Using Stable Isotopes and Novel Tracers for Greener Agricultural Futures
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
This is a specialised course where 50% of the seats are reserved to PhD students enrolled at the Faculty of SCIENCE at UCPH and 50% of the seats are reserved to other applicants. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules.
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at a Danish university (except CBS), you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list.
Applicants must apply for the course and also send submit half page motivation letter and support letter from their supervisor. The letter must be sent to Per Ambus (peam@ign.ku.dk)
Aim and Content
Quantifying the major sources and sinks of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including CO2, CH4, and N2O, and understanding the processes that drive their production and consumption in terrestrial ecosystems are central tasks for environmental scientists. Such knowledge is critical for designing effective land-use strategies and climate mitigation efforts. Agriculture plays a dual role in this context: it is a significant contributor to global GHG emissions and environmental degradation, yet it is also highly vulnerable to climate change, facing challenges such as rising temperatures, droughts, and extreme weather events.
The soil carbon (C) pool is approximately three times larger than the atmospheric C pool and contains about 80% of the C in terrestrial ecosystems. Because soil C sequestration is closely linked to nitrogen (N) dynamics, it is essential to understand the interactions between C and N in soils. This knowledge underpins efforts to improve crop productivity, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable agriculture. By studying carbon and nitrogen cycling in agricultural landscapes, we can better assess GHG emissions, changes in soil C and N stocks, and nutrient leaching into aquatic systems.
This course will prepare students to investigate these processes by providing theoretical foundations and practical training in stable isotope techniques and novel tracers for studying C and N cycling in soils and their interactions with the atmosphere and hydrosphere. Lectures will introduce isotopic terminology, theory, and analytical approaches, best practice of collecting samples for isotope analysis, and will illustrate their application to global challenges such as GHG fluxes, soil C and N dynamics, and hydrological cycles.
Learning outcomes
Intended learning outcome for the students who complete the course:
Knowledge:
• Hands-on experience with stable isotope analytical techniques, including gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and infrared laser spectroscopy.
• Hands-on experience with different sampling techniques
• Understanding the abundance and characteristics of elements that undergo isotopic fractionation, including kinetic and equilibrium effects and fractionation factors.
• Knowledge of how to select appropriate stable isotope methodologies (e.g., tracers vs. natural abundance) and the proper use of isotopic reference materials.
• In-depth understanding of stable isotopic systems, including interactions with the physical and chemical environment and human activity.
Skills:
• Critically evaluate the requirements for accurate isotopic analysis in various sample materials.
• Assess the quality and preparation needs for samples before analysis.
• Process and interpret raw isotope data from IRMS and laser-based analyses.
• Solve algebraic equations related to isotopic mixing and fractionation.
Competences:
• Conduct independent research using stable isotope applications in the soil-plant-air continuum (H, C, N, O, S).
• Identify relevant scientific problems and environmental questions that can be addressed with stable isotopes and novel tracers.
• Read and critically analyze scientific literature on stable isotopic systems and evaluate current research.
Target Group
This course is designed for PhD students whose research focuses on quantifying major sources and sinks of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) and on studying carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils.
Recommended Academic Qualifications
The students must have an MSc level education to attend the course
Research Area
Physical geography; biology; environmental sciences; biogeochemistry; ecology, plant science, agricultural science, climate change, earth sciences, soil science.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Before the onsite course begins, students review recent advancements in IRMS and laser techniques for measuring stable isotopes (H, C, N, O, S). During the course, they engage in hands-on sampling of soil and plant materials from various field sites. After collecting samples, students perform preparation and treatment for stable isotope analysis.
Lectures delivered by instructors cover key theoretical and practical aspects of isotope measurement techniques and their applications across different fields. These lectures integrate with class discussions and hands-on exercises to reinforce theoretical and practical learning.
Students actively participate by presenting their current research projects and collaborating in group work, laboratory exercises, and fieldwork. The course concludes with group presentations on a selected topic, incorporating both theoretical concepts and experimental results.
Type of Assessment
Each student is required to submit a written report, 2-3 pages in length, within two weeks, outlining a hypothetical research project proposal related to their own project and course material. Successful completion of the course requires an approved report, evaluated no later than two weeks after submission.
The proposals will be reviewed by the instructors, who will provide brief written feedback. In addition, students will present their work through both a poster and an oral presentation during course, and oral feedback will be given.
Literature
Selected textbook material, scientific papers and methodological protocols will be provided prior to and during the course.
Course coordinator
Professor Per Ambus
Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), Geography Section and Land-CRAFT center, University of Copenhagen.
Guest Lecturers
• Prof. Louise Rütting, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg, Germany
• Dr. Hyojin Kim, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland: Aarhus, DK
• Prof. Reinhard Well, Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, The Thünen Institute, Germany
Dates
13-18 April 2026
Expected frequency
Upon demand. Possibly every three years.
Course location
Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen K, DK
Course fee
• Participant fee: 1000 DKK
• PhD student enrolled at SCIENCE: 0 DKK
• PhD student from Danish PhD school Open market: 0 DKK
• PhD student from Danish PhD school not Open market: 3000 DKK
• PhD student from foreign university: 3000 DKK
• Master's student from Danish university: 0 DKK
• Master's student from foreign university: 3000 DKK
• Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): 3000 DKK
• Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): 8400 DKK
Cancellation policy
• Cancellations made up to two weeks before the course starts are free of charge.
• Cancellations made less than two weeks before the course starts will be charged a fee of DKK 3.000
• Participants with less than 80% attendance cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000
• No-show will result in a fee of DKK 5.000
• Participants who fail to hand in any mandatory exams or assignments cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000
Course fee and participant fee
PhD courses offered at the Faculty of SCIENCE have course fees corresponding to different participant types.
In addition to the course fee, there might also be a participant fee.
If the course has a participant fee, this will apply to all participants regardless of participant
type - and in addition to the course fee.