PhD-student

Are you interested in solving some of the goal conflicts between forest owners and the reindeer industry regarding the management of young forests on reindeer pastures? These conflicts are urgent to resolve as they have major negative effects on both reindeer herders' and forest owners' finances, mental health and their ecological footprint. The conflicts also indirectly affect other industries such as tourism, hunting, recreation, forest industries, bioenergy companies, forest contractors.

We are now announcing 2 PhD positions that are part of a 4-year interdisciplinary project - one with a technology focus and one with a sustainability focus (two separate advertisements).

The position is at the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology (SBT) in Umeå. SBT has around 50 employees and is based in both Umeå and Uppsala. SBT carries out high-quality research, conducts undergraduate and graduate education at a high international level and collaborates with society and industry to develop a bio-based economy where forest biomaterial is an important resource. The main focus in Umeå is on value chains in the bio-based industry where various components of the forest's biomaterial are produced, harvested, transported, characterized, separated, modified/refined, used and reused cost-effectively for various purposes while forest ecosystem services are managed sustainably.

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Content description:

There is a need to develop forest management methods that lead to efficient and sustainable production of both reindeer grazing and timber. These methods must ensure high biodiversity in combination with social and economic sustainability for both forest owners and reindeer herders, as well as enable the sustainable extraction of bioenergy from low-value forest residues.

The studies for this PhD-position are focused on technology, methods and systems for effective silvicultural operations.

As a doctoral student, you will have contact and collaboration with, among others, forest service personnel, personnel at field research stations, reindeer herders, forest contractors. You will also participate in workshops and seminars and present research results at conferences. You will be given great freedom in your work, but also great responsibility for both driving and achieving the goals of your project. To support you, you have a team of experienced and committed supervisors. You will be one of four PhD students who are recruited simultaneously to the same research group. You will all be part of the faculty's research school SILVA (https://www.slu.se/en/graduate-schools/silva-research-school/), which contributes with both social and professional activities during the research training. You will also be part of the Future Forests research platform: https://www.slu.se/centrumbildningar-och-projekt/future-forests/

Qualifications:

To be eligible, a degree at advanced level (at least 4 years of studies of which at least 1 year on advanced level) in forestry or another relevant subject is required. Communication with practitioners (both within forestry and reindeer husbandry) will take place in Swedish and it is a requirement that the applicant has a good command of that language. The scientific publication takes place in English and therefore a good ability to communicate in writing and orally in English is a requirement. A driving license for a car and driving experience are also required, in order to carry out the project's field studies.

The following qualifications/competences will be taken into account during selection:


• Field studies and inventory
• Data management and statistical analyses
• Write scientific text
• Judgment
• Independence
• Problem-solving analytical skills

Workplace:

Umeå

Form of support:

Employment as a PhD student, 4 years of education

Access:

According to the agreement.

Application

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is February 15th, 2024.

In order to be eligible for education at postgraduate level, a degree at an advanced level is required or at least four years of full-time studies, of which at least one year is at an advanced level

Applicants will be selected based on their written application, 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, 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.

Details about Ph.D. education at SLU are available 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.