PhD Position on Root-Soil interactions
European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Position
PhD Position on Root-Soil interactions
Employer
Aarhus University
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
Homepage: https://international.au.dk/
Location
Aarhus, Denmark
Sector
Academic
Relevant divisions
Biogeosciences (BG)
Soil System Sciences (SSS)
Type
Full time
Level
Entry level
Salary
Open
Preferred Education
Master
Application deadline
8 October 2026
Posted
24 August 2026
Job Description
The PhD student is expected to join the project ComPASS - Compaction-driven mechanisms of Plant Adaptations and Signalling: the role of ethylene in root responses.
The overarching objective of the project is to provide a fundamental understanding of how physical processes occurring in the vicinity of root tips influence root growth via ethylene signalling. The project entails laboratory experiments during which plants/genotypes of different ethylene sensitivity will be grown under controlled conditions on different soils. The soils will be chosen in order to cover a range of textures and bulk densities (compaction treatments). After the growth period, pots will be scanned with X-ray CT to characterize root traits and root-soil physical interactions (root-soil contact, rhizosphere structure) non-destructively in 3D. RNA sequencing will be performed on root tip tissues in order to identify expressed genes and signalling pathways that are affected as a response of changes in soil properties. This project is a collaboration between Aarhus University, the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Halle (Germany) and the University of Nottingham (UK). Place of employment is in the Department of Agroecology of AU. The PhD student will be expected to participate in research stays in at least one of these two collaborating institutions.
How to apply
Please Apply Via The AU Portal At This Link
https://phd.tech.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/saeropslag/compass-compaction-driven-mechanisms-of-plant-adaptations-and-signalling-the-role-of-ethylene-in-root-responses
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