Programme

Welcome to the workshop: ‘How to become a post doc” that we are organizing in collaboration with several research schools at SLU. Full day incl. presentations from funders in Sweden (VR & Formas), a session on writing applications, and opportunities to interact with and learn from other postdocs. 

• Spring, week 9, exact date to be announced
• Organizer: Research School (FFB) (Ali Moazzami).

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the research field of environmental chemistry by investigating the sources, transport and fate of organic micropollutants in the environment. The course will focus on measuring organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), antibiotics and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and also exploring their environmental occurrence and transport from source to tap of drinking water. 

• 20 April - 25 May 2026
• 5 ECTS
• PNS0119
• For questions please contact Foon Yin Lai (foonyin.lai@slu.se)

The course consists of lecture, field and laboratory work, a writing assignment and a workshop:

• 20–24/4 Lectures and literature
• 27/4–6/5 Field and laboratory course 
• 7–18/5 Writing assignment 
• 25/5 Final workshop 

Soils are complex systems where physical, chemical and biological processes occur simultaneously. In order to understand and evaluate the behavior of the soil system in response to external influences such as climate change or management practices, process-oriented models have become indispensable tools, especially for future predictions. Advances in technology and database development have reduced the run time of simulations, allowing the evaluation of long-term scenarios using models linked to large databases. However, this often increases the size and complexity of the input data and model outputs. Finding the right tools to help organize this data has become key to modelling studies, regardless of the model and scale of interest. Considering that knowledge and skills in data management are a prerequisite for researchers, this workshop will provide tools and examples on how to organize datasets and link them to two process-oriented models for agricultural (and grassland) soils.

The aim of this course is to (i) introduce working with the database system PostgreSQL, (ii) apply two database-driven process-oriented models using an example dataset and visualize the outcomes using the R software, (iii) develop different agricultural management scenarios for simulations and (iv) evaluate simulation results from a process and soil systems perspective.

Online meeting on the 15th of May and workshop at Ultuna 26th to 29th May 2025

• 25 - 29 May 2026
• 2 ECTS
• P000156
• For questions please contact Katharina Meurer (katharina.meurer@slu.se) 

A bi-annual PhD course in the Krycklan catchment on ‘Watershed Ecology and Biogeochemistry’ addresses the foundational concepts and modern challenges within the broad field of watershed science.

Here we will take an integrative approach that focuses on the hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological connections between upland, riparian, and aquatic components of forest landscapes. Specific topics includes:

1. An overview of catchment hydrology and water balance,
2. Elemental transport and processing along hillslopes and riparian zones,
3. Controls over material exchange at the land-water interface 
4. Biogeochemical cycling in streams and rivers,
5. The biogeochemical significance of wetlands and lakes within catchments, and
6. The interface between forest management and watershed science in boreal lands.

General themes in watershed science will be explored through discussions of literature that will be coordinated with short lectures. More specific questions and methodological approaches will be introduced using a series of excursions and activities within the Krycklan catchment.

Go to the course website for literature, information on practical part at field station and to register: PhD-Course: Watershed Ecology and Biogeochemistry

• 17 – 23 September 
• 7.5 ECTS
• PFS0100   
• For questions please contact Hjalmar Laudon (hjalmar.laudon@slu.se)

Agricultural catchments are one of the landscapes mostly affected by the environmental change as they have inherent low buffering capacity for external and internal stressors. Climate change, increasing demand for clean water and food for growing populations, are expected to further impact agricultural catchments: intensify water circulation and pollution, eutrophication, soil erosion, emission of greenhouse gasses and biodiversity loss. As a result, ecosystem services provided by agricultural catchments are likely to diminish in changing future conditions unless appropriate mitigation options are implemented.

This course recognises the importance of agricultural catchments and their sensitivity to global change and provides a comprehensive synthesis of dominant processes shaping agricultural landscapes: hydrological, biogeochemical, ecological, economic and societal. The course comprises theoretical lectures and practical assignments focused on environmental assessment and management, all adapted to maximise the potential of distant based learning.

• 9-13 and 16-20 November 2026
• Uppsala and Zoom, Hybrid- course
• 3 POG0086
• PNS0204
• For questions please contact Magdalena Bieroza (magdalena.bieroza@slu.se)

Application of a number of multivariate methods on ecological data. After the course, the students should be able to analyse multivariate ecological data using R.

Further information will be published here as the course date approaches.

• Autumn
• 4,5 ETCS
• PNS0190 & PNS0074  
• Course leader Ulf Grandin (ulf.grandin@slu.se)

Further information will be published here as the course date approaches.

• Autumn
• 3 ECTS
• PNG0101   
• Course leader (matt.low@slu.se)

Learn how to communicate your science to a wider audience. Online course. 

Further information will be published here as the course date approaches.

• Autumn
• 2 ECTS
• POG0086   
• Course leaders: Galia Zamaratskaia & Lotta Jäderlund

FoSW networking and socializing, incl. a relevant interdisciplinary practical worskshop with social activities, coupled to an evaluation of FoSW & bottom-up brainstorming about future activities.

• Autumn
• Workshop
• Organisers: Eveline Krab and Maria Kahlert

Information about how to pursue a career outside of academia, in cooperation with SLU alumni (representing authorities, companies and NGOs) and Career Services at SLU. Tailored for PhD students in Natural Sciences

• Autumn
• Workshop
• Organiser: Vahideh Rafaei
  
  

Information about how to write a PhD thesis summary, including legal issues, writing inspiration, advice and discussions on "best practices".

• Organiser: Philip Jacobson
  
  

Overview of the research frontiers in the area of organic matter dynamics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. From molecular chemistry, via the interplay between organisms and organic matter, to biogeochemical cycling of carbon at the global scale. Literature reviews combined with a 1-week seminar with invited scientists.

• 3 ECTS
• PNS0182   
• Spring
• Organiser: Karolina Jörgensen.

Introduction to soil science. What are soils, why they are important, potential threats. Including soil sampling & data management.

• 3 ETCS
• Spring
• Organiser: Nadia Maaroufi
  
  

Information about where & how to apply for funding, with Swedish research councils Formas and VR, the union (SULF), and former postdocs, tailored for PhD students in Natural Sciences.

• Spring
• Organiser: Jens Rommel

Introduction to aquatic sciences and its application to environmental assessment, including an introduction into practical methods, threats to water, and aims of monitoring such as SDGs and national environmental goals. 

• 3 ETCS
• P000037 
• Autumn 2027
• Organiser: Philip Jacobson

Overview course on a theoretical and practical “toolbox” to study complex communities in natural settings (diversity, composition, biogeography and metabolics), with practical labs where students will do the different steps of molecular analysis as example labs. Overview on all organism groups, focus on microbiology.  

• 3 ETCS
• P000050 & P000051 
• Autumn
• Organiser: Grace Pold
  
  

Knowledge in research ethics and philosophy of science with a focus on concepts and theories relevant to the field of biology. The course will provide specific examples and practical implications applicable to their research area (online course)

• 3 ETCS
• P000088
• Autumn
• Organiser: Josefin Sundin

Application of a number of multivariate methods on ecological data. After the course, the students should be able to analyse multivariate ecological data using R. 

• 4,5 ETCS
• PNS0190 & PNS0074  
• Autumn
• Organiser: Ulf Grandin

Writing reproducible code, basic use of GitHub and Rmarkdown, standardize code and data structure.

• 3 ETCS
• PNG0100
• Autumn
• Organiser: Alistair Auffret

Basic introduction into R.

• 3 ETCS
• PNG0101
• Autumn
• Organiser: Matt Low

Learn how to communicate your science to a wider audience. Online course. 

• 2 ETCS
• POG0086   
• Autumn
• Organiser: Galia Zamaratskaia & Lotta Jäderlund

Information about how to pursue a career outside of academia, in cooperation with SLU alumni (representing authorities, companies and NGOs) and Career Services at SLU. Tailored for PhD students in Natural Sciences

• Autumn
• Organiser: Vahideh Rafaei

Information about how to write a PhD thesis summary, including legal issues, writing inspiration, advice and discussions on "best practices".

• Autumn
• Organiser: Philip Jacobson

• 4,5 ETCS
• PNS0134
• Spring
• Organiser: Jon-Petter Gustafsson

Short introduction to soil system sciences with focus on micro-analytical techniques and their application to environmental samples. Literature review combined with a 1-week seminar with invited international scientists.

• 3 ETCS
• P000134
• Spring
• Organiser: Elsa Coucheney

Information about where & how to apply for funding, with Swedish research councils Formas and VR, the union (SULF), and former postdocs, tailored for PhD students in

• Natural Sciences.
• Workshop
• Spring
• Organiser: Jens Rommel

Concepts and challenges of watershed science, including forest management aspects and its impact on watershed biogeochemistry in boreal lands. Literature & practical part at field station.

• 7,5 ETCS
• PFS0100   
• Autumn
• Organiser: Hjalmar Laudon

Design and carry out an eDNA-based inventory of animals in terrestrial & aquatic environments. Incl. sample collection, DNA laboratory, sequencing, taxonomic annotation, databases.

• 3 ETCS
• Autumn
• Organiser: Eveline Krab

Application of a number of multivariate methods on ecological data. After the course, the students should be able to analyse multivariate ecological data using R. Co-funding

• 4,5 ETCS
• PNS0190 & PNS0074  
• Autumn
• Organiser: Ulf Grandin

Basic introduction into R

• 3 ETCS
• PNG0101   
• Autumn
• Organiser: Matt Low

Learn how to communicate your science to a wider audience. Online course. 

• 2 ETCS
• POG0086   
• Autumn
• Organiser: Galia Zamaratskaia & Lotta Jäderlund

Information about how to pursue a career outside of academia, in cooperation with SLU alumni (representing authorities, companies and NGOs) and Career Services at SLU. Tailored for PhD students in Natural Sciences

• Workshop
• Autumn
• Organiser: Vahideh Rafaei

Information about how to write a PhD thesis summary, including legal issues, writing inspiration, advice and discussions on "best practices".

• ETCS
• Workshop
• Autumn
• Organiser: Philip Jacobson

Provides a basic understanding of potential and limitations of different high throughput omics methods. Design multi-omics studies and identify the appropriate analyses method for different multi-omics datasets and questions.

• 3 ETCS
• P000113
• Spring
• Organiser: Maliheh Mershad

Critical review and evaluation of research studies through systematic analysis and critical appraisal. Combining theoretical lectures with practical exercises.

• 3 ETCS
• Spring
• Organiser: Örjan Berglund

Information about where & how to apply for funding, with Swedish research councils Formas and VR, the union (SULF), and former postdocs, tailored for PhD students in Natural Sciences.

• Workshop
• Spring
• Organiser: Jens Rommel

Discuss and evaluate different definitions of ecosystem functioning, relate ecosystem functioning to ecosystem services, relation to own research. 

• 3 ETCS
• PNG0057
• Autumn
• Organiser: Brendan McKie

Providing basic knowledge on N&P cycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, state-of-the techniques, including isotopes, farming, management, sustainable use, mitigation options minimizing eutrophication.

• 3 ETCS
• P000090
• Autumn
• Organiser: Karolina Jörgensen

Knowledge in research ethics and philosophy of science with a focus on concepts and theories relevant to the field of biology. The course will provide specific examples and practical implications applicable to their research area (online course)

• 3 ETCS
• P000088
• Autumn
• Organiser: Josefin Sundin

Application of a number of multivariate methods on ecological data. After the course, the students should be able to analyse multivariate ecological data using R. Co-funding

• 4,5 ETCS
• PNS0190 & PNS0074  
• Autumn
• Organiser: Ulf Grandin

Basic introduction into R

• 3 ETCS
• PNG0101   
• Autumn
• Organiser: Matt Low

Learn how to communicate your science to a wider audience. Online course. 

• 2 ETCS
• POG0086   
• Autumn
• Organiser: Galia Zamaratskaia & Lotta Jäderlund

Information about how to pursue a career outside of academia, in cooperation with SLU alumni (representing authorities, companies and NGOs) and Career Services at SLU. Tailored for PhD students in Natural Sciences

• Workshop
• Autumn
• Organiser: Vahideh Rafaei

Information about how to write a PhD thesis summary, including legal issues, writing inspiration, advice and discussions on "best practices".

• Workshop
• Autumn
• Organiser: Philip Jacobson