Department of Molecular Sciences
Doctoral Research Field: Biology
Description of Doctoral Research Projects:
We are seeking two doctoral researchers in the field of biogas production, with a focus on process. The biogas process represents a valuable tool today for achieving several different societal benefits and environmental goals. Through a biogas process, it is possible to treat various waste, close nutrient cycles, and produce renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer. The biogas process also represents an important tool for preparedness and self-sufficiency. The process is driven by a complex microbiological process that needs to be in balance for efficient and stable biogas production. At the Department of Molecular Sciences, research is ongoing regarding operation and optimization of the process and within process microbiology, often interconnected.
The focus of the doctoral projects is as follows, with some possibility for independent direction.
Biogas production from agricultural substrates with focus on operational optimization. There is currently rapid development of biogas within agriculture and there is a need for knowledge building. As a doctoral researcher in this project, you will operate various biogas processes in the laboratory with the goal of optimizing the processes, both regarding gas production and biofertilizer quality. The processes will be analyzed with chemical and microbiological analyses, with the possibility for modeling.
Process Microbiology. In this project, the focus is on the microbiology in various types of biogas processes and how microorganism activity is affected by different operating conditions and is linked to the process function and stability. The work includes molecular biological methods and bioinformatics to analyze microbial communities in both laboratory-scale and full-scale biogas processes. The goal is to identify microorganisms and microbial markers that can be linked to specific operating conditions and used to predict process disturbances.
Eligibility:
Master's degree with focus on biology/microbiology/biotechnology/molecular biotechnology/bioinformatics or similar. Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written (equivalent to a passing grade in English B/6 from a Swedish secondary school).
Your Background:
We are looking for you with clear motivation and drive to contribute to the development of renewable energy systems, and who are interested in biotechnology and industrial microbiology. You should have good knowledge of reading scientific English as well as expressing yourself in English in both speech and writing, have an aptitude for communicating with others, and have good collaboration skills.
Meritorious:
Knowledge of biogas processes, modeling/programming, statistics, and Swedish
About Us:
The positions are located at the Department of Molecular Sciences at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala. Please visit our website https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/ for more information.
The positions are linked to the national transdisciplinary center of excellence Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC) and for doctoral project 1 to the Interreg project BEAR, which is conducted in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology and University of Oulu. BSRC brings together researchers from Linköping University and SLU together with approximately 50 private and public organizations representing the entire biogas value chain. The doctoral positions within BSRC aim to promote co-production of knowledge between academia, industry, and the public sector to ensure long-term competency supply within both research and industry.
Both projects will be conducted within the research group Microbial Biotechnology, and the main supervisor for both projects is Professor Anna Schnürer. The doctoral researchers will also be supervised by additional researchers within the research group, which ensures access to the expertise required to successfully carry out the projects. Since the projects are conducted in close collaboration with industry and other societal actors, the supervision groups may also include external supervisors from industry.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/
Read more about SLU's doctoral education at http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/.
Employment Terms and Salary:
Employment as a Doctoral Researcher (4-year education)
The salary for the doctoral position follows a local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.
Scope:
100% full-time
Location:
Uppsala
Start Date:
By agreement, but no later than December 2026
Application and Selection:
Welcome to submit your application via the application button below by August 31, 2026. It is possible to apply for one or both doctoral positions. In the application, it must be clearly stated which project or projects the application concerns, which project is prioritized first, and the reasoning for this prioritization.
Read more about the attachments your application should contain at https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/
Selection among eligible applicants will be based on the attachments submitted in the application and shall be made with regard to the ability to complete the education within the set time.
Trade Union Contact Persons
https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development of sustainable life, grounded in science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between people, animals, and ecosystems and responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but operations are also conducted at research stations, experimental farms, and educational sites throughout the country. SLU has just over 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral researchers, and a turnover of over 4.5 billion kronor. The University is investing in attractive environments on its campus areas. We work for an equal and inclusive work environment where open dialogue between people with different experiences forms the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.Department of Molecular Sciences
Doctoral Research Field: Biology
Description of Doctoral Research Projects:
We are seeking two doctoral researchers in the field of biogas production, with a focus on process. The biogas process represents a valuable tool today for achieving several different societal benefits and environmental goals. Through a biogas process, it is possible to treat various waste, close nutrient cycles, and produce renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer. The biogas process also represents an important tool for preparedness and self-sufficiency. The process is driven by…