Postdoctoral position in soil/plant sciences

The Department of Soil & Environment conducts research, environmental monitoring & assessment and higher education for sustainable soil management in agriculture, forestry and urban environments. Outcomes are aligned to and contribute towards national and international strategies on food security, national environmental objectives and climate reporting as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The majority of the department’s activities and employees are located in the Soil-Water-Environment building on the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala, and there is a research group and a field research station situated in Skara.

Duties:
We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our research group at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala. You will be part of the Soil Mechanics and Soil Management group at the Department for Soil and Environment and collaborate with colleagues at the Soil Biology Group of our department and our international collaborators at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen.

In an interdisciplinary approach at the interface of soil science, plant science and agronomy, we will test whether mixed cultivar systems combining shallow and deep rooting cultivars are more drought resistant (i.e. more productive under drought stress) than single cultivar systems. Spring barley will be used as a model crop due to its great importance for crop production in Nordic countries. Field experiments will be set up in Uppsala and Copenhagen to i) test the performance and resource use efficiency of mixed cultivar systems under simulated drought and ii) to explore the role of mycorrhiza for resource acquisition in such mixed cultivar systems. You will work closely with a fellow Postdoc based at the University of Copenhagen.

Qualifications:

For this position, a PhD in soil science, plant science, agricultural science, or a related discipline is required. Postdoctoral appointments are career‐developing positions for junior researchers, and we therefore are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most. The candidate should have experience and interest in studying plant-soil interactions. Expertise in plant ecophysiology and/or fungal ecology is an advantage. Experience in molecular laboratory work is an advantage. Experience in setting up and analysing agricultural field experiments are a merit. The applicant should have good skills in writing scientific publications, documented by a publication record. Excellent English communication skills are expected. Since the project involves field experiments in Sweden and Denmark, the candidate should be prepared to do occasional field work in Denmark.

The application must contain i) motivation letter, ii) a brief summary of past research experience and future plans (max 1 page), iii) a CV including publication list, iv) a brief summary of up to three own publications (max. 200 words), and v) names and contact of two reference persons.

Excellent knowledge of English (writing and oral communication skills).

Drivers licence B is an advantage.


Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, Postdoctoral scientist, 24 months. With the possibility of extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
1 January 2022 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2021-08-15, use the button below.

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.