PhD in Silviculture of planted birch

Original title: PhD student in silviculture of planted birch

Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

Third-cycle subject area

Description of the doctoral project

Birch is becoming increasingly important in Swedish forestry as a complement to conifers and as part of climate-adapted forest diversification. Its wider use, however, requires better knowledge of management methods and site selection to support healthy, productive planted stands.

This four-year doctoral project will investigate the silviculture of planted birch and builds on research initiated during the first phase of Trees For Me. The project will examine growth and stand management, including pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning and fertilisation, as well as tree-species comparisons that can improve guidance on site selection.

The project is based at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre in Alnarp and is part of Trees For Me, a Centre of Excellence focused on fast-growing broadleaved trees for sustainable forests, materials and energy. The doctoral student will join a multidisciplinary forest research environment and work with academic, public- and private-sector partners. Methods will include field experiments and forest inventories, measurements of stand development and tree growth, spatial data and GIS, and statistical analysis in R.

The doctoral student will plan and carry out field experiments and inventories, manage and analyse spatial and experimental data, and communicate results through scientific articles, conference presentations and engagement with project partners. The work will involve substantial field activities at sites across Sweden, with office work based in Alnarp. The doctoral student will complete relevant doctoral courses and is expected to develop increasing independence in research planning, implementation and scientific writing.

To meet the general entry requirements you must have been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in Forest management are at least 90 credits in subjects relevant to forest management, of which at least 30 credits must be at second-cycle level.

You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong interest in silviculture, planted forests and the management of broadleaved tree species.

The following are required:

• A Master’s degree in forest science, forestry or another relevant subject that fulfils the specific entry requirements in Forest management.
• The ability to communicate scientific work clearly in spoken and written English.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in field and multidisciplinary research settings.

The following are desirable:

• Experience of fieldwork, particularly forest inventories or field experiments.
• Experience of GIS and spatial data analysis.
• Experience of statistical analysis in R.
• Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language, or a willingness to learn Swedish.
• A valid driving licence.

Personal qualities, including curiosity, initiative, reliability, organisational ability and willingness to collaborate, will be important in the selection process.

The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre is an interdisciplinary department conducting research and teaching across a broad range of subjects related to sustainable forest management. Our work has global relevance, with particular expertise in forests and forestry as complex socio-ecological systems. Our research spans silviculture and forest management, forest ecology, forest pathology, and forest policy and planning. We work closely with stakeholders and offer a collaborative, international research environment at SLU’s Alnarp campus.

Trees For Me brings together academic, public- and private-sector partners to develop knowledge and competence for resilient and diversified forest landscapes. The doctoral student will become part of this active network and the department’s silviculture research environment.

Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/.

Form of employment / FundingEmployment as a doctoral student (4-year programme)

Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.

Start date:11 January 2027, or as agreed.

Application and selection:Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 31 October 2026.

Read more about the attachments that your application should include at https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.

Academic union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

• Reference number SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2881
• Publishing date 25 September 2026
• Last date to apply 31 October 2026
• Working hours Day
• Position PhD student
• Occupation area PhD
• Occupation degree Full time
• Employment level Time limited employment (temporary)
• Organizations SLU, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

Contact persons

• Emma Holmström
• Professor
• emma.holmstrom@slu.se