Department of Biosystems and Technology

Are you motivated by the challenge of transforming animal husbandry into more sustainable and regenerative systems? Do you want to work closely with farmers in southern Sweden to test innovative grazing and land management methods while assessing their environmental, economic, and social impacts? Then this research position in regenerative systems for animal husbandry could be the next step in your career.

About the job

The successful candidate will become part of GROUNDWORK, a leading Horizon Europe project within the EU's Soil Mission that brings together researchers, innovative farmers, universities, and technology developers to promote regenerative systems for animal husbandry and soil health in Europe. You will work within the Swedish Living Lab, coordinated by SLU and Swedish Carbon Storage, where you will collaborate directly with farmers to test and monitor regenerative grazing and land management methods.

You will design and conduct measurements of soil health, biodiversity, and the effects of management practices on farms and integrate these results into life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability analyses. You will contribute to comparing Swedish results with other Living Labs in Europe, participate in scientific publications, and communicate results to both researchers and practitioners.

The role combines practical fieldwork with quantitative analysis and requires a flexible, self-motivated researcher who can take independent responsibility for coordinating remote collaboration, leading digital meetings, and managing various field activities. Since GROUNDWORK is a large multinational initiative, you will often work independently between joint activities while maintaining good communication with geographically dispersed colleagues. At the same time, you will be part of a supportive, interdisciplinary team and work closely with farmers and other partners in Europe.

Your background

REQUIREMENTS:

• PhD in agroecology, environmental science, agricultural systems, or a related field.
• Documented experience in life cycle assessment within the agricultural sector.
• Documented experience in collecting field data in animal husbandry or mixed farming systems.
• Documented ability to publish research results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Good communication skills and experience working in transdisciplinary and participatory projects.
• Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork on farms in Sweden.
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written.

PREFERABLE:

• Experience working with farmers and participatory research approaches.
• Experience with LCA software (SimaPro, OpenLCA, Brightway).
• Skills in R or Python for data management and analysis.
• Experience with methods for monitoring soil or biodiversity.
• Experience with GIS (QGIS, ArcGIS).
• Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language.
• Possession of a Swedish or EU driving license.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

About us

At the Department of Biosystems and Technology, we explore the interactions between soil, plants, animals, environment, climate, and people in systems for sustainable production of food and renewable raw materials. Our teaching and research address issues of sustainable and efficient use of limited resources for production in greenhouses, on agricultural land, and in animal housing.

Our research combines detailed studies in biology and technology for production systems with system analyses and interdisciplinary syntheses. The department has broad expertise in agricultural and horticultural sciences, bioenergy, technology, animal welfare, resource efficiency, environmental impact, and food safety. We deliver research-based knowledge in education at undergraduate and advanced levels and through collaboration with society, thereby contributing to innovation, advice, and decision-making to solve complex problems.

The department was established on January 1, 2013, and consists of approximately 60 people from the former departments of agrosystems, horticultural science, as well as agricultural building technology and animal husbandry.

More information about the department: Department of Biosystems and Technology (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/)

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/)

Placement:

The successful candidate will be part of the research group Animal Centered Environments at the Department of Biosystems and Technology, SLU Alnarp, with fieldwork in southern Sweden within the framework of the Swedish Living Lab.

Employment form:

Permanent position. SLU may apply a probationary period.

Extent:

100%

Start date:

March 2, 2026, or by agreement.

Application:

Welcome with your application via the application button below by 2026-01-11.

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 4000 employees, 6000 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.