PhD position

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU); Umeå kommun; On-site; SEK 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) is offering a Doctoral student position in Umeå focused on nitrogen turnover in boreal forest soils. The role involves laboratory analysis of soil samples and collaboration with the Umeå Proteomics Platform within a multidisciplinary team.

Candidates should possess a Master’s degree in biology or a related field, demonstrate laboratory experience, and have strong analytical skills. The position is for a 4-year programme with a start date in Autumn 2026.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 240 credits, of which 60 are at second-cycle level.
• Fluency in English with the ability to communicate in an English-speaking environment.
• Documented laboratory experience required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory work analyzing soil samples.
• Characterize soil protein composition.
• Investigate nitrogen turnover mechanisms.
• Collaborate with the Umeå Proteomics Platform.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Univariate analysis

Multivariate analysis

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Cooperation

Education

Master’s degree in biology or related field

Tools

Proteomics analysis

LC-MS/MS

Bioinformatics

Job description

Overview

Department of Forest Ecology and Management – Third‑cycle subject area, Biology.

Nitrogen availability is a major constraint on plant growth and carbon sequestration in boreal forest soils. In this PhD project the candidate will characterize soil protein composition and investigate the mechanisms that control nitrogen turnover. The work will be carried out primarily in the laboratory, analysing natural soils from mesocosm and field experiments in close collaboration with the Umeå Proteomics Platform. The project is led by Sandra Jämtgård, SLU, in collaboration with Maja Sundquist and Jonatan Klaminder, within a multidisciplinary research team covering plant ecophysiology, vegetation ecology, soil science and proteomics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory work involving the analysis of soil samples.
• Characterize soil protein composition.
• Investigate the mechanisms controlling nitrogen turnover.
• Collaborate closely with the Umeå Proteomics Platform.
• Participate in team meetings and discussions across the interdisciplinary research group.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 240 credits, of which 60 are at second‑cycle level, in biology or a closely related field.
• At least 90 HEC in biology‑related subjects, with at least 30 at second‑cycle level.
• Fluency in English (English B/6) – ability to write, communicate and work in an English‑speaking environment.
• Documented laboratory experience.
• Experience with univariate and multivariate analysis.
• Demonstrated cooperation, problem‑solving, analytical skills and ability to work independently.

Merits

• Experience in proteomics analysis.
• Experience with LC‑MS/MS.
• Experience in protein chemistry.
• Experience in bioinformatic data analysis.

Employment & Benefits

• Position: Doctoral student (4‑year programme).
• Location: Umeå.
• Scope: 100 %.
• Start date: Autumn 2026, according to agreement.
• Salary: Based on the local collective agreement with fixed progression.