16 PhD Positions in Sustainable Forest Use at WIFORCE Research School, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden

Are you passionate about the sustainable use of forests and eager to contribute to cutting-edge research addressing climate change and biodiversity? The WIFORCE Research School at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Sweden is recruiting 16 PhD students for a diverse set of projects focused on sustainable forestry. This initiative, part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research, brings together advanced monitoring tools, ecological studies, and genetic approaches to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in forest science.

PhD students will engage in research topics such as remote sensing and bioacoustics for forest condition monitoring, soil and microbial processes supporting ecosystem resilience, and genetic strategies to improve tree performance under climate change. Projects include deadwood translocation for soil biodiversity, nitrogen fixation in mycorrhiza and forest soils, linking forest genetics with operational harvesting data, and developing new methods for forest biodiversity inventory and measurement. Other areas of study involve bioacoustics, statistics, and AI for biodiversity, remote sensing of boreal forest fires, drought tolerance and resilience under elevated soil fertility, airborne eDNA for tracking biodiversity change, and soil food web functional capacity under climate extremes.

Additional research opportunities cover ecology and biodiversity in wet forested environments, microbial respiration and carbon storage in soils, management of drained peatland forests, RNA biology of trees, nitrogen use efficiency and wood formation, and modeling physiology and heritable climate adaptation. The program aims to address large and complex issues in forest science, developing new analytical tools and contributing to both sustainable forest use and the safeguarding of forest biodiversity.

SLU is a leading institution in sustainable life sciences, with campuses in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, and operates research stations, experimental forests, and teaching sites throughout Sweden. PhD students will benefit from a vibrant research environment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and full funding for four years of doctoral study.

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a relevant university degree (e.g., biology, environmental science, forestry, agriculture) and demonstrate a strong interest in sustainable forestry, biodiversity, and climate change. Proficiency in English and good communication skills are required. Specific requirements may vary by project.

Application Window: Applications are open until 10 February 2026. For more information on available projects and application procedures, visit www.slu.se/en/wiforce or see the Nature Careers listing.