PhD Position: Rewetting versus Continuous Cover Forestry for Climate Impact and Biodiversity in Drained Peatland Forests (WIFORCE Research School)

Join the WIFORCE Research School at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and contribute to the future sustainable use of forests. This PhD position, based at SLU's Department of Forest Ecology and Management in Umeå, is part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research and focuses on the critical issues of biodiversity and climate change in boreal peatland forests. The department is a vibrant, internationally engaged environment with over 100 staff, including 9 professors, dedicated to advancing forest ecosystem understanding and management. The research project, 'Rewetting versus Continuous Cover Forestry: Alternative strategies for managing drained peatland forests for improved climate impact and biodiversity,' addresses the pressing need for empirical data on the effects of rewetting and continuous cover forestry (CCF) in drained peatland forests. In the Nordic region, extensive peatland drainage for forestry has negatively impacted climate regulation and biodiversity. This project will evaluate strategies such as ditch-blocking (rewetting) and CCF to assess their trade-offs for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and sustainable timber production. The doctoral candidate will assemble a novel empirical database on carbon balance and biodiversity, providing urgently needed decision support for optimized boreal peatland forest management. Supervision is provided by Dr. Järvi Järveoja (main supervisor), Associate Professor Therese Löfroth, and Associate Professor Joachim Strengbom. The candidate will collaborate with other graduate students and senior scientists specializing in boreal peatlands, forestry, biodiversity, and ecology, offering opportunities for cross-project interaction and development of additional research interests. Eligibility and Requirements: Applicants must hold an MSc degree in Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography, Ecology, Biology, or a related field, or have completed at least four years of full-time study with a minimum of one year at second-cycle level. Essential qualifications include a strong interest in boreal peatland and/or forest ecosystem services, focus on the carbon cycle and biodiversity, excellent communication and teamwork skills, ability to conduct fieldwork in remote locations, fluency in English, and a valid driving license for Sweden. Merits include prior knowledge of the carbon cycle and/or biodiversity functions of boreal peatlands/forests, experience in planning and reporting scientific studies, relevant field data collection methods (e.g., chamber- or eddy covariance-based C flux measurements, biodiversity sampling), and computer programming skills (e.g., Matlab, R). Applicants who did not study in Sweden or a native English-speaking country must provide an English-language certificate. Funding and Employment: The position is a fully funded PhD studentship (4 years), with salary and benefits according to SLU regulations. The preferred starting date is 1 May 2026, but this is flexible according to agreement. Application Process: Submit your application online before 10 February 2026. Required documents include a CV (max 3 pages), cover letter (max 2 pages), copies of graduation degrees and certificates, and contact details for at least two professional references. Non-Swedish citizens must provide a copy of their passport information page. For more details on English language requirements and doctoral education at SLU, visit the provided links. SLU is committed to diversity, inclusivity, and gender equality, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. The university has main campuses in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, and operates research stations and teaching sites throughout Sweden. SLU offers a supportive work environment and invests in attractive campus facilities. For further information about the department, research school, and application details, please refer to the provided web links.