Staff Scientist for Plant Nutrition research at Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Plant and Soil Science Section

Updated: over 2 years ago
Deadline: 10 Oct 2021

At Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen we are looking for a Staff Scientist to support activities within Plant Nutrition research, commencing December 1st 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is available for 4 years.

Description of the scientific environment

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences strives to stimulate fundamental research and establish synergies between basic and applied research in biology and environmental sciences. The focus is on plants, microorganisms, animals and the environment as a basis for sustainable production of food and other biological products. Research and teaching cover natural resources, agriculture, biotechnology and synthetic biology from the molecular level to the ecosystem scale.

Research within Plant Nutrition focuses on nutrient acquisition and utilization by higher plants and the functions of mineral elements in plant metabolism, plant productivity, plant-environment interactions and stress tolerance. Our overall goal is to increase nutrient use efficiency by contributing to the development of new crop genotypes and fertilization strategies, the latter incorporating nanotechnology and novel analytical tools for diagnosing the nutritional status of plants.

The Staff Scientist will be supporting a range of different research project within the Plant Nutrition research group, which currently is composed of 22 members. Our research ambitions are high and we strive to publish our work in leading journals. The research environment is vibrant, friendly, collaborative and international, consisting of scientists and students with diverse academic backgrounds such as plant science, molecular biology and chemistry. The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences is located in central Copenhagen at the Frederiksberg Campus. Copenhagen ranks among the most livable cities of the world and has several times been voted the number one capital in annual quality of life surveys..

Job description

Project background: Crops only take up a minor fraction of most soil-applied nutrients. This wasteful practice burdens plant producers with costs, unnecessarily large carbon footprints and eutrophication of the aquatic environment. Foliar fertilization bypasses chemical and microbial fixation in the soil system and may therefore potentially eliminate most of the disadvantages linked to classical soil based fertilization. Foliar fertilization is a well-established agricultural practice worldwide for a range of essential plant nutrients and crop species. However, for some nutrients, the efficiency remains very poor and for some crops, the procedure is so inefficient that foliar fertilization is little used. This includes crops of major economic importance across agriculture, horticulture and forestry, which all have leaves covered by resistant and hydrophobic cuticles.

In the Plant Nutrition research group, we are exploring these resistant pathways in order to circumvent them, by utilizing the most recent advances within plant biology, nanotechnology and medical drug delivery. Using a highly interdisciplinary approach, we are currently running a range of projects aiming at developing a disruptive portfolio of biocompatible nanoparticles that can penetrate leaf cuticles and facilitate targeted nutrient delivery to photosynthetically active tissue in crops. We believe that these approaches will provide a breakthrough in productivity, sustainability and climate friendliness of crop production.

Key tasks as Staff Scientist includes:

  • Coordinate cross-disciplinary research activities at the laboratory level
  • Maintenance of our laboratories and analytical infrastructure
  • Cultivate plants in hydroponics and characterize their nutritional status
  • Test nanofertilizer candidates and characterize plant responses using DLS, TEM/SEM, X-ray techniques, ICP-OES and a range of spectroscopic techniques.
  • Perform statistical data analysis
  • Scientific paper drafting and reporting to funding bodies
  • Coordinate project collaborations with external partners
  • Organize and coordinate scientific meetings

Formal requirements for the Staff Scientist:

Applicants for the Staff Scientist position should meet the following specific requirements:

  • As minimum a MSc degree in Plant Science, Agronomy, Biology or similar
  • Extensive laboratory experience and knowledge to plant cultivation, both in hydroponics, soil and under field conditions
  • Strong skills in data management and statistical analysis
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Fluency in oral and written English
  • Motivated and conscientious personality

Further information on the Department can be found at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/.

For specific information about the position, please contact Professor Søren Husted, [email protected] .

The position is open from December 1st 2021or as soon as possible thereafter.

Terms of employment

Terms of employment takes place in accordance  with an agreement  between the the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Placement will take place as an acedemic staff member or specialist consultant , depending qualifications.

The starting salary is currently DKK 371,102  including pension. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

  • Cover Letter, detailing your motivation and background for applying
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
  • Complete publication list
  • Separate re-prints in pdf format of any published papers (max. 5) and your PhD thesis.

The deadline for applications is 10 October 2021, 23:59 GMT +2. 

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.


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.



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