Postdoctoral position on scholarship: in Epidemiology

Department of Plant Protection Biology

Are you curious about epidemiology and sustainable plant protection? We are looking for a postdoc who is interested in developing fundamental epidemiological concepts related to herd immunity and at the same time contribute to sustainable agriculture with less pesticides.

About the position

Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from disease that occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to infection through e.g., vaccination thereby reducing the likelihood of infection for individuals who lack immunity. The concept of herd immunity was developed for motile organisms (e.g., humans and mammals) and has never been fully explored in relation to sessile organisms (e.g., plants).

New findings in our group show that when every second plant in a plantation is “vaccinated” with pesticides, protection is achieved for the entire plantation. This reduces the need for pesticides and thus contributes an important step towards sustainable agriculture. Building on these results, the current postdoc project will further develop the concept of herd immunity for plants and investigate which epidemiological parameters (e.g., planting distance) that should be considered and adjusted to minimize the threshold value for herd immunity.

The project is methodologically flexible and can be based on manipulative experiments in the field and/or mathematical modelling, depending on the postdoc’s interest, experience, and competence. The postdoc position is based in a research group that uses cultivated and wild strawberries as pathosystem.

Your profile

Candidates should have a strong conceptual interest in epidemiology and should hold a PhD in Epidemiology, Phytopathology, Mathematical modelling, or a similar subject. Candidates must have either proven expertise in theoretical epidemiology (including modeling) or practical phytopathology (including microbial and molecular methods). Experience with pathosystems based on cultivated or wild strawberries is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English are expected. The candidate must be capable of independent planning, execution and evaluation of experiments or theoretical work. As a person you are enthusiastic and responsible and have excellent collaborative skills.  

Ranking of applicants will be made based on their relevant published articles and reference taking.

The position is intended for a junior researcher and we are therefore only looking for people who have completed their PhD no more than three years ago. Only non-Swedish applicants who have not previously worked in Sweden will be considered for this position.

Please attach your CV, list of publications, and contact details to at least one former supervisor/manager, to your application.

About us

The Department of Plant Protection Biology is an interdisciplinary constellation, encompassing Integrated Plant Protection, Chemical Ecology, Resistance Biology research units, providing excellent opportunities for strong research collaboration within and outside the departmental area. Research efforts at the department are directed towards both fundamental and applied research. Applied plant protection research is carried out in collaboration with industry and focuses primarily on the development of environmentally sustainable pest and disease control strategies for agriculture and horticulture, both in Sweden and internationally. In the Integrated Plant Protection group, we aim to generate knowledge towards the development of sustainable pest and disease management solutions based on conceptual theory and empirical eco-evolutionary, molecular, and genetic data that can meet the needs of current and evolving plant production systems.

For more information about the department or division visit: Department of Plant Protection Biology

Location:

This position is based in the Integrated Plant Protection unit at the Department of Plant Protection Biology at SLU Alnarp, one of SLU’s main campuses.

Form of funding:

Scholarship for postdoctoral studies during 24 months. The scholarship is intended to pay for the personal living expenses of the postdoctoral fellow, and it is not compensation for work performed. The scholarship is, therefore, not subject to taxation. 

Scope:

100%

Start date:

Subject to negotiation, but as soon as possible.

Application:

Please submit your application before deadline 2 Januari 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

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.