PhD in Characterization of Boreal Soil Proteins and Nitrogen Turnover Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden

PhD position at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Umeå on the characterization of boreal soil proteins and their role in nitrogen turnover.

The project is led by Sandra Jämtgård (Associate Professor, Department of Forest Ecology and Management) in collaboration with Maja Sundquist and Jonatan Klaminder, and includes close work with the Umeå Proteomics Platform. The research sits at the intersection of biology, environmental science, biochemistry, and proteomics, with a strong focus on soil protein composition, nitrogen cycling, LC-MS/MS, protein chemistry, and bioinformatic analysis.

The doctoral candidate will mainly work in the laboratory and analyse natural soils from mesocosm and field experiments. The team is multidisciplinary, with expertise in plant ecophysiology, vegetation ecology, soil science, and proteomics.

Funding: employment as a doctoral student for 4 years, full-time, with salary according to the local collective agreement and fixed salary progression.

Eligibility highlights: Master’s degree or equivalent (240 credits, including 60 second-cycle credits), at least 90 HEC in biology-related subjects (30 at second-cycle level), English B/6 or equivalent, documented lab experience, univariate and multivariate analysis experience, and strong cooperation/problem-solving/independent working skills. Merits include proteomics, LC-MS/MS, protein chemistry, and bioinformatics.

Deadline: 20 August 2026. Start date is during autumn 2026 according to agreement.

Apply via the SLU application portal and include the required attachments listed in the doctoral application instructions.