Cornflowers and wheat. Photo.
Photo: Eirini Lamprini Daouti.

PhD Course: Next-Gen Biological Control

The PhD course "Next-Gen Biological Control: Ecological Interactions for Sustainable Plant Health" covers basic principles and methods for the design, implementation and quantification of biological control strategies - from lab to field. ​

Start date: 2 November 2026

End date: 6 November 2026

Language: English

Last day of registration: 1 June 2026

Organiser: SLU Centre for Biological Control

Location: Alnarp

Registration

The course will consist of a one-week on-campus component with lectures, practicals and a field trip, and pre- and post- course assignments.​To pass the course a range of assignments that are prepared during and after the course will need to be submitted, and course participation during all course elements are required.

Personal data processing

Any personal data you provide in this form will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

We collect this information to manage your registration for the PhD course and send updates. The legal basis for collecting this data is public interest.

Please contact cajsa.lithell@slu.se if you have any questions about personal data processing.

SLU processes and stores your personal data in accordance with the Swedish Archives Act and the Swedish Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act. Visit www.slu.se/personal-data to read more about how SLU processes your personal data and your rights.

About the course

Teaching will cover a range of theoretical and applied topics at the forefront of biological control, including:​

  • The ecology and economics of interactions among plants, pests (insects, weeds, pathogens), and beneficial organisms (insect and microbial biological control agents, pollinators) across environments​
  • Designing biocontrol interventions that enhance, rather than disrupt, ecological functions​
  • Synergies and trade-offs among ecosystem services and crop management ​
  • Considering how landscape-level factors and climate shape biocontrol outcomes​
  • Industry, societal, and policy perspectives​
  • AI-powered decision tools for real-time pest and disease management​
  • Next-Gen biopesticides and the future of RNA-based technologies​

Please contact one of the course leaders below for questions.

@ Contact

  • Chloë Raderschall, researcher
    Department of Biosystems and Technology
  • Ramesh Vetukuri
    Department of Plant Breeding
    +46732047785
  • Maria Viketoft
    NJ, Ekosystems Ecology Unit
    +4618671505 +46722472631
  • Eirini Lamprini Daouti
    Dept. of Crop Production Ecology, Weed biology and management
  • Mattias Jonsson, Deputy head of department and researcher
    NJ, Agricultural Entomology Unit
    +4618672450 +46725326556