PhD position

Department of Forest Resource Management
The Department of Forest Resource Management conducts teaching and research in the areas of Forest Remote Sensing, Mathematical Statistics Applied to Forest Sciences, Forest Inventory and Sampling, Forest Planning and Landscape Studies. The Department is also responsible for several environmental monitoring and assessment programs. The Division of Forest Remote Sensing works with developments of remote sensing methods for estimation of forest resources using several kinds of sensor data, for example multi-spectral cameras, laser scanners, and radar sensors. For more information visit: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-resource-management/sections/forest-remote-sensing/. 

Description
We are now seeking a PhD candidate to work on monitoring, reporting and verification of biodiversity ecosystem services (MRV-BES). The tasks carried out in this PhD work will be synergistic with the objectives of the EU Horizon 2020 project SUPERB, an ambitious upscaling of ecosystem recovery targets in the EU Green Deal (https://efi.int/news/superb-promote-forest-restoration-and-adaptation-across-europe-2021-12-01). The PhD work will concentrate mainly in the Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka (V-J) Biosphere Reserve, at least initially, and extensions toward other SUPERB demo sites restoration actions across Europe will be considered. Close collaboration with several SUPERB partners is also anticipated. Ecosystem restoration actions are being carried out at the V-J area, mainly devoted to landscape-level diversification and restoration of multiple ecosystem types. The PhD work will consist of the acquisition and analysis of field and remote sensing data that can provide scientific evidence for biodiversity and ecosystem services lead by the ecosystem restoration activities, improving our scientific understanding of the conservation evidence for these actions and their benefit to nature and the society as a whole.

Qualifications
To be qualified for this position you need a MSc degree (or equivalent) in forest science, remote sensing and/or ecological modelling, or any other disciplines relevant to the post. We are searching for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with good communication skills, and also team work experience would be a desirable asset. The candidate must be fluent to work in a English-speaking work environment, but also proficient in writing in English in the scientific genre, which can be proved by scientific work written in English (e.g. a MSc thesis or any other published or informal materials). Technical skills should include Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the statistical R programming environment, with desirable skills in high performance computing (e.g. batch processing, Google Earth Engine, or alike). The candidate should also preferably show experience and skills in the acquisition of field data. Driver license is a requirement.

We welcome applications no later than the 7th of  January 2022. Use the button below.

Please include in your application:


• your curriculum vitae,
• copies of degrees obtained at an internationally recognized higher education institution, plus transcripts of academic records,
• a personally written piece of work that shows your proficiency in scientific writing in English (e.g. a dissertation for master’s or undergraduate degree),
• plus contact information of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications.

Place of work       
This position is based in Umeå (Sweden), and may involve travelling to locations in Europe for field data acquisition.

Forms for funding or employment
Employment as a PhD student for 4 years. 

Starting date
As soon as possible. By agreement.

Application
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2022-01-07.

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: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, 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) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se