Do you want to contribute to the future sustainable use of forests? Apply to join the WIFORCE Research School! Biodiversity and the role of forests in climate change are now key social issues that require more knowledge. In order to sustainably use forests while safeguarding biodiversity, a coherent basic science research program is needed that addresses large and complex issues and develops new analytical tools. Therefore, the WIFORCE Research School, part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research ( https: // www. slu.se/en/wiforce), was created.
This PhD position is available at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU. SLU has an international character both in terms of research and teaching. The department includes about 115 people of which 9 are professors. Our mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystems and how these should be managed today and in the future. For more information: https:// www. slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-management/
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/
Name of research project/thesisQuantification and characterization of soil carbon dynamics in managed boreal forests
Research subjectEcology
Description:
Soils in boreal forests are the largest global organic carbon pool. Whether soil carbon stocks will increase or decrease in the future is one of the largest uncertainties for climate predictions, as well as for understanding the sustainability of current forest management systems. The soil C balance is determined by two key factors, net primary production (i.e., C inputs) and the C transit time (i.e., residence time) in the soil compartment. Many experiments in boreal forests have demonstrated that these two factors are tightly linked with soil nitrogen availability, where increased soil nitrogen availability both increases net primary production and reduces organic matter decomposition and soil-surface CO2 efflux, thus increasing the soil C transit time. Because N has such a pivotal role in key aspects of forest C sequestration, understanding the nature of N-C-climate interactions is increasingly crucial for understanding how the C balance of managed boreal forests may be changing. We seek a doctoral student to work within several well-established study systems to investigate the relationship between nitrogen availability and soil organic turnover rates. The PhD student will consider a range of tools, such as the 14C analysis, NMR, and/or FTIR analysis to address this area.
The doctoral candidate will be mentored by an enthusiastic and dynamic team of scientists from SLU with expertise in forest ecology, nitrogen cycling, and plant-microbe interactions. The Ph.D. candidate will conduct fieldwork, design and manage controlled experiments in a glasshouse setting, conduct molecular biology laboratory work, analyze data using innovative statistical methods, write manuscripts, and contribute to other project activities. The announced Ph.D. position is fully funded for four years, with the expectation that the student will defend their doctoral thesis at the end of this period.
Qualifications:Requirements:
MSc degree in a relevant subject (forest ecology, microbial ecology, soil science, or related fields)
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Merits:
Fieldwork experience
Laboratory experience
Experience with soil analysis
Experience with data analysis and visualization in R or other programming language
The applicant should have a strong work ethic, an interest in science, and the ambition to work as part of a collaborative research team in an international and interdisciplinary context. Once the eligibility requirements are met, we place great emphasis on other personal and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to work effectively (both collaboratively and independently), organize own work and schedule, adhere to deadlines, and solve problems.
Place of work:Umeå
Forms for funding or employment:Employment as a PhD student , full time for 4 years
Starting date:According to agreement.
Application:Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-01-21.
The application should include:
Cover letter presenting yourself and describing your motivation for applying for this position (max. 1 A4 page)
CV summarizing education (including date of graduation), work experience, and other merits
Contact information for two professional references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). No reference letters need to be submitted with the application
Link to or copy of Master thesis
List of publications (if any), including reports, scientific articles, popular science, etc.
Degree certificates
Please note that all documents should be in English. Interviews (online) will be an important part of the appointment process.
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: https: // www. slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral- studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/
Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, 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) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.
SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Contact person
Michael Gundale
Hyungwoo Lim
Torgny Näsholm