PhD Site Specific Nitrogen fertilisation and Soil Mineralisation 100%-100%
good food, healthy environment
The 'Digital Production' Research Group makes use of information and communication technologies to solve a wide variety of challenges in the agricultural sector. The Group develops new data-based solutions for improving the efficiency and sustainability of production systems. In addition to the understanding of agricultural production processes, our core competencies lie in computer vision, demanding data analyses and modelling.
Nitrogen fertilisation can be made more efficient with site-specific technologies. This project aims to optimise the individual fertiliser applications by taking into account soil mineralisation. Mineralisation models and innovative nitrate sensors will be evaluated for their suitability for practical application.
The 'Digital Production' Research Group makes use of information and communication technologies to solve a wide variety of challenges in the agricultural sector. The Group develops new data-based solutions for improving the efficiency and sustainability of production systems. In addition to the understanding of agricultural production processes, our core competencies lie in computer vision, demanding data analyses and modelling.
Nitrogen fertilisation can be made more efficient with site-specific technologies. This project aims to optimise the individual fertiliser applications by taking into account soil mineralisation. Mineralisation models and innovative nitrate sensors will be evaluated for their suitability for practical application.
PhD Site Specific Nitrogen fertilisation and Soil Mineralisation
Your tasks
- Validate and further develop existing mineralisation models with regard to their practical suitability
- Analysing data sets from field experiments and linking them with other data sources (e.g. weather data, satellite data).
- Planning and conducting field experiments on N-mineralisation in soil
- Writing scientific publications
- Participation in scientific conferences and earning the required ECTS credits
Your profile
- University degree in agricultural sciences, biology, environmental sciences or equivalent qualification
- Interest in mechanistic and statistical modelling of the soil-plant system
- Good knowledge of R or Python
- Experience in analysing spatial data with ArcGIS or QGIS is an advantage
- Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and a very good command of written and spoken English
Additional information
If this position interests you and you meet the requirements profile, we look forward to receiving your online application.
(English is not an official Swiss language, please choose German, French or Italian as correspondence language).
Additional information can be obtained from Thomas, Anken, in charge of the Group Digital Production by e-mail at Write an email or by phone on N° +41 58 480 33 52 (please do not send applications to this e-mail address).
Starting date: 01.10.2024 or by agreement. The position is limited until 30.09.2027.
About us
The 'Sustainability Assessment and Agricultural Management' Research Division develops decision-making bases to help policy-makers create optimal framework conditions for a competitive and multifunctional Swiss agricultural sector. The analysis of a wide range of data from the agriculture and food sector enables the identification of promising operating strategies and policy measures. The Research Division deals with issues concerning digitalisation in agriculture.
Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector. Its researchers work at a number of sites in Switzerland. Headquartered in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2026: Posieux), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.
We offer you a varied job in an interesting work environment as well as thorough training and a modern research infrastructure. Flexible working hours and good employee benefits are additional perks of the job.
About the company
