Postdoctoral Researcher - Climate Risk Analysis in Agriculture and Forestry

Join the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) through a two-year postdoctoral position focusing on climate adaptation in agriculture and forestry. We are looking for a motivated and engaged individual who can contribute to European research projects studying the resilience of agricultural and forest systems. The position offers the opportunity to work at various levels and with different methods, where quantitative risk modeling is integrated with empirical field data and applied demonstrations to support climate-resilient decision-making in boreal agriculture and forestry.

About the Job

The successful candidate will be part of the Precilience project, an interdisciplinary initiative that evaluates climate risks and supports resilient adaptation strategies in the Nordic and Baltic boreal region. The position is part of the Risks and Opportunities team, which develops integrated assessments of climate-related risks and vulnerabilities through a combination of quantitative analysis and stakeholder engagement. The postdoc will also be part of the Forestry Demonstration team, which investigates the impact of climate on boreal forests and evaluates adaptive and transformative management practices. The research will assess vulnerability and resilience in different forest types, considering stand structure, species composition, management history, and landscape context. Demonstration activities include testing strategies for renewal and diversification, as well as evaluating disease occurrence and susceptibility in key boreal species such as Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies).

Responsibilities include developing climate risk indicators for crops and forests using systematic literature reviews, climate forecasts, and sensitivity indicators related to species composition, management history, and site conditions. Another important aspect of the position is empirical demonstrations and data collection in Sweden and Estonia. The postdoc will participate in field studies in climate-sensitive forest areas and contribute to the collection and analysis of ecological data, management data, and regeneration data. The data collection will be used to validate model results, refine risk indicators, and evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive forest management strategies.

Your Background

We are looking for a person with a PhD in environmental science, forestry, ecology, geoscience, agricultural science, biology, or a related field with the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment, including collaboration with academic and non-academic partners. Excellent written and spoken English skills, sufficient for scientific writing, reporting, and participation in international project activities, are required.

Other desirable skills include experience in conducting systematic or structured literature reviews, including synthesis of scientific evidence across disciplines, as well as documented experience in quantitative environmental data analysis, including climate data, ecological or forest inventory data, and/or spatial datasets, and skills in statistical analysis and data processing using tools such as R or similar. Knowledge of agricultural or forestry practices is also advantageous.

A postdoctoral position is intended for a researcher early in their career, so we primarily seek individuals who have obtained their PhD within the last three years.

Personal qualities will also be considered in the assessment.

About Us

The Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology at SLU has a leading international position in research. We conduct both basic and applied research focusing on the important interactions between plants, fungi, and other microorganisms in forest and agricultural systems. Our main research areas include forest and agricultural plant pathology, plant-soil-microorganism interactions, microbial and molecular ecology, comparative genomics, and biological control. We address critical issues such as loss of biodiversity, impaired ecosystem function, and the effects of native and invasive pests and diseases. Our work aims to develop sustainable agricultural and forestry practices, particularly in light of climate change, to minimize environmental impact and economic losses.

For more information about the department or the division, visit: www.slu.se/mykopat (https://www.slu.se/mykopat)

For more information about Precillience, see: https://www.precilience.eu (https://www.precilience.eu)

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

Location:

Uppsala

Employment Type:

Fixed-term employment for 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Scope:

100%

Start Date:

2026-05-01 or by agreement.

Application:

We welcome your application via the application button below by 2026-03-31.

Documents to be attached to the application:

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• CV
• Name and contact details of two references
• Documents proving PhD degree

Union Contacts:

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

The 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 operations are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational sites across the country.

SLU has over 4000 employees, 6000 students, and doctoral candidates, with 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 diverse experiences lay the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to apply for this position.