PhD fellowship in Plant Nutrition

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, the Plant Nutrition Research Group invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in foliar application of nanozymes. The project is part of the research project: “Biocompatible nanozymes with anti-oxidative properties to increase crop resilience in a changing climate”, funded by The Independent Research Fund Denmark.

Start date is expected to be January 1st, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

As PhD student, you will investigate the mechanisms by which biocompatible Fe-, Mn- and Zn-based nanozymes are taken up, transported and function within plants under drought stress. The work will focus on advanced imaging of nanozyme localization and cellular interactions using LA-ICP-TOF-MS, TEM-EDX and confocal microscopy, combined with analyses of ROS scavenging and oxidative stress responses. You will evaluate how nanozyme treatments influence drought tolerance in climate chamber and field experiments.

The project aims to generate fundamental knowledge on nanozyme behaviour in plants and support the development of safe, effective nano-enabled strategies for improving crop resilience to drought.

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious PhD candidate with a strong interest in the interface between plant science, nanotechnology and advanced imaging. The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in Plant Science, Biology, Agricultural Science, Nanoscience, Biotechnology or a related discipline. The successful candidate will investigate the uptake, transport and intracellular behavior of biocompatible nanozymes in plants exposed to drought stress.

It is a clear advantage if you have hands‑on experience with LA-ICP-TOF-MS, TEM-EDX and confocal microscopy, as well as knowledge of reactive oxygen species (ROS) dynamics and general plant stress physiology. The candidate should be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research and willing to work across the fields of plant biology, analytical chemistry and nanotechnology. The candidate is expected to be independent, collaborative and curious, and to contribute actively to an international research environment involving close collaboration between group members.

As PhD student in the project, you will join the Plant Nutrition Research Group () at the University of Copenhagen, an internationally recognized and interdisciplinary research environment working at the interface between plant nutrition, analytical chemistry and nanotechnology. The group conducts both fundamental and applied research aimed at improving nutrient use efficiency, crop resilience and the sustainability of agricultural production systems.

We place strong emphasis on maintaining a friendly, collaborative and supportive working atmosphere, where team members openly share knowledge, ideas and expertise. We believe that excellent science is best achieved through dedicated teamwork, mutual respect and a positive working environment that supports both scientific excellence and personal development. As PhD student, you will receive close scientific mentorship, access to world‑class infrastructure and the opportunity to contribute to pioneering research addressing some of the major challenges facing future agriculture, including drought resilience, nutrient efficiency and climate adaptation of crops.

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme),
if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree
.

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a…