8 industrial PhD positions in sustainable forest use at WIFORCE Research School

Do you want to contribute to the future sustainable use of forests? Apply to join the WIFORCE Research School at the University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Sweden!

The recruited PhD students will work in projects where research meets real-world challenges. This includes developing soil moisture maps to reduce damage from forest machinery, testing innovative methods to control pests in nurseries, understanding how species are affected by different forest management practices, and modelling how conservation and timber production can be combined over time and more.

The PhD students will be employed by the respective partner organisations. They will pursue their doctoral studies at SLU (80 percent) while also working practically within their employer’s organisation (20 percent) during 5 years. After completing their PhD, they will remain employed by the partner.

The WIFORCE Research School

Biodiversity and the role of forests in climate change are now key social issues that require more knowledge. In order to both sustainably use forests and safeguard forest biodiversity, a coherent basic science research program is needed that addresses large and complex issues and develops new analytical tools. That’s why the WIFORCE Research School, part of the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research, www.slu.se/en/wiforce, was created at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. 

Last date of application
12 August 2025

Employment

• Doctoral studies at SLU with 80% study activity & 20% work with industry partner for 5 years
• Permanent employment with an industry-/collaboration partner

You can find more information about open positions, their locations in Sweden, and how to apply under each individual position description (see the links below).

Holmen Skog & the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU 

• Soil sciences with LiDAR and AI

https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/industri-samverkansdoktorand-i-spatial-planering-av-skogsmark-med-lidar-och-ai/

Komatsu Forest & the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU 

• Optimized off-road driving in forests

https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/industri-samverkansdoktorand-i-optimerad-terrangkorning-pa-skogsmark/

Kopparfors Skogar & the Department of Ecology, SLU

• Ecological function of green tree retention

https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/industri-samverkansdoktorand-i-biologi/

Sveaskog & the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU

• Ectomycorrhizal population biology

https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/industridoktorand-i-mykorrhizasvampars-populationsbiologi/

SweTree Technologies & the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU

• Molecular biology with a focus on pest control

https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/industri-samverkansdoktorand/

Södra & the Department of Ecology, SLU

• Species’ responses to clearcutting and continuous cover forestry

https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/industri-samverkansdoktorand-i-biologi/

The Forestry Research Institute of Sweden & the Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU (August 19)

• Forest management with specialization in forest planning

https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/lediga-jobb/doktorand2/

The Swedish Forest Agency & the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU 

• Productivity and ecology in mixed forests of Northern Sweden

https://www.skogsstyrelsen.se/om-oss/var-verksamhet/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb/ReadJobDescription?id=825908

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) www.slu.se has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.