Vacant job

Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology

We are looking for an engaged and motivated postdoc to join a multidisciplinary research collaboration between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå University, and the University of Massachusetts. As Sweden and the EU work towards ambitious goals for biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, understanding the human dimensions of forest management is becoming increasingly important. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research at the intersection of psychology, economics, and forestry, with the aim of supporting decision-making for more resilient and sustainable forest landscapes.

The full job advertisement can be found at: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/lediga-jobb/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/lediga-jobb/)

About the job

The EU Nature Restoration Law and Sweden's environmental quality objectives place increased demands on landscapes with richer biodiversity. In Sweden, approximately 300,000 individuals and families own about 50 percent of the productive forest land, which covers roughly two-thirds of the country's area. These private forest owners will need to implement a significant portion of the measures required to strengthen biodiversity in Sweden's forests.

As part of a multidisciplinary research project funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, we are investigating three central research questions:

• What prominent elements in private forest owners' cognitive models describe their perceptions and assessment strategies regarding biodiversity on their own forest holdings?
• Do private forest owners have the capacity, opportunities, and motivation to change their behavior towards forestry methods that strengthen biodiversity?
• Can interventions offering economic compensation promote private forest owners' transition to forestry methods that strengthen biodiversity?

To answer these questions, we are seeking a postdoc who wishes to work together with researchers in applied economics, psychology, and forest science. The selected candidate will contribute to integrating behavioral science perspectives and knowledge of natural resource management into relevant research designs, develop research questions, apply appropriate analysis methods, and write scientific publications. The position is a full-time appointment for two years. A key task is to develop interview protocols for studies with private forest owners, support data collection, and lead the analysis of collected data. The workplace is SLU campus in Umeå.

Your background

The applicant must have obtained a PhD within the last three years in a relevant field, such as applied economics, cognitive science, psychology, or a strong multidisciplinary program. In exceptional cases, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. "Exceptional circumstances" refers to leave due to illness, parental leave, trust positions within trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

Applicants are expected to have excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written, as well as a clear motivation to pursue an academic career. The ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international research environments is of great importance. Merits include documented ability to integrate behavioral science perspectives into decision-making research, experience writing scientific manuscripts, and advanced, documented skills in R, Stata, or similar statistical modeling software. Good knowledge of Swedish and experience using surveys and/or interviews as data collection methods are also considered merits.

About us

The Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology at SLU brings together broad expertise in technology, natural sciences, and social sciences. By combining multidisciplinary perspectives, we conduct research covering the entire forest value chain, investigating how raw materials, materials, processes, and systems can be developed to contribute to the sustainable development of forest resources and a circular bioeconomy. The department is located on campuses in both Umeå and Uppsala.

More information about the department: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/skoglig-bioekonomi-och-teknologi/ (https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/skoglig-bioekonomi-och-teknologi/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21086656031&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwMj3yOmalQMVdluRBR3n7yxAEAAYASAAEgKD_fD_BwE)

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/)

Location:

Umeå

Employment type:

Fixed-term employment for 24 months.

Scope:

100%

Start date:

As soon as possible, by agreement.

Application:

We welcome applications until 30 September 2026 via the button below. Candidates are encouraged to review the research of Francisco X. Aguilar, Professor (available at SLU profile (https://www.slu.se/en/profilepages/c/francisco-aguilar/) and Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GD4lKi8AAAAJ&hl=en)), as well as co-researcher Linus Andersson, Associate Professor (available at Umeå University profile (https://www.umu.se/personal/linus-andersson/) and Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.se/citations?user=TzmSEKsAAAAJ&hl=sv&oi=sra)). Please read an overview of the project available here (https://mmw.wallenberg.org/en/project/how-private-forest-owners-choices-shape-swedens-forest-biodiversity) before applying.

Applicants must submit:

• a CV
• a two-page research plan describing how the candidate can contribute as an integrated part of the team in addressing the three specific research questions
• copies of degree certificates and extracts of all academic study results
• contact details for at least two referees who have good insight into the applicant's qualifications
• verified knowledge of English and current knowledge of Swedish
• if applicable, copies of scientific publications

Final selection will be made after interviews. Prior to the interview, candidates who have advanced to the final selection must be able to present notarized copies of certificates, degree certificates, and study extracts from previous studies at an internationally recognized institution of higher education (university or college). If the applicant is a foreign citizen, SLU requires a notarized copy of the passport page with personal details and photograph.

Union representatives:

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