PhD student in agricultural and food economics

Department of Economics

Subject area: Applied economics

Description of the doctoral project

The research area is agricultural and food economics. This PhD project will focus on applied economic analysis of agriculture’s uptake of more sustainable production practices and practices to improve preparedness and resilience. The project will be predominantly based on a microeconomic theoretical foundation, applied econometrics and economic modelling to analyse both uptake and consequences of uptake. Furthermore, the project will use a variety of data including farm-level panel data and survey data. Preparations of existing registrar data and own data collection via surveys can be central components of the project.

About the position

As a PhD student in applied economics, you will carry out supervised research leading to a PhD thesis and take PhD courses (90 credits).

Those employed as doctoral students will focus on their third-cycle (doctoral) courses and study programmes. As a doctoral student, you will operate independently and must be prepared to contribute to your department’s work and development in various ways. Upon agreement, you may have to participate in departmental duties involving teaching and administration. These duties may take up to a maximum of 20 per cent of your full working hours. If you participate in these duties, your period of study will be extended.

Requirements

To be admitted to third-cycle courses and study programmes you must fulfil both the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 35).

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 applied economics. To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have the equivalent knowledge to a minimum of 60 HEC in economics subject areas. This must include a degree project, and at least 15 HEC must be at the advanced level. The applicant should also have studied questions related natural resources, such as agriculture, forest management or other natural resources at first or 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

You should have an educational background in agricultural and food economics, applied economics, economics or similar. You should also have knowledge of research methods in agricultural and food economics or related fields. The position requires very good communication skills in English. The successful applicant should be highly motivated to work in the PhD project, is expected to establish own initiatives to move the project forward and to be generally collaborative and work well in a team. Advanced knowledge related to statistical/econometric analyses, scientific publication experience, an understanding about the Swedish or European agricultural system and about registrar and/or survey data used for applied economic analysis of agriculture is of merit. Personal merits will play a significant role in the recruitment.

About us

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class university in the fields of life and environmental sciences, with a vision to play a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Within this framework, the Department of Economics provides an important platform for research and teaching in economics and business. The teaching activities are centered around the agronomy programme in economics and management, as well as around bachelor and master programmes in economics and business. The research is organised into four thematic fields, where agricultural and food economics is one.

The PhD student will be placed in the research group “Agricultural and Food Economics”. In this group, the successful candidate will find a stimulating context with colleagues who focus on various aspects of agricultural and food economics, including production economics, consumer economics, agricultural and food policy, and trade. The topics of interest add to the literature in agricultural economics and related fields. We have vivid disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborations, for instance with researchers in crop production, technology, animal health and veterinary epidemiology. The group currently consists of about 20 staff members, including several PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, senior researchers, a senior lecturer, a communicator and a professor.

Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/.

Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/.

Form of employment
Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme)

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

Location:
Uppsala

Scope:
100%

Start date:
Upon agreement.

Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 30 April 2026.

Your application must include the following (in PDF format):

• A cover letter, in which you describe the reasons why you are applying for the position, your research interests and relevant skills.
• Your CV.
• Copies of your degree certificate(s) and a transcript of records from previous university studies.
• A copy of your second cycle (Master’s) degree project, worth a minimum of 15 credits, or equivalent independent project.
• Documents confirming you meet the English language requirements of Engelska B/6 or the equivalent. Please note that you do not need to submit this information, if you completed your upper-secondary studies in Sweden, or have been awarded a Master’s degree from a Swedish higher education institution.
• The contact details of two references, such as teachers, supervisors or a former manager.
• Before a decision is made regarding admission to third-cycle (doctoral) studies, applicants with foreign citizenship must present a certified copy of their passport. The certified copy should be brought to the interview and shown at the time of the interview.

Candidates will be selected from those eligible based on the above information and the likelihood that they will complete their studies within the allocated period.

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 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 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.