The Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for prospective PhD candidates as part of the UNIgreen Joint PhD Programme in Agri-Food Science, Technology, and Biotechnology (XLI cycle, 2025/2026).
A fully funded PhD position is available at AUI, providing a unique chance to engage in high-impact research within an international academic environment. Available PhD Scholarship at AUI AUI is offering one full scholarship for a PhD position in the research topic: “Enhancing Agroecological Transitions in the EU: Policy, Resource Efficiency, and Scaling of Innovations in Agricultural Living Labs (AELLs).”
This research will focus on the role of policy frameworks, resource efficiency, and innovative scaling strategies within Agricultural Living Labs (AELLs), aiming to support sustainable agroecological transitions in Europe. The PhD candidate will be based at AUI but will also have the opportunity to engage in research mobility at partner institutions within the UNIgreen Alliance.
Details of the PhD position:
Title: Enhancing Agroecological Transitions in the EU: Policy, Resource Efficiency, and Scaling of Innovations in Agricultural Living Labs (AELLs)
Scientific Tutors: Friederike Dima Danneil; Utra Mankasingh
Sustainable food production systems are urgently needed to protect our environment and to ensure our food security. This has driven the EU to promote agroecological transitions, yet policy gaps, resource inefficiencies, and scalability challenges remain significant barriers. Agricultural Experimental Living Labs (AELLs) provide an innovative framework to test and implement agroecological principles, but their success depends on well-designed policies, efficient resource use, and effective scaling strategies. This research is timely and relevant as it aligns with EU Green Deal objectives, Farm to Fork Strategy, and circular economy initiatives.
This PhD focuses on resource reuse in AELLs as a means of circular resource management, by optimizing closed-loop systems optimize resource flows (CO2 reuse) in circular farming, and to identify key factors for scaling agroecological innovations. It will also examine current EU agricultural policy to offer insights into sustainable agroecological transitions. The project is suited for candidates in Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, , Biogeochemistry, Agroeconomy, Public Policy, Environmental Economics and other related disciplines.
A period of research will be conducted in a foreign research institute.
Required skills:
1) highly motivated to plan and conduct research, both at the home institute and with international partners;
2) critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
3) good knowledge of statistics and statistical software (e.g. R) or willingness to learn;
4) excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams;
5) circular economy concepts, or willingness to learn.
Programme Highlights
- Joint PhD degree awarded by UNIgreen partner institutions
- Full scholarship covering tuition and a stipend (€16 243 per year)
- International research collaboration within the UNIgreen network Mobility opportunities: PhD students must spend a minimum of three months at a partner institution abroad English-taught programme
How to Apply
Applications open on March 17, 2025, and the deadline for submission is May 9, 2025 (1:00 PM CET). Candidates must apply through the official application portal: UNIgreen PhD Programme Application
For more information about the PhD programme, visit: UNIgreen PhD Programme Overview
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a leading international PhD programme and contribute to cutting-edge research on sustainable agriculture and food systems!
For inquiries, please contact:
