Ph.D. – Education in Integrated Pest Management
Vision and Objective of the Research Education
The Department of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to provide an attractive Ph.D. degree in Integrated Pest Management of the highest international standard, where large demands are made on applicants, supervisors, educational courses, scientific character, working environment and cooperation at national and international level. We expect completion of the degree within the nominal 3 years and, in return, offer good career possibilities after the degree has been completed. IPM considers the Ph.D. education programme to be an integral part of its research.
Introduction to IPM
The purpose of the research efforts at IPM is to contribute to an efficient and environmentally acceptable prevention of problems caused by weeds and plant diseases and pest animals in crop and livestock production, in food industry and in society in general. Research in bees forms part of the department’s activities with special focus on pests of bees and their role as pollinators. The research also comprises activities ranging outside actual agriculture, e.g. rats in city environments, bedbugs, weed control on pavements and roads and plant protection of sports grounds.
The research of the department is characterized by:
· Basic and applied research being conducted with a view to developing IPM strategies for solving problems with weeds, plant and bee diseases and pest animals
· Compilation of knowledge about the importance and biology of pests and the interactions between pests, crops, cultivation and production methods and other conditions crucial to the development and implementation of IPM strategies
· Compilation of knowledge which can form the basis of an optimum and environmentally acceptable application of pesticides including elucidating of their environmental fate
· Development of alternatives to chemical pest control based on the application of natural enemies, biotechnical and physical methods and pest resistant varieties
· Development and implementation of new technology (e.g. information technology, GPS/GIS techniques, NIT/NIR spectroscopy, molecular biology, bio sensors, microarrays) in relevant contexts
· Work being done at molecular, individual as well as population level
IPM has approx. 120 employees, out of which 60 are scientists, while the remaining employees are laboratory technicians, agricultural technicians, agricultural assistants, animal assistants and administrative staff. The department is located at Flakkebjerg near Slagelse and at Sorgenfri near Kgs. Lyngby.
National and International Cooperation
IPM has broad research cooperation with other Danish universities and research institutions. In addition to this, at the national level, IPM particularly cooperates with the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and the Danish Ministry of the Environment and their affiliated units (e.g. the Danish Plant Directorate, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency).
At the international level, IPM cooperates with many universities and research institutions in Europe, Asia, Africa and in North and South America. At present, the department participates in e.g. an EU Network of Excellence focusing on crop protection (ENDURE). The department has a tradition of research aid cooperation in developing countries. Moreover, the expertise of the department is utilized through cooperation with Danish authorities, Danish and foreign companies and supranational institutions such as the EU, EPPO, FAO, WHO, OECD.
Working Environment
The department focuses very much on ensuring a good psychical and physical working environment. Efforts are made to ensure good management and on improving the competence of the employees. Staff satisfaction surveys are carried out, just as yearly staff development meetings between employer and employee. These surveys and meetings also include master and Ph.D. students. A fine-meshed safety structure based on the safety of the individual person is established whether you work in the laboratory, greenhouses or in the field (field, livestock buildings, industrial companies, etc.).
Facilities and Services
The department has modern research and experimental facilities. Research Centre Flakkebjerg was opened in 1997 and has well equipped laboratories, auditorium, meeting rooms, library, canteen and offices. In addition there are greenhouses and machinery houses etc. and also trial fields of 175 ha, where e.g. organic crop rotation trials are performed. At Sorgenfri there are new and newly renovated facilities comprising e.g. breeding of insects and mammals and the possibility of working with class 3 pathogens. The department has its own IT and workshop services.
Ph.D. Courses Offered
A number of Ph.D. courses are being set up at the department. In addition to this, joint courses for DJF Ph.D. students will be established in particular in cooperation with DJF’s Ph.D. School. Further information can be obtained by contacting the departmental Ph.D. Coordinator.
Quality Safeguards
IPM is striving to assure the quality of the Ph.D. education through special courses for supervisors, support for students who want to study abroad for a period of time, networking, establishment of a course programme at a high international level, encouraging internationalization, international participation in the Ph.D. assessment committees, and an ongoing development of an inspiring professional and social environment for the Ph.D. students.
Management and Connection to DJF/AU
The Ph.D. education in Integrated Pest Management is based in the Department of Integrated Pest Management at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (DJF), University of Aarhus. Together with similar Ph.D. education programmes at the other DJF departments it represents DJF’s Ph.D. School, which works as an umbrella for the Ph.D. education programmes with a view to ensure the education programmes and the quality in supervision, Ph.D. courses, completion of the studies, coordination across departments, faculties and other universities. The responsibility for supervision and the educational quality rests ultimately with IPM, which strengthens the professional connection and ensures support for the individual Ph.D. student.
The Ph.D. education programme is run by a Ph.D. Coordinator, who has the task of establishing, maintaining and developing the programme. In this work the Ph.D. Coordinator will receive advice from a Ph.D. education committee, which consists of the Coordinator, two scientists with experience in Ph.D. supervision, and two Ph.D. students. The members of the committee are appointed by the Research Director at IPM for a period of 2 years, for Ph.D. students, however, for only 1 year at a time.
Admission Requirements
A Master’s degree in natural science or agricultural science from a Danish university or a foreign university. For particulars, contact the Ph.D. Coordinator.
Contact and Further Information
Ph.D. Coordinator: Research director Jørgen B. Jespersen, JorgenB.Jespersen@agrsci.dk
Secretary: Sonja Graugaard, Sonja.Graugaard@agrsci.dk
Further information: www.agrsci.au.dk
Last updated: Friday 31 August 2007 - Anders.AlmskouDahlgaard@agrsci.dk
Tel: +45 8999 1900