PhD in Forest Patology: Damage Risks for Berk

Department of Southern Swedish Forest Science

Doctoral studies subject:

Forest management

Description of the doctoral project:

Björk is becoming increasingly important in Swedish forestry as a complement to coniferous trees and as part of a climate-friendly diversification of the forest. However, wider use requires better knowledge of the interaction between the biotic and abiotic threats affecting young plantings and older stocks.

This four-year doctoral project will investigate damage risks associated with birch and build on research that began during the first phase of Trees For Me. The project combines two interlinked research tracks: damage to newly planted birch stands, including game bait, insects, pathogens and abiotic stress, as well as an emerging vitality problem in older birch stands where trees show significantly reduced crowns or mortality and the causes are still unknown.

The project is located at the Department of Southern Swedish Forest Science in Alnarp and is part of Trees For Me, a competence centre focusing on fast growing deciduous trees for sustainable forests, materials and energy. The PhD student becomes part of an interdisciplinary forest research environment and collaborates with academic, public and private partners. The project combines field trials and inventories of forest health with assessment of diseases and injuries, isolation and cultivation of fungi, molecular diagnostics and ecological and statistical data analysis.

Tasks:

The doctoral student will plan and conduct field and laboratory studies, analyse and interpret data and communicate the results through scientific articles, conference presentations and dialogue with the project partners. The work includes significant field work on sites throughout Sweden and laboratory work in Alnarp. The doctoral student will carry out relevant doctoral courses and is expected to develop an increasing autonomy in planning and conducting research as well as in scientific writing.

Competence:

Basic permissions if you have completed a second-cycle degree, have completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at second-cycle level, or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39).

Specific jurisdiction to be admitted to doctoral studies in the subject of forest management has at least 90 credits in subjects relevant to forest management, of which at least 30 credits at second cycle.

In addition, you must have knowledge of English that corresponds to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school.

Your background:

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong interest in forest health and the interaction between trees, pests and environmental stress.

The following requirements are imposed:

• Master's degree in forest pathology, biology, forest science or other relevant subject that meets the specific eligibility in forest management.
• Ability to communicate scientific work clearly in speech and writing in English.
• The ability to work independently and together with others in field, laboratory and interdisciplinary research environments.

The following are meritorious:

• experience of field work, in particular forest health inventories or field trials;
• experience of fungal isolation or other microbiological methods, molecular laboratory methods or DNA-based analyses;
• experience of ecological or statistical data analysis;
• Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language, or willingness to learn Swedish.
• Valid driving licence.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as curiosity, initiative, accuracy, organizational ability and willingness to cooperate.

About us:

The Department of Southern Swedish Forest Science is an interdisciplinary institution that researches and teaches in a wide range of topics related to sustainable forestry. Our work has global relevance, with special expertise on forests and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. Our research areas include forest management, forest ecology, forest pathology and forest policy and planning. We work closely with various social actors and offer a collegial and international research environment at SLU campus in Alnarp.

Trees For Me brings together academic, public and private partners to develop knowledge and expertise for resilient and diversified forest landscapes. The doctoral student becomes part of this active network and the department's research environment in forest pathology.

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU at  https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Read more about SLU's doctoral studies at http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/.

Form of supply and remuneration:

Postgraduate student  (4 years of education) 

The salary for the doctoral position follows local collective agreements with fixed salary steps.

Scope:

100%

Location:

Alnarp

Access:

11 January 2027 or by agreement.

Application and selection:

Welcome with your application via the application button below by 2026-10-31.

Read more about the appendices that your application should contain at  https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/

Selection of qualified applicants is based on the appendices attached to the application, and shall be made taking into account the ability to complete the training within the time allowed.

Trade unions

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) har en nyckelroll i utvecklingen för hållbart liv, grundad i vetenskap och utbildning. Genom vårt fokus på samspelen mellan människa, djur och ekosystem och ett ansvarsfullt brukande av naturresurserna bidrar vi till en hållbar samhällsutveckling och goda livsvillkor på vår planet. Huvudorter är Alnarp, Umeå och Uppsala, men verksamhet bedrivs också på forskningsstationer, försöksparker och utbildningsorter i hela landet. SLU har drygt 4000 medarbetare, 6000 studenter och forskarstuderande och en omsättning på över 4,5 miljarder kronor. Universitetet satsar på attraktiva miljöer på sina campusområden. Vi arbetar för en jämställd och inkluderande arbetsmiljö där öppna samtal mellan människor med olika erfarenheter lägger grunden för vetenskaplighet, kreativitet och utveckling. Vi välkomnar därför personer med olika bakgrunder och perspektiv att söka den aktuella anställningen.