PhD student in silviculture of planted birch

SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Lomma kommun; Presencial; SEK 360.000 - 420.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp invites applications for a four-year doctoral position focused on the silviculture of planted birch within Trees For Me. You will plan field experiments, conduct inventories, and analyze data across sites in Sweden, contributing to published research and collaboration with partners.

The programme requires a Master’s degree in forest science or forestry and English language proficiency, with strong emphasis on independent and

Formación

• Master’s degree in forest science, forestry or a relevant subject that fulfils entry requirements.
• English language requirements comparable to Engelska B/6 in upper-secondary education.
• At least 90 credits in forest management, with 30 credits at second-cycle level.

Responsabilidades

• Plan and carry out field experiments and inventories; manage and analyze spatial and experimental data.
• Communicate results through scientific articles, conference presentations and partner engagement.
• Work across Sweden with field activities and office work in Alnarp.

Conocimientos

Communication of scientific work

Independent and collaborative work

GIS and spatial data analysis

R statistical analysis

English language proficiency

Swedish or Scandinavian language

Valid driving licence

Educación

Master’s degree in forest science/forestry

90 credits in forest management (second-cycle)

Herramientas

GIS software

R (statistical software)

Descripción del empleo

Description Of The Doctoral Project

Birch is becoming increasingly important in Swedish forestry as a complement to conifers and as part of climate-adapted forest diversification. Its wider use, however, requires better knowledge of management methods and site selection to support healthy, productive planted stands.

Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

Third-cycle subject area

Forest management

Description Of The Doctoral Project

Birch is becoming increasingly important in Swedish forestry as a complement to conifers and as part of climate-adapted forest diversification. Its wider use, however, requires better knowledge of management methods and site selection to support healthy, productive planted stands.

This four-year doctoral project will investigate the silviculture of planted birch and builds on research initiated during the first phase of Trees For Me. The project will examine growth and stand management, including pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning and fertilisation, as well as tree-species comparisons that can improve guidance on site selection.

The project is based at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre in Alnarp and is part of Trees For Me, a Centre of Excellence focused on fast-growing broadleaved trees for sustainable forests, materials and energy. The doctoral student will join a multidisciplinary forest research environment and work with academic, public- and private-sector partners. Methods will include field experiments and forest inventories, measurements of stand development and tree growth, spatial data and GIS, and statistical analysis in R.

About The Position

The doctoral student will plan and carry out field experiments and inventories, manage and analyse spatial and experimental data, and communicate results through scientific articles, conference presentations and engagement with project partners. The work will involve substantial field activities at sites across Sweden, with office work based in Alnarp. The doctoral student will complete relevant doctoral courses and is expected to develop increasing independence in research planning, implementation and scientific writing.

Requirements

To meet the general entry requirements you must have been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in Forest management are at least 90 credits in subjects relevant to forest management, of which at least 30 credits must be at second-cycle level.

You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.

Your profile

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong interest in silviculture, planted forests and the management of broadleaved tree species.

The following are required:

• A Master’s degree in forest science, forestry or another relevant subject that fulfils the specific entry requirements in Forest management.
• The ability to communicate scientific work clearly in spoken and written English.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in field and multidisciplinary research settings.

The following are desirable:

• Experience of fieldwork, particularly forest inventories or field experiments.
• Experience of GIS and spatial data analysis.
• Experience of statistical analysis in R.
• Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language, or a willingness to learn Swedish.
• A valid driving licence.

Personal qualities, including curiosity, initiative, reliability, organisational ability and willingness to collaborate, will be important in the selection process.

About Us

The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre is an interdisciplinary department conducting research and teaching across a broad range of subjects related to sustainable forest management. Our work has global relevance, with particular expertise in forests and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. Our research spans silviculture and forest management, forest ecology, forest pathology, and forest policy and planning. We work closely with stakeholders and offer a collaborative, international research environment at SLU’s Alnarp campus.

Trees For Me brings together academic, public- and private-sector partners to develop knowledge and competence for resilient and diversified forest landscapes. The doctoral student will become part of this active network and the department’s silviculture research environment.

Form of employment / Funding

Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme)

Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.

Location

Alnarp

Scope

100%

Start date

11 January 2027, or as agreed.

Application and selection

The deadline is 31 October 2026.

Academic union representatives

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