PhD Sustainable forestry in a changing climate

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology
The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre. Our main activities are academic research in experimental plant biology, where the major aim is to understand all aspects of plants in relation to the environment in which they live. 

Description:
In northern coniferous forests, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is stored both in the growing trees and in the soil. Sustainable forestry that benefits the climate should both increase the trees' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and maintain long-term belowground storage of carbon. We know that there are great opportunities to increase forests’ carbon sequestration by means of forest management, but we currently do not know much about how different methods exactly affect the trees' allocation of carbon, and how it in turn affects the microorganisms that control soil carbon accumulation in the short and long terms. In this project, the goal is to study effects of tree species selection and fertilisation on forests’ carbon sequestration above- and belowground. Tree species selection has the potential to affect the forests’ carbon balance as different trees have different allocation patterns of carbon and the tree litter is broken down in different pathways in the soil. Forest fertilisation increases tree growth while the decomposition of organic carbon in the soil becomes slower. In order to understand how we can best use these methods in different locations in the forest landscape, we need to learn more about how they affect different ecophysiological mechanisms in the interaction between trees and soil. The knowledge produced by the project will lead to new forest management recommendations with the aim to increase forests’ climate change mitigation potential. The experimental part of the work will involve inventory and sampling in the field throughout Sweden as well as analyzes of collected material in the lab. The work entails many contacts with researchers in nearby disciplines and with activities in practical forestry. The position is located at the Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and is a collaboration with Stora Enso AB. The PhD student will be part of a research group within the research program "Future silviculture - science for enhanced forest productivity to meet the demands of a bio-based society" with a focus on forest management for sustainable and productive forestry as the climate changes. The doctoral studies will also include periods to be spent at Stora Enso AB.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a master's degree in forest science, ecophysiology, biology, soil science, natural geography, or equivalent. The applicant should have a genuine research interest, good communication skills, a high work ethic, be a team player and work well in a research environment. Good knowledge of the structure and function of the forest ecosystem as well as of the forest sector in Sweden and / or Finland is a merit. The applicant must be proficient in English, both orally and in writing. Driving license is a prerequisite for being able to carry out the field studies.

Place of work:      
Umeå

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment 4 years

Starting date:
According to agreement

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-04-30, use the button below.

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

 



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

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 in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.