The Soil Microbiology team at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, led by Professor Sara Hallin, is seeking a postdoctoral researcher through the SciLifeLab PULSE postdoc program. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in the ecology, physiology, and evolution of microbes involved in the nitrogen cycle, with research spanning experimental and computational approaches. The group’s research addresses fundamental and applied questions in soil microbiology, focusing on nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental sustainability in agricultural and terrestrial ecosystems.

The SciLifeLab PULSE program offers two tracks—academic and entrepreneurial—both providing advanced research training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and career development in molecular life sciences. The fellowship is fully funded by the European Union and includes international, intersectoral, and transferable skills training. Applicants must design an individual project in collaboration with the host PI and are encouraged to explore the group’s publications and ongoing projects for inspiration. Research topics may include microbial community ecology, nitrogen cycling, biogeochemical processes, and the application of data-driven analyses to environmental microbiology.

Eligibility requirements include holding a doctoral degree awarded within the last three years (with some exceptions), compliance with the MSCA mobility rule (not having resided or worked in Sweden for more than 12 months in the past three years unless as a refugee), and not being a permanent employee in the host lab. The successful candidate should have a strong background in microbial ecology, soil microbiology, or related fields, and be ready to start the fellowship around October 1, 2026. The application process involves contacting Professor Hallin to discuss and co-develop a project, then submitting a full application via the SciLifeLab PULSE portal by March 16, 2026.

SLU is recognized as a top international university, with a strong commitment to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. The Soil Microbiology group is engaged in cutting-edge research on nitrogen cycling, greenhouse gas mitigation, and the ecological roles of soil microbes, offering a stimulating environment for postdoctoral development. For more information, candidates are encouraged to review the group’s recent publications and ongoing projects, and to reach out directly to Professor Hallin for project discussions.