15 PhD positions in sustainable forest use and biodiversity at SLU, Sweden

Do you want to contribute to the future sustainable use of forests? Apply to join the WIFORCE Research School at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Sweden!

The PhD positions cover a wide range of forest topics, many of which are related to biodiversity. From remote sensing, earth model systems, peatland forestry AI maps, aerial eDNA to the soil mycobiome, soil carbon dynamics, seedling ecophysiology, riparian forests and microclimate, carbon balance, herbivores, insect communities, pollinating insects and multi-taxon biodiversity assessment.

The WIFORCE Research School

Biodiversity and the role of forests in climate change are now key social issues that require more knowledge. In order to both sustainably use forests and safeguard forest biodiversity, a coherent basic science research program is needed that addresses large and complex issues and develops new analytical tools. That’s why the WIFORCE Research School, part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (www.slu.se/en/wiforce), was created at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. Read more on SLU at the end of the text.

Last date of application
21 January 2025

Employment
4-year employment as PhD student at SLU

More information about open positions and how to apply can be found under each individual position description (see links below).

15 Job Announcements sorted in alphabetical order across 6 SLU Departments:

Department of Ecology, SLU in UPPSALA:

• Aerial eDNA for forest biodiversity survey
  Main supervisor: Aino Hämäläinen
• Functional forest landscapes for pollinating insects
  Main supervisor: Erik Öckinger
• Insect biodiversity dynamics in production forest landscapes
  Main supervisor: Thomas Ranius

Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU in UMEÅ:

• Carbon balance and biodiversity in boreal forests
  Main supervisor: Matthias Peichl
• Peatland forestry – new knowledge from AI maps
  Main supervisor: Anneli Ågren
• Riparian forest biodiversity and microclimate
  Main supervisor: Eliza Maher Hasselqvist
• Seedling ecophysiology in multilayered mixed-species forests in Sweden
  Main supervisor: Torgny Näsholm
• The role of herbivores for biodiversity in forest landscapes
  Main supervisor: Maja Sundqvist
• Quantification and characterization of soil carbon dynamics
  Main supervisor: Michael Gundale

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU in UPPSALA:

• Tree genotype and soil mycobiome – importance for soil processes
  Main supervisor: Petra Fransson

Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU in UMEÅ:
In the division of Forest Remote Sensing:

• Forest remote sensing for biodiversity assessment
  Main supervisor: Eva Lindberg
• Remote sensing focusing on earth system models
  Main supervisor: Rubén Valbuena
• Radar remote sensing of forests by passive interferometric microwave imaging
  Main supervisor: Henrik Persson

Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, SLU in UMEÅ:

• Multi-taxon forest biodiversity assessment
  Main supervisor: Jörgen Sjögren

Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU in ALNARP:

• Forest ecology with focus on carbon dynamics
  Main supervisor: Igor Drobyshev

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

Find more reasons to come and work at SLU: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/