PhD-Position: AI-Driven Pathways to Healthy Soils

University of Basel, Switzerland

Updated: 8 days ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 06 Apr 2026

28 Mar 2026
Job Information
Organisation/Company

University of Basel
Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Soil science
Computer science » Other
Environmental science » Earth science
Environmental science » Other
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Application Deadline

6 Apr 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)
Country

Switzerland
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Other EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Environmental Geosciences group at the University of Basel invites applications for a PhD fellowship within the PhD Program Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), starting 1 June 2026 or later.
Research Area and project description
The project investigates how artificial intelligence can support the achievement of healthy soils by 2050 through EU policy implementation (e.g., CAP, Soil Monitoring Law, CRCF). It will develop AI tools to map and predict soil health across space and time, accelerate literature reviews, extract best management practices from long-term experiments, and design methods to evaluate soil health. The project will also explore translating Soil Living Labs outcomes into policy recommendations and conducting policy-relevant scenario analyses. This international PhD is part of the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships programme, training researchers at the science-policy interface.
Qualification and specific competences required

  • Master's degree (completed or near completion) in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental or Soil Sciences, AI, Data Science, Geosciences).
  • Basic knowledge of soil science and strong interest in AI and soil health.
  • Experience with data analysis/modelling and programming (R or Python).
  • Advantageous: geostatistics, digital soil mapping, remote sensing, GIS, big data or cloud tools.
  • Proactive working style, strong communication skills, and excellent English.
  • Relevant publications are a plus.


For further information and detailed task description please see link below
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be EU Member State or associated country nationals (or minimum of 5 years residency in the EU) and be enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a PhD programme at the University of Basel (≤12 months enrolled at start). Proof of enrolment must be provided within six months of confirmation.

  • Joint training environment between Basel (Switzerland) and the JRC in Ispra, Italy.
  • Salary and benefits according to JRC Grantholder Category 20 during JRC periods (approx. €45,000 gross/year) and University of Basel conditions during university employment.
  • Participation in an international, policy-relevant doctoral programme on soil health and AI based tools.


Application / Contact
Please submit your complete application documents, including a letter stating your motivation and a short statement of research and teaching interests, experience and skills, a CV and contact details of at least two references via our online recruiting platform. Applications via Email will not be accepted. Application deadline is 6th April 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1st June 2026.
Applicants seeking further information please see
https://duw.unibas.ch/de/umweltgeowissenschaften/  or contact: Professor Christine Alewell, christine.alewell@unibas.ch .
 
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/collaborate-us/collaborative-doctoral-partnership-cdp-programme/cdp-programme-phd-candidates_en


Where to apply
Website
https://academicpositions.com/ad/university-of-basel/2026/phd-position-ai-drive…

Requirements
Research Field
Agricultural sciences
Years of Research Experience
1 - 4

Research Field
Computer science
Years of Research Experience
1 - 4

Research Field
Environmental science
Years of Research Experience
1 - 4

Research Field
Environmental science
Years of Research Experience
1 - 4

Additional Information
Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
University of Basel
Country
Switzerland
City
Basel
Postal Code
CH-4003
Street
Petersplatz 1
Geofield


Contact
City

Basel
Website

https://www.unibas.ch/en.html
Postal Code

CH-4003

STATUS: EXPIRED

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