Program Overview

Department of Agroecology

The Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University deals with the interaction between soil, plants, animals, and the environment in ecosystems for the production of food, feed, and biomass. The aim is to train and promote the next generation of scientists and technology developers in the field of agroecological science and technology at the highest scientific level in a truly interdisciplinary and international atmosphere.

Education

• Bachelor and master degree programmes
• PhD programme

PhD Programme

The PhD programme at the Department of Agroecology is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of agroecological science and technology. The programme aims to train students to become independent researchers, capable of conducting high-quality research in their chosen field.

PhD Courses

The following PhD courses are offered by the Department of Agroecology:

• February 3-13: Biostatistics Modelling (5 ECTS), Responsible: Franca Giannini-Kurina and Maarit Mäenpää. Costs: 300 Euro
• April - June (the dates will be agreed upon after the registration): Isotopes for nutrient, organic matter cycling and plant-microbial interaction studies – theory and applications (5 ECTS), Responsible: Kirsten Lønne Enggrob, Leanne Peixoto, and Jim Rasmussen. Course fee: 300 Euro
• May 18-22: Root Methods (5 ECTS), Responsible: Eusun Han. Course fee: 620 Euro
• June 8-19: Hands-on Liquid Chromatography–Mass spectrometry course in the analysis of small molecules (phytochemicals, contaminants, primary metabolites) (8 ECTS), Responsible: Benjamin Fuchs
• June 15-20: Merging Measurements and Modelling in Soil Physics (5 ECTS), Responsible: Trine Nørgaard & Lis Wollesen de Jonge. Course fee: 620 Euro
• August 03-08: Electromagnetic Soil Sensors - Theory and Applications, Responsible: Triven Koganti & Mogens Greve. Course fee: 620 Euro
• September : Wetland Restauration, Responsible: Shubiao Wu. Course fee: 600 Euro
• October 26-30: Assembly and functioning of crop microbiomes, Responsible: Mogens Nicolaisen.
• November 8-13: Nitrogen in agroecosystems: from microbial transformations to global budgets (5 ECTS), Responsible: Diego Abalos, course fee: 620 Euro,
• November: Agroecology and agri-food system transition (5ECTS), Responsible: Martin Thorsøe

Wellbeing Initiatives in AGRO

The wellbeing of all members of staff in AGRO is very important, but we have several initiatives related specifically to PhD students and junior scientists. These initiatives have been established and improved over the years as we find it very important to support especially our young people the best way we can. Many of the initiatives are very unique and only offered at AGRO.

• Buddy-scheme: AGRO’s buddy-scheme was established in 2007 on requirement from the PhD students. The list of tasks was made by the students, and it is continuously updated to reflect the needs of the current students. In 2016 the buddy-scheme was introduced to the entire department as part of our onboarding programme.
• Introduction meetings for new students: 4 times a year we will in continuation of the department introduction meetings have specific introduction meetings for new PhD students in the department. The meeting will contain information on our specific PhD initiatives and other things to be aware of in connection with doing a PhD in our department.
• Wellbeing conversations: Wellbeing conversations were implemented in 2015 and have since been part of the PhD committee’s tasks. The conversations are held twice a year between one of the senior PhD committee members and the student.
• AGRO Researcher Days: Once a year a two-day event for all VIP and PhDs in the department takes place. The days can be used to discuss relevant topics both together (VIP and PhDs) and in relevant groups.
• PhD committee workday: Once a year the PhD committee meets for a physical meeting. At this meeting all guidelines and descriptions on the PhD homepage are being evaluated and updated. At this event the students have the possibility to influence the way things are done and described and we make sure that the guidelines, processes, and descriptions reflect the current PhD students’ needs.