PhD Position: Ecology and Biodiversity in Wet Forested Environments (WIFORCE Research School)

Join the WIFORCE Research School at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and contribute to the sustainable future of forests. This PhD position is part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research and is based at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management in Umeå, Sweden. The department is a vibrant academic environment with over 100 staff, including nine professors, dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of forest ecosystems. The research project, 'WET FORESTS: Ecology and Biodiversity in Wet Forested Environments,' focuses on improving biodiversity conservation in forested peatlands and riparian zones within managed boreal landscapes. The lab investigates how forest management affects waterways, wetlands, and surrounding ecosystems, integrating hydrology, nutrient transport, biodiversity conservation, and riparian buffer management. Research combines long-term ecological data with applied field studies and experiments, including analyses of historic drainage, restoration efforts, and ongoing forestry impacts on water quality and habitats. As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to co-design your research project, exploring topics such as: identifying and protecting endangered species and sensitive biotopes in wet forested environments under production-oriented forestry; developing practical approaches for integrating riparian or peatland ecosystems into forest management; investigating the ecological role of small streams, ditches, and modified waterways; experimenting with alternative management practices in riparian zones and peatlands; and evaluating the effects of ditch management treatments and peatland rewetting on biodiversity and ecosystem health. You will have access to extensive experimental and long-term research infrastructures, including nearly 100 sites across Sweden, riparian buffer management experiments, ditch blocking/restoration/cleaning experiments, and the Krycklan Catchment Study. There is also the possibility to establish new research sites, depending on time and funding. The research environment is diverse, collaborative, and inclusive, with expertise in forest and aquatic ecology, forest management, and environmental monitoring. The main supervisor is Associate Professor Eliza Maher Hasselquist, with co-supervision by Lenka Kuglerová. The working language is English, but learning Swedish is encouraged for outreach and stakeholder engagement. The position offers a competitive salary and full benefits, including generous vacation time and parental leave. The successful candidate must have a Master’s degree in ecology, forestry, environmental science, or a related field, or at least 240 credits with a minimum of 60 credits from second-cycle courses. English language proficiency is required, as is a valid driver’s license and the ability to conduct extensive fieldwork in remote locations. Additional qualifications include strong quantitative skills, experience in statistical modeling or spatial data analysis (R/Python), familiarity with biodiversity assessments, aquatic ecology, boreal forest ecology, and forest management, as well as the ability to work independently and in teams. Applications should be submitted online in English by 2026-02-10 and must include a CV, cover letter, two-page research proposal, copies of degrees and certificates, and contact information for two professional references. For more information about the department, research school, 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 campuses in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, and operates research stations and teaching sites throughout Sweden.