Vacant job

Department of Forest Ecology and Management

We are looking for a motivated person with a strong interest in forest management, forest structures, and biodiversity.

About the Job

Intensive forestry dominated by a single species, such as spruce in southern Sweden, can alter the ecosystem's function and resilience to extreme climate conditions. Therefore, increased deciduous forest cover is a crucial tool for creating more resilient forest ecosystems in the future. Forests dominated by broadleaf trees provide important ecosystem services and harbor a disproportionately large share of biodiversity in temperate regions. However, their long-term survival is increasingly limited by poor regeneration and unsuitable forest management. We have limited knowledge about the growth of young trees in intermediate size classes, so-called recruits, in these forests. Continuous cover forestry is increasingly highlighted as a way to reconcile timber production, biodiversity, and climate adaptation, where selection cutting serves as a central tool. This project investigates how selection cutting in broadleaf forests, stand structure, and climate affect forest dynamics, regeneration, and associated biodiversity by combining long-term data from the National Forest Inventory with field experiments in southern Sweden.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will combine field measurements in forest stands with the analysis of already collected and new data from long-term forestry experiments and data from the National Forest Inventory. The work includes planning and conducting field measurements, data analysis, and publishing scientific articles. Teaching and supervision may occur depending on interest.

Your Background

At the time of employment, the applicant must have:

• A PhD in forestry, ecology, environmental science, or equivalent
• Good knowledge of forest management, forest structures, and biodiversity
• Experience with large datasets, ecological data analysis/modeling in R and/or other software
• Good proficiency in English, both spoken and written
• Valid driver's license (Category B)

The following qualifications are meritorious:

• Experience analyzing data from replicated field trials in forest ecosystems dominated by broadleaf trees
• Experience working at the interface between forest management and nature conservation
• Knowledge of forest management measures and stand structures
• Knowledge of continuous cover forestry
• Experience analyzing data on the effects of forestry on lichens and mosses
• Experience analyzing large datasets using GLMMs in R
• Experience analyzing data from the National Forest Inventory
• Experience with field measurements of tree growth, light availability in forest stands, as well as lichens and mosses

Personal qualities such as teamwork, initiative-taking ability, and independent work are highly valued. The position is intended for a junior researcher, and we primarily seek individuals who have obtained their PhD within the last three years.

About Us

SLU is one of the world's highest-ranked universities in several subject areas and is ranked #1 in forestry science (CWUR). We are an interdisciplinary institution where we research and teach in many subjects related to sustainable forestry. Our work has global relevance, and we have special expertise regarding the forest and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. Our research areas include forest management, forest ecology, pathology, policy, and planning. We collaborate with various types of users and actively disseminate our research findings to relevant stakeholders. Our courses at undergraduate and advanced levels cover all the aforementioned areas.

More information about the department: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-and-management/ (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-and-management/)

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

Location:

Alnarp

Employment Type:

Fixed-term employment for 12 months.

Scope:

100%

Start Date:

2026-08-03 or by agreement.

Application:

Please submit your application via the button below by 2026-06-18.

Union Representatives:

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 life, grounded in science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems, and the 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 parks, and educational sites throughout 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 campus areas. We work for an equal and inclusive working environment where open dialogue between people with different experiences lays the foundation for scientific rigor, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.