PhD student in life cycle assessment: reduced losses of beef

At the Department of Energy and Technology, research and education are conducted focusing on how agriculture can contribute to a sustainable society. We have extensive expertise in technology and systems for sustainable production of food and bioenergy, including optimal nutrition circuits and logistics systems. Within the field of methodology we have extensive competence in System Analysis including Environmental Systems Analysis and LCA, as well as Biometrics (statistics and mathematics with applications in biological systems) and Automation.

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/

Reducing food loss and waste is one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and has been identified as one of three main strategies to keep the food system within planetary boundaries. There is an urgent need for practical and effective measures to tackle the problem, where the department is pursuing several relevant projects.

We are now seeking a doctoral student who will work on assessing the environmental effects of reduced losses of beef on Swedish farms, which may also include evaluating effects on animal welfare. The results will be used to highlight the potential of the Environmental Code to reduce food waste and losses in Sweden and to provide a basis for discussions on climate measures, improved animal husbandry and updated regulations on emergency slaughter. The scientific method will primarily be life cycle assessment, where methodology development towards including animal welfare can be included.  Since beef has a large climate impact, the project can bring substantial climate savings.

The work is carried out within the projects "Is food waste illegal?" and "Loss of beef in primary production in Sweden" (https://www.slu.se/forlust_notkott ).

The position is a doctoral student employment for four years aiming at a doctoral degree.

Required:

• A second-cycle degree in science or technology with a focus on environment, systems analysis or agricultural and food systems, or equivalent.

• Good oral and written proficiency in English.

Meriting:

• Knowledge in environmental systems analysis, especially life cycle assessment.

• Knowledge or experience of beef production.

• Knowledge or experience of environmental policy instruments.

• Proficiency in Swedish.

Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities, such as ability to cooperate, analytical and problem-solving ability and the ability to work independently.

Uppsala 

Employment as a PhD student for four years.

By appointment.

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-06-19.

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/

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.

Contact person

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=8597&rmlang=UK