Research Assistant: Soil Properties and Management in Agricultural Ecosystem to Reduce CO2 and Greenhouse Gases

Introduction to the topic:

This project aims to identify optimal farming practices that enhance organic carbon storage and improve food and crop production quality by measuring soil quality and biotic parameters in ecosystems. The project will comprehensively examine and quantify the impacts of field operations and soil management practices, including physical and chemical processes, as well as the influence of plants and microorganisms (including ecosystem engineering). It will investigate factors such as root penetration, plant support, and drainage, using cutting-edge technology for thorough investigation, precise description, and efficient model operation.

Project details:

Based on the data gathered, we will develop calculations on the economic cost/benefit of selected plants, crop rotation and methods to increase sustainable crop and food production, while simultaneously enhancing CO2 (atmospheric carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases) storage (carbon sequestration).

In your role as a Research Assistant, you will have the opportunity to work on a project that spans fields such as biology, engineering, and sustainability, using modern measurement techniques, sensor technology, and soil science. You will collaborate with both businesses, universities, and Polish growers as you gain a deep insight into how to develop a pilot project, gather data, learn about physical, chemical, biological soil science, sustainability, environmental science, experience the specificities of Polish farming and society, and work closely with university researchers and agriculture.

A short field study to Poland may be included as part of the research, but is not guaranteed.

Selected relevant publications:

Nature and Properties of Soils, The 15th by Ray R. Weil and Nyle C. Brady ISBN: 978-0133254488

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Faculty

Tomasz Blaszczyk

Faculty

M.S. (Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Poland, 2006). B.A. in Electrical Engineering, Copenhagen University (Denmark). Researcher at Zealand University of Applied Science working in areas ranging from sustainable food production, agriculture, and bee disease control to the intricate domain of biological pest control. Associate Professor and Researcher at thte Technical University of Denmark, 2009-now. Leading a project in which he conducted research and development of instruments for near-space industry. Inventor of new flow sensor and has strong interest in smart sensor systems, radio communication, embedded applications, intelligent signal processing & control with low power profiles for multidisciplinary approaches. With DIS since 2022.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Additional application required

Faculty

Tomasz Blaszczyk

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?