PhD Student

Department of Plant Production Ecology Doctoral Field: Biology with specialization in Ecology. Description of the PhD Project: Crop production faces increasingly significant challenges due to multiple interacting stress factors, including drought, heat, limited nutrient availability, weeds, pests, and diseases. Genetic diversity in crops can strengthen resilience under such conditions, but how this resilience is expressed depends heavily on environment, cultivation techniques, and management. Cultivation methods using cover crops or undersown intercropping can contribute to sustainability by providing valuable ecosystem services such as regulation of weeds, pests, and diseases, nitrogen fixation, and preservation of soil health and fertility. However, there is still limited knowledge about how genetic diversity in crops and cover crops or undersown intercropping interact to reduce the effects of multiple stress factors, which represents an important knowledge gap that this project aims to fill. The project will investigate how different cultivation methods affect the resilience of main crops, particularly wheat and peas, against multiple stress factors. You will study how different cultivation methods affect the response of various varieties or genotypes under varying growing conditions, with particular focus on the interaction between variety/genotype, environment, and cultivation method. The goal is to increase understanding of how cultivation methods affect different crop genotypes' resilience to multiple stress factors and to identify promising combinations of varieties/genotypes and cultivation methods that can contribute to stable yields and good productivity under low-input growing conditions. Field experiments will be conducted comparing different cultivation methods. Field measurements will include crop development, phenology, yield, and quality characteristics, as well as documentation of a broad spectrum of abiotic and biotic stress factors such as drought, heat stress, nutrient deficiency, and occurrence of weeds, pests, and plant diseases. Surveys of biological diversity, microbiome analyses, and environmental observations will provide additional evidence for assessing the effects of different cultivation methods and for evaluating crop performance. As a PhD student in this project, you will gain broad research experience in conducting field experiments, data processing, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and communication of research results. You will work in close collaboration with researchers at SLU and within a European research consortium. This collaboration provides excellent opportunities to develop your scientific expertise, build an international research network, and contribute to research across national and disciplinary boundaries. Qualifications Master's degree or equivalent in agronomy, plant science, plant biology, plant ecology, plant breeding, agricultural science, or a related field Documented experience with working with plants, crops, or agricultural systems Strong knowledge in plant ecology and understanding of its importance for sustainable crop production and cultivation. Documented experience with statistical data analysis Good ability to communicate in both speech and writing in English Meritorious Experience Documented experience with crop phenotyping, plant physiology, or evaluation of genotypes Documented experience with field assessment of weeds, pests, diseases, or environmental factors Documented experience with scientific writing and scientific communication Valid driver's license for Sweden We place particular emphasis on personal qualities. You should be able to work both independently and in collaboration with others, take own initiatives, handle complex tasks in a structured manner, and contribute positively to an inclusive work environment that encompasses multiple disciplines and countries. Eligibility to Apply for the Position To be eligible for doctoral-level education (PhD studies), a Master's degree or equivalent is required. Alternatively, you must have completed at least four years of full-time studies, of which at least one year at the advanced level. Selection of applicants will be based on the written application and CV, thesis, copies of degree certificates and study transcripts from previous studies at bachelor and master levels from a university or college, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about English language requirements can be found here: https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit certified copies of degree certificates or equivalent and study transcripts from previous studies at bachelor and master levels from a university or college. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens must also submit a certified copy of the information page of their passport with photograph and personal details. Read more about doctoral education at SLU here: https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/ About Us: Read more about the Department of Plant Production Ecology here: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/vaxtproduktionsekologi/ Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ Employment Form and Salary: Employment as a PhD student (4 years of education). The salary for the PhD student position follows local collective agreement with fixed salary steps. Scope: The position is for full-time work (100%). Location: Uppsala Start Date: December 2026 or by agreement. Application and Selection: Welcome to submit your application via the application button below no later than 2026-09-15. Selection among eligible applicants will be made based on the attachments included in the application and will be made with consideration to the ability to complete the education within the designated time. Trade Union Contact Persons https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

Ask AI

Common questions about this listing — opens your AI with a ready-made prompt including the listing link.

• Is the salary in this job offer competitive for the role and location?
  Open in
• What questions should I ask at the interview for this position?
  Open in
• Which skills should I highlight in my application for this job?
  Open in