PhD student position in climate change adaptation of forest ecosystems

Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

SLU is one of the world’s highest ranked universities in several subject areas and is ranked #1 in forestry (CWUR). At our centre we carry out research, teaching and dissemination of scientific findings with direct application to the sustainable management of forests. We have a multidisciplinary profile, with global relevance and specialized expertise on forests and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. We closely collaborate with multiple stakeholders and conduct applied research in silviculture, forest ecology, pathology, policy and planning. We teach bachelor, Masters and PhD level courses addressing all of these subject areas.

Read more here: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre | slu.se

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/

Assisting natural adaptation of forests to climate change: overcoming socio-political and ecological obstacles (ANAFOR)

Description:

Climate policies are insufficient to avoid overshooting the Paris Accord’s 2 °C target temperature increase. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to develop innovative approaches to adapt Sweden’s extensive and essential forest systems to the rapidly changing climate. Using cutting-edge multidisciplinary methods in evidence synthesis, policy analysis, modelling and field experiments, our project will illuminate the way forward for assisted migration (AM) as a pathway to sustain, and to restore in case of degradation, the biodiversity and ecosystem services of forests. AM is a novel adaptation approach of great promise. It involves human-assisted movement of species into regions of projected climate suitability, for which spatial and temporal (time-lag) obstacles currently prevent the success of unassisted establishment.

The PhD project is part of a larger research program called ANAFOR. ANAFOR is a multi-disciplinary cooperation between SLU and the universities of Stockholm, Södertörn and Uppsala. Specifically, we will reveal where and under what conditions the targeted use of AM of eight southern tree species, and other plants, is best suited to overcoming climate change threats to natural and production forest systems, and identify the risks of, obstacles to, and opportunities for, integrating AM into governance frameworks. Most importantly, we will for the first time provide forest stakeholders with cutting-edge guidance regarding how AM could best be implemented and applied in Sweden’s forests to maintain and restore ecosystem functionality, and to ensure that these systems continue to provide the goods and services that society depends on.

As part of ANAFOR, in this PhD project you will investigate AM from a natural scientific perspective. As the successful candidate you will work both experimentally, and with modelling, to identify biotic and abiotic risks and opportunities in the movement of southern tree species. You will take part in setting up a large-scale experiment along an extensive climatic gradient where you will study the physiological and chemical responses of young trees during the establishment phase and the following years. Your work will be guided by experienced researchers in your advisory group, but you will also benefit from the broad range of competences and networks of the full ANAFOR team.

Qualifications:

The applicant should by the date of admission to PhD studies have a M.Sc. degree in plant physiology, plant ecology, forest management or equivalent. Other beneficial qualifications are experience in conducting field surveys, ability to work independently in the field, experience in ecological modeling in R and/or other software. Good communication skills in written and spoken English are a requirement. A driver´s license valid in Sweden is a necessity for the work duties.

Attached to application should be: 1) curriculum vitae, 2) copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, 3) link to, or copy of master thesis, and 4) two listed references with email addresses. Also attached to application should be: 5) a written motivation or reflection, of maximum one A4-page written in English. The motivation shall discuss the student’s personal interest in the topic of this study and in the ecology, physiology and management of temperate tree species in general.

Place of work:      

Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:

Employment (4 years) 

Starting date:

According to agreement.

Application:

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-10-08.

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 https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/

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.