PhD student position in beech silviculture

SLU is one of the world’s highest ranked universities in several subject areas and is ranked #1 in forestry (CWUR). At our centre we carry out research, teaching and dissemination of scientific findings with direct application to the sustainable management of forests. We have a multidisciplinary profile, with global relevance and specialized expertise on forests and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. We closely collaborate with multiple stakeholders and conduct applied research in silviculture, forest ecology, pathology, policy and planning. We teach bachelor, Masters and PhD level courses addressing all of these subject areas.

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/

The beech forests in Sweden of today covers only about a fifth of the area from when it was at it´s largest. During the 20th century, vast amount of forest was cut and planted with conifers. With adaptation to climate change and with an increasing demand of broadleaved wood products there is a need for new research on beech silviculture. Long rotations and high establishment costs are known challenges in forest management of broadleaves. Beech can commonly be regenerated with seed trees and continuous cover forest methods but for new establishments plantations can be expensive and high risk projects. For this position we will address the following research questions: i) What long term results can we find of low versus high intensity regeneration methods?, ii) How does early competition and competition release from other tree species affect economy and stand development?, iii) how to re-establish beech forests in a northern distribution range?

The PhD project focuses on the regeneration and early management of beech, both with natural regeneration and with planted seedlings. We will use old and new experiments in monocultures and mixtures, in several stages of stand development from regeneration to first thinning. In addition, the economical and provisional services of a full stand rotation will be explored and evaluated for the management alternatives. The PhD student will acquire a research education with competence in silviculture, growth and yield and Heureka- analysis.

The PhD student will be included in the silviculture research team, which studies the regeneration and management of noble broadleaves in the temperate and south-boreal forests. In our team we model forest growth and stand development using survey and experimental data. Modelling approaches are both empirical and mechanistic. Our research group lift a heavy part of the teaching on both bachelor and master level but we also do substantial dissemination of our research to forest stakeholders, governmental institutions, NGO´s and society. On average as a PhD student you will teach 1-3 weeks per year and participate in extension activities such as excursions and seminars 1-2 times per year.

The applicant should by the date of admission to PhD studies have a M. Sc. degree in silviculture, forest management or in related forest sciences. Other beneficial qualifications are experience in conducting silviculture or regeneration surveys and/or experiments, ability to work independently in the field, skills in GIS and R-statistical analysis, and good communications skills with fluency in written English.

A drivers license is a necessity for the work duties. Attached to application should be: 1) curriculum vitae, 2) copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, 3) link to, or copy of master thesis, and 4) two listed references with email addresses. Also attached to application should be: 5) a written motivation or reflection, of maximum one A4-page written in Swedish or English. The motivation shall discuss the student ’s personal interest in the topic of this study and in silviculture of noble broadleaves in general.

Alnarp

Employment (4 years)

October 1, 2023 or according to agreement.

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-07-30.

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

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