2 PhD students in biogas processes and process microbiology

Department of Molecular Sciences

Research education subject: Biology

Description of the PhD projects:

We are looking for two PhD students in the field of biogas production, but with a focus on the process. The biogas process today represents a valuable tool for achieving several different societal benefits and environmental goals. Through a biogas process, it is possible to treat various types of waste, close nutrient cycles, and produce renewable energy and a nutrient-rich fertilizer. The biogas process also represents an important tool for preparedness and self-sufficiency. The process is driven by a complex microbiological process that needs to be in balance for efficient and stable biogas production. At the Department of Molecular Sciences, research is ongoing regarding both the operation and optimization of the process and within process microbiology, often interlinked.

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

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

Eligibility:

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

Your background:

We are looking for someone with clear motivation and drive to contribute to the development of renewable energy systems, and who is interested in biotechnology and industrial microbiology. You should have good knowledge of reading scientific English as well as expressing yourself in English both orally and in writing, find it easy to communicate with others, and have good collaborative skills.

Merit:

Knowledge of the biogas process, modeling/programming, statistics, and Swedish

About us:

The positions are located at the Department of Molecular Sciences at Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) in Uppsala. Please visit our website 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) as well as, for PhD project 1, to the Interreg project BEAR, which is carried out in collaboration with Luleå tekniska universitet and University of Oulu. BSRC brings together researchers from Linköpings universitet and SLU together with approximately 50 private and public organizations representing the entire biogas value chain. The PhD positions within BSRC aim to promote the co-production of knowledge between academia, industry, and the public sector to ensure long-term competence supply within both research and industry.

Both projects will be conducted within the research group Mikrobiell bioteknik, 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, which ensures 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 supervisory groups may also include external supervisors from the industry.

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

Read more about SLU's research education at 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:

According to agreement, but no later than December 2026

Application and selection:

Welcome with your application via the application button below no later than 2026-08-31. It is possible to apply for one or both PhD positions. In the application, it must be clearly stated which project or projects the application concerns, which project is prioritized first, and the reasoning for this prioritization.

Read more about the attachments that your application must contain at 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 shall be made with consideration to the ability to complete the education within the specified time.

Union contact persons

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

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, founded in science and education. Through our focus on the interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems and a responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Main locations are Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks, and educational locations 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 work environment where open conversations between people with different experiences lay the foundation for scientificity, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and perspectives to apply for the current position.