Postdoctoral position in evolutionary biology

Department of Plant Protection Biology
The Department of Plant Protection Biology at SLU is an interdisciplinary constellation, encompassing research units within Integrated Plant Protection, Chemical Ecology and Resistance Biology, which provides excellent opportunities for strong research collaboration within and outside the departmental area. Research efforts at the department are directed towards both fundamental and applied research. Applied plant protection research is often carried out in collaboration with industry and focuses primarily on the development of environmentally sustainable pest and disease control strategies for agriculture and horticulture, both in Sweden and internationally.

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/

Duties:
The post-doctoral researcher will work in a Formas-funded project, which aims to reduce the spread of fungicide resistance in the potato pathogen Alternaria solani, the causal agent of early blight disease. Because resistance development is an evolutionary response in the pathogen, this project seeks sustainable solutions through a combination of methods based on eco-evolutionary knowledge. One line of research will involve empirical tests of resistance development in the laboratory, and links between the disease, pathogen genetic variation and agroecological factors at the farm level. Another line of research will involve mathematical modelling to generate hypotheses regarding pest management methods that can reduce fungicide-resistance development. The project will be performed in close connection with other related research projects in the unit.

We welcome motivated candidates that can contribute to either or both of these two lines of research. Depending on the background, the postdoc will be responsible for developing and conducting experiments in the laboratory and data collection in the field or designing, analysing and evaluating mathematical models of resistance development. The empirical work will be linked to statistical analyses. Other duties include writing of scientific manuscripts, presenting project outcomes at conferences and workshops, and communicating with stakeholders and industry partners, as well as supervising bachelor or master’s students as and when the opportunity arises.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate should hold a PhD degree in biology, mathematics or equivalent. Merits are previous research experience of evolutionary biology, plant-pathogen interactions, microbiology, molecular biology, demonstrated skills in computer programming (e.g., R, Matlab) and mathematical modeling (e.g., adaptive dynamics, population dynamic modeling and quantitative genetics). Candidates should be fluent in spoken and written English. The candidate must be capable of independent planning, execution and evaluation of experiments or theoretical work. Candidates should have an interest in theory development, as well as solving applied problems. As a person you are enthusiastic and responsible and have excellent collaborative skills. Personal skills are therefore an important part of the evaluation.

As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.

Place of work:
Alnarp, Sweden

Form of employment:
Temporary employment 24 months, with the possibility of extension

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
Subject to negotiation, but preferably March 2023

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-01-12.

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