Licentiate student in Agricultural Sciences with specialization in plant breeding

The Department of Plant Breeding works with research, education, and innovation of strategic importance for society's long-term supply of food, industrial raw materials, and energy to meet an increasing need for raw materials and at the same time make plant production increasingly environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. We are a workplace that is growing in size and has a large international breadth among our employees. Together, we are involved in developing the crops of the future together with growers and industry, and thereby contribute to what is in consumer demand.

Genetic variation is a prerequisite for crop improvement. Without this variation, plant breeders cannot advance germplasm for any of the important traits of interest to growers. Therefore, plant breeding-based solutions represent sustainable means for improvements of our crops. 

Whole grains products of wheat play an essential role for human nutrition as the intake of dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins are increasing with such consumption. The overall goal of this project is to connect important quality traits such as smell, taste, nutrition, and end-use quality with encoding genes of these traits in ancient cereals and wheat introgression lines. These genes can thereafter be used through comprehensive plant breeding-based solutions to improve selection strategies and accelerating cultivar development.

The Department of Plant Breeding is looking for a licentiate degree student to participate in a project focused on searching for unique qualities from old cereals and wheat introgression lines for use in conventional and organic breeding. Funding for the project is from SLU Grogrund, which is a national competence center for Swedish plant breeding. For more information about SLU Grogrund, please visit https://www.slu.se/centrumbildningar-och-projekt/grogrund/ .

The licentiate student will contribute to identifying unique end-use qualities from old cereals and wheat introgression lines that can be used in conventional and organic breeding. Field trials as well as assessment of traits of importance for end-use quality (e.g., taste and smell, bread-making quality, phytochemicals, essential minerals, amino acids, etc.) will be done in collaboration SLU, Lantmännen, Warbro Kvarn AB, and Kristianstad University. The result will be assessed through a Genome-Wide Association Study

We seek a highly motivated candidate with master degree in agriculture, biology, biochemistry or other types of education of relevance for the project. A focus on plant breeding, genetics and / or grain quality is an advantage. Documented skills in reporting scientific results, molecular biology, grain quality assessments, working with plants in the greenhouse or field, bioinformatics, and programming in R statistic is beneficial. The candidate should have the ability to work both independently and in a team. Proven ability to excellently write and speak English is essential.

Alnarp

Employment as licentiate student (2 years) with possibility to extension for full PhD studies.

100%

1 June 2022

We welcome your application no later than 2022-02-20, use the button below.

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (University or University College) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/

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SLU is an equal opportunity employer.

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The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se

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