Vacant job

Department of Molecular Sciences

Doctoral Programme: Biology

Description of the PhD Projects:

We are seeking two PhD students in the field of biogas production, with a focus on the process. The biogas process currently represents a valuable tool for achieving various societal benefits and environmental goals. Through biogas processing, it is possible to treat various waste streams, close nutrient cycles, and produce renewable energy along with a nutrient-rich fertilizer. The biogas process also serves as an important tool for preparedness and self-sufficiency. The process is driven by a complex microbiological activity that must be balanced to ensure efficient and stable biogas production. At the Department of Molecular Sciences, research is ongoing regarding both the operation and optimization of the process as well as process microbiology, often interconnected areas.

The focus of the PhD projects is as follows, with some possibility for independent direction.

• Biogas production from agricultural substrates with a focus on operational optimization. There is currently rapid development of biogas within agriculture, and there is a need for knowledge building. As a PhD student in this project, you will operate various biogas processes in the laboratory with the aim of optimizing these processes, both regarding gas production and biogas slurry quality. The processes will be analyzed using chemical and microbiological analyses, with opportunities for modeling.
• Process Microbiology. This project focuses on the microbiology of different types of biogas processes and how microbial activity is affected by various operational conditions, as well as how this relates to the process's function and stability. The work involves molecular biological methods and bioinformatics to analyze microbial communities in both laboratory-scale and full-scale biogas processes. The goal is to identify microorganisms and microbial markers that can be linked to specific operational conditions and used to predict process disturbances.

Qualifications:

A Master's degree with a focus on biology, microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biotechnology, bioinformatics, or similar. Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written (equivalent to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school).

Your Background:

We are looking for you with a clear motivation and drive to contribute to the development of renewable energy systems, and who are interested in biotechnology and industrial microbiology. You should have good skills in reading scientific English as well as expressing yourself in English, both spoken and written. You should find it easy to communicate with others and have good teamwork skills.

Merits:

Knowledge of biogas processes, modeling/programming, statistics, and Swedish.

About Us:

The positions are located at the Department of Molecular Sciences at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala. Please visit our website https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/ (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/) for more information.

The positions are linked to the national transdisciplinary excellence center Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC) and, for PhD project 1, to the Interreg project BEAR, carried out in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology and University of Oulu. BSRC brings together researchers from Linköping University and SLU along with approximately 50 private and public organizations representing the entire biogas value chain. The PhD positions within BSRC aim to promote co-production of knowledge between academia, industry, and the public sector to ensure long-term competence supply in both research and business.

Both projects will be conducted within the research group Microbial Biotechnology, and the main supervisor for both projects is Professor Anna Schnürer. The PhD students will also be supervised by additional researchers within the research group, ensuring access to the competence required to successfully carry out the projects. Since the projects are carried out in close collaboration with industry and other societal actors, the supervision groups may also include external supervisors from business.

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

Read more about SLU's doctoral education on http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/ (http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/).

Form of Employment and Salary:

Employment as a PhD student (4 years of education).

The salary for the PhD position follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

Extent:

100% of full-time.

Location:

Uppsala.

Start Date:

As agreed, but no later than December 2026.

Application and Selection:

Welcome to submit your application via the application button below by 2026-08-31. It is possible to apply for one or both of the PhD positions. The application must clearly state which project or projects the application concerns, which project is prioritized first, and the motivation for this prioritization.

Read more about the attachments your application should contain on https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/ (https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/).

Selection among qualified applicants is based on the attachments included in the application and should be made with regard to the ability to complete the education within the specified time.

Union Contact Persons

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, based on 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. The main campuses are in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but operations are also conducted at research stations, trial 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 a gender-equal and inclusive work 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.