Integrated PhD fellowship in sustainable food systems

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
Faculty of Science

University of Copenhagen

The Centre for Remote Sensing and Deep Learning of Global Tree Resources (TreeSense): TreeSense invites applicants for a integrated PhD fellowship in sustainable food systems.

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

The project
At TreeSense, we use remote sensing and machine learning to develop new means to characterize and quantify global woody vegetation dynamics, both inside and outside of forests. Also, we aim to identify the drivers and outcomes of these changes. The PhD student will focus on the socio-economic outcomes of changes in woody resources. In particular, the PhD student will link the mapping of changes in woody resources to local people’s livelihoods and food security. The PhD student will also work with local collaborators in selected sites to co-produce relevant stakeholder tools.

We value diversity and inclusivity in our research community. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences who share our commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through innovative research.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with a bachelor within the field(s) of environmental sciences, agroecology, agronomy, geography, land system science, or a related field.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The PhD student will be based within the Section for Geography at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The PhD student will be part of TreeSense , the Land Use, Earth Observation and Sustainability research group: LUES Research group , and the Livelihood, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Deforestation (LAND) lab: LAND lab .

TreeSense offers a strong, international environment for research in the field of land system science. TreeSense employs 5 principal investigators, 8 postdocs, 7 PhD students as well as a number of undergraduate students.

Principal supervisor is Professor Laura Vang Rasmussen, Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk.

The PhD programme
An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree .

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree , you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .  

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN)Students on the integrated programme will enrol as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrolment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated PHD programme is up to five years and depends on the number of credits that you have passed on your Master programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: For SCIENCE , “Study Structures”

Until the MSc degree is obtained, the grant will be paid partly in the form of up to 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.).

A education grant portion is currently (2026 level) DKK 7.426 before tax.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc 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

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Experience with quasi-experimental methods
• Experience with R or Phyton
• Experience with food consumption surveys and nutrition indicators
• Experience with poverty surveys
• Other relevant professional activities
• 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. 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 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.

Application deadline
The deadline for applications is 5 August 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 .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in late August.

Questions
For specific information about the integrated 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: .

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