PhD position in Multi-Taxon Forest Biodiversity Assessment

Publiceringsdatum: 2024-12-06

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet söker just nu efter en doktorand och du kan vara den de letar efter. Vill du arbeta heltid hos Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet? Just nu letar de efter någon som vill ha en tjänst 6 månader eller längre. Platsen där jobbet finns ledigt är i Umeå.

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet har just nu ett ledigt jobb som doktorand. Bli en del av Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet genom att ansöka till jobbet som doktorand senast tisdag den tjugoförsta januari 2025.

Jobbannons

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies

WIFORCE Research School

Do you want to contribute to the future sustainable use of forests? Apply to join WIFORCE Research School! Biodiversity and the role of forests in climate change are now key social issues that require more knowledge. In order to both sustainably use and safeguard forest biodiversity, a coherent basic science research program is needed that addresses large and complex issues and develops new analytical tools. That’s why the WIFORCE Research School, part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (https://www.slu.se/wiforce), was created.

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join an exciting project aimed at developing cutting-edge tools for assessing and monitoring biodiversity in managed forest landscapes. This position is hosted at the department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies at SLU in Umeå and is part of a collaborative research effort focusing on Sweden’s boreal forests. The project provides a unique opportunity to engage with innovative ecological research and contribute to real-world forest management practices.

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/

Multi-Taxon Forest Biodiversity Assessment

Research subject Biology

Description

The PhD project aims to address the critical challenge of balancing forest production with biodiversity conservation. The candidate will work on refining biodiversity indicators and understanding the ecological dynamics that underpin species diversity. The project includes:

• Development of predictive models for biodiversity patterns across gradients of habitat heterogeneity.
• Exploration of landscape-level factors influencing biodiversity, including historical and current land-use configurations.
• Identification of indicator species using advanced network analysis techniques. 

The research infrastructure includes an extensive dataset from 240 sites across Sweden and Finland, detailed habitat surveys, species inventories, and advanced data from airborne laser scanning, micro-climate loggers, and eDNA sampling.

What We Offer:

• A vibrant and collaborative research environment, supported by experienced supervisors with expertise in restoration ecology, multi-taxon biodiversity, and forest management.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and infrastructure.
• Opportunities for professional development through interdisciplinary collaboration and training in advanced analytical techniques.
• Engagement with international research networks and industry partners.

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Ecology, Biology, Forestry, or a related field.
• A strong interest in biodiversity, conservation, and forest ecology.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and programming (e.g., R or Python) is desirable.
• Experience with GIS or remote sensing techniques is advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

A CV (max 3 pages, font type Arial or Times New Roman, min size 11) should include the following headings: education, work experience, research interests, awards, publications, presentations at conferences, teaching experience, field work experience, laboratory experience, software and computing skills, languages and contact details for two reference persons.

A motivation letter (max 2 pages, font type Arial or Times New Roman, min size 11) should motivate the candidate’s qualifications and interest in conducting this PhD project.

Place of work:      

Umeå

Forms for funding or employment:

Employment as PhD student (4 years education)

Starting date:

According to agreement

Application

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-01-21.

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.