Phd student in research subject Technology

Department of Energy and Technology
The Department of Energy and Technology at Soil, Water and Environment Center (MVM) offers a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment with both national and international focus. We have expertise in technology and systems for sustainable food production and bioenergy. Within the field of methodology, we have extensive competences in Systems Analysis including Environmental Systems Analysis and LCA, Biometrics (statistics and mathematics with application in biological systems) as well as Automation.

Climate effects of biomass supply systems based on fast-growing broadleaves
Description:
We are searching for a doctoral student who will study how the climate impact from wood-based products is affected by an increased cultivation of fast-growing broadleaves, and how the climate effect can be minimized through various measures.

To assess the overall climate impact of a forest-based production chain, a system perspective is required where forest carbon stock changes, temporary carbon storage in wood products, value chain emissions, and avoided emissions from substitution are considered. Time dependent Life Cycle assessment  (LCA) will be the basic methodology in the work. The project is part of the activities in the competence center "TREES FOR ME".

The Department of Energy and Technology (ET) at the Soil, Water and Environmental Center (MVM) at SLU offers a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment with both national and international focus. We have very extensive and recognized expertise in the analysis of systems for the production of food, biomaterials and bioenergy with LCA. This research group currently comprises more than 35 people. The department and the researchers involved also have very extensive experience of postgraduate education and supervision.

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. ‘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.

Work tasks: The position refers to an employment as a doctoral student with a doctoral degree as aim. The doctoral program is planned to cover approximately 4 years of net study time.

Qualifications:
The applicant should by the date of admission to PhD studies have a MSc Degree. Suitable degrees are Forester, Agronomist, Master of Science in Engineering or equivalent. Knowledge of agriculture and forestry, bio-based products and energy, LCA and modeling is an advantage, but we believe that you later can add knowledge in one of these areas if you do not have it from the beginning. Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities, such as the ability to work together, analytical and problem-solving ability as well as the ability to work independently.

Place of work:      
Uppsala.

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 April 25th 2022.

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