Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology

WIFORCE Graduate School

Do you want to research for the sustainable use and conservation of forests for the future? Apply to the WIFORCE Graduate School!

Biodiversity and the role of forests in climate action are currently central societal issues that require more knowledge. To sustainably manage and secure the biological diversity of forests, a cohesive fundamental research program is needed that addresses large and complex questions and develops new analytical tools. Therefore, the WIFORCE Graduate School, within the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (www.slu.se/wiforce (https://www.slu.se/wiforce)), has been established.

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology is part of the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC, https://www.upsc.se (https://www.upsc.se)), which is a competence center for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology in northern Sweden. UPSC aims to conduct excellent and innovative fundamental research and create knowledge for the benefit of forestry, agriculture, the environment, and society. We study plants from the cellular level up to ecophysiology, as well as from fundamental research to industrial applications. We strive to understand plants' ability to grow, adapt, and acclimatize to a changing world, knowledge that can lead to better plant varieties, cultivation practices, or industrial processes.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/)

Integrative Genomic Analysis of the Relationship Between Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Wood Properties in Forest Trees

Research Subject: Plant Biology

Content Description:
Nitrogen is the main growth-limiting nutrient in boreal forests. Nitrogen fertilization is a powerful way to increase forest production but is less appealing due to the negative consequences for the surrounding environment. As an alternative, growth can be increased by improving trees' nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). In addition to targeting tree growth, it is also important to consider the qualitative properties of wood that are likely affected alongside changes in NUE.

In this project, you will investigate NUE in a natural population of aspen (the SwAsp collection). Together with other researchers, you will conduct an integrative analysis, including automated phenotyping, through extensive association studies (GWAS) and transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) in the SwAsp collection to identify genetic variation in NUE and candidate genes that will be functionally validated in transgenic trees. To investigate how variation in NUE affects wood properties, you will also conduct high-resolution analyses of the chemical, structural, and mechanical properties of wood.

The doctoral project is expected to lead to the identification of genetic markers and strategies for breeding trees for improved NUE. In the long term, we aim to promote the cultivation of broadleaf trees in agricultural practice.

Qualifications:

The applicant should have a master's degree in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or equivalent. Excellent oral and written skills in English, previous experience with plants as an experimental system, and knowledge of statistics in e.g., programming language R are necessary. We place great emphasis on the applicant's ability to collaborate and function well in a strong research environment, interest in learning new things, and willingness to individually develop the project in collaboration with the research group, as well as a high motivation to pursue doctoral studies. Previous experience in plant nitrogen physiology, trees as model systems, genetics, genomics, or bioinformatics is valuable merits.

Location:

Umeå

Funding Form:

Employment as a PhD student, 4 years of education

Start Date:

The start date is flexible but no later than June 1, 2026.

Application

Welcome with your application via the application button no later than 2026-02-10.

To be eligible for doctoral education, a degree at the advanced level or at least four years of full-time studies, of which at least one year at the advanced level, is required.

Selection among eligible applicants is based on: written application including CV; thesis, copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous studies at the undergraduate and advanced levels at university or college, two personal references, knowledge of English. More information about the requirements for English language skills can be found on the following page:https://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/att-bli-doktorand/ (https://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/att-bli-doktorand/)

Please note that applicants who are called for an interview must submit certified copies of degree certificates, or equivalent, and transcripts from previous studies at the undergraduate and advanced levels at university or college, and that applicants with foreign citizenship must also submit a certified copy of the page in the passport that contains the photo and personal information.

Read more about SLU's doctoral education at https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/ (https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/)

Union Contact Persons:

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/ (https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) plays a key role in the development of sustainable living, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems and responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main locations are Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational sites across the country.

SLU has over 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students, and a turnover of over 4.5 billion SEK. The university invests in attractive environments on its campuses. We strive for a gender-equal and inclusive work environment where open conversations between people with different experiences lay the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.