PhD Candidate in Plant Breeding and Genetics

Department of Plant Breeding
The Department of Plant Breeding conducts research, education, and innovation work of strategic importance for society's long-term supply of food, industrial raw materials, and energy to meet the increasing demands for these resources and, at the same time, make plant production increasingly environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Together, we expand knowledge that helps develop society sustainably. We collaborate with growers and industries to cultivate the crops of the future, actively shaping the contents of tomorrow's consumer plates. We are a workplace that has grown numerically in recent years with a significant number of international employees.

This doctoral announcement is one of a total of four doctoral students being presently recruited to the department. Funding for these positions is part of the faculty's investment in 10 doctoral students in 2024, with additional co-funding from the Department of Plant Breeding.

More information about the 10 doctoral students: https://internt.slu.se/en/targeted-info/faculties/ltv-faculty/current-affairs/initiatives-and-projects/strategic-initiatives-2023--2024/strategic-initiatives-at-the-ltv-faculty--call-for-10-doctoral-student-projects2/

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Name of research project/thesis: “From Stench to Scent, genetic strategies towards bunt-free organic wheat”
Research subject: Biology 
Description:
Common bunt is a seed-borne fungal disease that poses a significant threat to organic wheat production. The project aims to promote sustainable organic wheat production by providing the breeding program with new sources of resistance and genetic markers for efficient breeding of resistant varieties. Furthermore, the project will generate new knowledge about both virulence and resistance factors that are crucial for the fungus's ability to infect wheat plants.

The doctoral project is interdisciplinary and spans various fields such as plant breeding, plant pathology, and genomics. You will work with a diverse team of supervisors, including both junior and senior researchers in Sweden and Austria, as well as industry representatives. The working environment is international, with English as the working language.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a candidate interested in applied research within plant pathology and plant breeding. You are qualified to be admitted to postgraduate education if you have a MSc degree or four years of full-time studies of which at least one year at an advanced level. For this position, your education must have had a focus on biology, plant pathology, plant breeding, molecular biology, biomedical laboratory science, or equivalent.

Experience in molecular genetic and microbiological laboratory work is advantageous. It is important that you find it easy to collaborate with different individuals. Applicants must meet certain English language requirements. For students from Swedish upper secondary schools, this is English B/English 6. Alternatively, applicants must hold an internationally recognised English language qualification (TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge ESOL).  For more information see www.universityadmissions.se

We will place great emphasis on personal suitability, considering factors such as flexibility, drive, collaboration ability, independence, and accuracy.

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years)

Starting date:
According to agreement. 

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2024-06-21.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/


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.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.