PhD position in forest policy and planning

Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
SLU is one of the world’s highest ranked universities in several subject areas and is ranked #1 in forestry (CWUR). At our centre we carry out research, teaching and dissemination of scientific findings with direct application to the sustainable management of forests. We have a multidisciplinary profile, with global relevance and specialized expertise on forests and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. We closely collaborate with multiple stakeholders and conduct applied research in silviculture, forest ecology, pathology, policy and planning. We teach bachelor, Masters and PhD level courses addressing all of these subject areas.

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/

Forest planning for meeting forest owner’s and societal demands
Description:
The aim of this PhD student position is a doctoral degree within a 4-year PhD project.  The forest management plan represents a key instrument for the family forest owner putting forest management into operation. The project will examine ways to improve the way forest management plans are developed so that they better respond to forest owner’s needs and take a better account of values in the surrounding landscape. The current – single-objective and single-scenario – format of the plan should be revised to allow the owner to better balance diverse objectives and consider a broader range of management options. Therefore, there is a need for advancing the core capacity of those preparing the plans – the planners – from production-oriented technical expertise to a wider skillset that includes economic outcomes, recreational values, forest for next generation owners, and landscape values.

Towards these ends, the project will: (i) Make in-depth investigations of current knowledge management for constructing and using forest management plans; (ii) Explore and test methods for how ecosystem service trade-offs among different management options can be brought into the forest management plan; (iii) Pilot enhanced procedures for developing forest management plans that better match owners’ goals and promote diversification. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with forestry experts at the forest owner association Södra and the Swedish Forest Agency. The project will be a part of a larger collaboration programme Co-Creator, “Co-creating advisory services and planning for diversified management in Swedish family forestry”, where PhD student will work collaboratively with scientists in forest policy, planning, environmental psychology, sociology, ecology and landscape architecture.

Qualifications:
The applicant should by the date of admission to PhD studies have a M.Sc. degree in forest science, or other disciplines, related to project’s topics. Knowledge of Swedish language is an important merit. Additional merits: (i) experience of scientific or practical work across disciplines constitutes an additional merit, (ii) practical experience of work with forest planning. 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 March 2023 or according to agreement.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-01-25.

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