PhD position in forest policy

Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
The centre carries out research, teaching and dissemination of information on forest management in southern Sweden. The research is focused on subjects particularly relevant to southern Sweden, such as the silviculture of deciduous and mixed forests, alternatives to spruce, management of forests with extensive butt-rot, high quality production on fertile sites, damage caused by native and invasive forest pest and pathogens, and competition between ground vegetation and tree seedlings. The research is carried out in close co-operation with the forest industry and other stakeholders in society. Teaching: Courses are held in variety of forest-related topics for Swedish and international students at the bachelor and master level.

We are accepting applications for PhD student in the new Centre of Excellence in Fast Growing Broadleaves (TREES FOR ME) at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre at SLU. The centre works in close collaboration with the forestry sector and other stakeholders. 

TREES FOR ME Competence Centre 

Climate change puts our forests at risk and currently, the forest biomass production is neither secure, sustainable nor sufficient to meet the future demands of both the energy and process industry sector, nor well-placed to meet additional societal goals for forest biodiversity, recreation and aesthetics. ‘TREES FOR ME’ is a centre of excellence on fast growing broadleaves, i.e. poplar, aspen, hybrid aspen and birch, for sustainable forests, materials and energy. Fifty partner organizations representing academic and research institutes, and the enterprise and public sectors will collaborate in TREES FOR ME working together to find solutions to mitigate some of these future risks to forest health. The centre’s goal is to develop science-based, innovative solutions for, and build future competence in, a new forest biomass supply system for conversion to high-value material and energy products. In total, 13 PhD students will be recruited to the centre and will collaborate with stakeholders representing the whole forest-based value chain, to build research excellence and knowledge for Swedish energy and forest sectors and society in general.

System innovation to promote fast growing broadleaves in Swedish forestry
Description:
The aim of this PhD student position is a doctoral degree. Drawing from the field of system innovation and applying the theoretical lenses of multi-level perspective, the 4-year PhD project will examine the potential for system innovations to promote fast growing broadleaves in Sweden. Special attention will be given to innovations incited at the niche level, e.g. social networks and entrepreneurship to promote alternative silvicultural regimes; or favouring fast growing broadleaves in forest regeneration and silvicultural treatments by private forest owners. Based on documentary analyses and interviews, the project will investigate such research questions as: (i) What are the key hinders and drivers for the innovations? (ii) Who are the innovators, what are their rationales? (iii) What could be a potent mix of forest policy instruments, to promote (fast growing) broadleaves? The PhD student will be included in our research team with focus on forest policy and planning. We do research ranging from planning at estate and landscape level to comparative forest policy studies at national level, with focus on European countries. 

Qualifications:
The applicant should by the date of admission to PhD studies have a M.Sc. degree in forest science, political science, sociology, economics or related disciplines. Knowledge of Swedish language is an important merit. Experience of scientific or practical work across disciplines constitutes an additional merit. Preferred personal characteristics include interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently.

The application must contain: A letter (in English) with expectations on the position and what you personally find interesting within the proposed research subject (max 1 page), CV and contact information to two reference persons. 

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years) 

Starting date:
1st of July 2022 or according to agreement.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2022-05-20.

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