Four perspectives on SLU and life in Sweden
Discover the diverse experiences of four SLU researchers. Learn about their work, why they chose SLU, and how life in Sweden enhances both their professional and personal journeys.
Simon Stael
Title: Associate Senior Lecturer
Department: Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU
Campus: Uppsala
In the lab, we study how plants respond to agriculturally relevant stresses such as physical damage and insect herbivory, with support from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and an ERC Consolidator Grant. Our goal is to translate these insights into improving the selectivity of pesticides, reducing collateral harm to beneficial insects and contributing to urgent efforts to reverse global insect decline, as part of SLU´s future strategic themes in Sustainable Future Plant Production systems and Resilient Ecosystems.
What does your everyday work at SLU look like?
My day-to-day work at SLU is a dynamic mix of research, mentorship, and academic responsibilities. I guide and support lab members with their projects, helping them troubleshoot experiments and develop their ideas. I also spend time writing and revising manuscripts, preparing grant applications, and developing lectures and presentations for both students and scientific conferences. It's a balance of hands-on involvement in research and strategic planning to keep our projects moving forward.
What made you choose SLU?
While working at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology in Ghent, Belgium, a local collaborator at SLU encouraged me to apply for the Wallenberg Academy Fellow (WAF) program. I had already heard positive things about SLU, particularly its strong research environment and focus on plant and environmental sciences, which made it an appealing choice. I applied and was honored to receive the WAF grant in 2021, which made joining SLU a natural next step in my career. Also, Sweden made it to the list of countries where my wife and family were happy to move to.
What are the main benefits of working in Sweden?
Sweden offers an excellent balance between a relaxed, supportive atmosphere and a strong focus on productivity and quality. Well-being is valued without compromising on ambition or high standards. It's also a very family-friendly country, making it easy to settle in and feel supported both personally and professionally.
What do you enjoy most about working and living here?
One of the things I appreciate most is the trust SLU placed in me from the beginning, giving me the opportunity to establish and lead my own lab. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the lab grow from just an idea to a thriving research environment over the past three years. That sense of ownership and the ability to shape a team and research direction from the ground is very fulfilling and motivating. On a personal level, living in Sweden has also brought a great quality of life, with a strong sense of community and access to nature.
Faith Jones
Title: Researcher
Department: Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies
Campus: Umeå
I research how we quantify biodiversity across systems and scales. My focus right now is on boreal forests and finding useful indicators for assessing biodiversity values in managed forests. This is a key issue for resilient ecosystems, as we need to be able to prioritise conservation efforts, and effectively assess how well they work.
What does your everyday work at SLU look like?
My days are quite varied, but mostly revolve around office work, meetings, teaching, and breaks with my colleagues. I sometimes also go on field work for a few weeks, so far only in Swedish forests.
What made you choose SLU?
I came as postdoctoral researcher a few years ago, and chose the position based on the topic (biodiversity), the applied nature, and the good working atmosphere.
What are the main benefits of working in Sweden?
I really appreciate the Swedish approach to work life balance, social support, and the focus on environmental issues. There is also a lot of support from the government and local community to learn Swedish.
What do you enjoy most about working and living here?
I like my colleagues, I like how much of an emphasis is put on free time activities, and I like the landscape. Northern Sweden is great if you like snow, lakes, camping, and cooking on campfires.
Lutz Ahrens
Title: Professor of Environmental Organic Chemistry
Department: Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
Campus: Uppsala
My research focuses on One Health, developing innovative analytical tools to detect harmful chemicals at an early stage, ensuring the protection of both environmental and human health. By advancing detection methods, I aim to contribute to more effective regulatory policies and risk assessments, promoting long-term sustainability.
What does your everyday work at SLU look like?
As a professor at SLU, I navigate in a dynamic world where teaching, mentoring and research intersect. Each day brings new challenges—guiding students, leading research, managing projects, and connecting with agencies, industry, and the public. It’s an ever-evolving journey, filled with discoveries and opportunities to shape the future of sustainable development.
What made you choose SLU?
In my case it all came down to perfect timing—the position opened up, and I seized the opportunity! Beyond that, SLU's global reputation for environmental sustainability, interdisciplinary research, and innovation made it an irresistible choice. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong emphasis on applied sciences, SLU offered the ideal environment to drive meaningful research and make a lasting impact.
What are the main benefits of working in Sweden?
Sweden offers a strong research infrastructure, world-class universities, and high funding opportunities, making it a top destination for researchers. The collaborative academic environment promotes interdisciplinary work and partnerships with industry and government. Researchers enjoy work-life balance, with flexible conditions, generous parental leave, and vacation policies.
What do you enjoy most about working and living here?
Uppsala combines a thriving academic environment with high quality of life, making it ideal for researchers. SLU and Uppsala University foster collaboration and innovation, while the historic charm and vibrant student community create an inspiring atmosphere. With nature close by and easy access to Stockholm, the city offers both tranquility and urban convenience. Sweden’s strong work-life balance further enhances professional and personal well-being.
Brian Kuns
Title: Senior Lecturer
Department: Department of Urban and Rural Development
Campus: Uppsala
I study the sociology of farming, which is to say how different kinds of farms relate to society, the economy, each other and the landscapes where they are located; how and why different kinds of farms undergo change; and what the implications of those changes are for the future of farming and society.
What does your everyday work at SLU look like?
I don't think I have a typical day... Some days I teach most of the day, while others days I can sit at my desk and do research. I have some committee work as well, and also I regularly travel for conferences and workshops and, importantly, field research to interview farmers in Sweden and abroad. Over a year, each month looks a little bit different, which I quite enjoy.
What made you choose SLU?
I am a social scientist who studies agrarian change, so being at the agricultural university in Sweden was a natural choice for me. There is simply no other place in Sweden where there are so many people from diverse social science and natural science disciplines who study agriculture, and other land-using sectors such as forestry, in so many different places. It's quite great actually to be able to talk to all these people and learn from their perspectives.
What are the main benefits of working in Sweden?
The generous Swedish welfare state is definitely an important benefit of working in Sweden. I wouldn't have been able to even contemplate doing a PhD (which I did at another university in Sweden) without the subsidized child care and a national health system.
What do you enjoy most about working and living here?
I like a lot of things. The Stockholm-Uppsala area is fantastic with so many cultural and other fun things to do. Plus the nature in Sweden is great with wonderful mountains and forests to hike in and lakes and coastal areas to go swimming or just relax on the beach. Finally, I like the fact that Sweden has four seasons.
Any personal reflections on the recruitment of these assistant professors?
The assistant professor position resembles to a certain degree a tenure track position in the US. In this context, I want to mention two things: First, in Sweden in general the vast majority of assistant professors achieve a permanent position (See this study in Swedish from 2020). Second, when I was assistant professor, I received so much support from my department in particular, and from SLU in general, to make sure that I would be promoted to associate professor (and therefore be permanently employed by SLU).