PhD student in resilient forage production systems

Department of Plant Production Ecology

Doctoral subject: Agronomy

Description of the doctoral project

Forage crops, especially perennial forages, are central to Swedish ruminant production and Swedish agricultural systems. Developing forage production systems that maintain high and stable production, while using resources efficiently and promoting broader environmental benefits, is becoming increasingly important as climate and production conditions change. Increased plant diversity, through the use of different species of grasses, legumes, and herbs, provides opportunities to improve the productivity, persistence, and resilience of forages.

The doctoral project will investigate how the composition and management of forage crops affect their productivity, persistence, forage quality, and resilience. Particular emphasis will be placed on species-rich and functionally diversified forages and on understanding how different plant species and functional groups contribute to forage production under varying environmental and management conditions.

The research will mainly be conducted on farms and at field trial sites in both northern and southern Sweden. The doctoral student will work with both established and new trials where forage species, mixtures, and management are studied, as well as with forage production systems under practical farm conditions. The project may include studies of various legumes and herbs and their contribution to productive and persistent forage production systems.

The doctoral student will be part of the forage production research group at the Department of Plant Production Ecology in Umeå. The research is conducted in collaboration with other researchers at SLU as well as with agricultural organizations, farmers, and other external partners. The employment will include research on farms and collaboration with farmers, providing the opportunity to work with forage production both in controlled field trials and under practical conditions on commercial farms.

Tasks:

The doctoral education includes both research and courses. As a doctoral student, you will gain broad research experience in forage and agronomy science. Your main tasks will include:

planning and conducting field trials; collecting data on crop growth, botanical composition, yield, forage quality, as well as related plant and environmental variables; processing and statistical analysis of trial data; participation in the development and application of suitable methods to evaluate forage crops and plant mixtures; collaboration with farmers and other actors within agriculture in connection with research on farms; writing scientific articles and presenting research results at scientific meetings and to actors within agriculture; as well as collaboration with researchers and external partners in Sweden and internationally.

Fieldwork during the growing season will be an important part of the employment. The work will involve travel to farms and trial sites in different parts of Sweden, including Röbäcksdalen in Umeå.

Eligibility:

Basic eligibility is granted to those who have completed a degree at an advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at an advanced level, or who have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country (the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Special eligibility to be admitted to the doctoral program in the subject Agronomy is required: knowledge equivalent to at least 120 higher education credits in biological subjects. These must include an independent project and approved advanced courses in Agronomy or equivalent subjects.

Additionally, you must have knowledge of English corresponding to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school.

Your background:

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a great interest in forage crops, agronomy, and sustainable agricultural systems.

You must have:

a degree at an advanced level (master's degree) in agronomy, plant science, plant biology, agroecology, agricultural systems, or a closely related field; knowledge of plant cultivation or plant ecology with relevance to agricultural systems; experience in statistical analysis of trial data; interest in field-based agricultural research; good ability to express yourself in speech and writing in English; as well as a driver's license valid in Sweden.

The following qualifications are meritorious:

practical knowledge of Swedish; experience with field trials with crops or other agricultural plants; knowledge of or experience with forage crops, forage cultivation, or seed mixtures; experience with statistical software; experience with remote sensing, image analysis, crop modeling, or other quantitative methods relevant to agronomy research; as well as experience in scientific writing and communication.

We place great emphasis on personal qualities. You must be able to work both independently and together with others, take initiative, organize fieldwork and analytical work in a structured manner, and contribute positively to a research environment that encompasses different disciplines and external partners.

About us:

Read more about the Department of Plant Production Ecology at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/vaxtproduktionsekologi/

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 doctoral education at http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/.

Terms of employment and salary:

Employment as a doctoral student (4 years of education). The salary for the doctoral position follows local collective agreements with fixed salary steps.

Extent:

100%.

Location:

You will be part of a research team located in Umeå. Since the position involves travel throughout Sweden, there is, however, the possibility to have the place of employment at the department's other main campus in Uppsala, or at another location by agreement.

Start date:

December 2026, or by agreement.

Application and selection:

Welcome with your application via the application button below no later than 2026-10-23.

Read more about the attachments your application must include at https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the attachments included in the application and shall 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/