor, Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section of Crop Science, E-mail tbta@plen.ku.dk, direct Phone +45 3335 3411.

Qualifications needed for the PhD 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. agriculture, biology or 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 student 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 in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

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

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. 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.
4. Publication list (if available)
5. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 5 March 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 12.

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. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

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: 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.