The Swedish university of agricultural sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.
The Swedish university of agricultural sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.
SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.
SLU is an international university, providing world-class education and research in the fields of life and environmental sciences. In fact, SLU is ranked amongst the top 100 of approximately 5 000 European universities. Each year, more than 100 new students begin their PhD at SLU.
Department of forest mycology and plant pathology in Uppsala
Research at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology centers on fundamental and applied aspects of fungal, microbial and plant biology. Important research topics include fungal interactions with other microorganisms and plants, ecological functioning and evolution. Central themes are plant pathology and nutrient cycling in agricultural and forest ecosystems. The department is placed at Uppsala BioCenter at SLU, Uppsala with approximately 300 employees in plant science, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular biology, food science and computing biology. At campus active collaborations are established with the ecology and soil science departments, in particular related to community biology using high throughput DNA sequencing.
Microbial mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
The project is addressing microbial contributions to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from boreal and arctic lakes. The study lakes represent key environments at the respective climatic zones with significant contributions to carbon cycling. The project is studying carbon dioxide and methane uptake by poorly characterized, but environmentally important microbes and the biology of these organisms. The methodology is combining fieldwork and cultivation experiments with molecular and biogeochemical analyses. The molecular methods used in the project include metagenomics and metatranscriptomics analyses and single cell sequencing of the environmental samples and cultured organisms. The work will be done in collaboration with researchers at Uppsala University, and at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
Qualifications
SLU is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate with a MSc degree in microbiology, biology, environmental sciences or a related area. Experience in laboratory work and fieldwork are considered a merit. Skills or interest in learning bioinformatics and statistical analysis of large data sets including both genomic and geochemical data is expected. Personal qualities, such as ability to work independently as well as in a team are highly valued. Driver’s license is required. Good skills in written and spoken English are required. The applicant is expected to provide a motivation letter, CV, certified copies of degree certificates and a list of at least two personal references and their full contact information.
Forms for funding or employment
Employment as PhD student 4 years
Read about the PhD education at SLU here.
Applications
Should be marked with ref no SLU ua 4919/2016, must have arrived at the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, SE-750 07 Uppsala or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 2017-02-14.
Use the application form in the link here
Contact information:
- Universitetslektor Sari Peura, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +46 72 2694235
Academic union representatives
- SACO Saco-S föreningen SLU +46 (0)18 67 10 85
- SEKO Linda Thörnström +46 (0)18 67 10 57
- ST Lotta Olsson +46 (0)18 67 15 36
Picture credit: Swedish university of agricultural sciences