Doctoral student at SLU in forest growth modelling

23 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Forest sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

11 Jun 2023 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

1114--1-8524

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
Department of Forest Resource Management

The department conducts teaching and research within the areas of Forest Planning, Forest Remote Sensing, Forest Inventory and Sampling, Mathematical Statistics Applied to Forest Sciences and Landscape Studies. The Department is responsible for several environmental monitoring and assessment programs including the Swedish National Forest Inventory, National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden, Terrestrial Habitat Monitoring and the Butterfly and Bumblebee Inventory. Research at the Department is focused on multilateral cooperation combining expertise from our many research groups. This gives unique possibilities for creating holistic solutions for the sustainable use of natural resources. The Department has approximately 100 employees.  More information can be found at www.slu.se/srh .

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/

Forest growth modelling in continuous-cover forests
Forest management
Description

We are looking for a doctoral student with a particular interest in forest growth and yield (G&Y) modelling of forests managed with various forms of continuous cover forestry methods and practices such as single-tree selective fellings, shelterwood forestry or gap cuttings, hereafter called CCF. Today’s forest decision support systems are typically based on deterministic empirical G&Y models, but present Swedish G&Y models are not fully designed for projecting the state of the forests resulting from CCF practices. Thus, improving the G&Y models to more accurately address CCF is crucial for assessing the effects and potential benefits of adapted management practices, which is essential for providing evidence-based decision support. While the empirical experience from CCF is limited in Sweden, long-term field experiments on various forms of CCF do exist and are a key asset in this task.

Within the framework of a PhD project involving a strong and dedicated team, the successful applicant will develop new knowledge of forest growth dynamics. The project starts with validations and tests of current G&Y models and continues with development of new G&Y models, where necessary and feasible. Results from the project will be implemented in the Heureka system, a decision support system that allows the user to perform a large amount of different analyses and management plans for forestry (www.slu.se/Heureka ).

This doctoral position is coordinated under E-tools, a four-year research project funded by FORMAS where researchers from several departments at SLU collaborate with the overall aim of providing new knowledge, improved models and accessible tools for forest management planning and thereby increase the knowledge-base needed for a widespread transition to alternative management practices such as CCF. Two other research platforms at SLU also participate in this PhD project: T4F, a research programme at SLU on the traits and demands on trees for the future in times of climate change, and Future Forests, an interdisciplinary hub for developing knowledge about forest use, in a collaboration between science and society.

Qualifications

When starting the position, you must have a master’s degree in statistics, forestry or ecology, with a strong interest in the intersection of those subjects. Experience from work with long-term field experiments, G&Y modelling and computer-based forest decision system is a merit. Personal qualities such as analytical and problem-solving ability, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, are of high importance.

Place of work       

Umeå

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 2023-06-12.

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: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

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 www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

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.

Requirements

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

SWEDISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Forest sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Country

Sweden

City

Umeå

Postal Code

90183

Street

SLU, Dep of Forest Resource Management

Where to apply

Website

https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/lediga-tjanster/?rmpage=job&rmjob=8524

Contact

City

Umeå

Street

SLU, Dep of Forest Resource Management

Postal Code

90183

STATUS: EXPIRED