Phd student in forest ecology

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/

Relationships between ungulate densities, forage and browsing damage
Description:
Are you interested in plant-animal interactions and how to figure out the carrying capacity of a landscape for wild populations of large herbivores? Forestry and ungulate (moose and deer) browsing are both important drivers of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services. To better understand how these factors interact, and to predict the level of browsing damage in production forests, we need to fill some knowledge gaps: how much forage is there in the landscape and how can we measure it in a cost-efficient way? How can we use silviculture to promote forage availability and therefore reduce damage? Which landscape scale factors explain the development of browsing damage over time? We are looking for a person who, as part of a PhD, will address these questions.

The doctoral student will be trained in three research fields which are connected in this project: ecology, remote sensing and forest production. The work includes for example field data collection, conducting forest experiments, working with data from remote sensing and the National Forest Inventory. The doctoral student will work with many plant species, relevant for all wild ungulate species living in Sweden. The doctoral student will be part of an active research group, and together we strive to maximize the impact of our research on practical game- and forest management, including outreach activities to forest owners and hunters.

Qualifications:
You should have a Master degree in biology, forest science or equivalent. You should have a strong interest in forest ecosystems, and an interest in (and preferably experience with) working with modelling and managing large data sets. Experience in remote sensing, wildlife ecology, plant ecology or forestry is a merit. Focus is given to your analytical and problem solving abilities, your ability to work independently and your personal characteristics. You should have good skills in expressing yourself in English both orally and in writing. You should have a driver’s licence.

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 2022-08-15.

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