PhD student position in silviculture with focus on regeneration of birch

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. ‘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.

Regeneration of birch 
Description:
The aim of the PhD student position is a doctoral degree. In this 4-year project the student will primarily do research in plant production and regeneration of planted birch. The PhD studies include establishment and analysis of nursery- and field-based experiments with the overall aim to improve our knowledge in birch regeneration. The PhD student will get a research education in silviculture with training in plant production, regeneration, silviculture, ecophysiology and sustainable forest management.

The PhD student will be included in our research team which focuses on forest management using empirical data and mechanistic modelling. We do research on all types of forest management systems and a wide range of forestry, including forest conservation management. Our team is responsible for the teaching in silviculture on two masters- and one bachelor program.

Qualifications:
The applicant should by the date of admission to PhD studies have a M. Sc. degree in silviculture or related forest sciences, or a related discipline but with main focus on understanding seedling survival, growth and development. Other beneficial qualifications are experience of forestry analytics, using preferably R programming language and/or GIS softwares, and good communications skills with fluency in written English. Driving license is a necessity for the work duties. The application must contain: a letter with expectations on the position and what you personally find interesting within the silviculture 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:
September 1st 2022 or according to agreement. 

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2022-05-31.

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