PhD position – Soil food web functional capacity under climate extremes

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology

A PhD position is available at SLU's Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, which provides a dynamic and international research environment with scientists conducting research on plant-microbe interactions, mycology, and microbial ecology. The position is placed in the Forest Microbiology group.

Read more about what it is like to work at SLU at: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

WIFORCE Research School

Do you want to contribute to the future sustainable use of forests? Apply to join the 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 (www.slu.se/en/wiforce), was created.

Description

Soil food web functional capacity and resilience under climate extremes: consequences for tree regeneration

Climate change is reshaping forest ecosystems, with rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasingly frequent droughts and heatwaves. These changes threaten the survival of tree seedlings, which depend on soil nutrient availability, microbial symbionts, and a stable soil food web for successful establishment. Yet we dio not know how soil communities support or constrain forest regeneration under both gradual climatic change and extreme events. Addressing this gap is essential for developing climate-smart, sustainable forestry strategies.

This project will investigate how climate and soil food web functional capacity jointly shape tree seedling performance across Sweden’s forests. We will combine a field experiment along a climatic gradient with controlled lab studies simulating drought and heatwaves. You will assess how soil microbial and faunal communities (protists, nematodes) respond to climatic variation, how resilient they are to stress, and how their functional capacity influences nutrient cycling and seedling growth.

The project offers training in field ecology, experimental design, and molecular techniques (e.g., metabarcoding, functional gene assays) and provides opportunities to develop individual research directions in (forest) soil ecology.

Qualifications

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with excellent communication skills in written and verbal English. Critical and creative thinking are essential skills. We seek a candidate who is capable of conducting primary research (in the field and in the lab) and developing scientific publications. We expect them to be pro-active and take own initiatives. Good numerical and statistical skills and some previous experience in molecular biology is desirable. A valid driving license is required. Academic requirements include a M.Sc. (or comparable degree*) in Ecology or closely related field, with an emphasis on plants and/or soils and/or microbiology. Applications from both Sweden and elsewhere in the world are welcome, and we particularly look forward to applications from under-represented groups.

The main supervisor for this PhD position is Prof. Paul Kardol and co-supervisor is Dr. Petra Fransson.

The application written in English should be submitted through the recruitment system.

• Name, contact details, and relation to candidates of two reference persons.

Place of work       

Uppsala, Sweden

Forms for employment

Employment as PhD student (4 years)

Starting date

The preferred starting date is 1 May 2026, or according to agreement.

Application

We welcome your application no later than 10 February 2026, using the button below.

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 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/

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.