PhD student in linking forest genetics with operational harvest data
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet / Högskolejobb / Umeå
2025-12-12
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hela Sverige Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology and Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology
This project invites you to combine genetics and data from real-world forestry to better understand how trees grow and adapt. It is perfect for you who want to combine hands-on field sampling, lab-based DNA work and big-data analysis.
The complete advertisement is available at: Jobs and vacancies | slu.se
WIFORCE Research School
Do you want to contribute to the future sustainable use of forests? Apply for this position to join 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 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.
About us
The project is a cooperation between the research groups of Prof. Ola Lindroos (Department of Forest Economics and Technology) and Dr. Kelly Swarts (Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology/UPSC).
The Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology has about 90 employees in Umeå and Uppsala, and will be formally established on 1 January 2026 through the merger of two existing units: the Dept. of Forest Biomaterials and Technology and the Dept. of Forest Economics. The department carries out high-quality research, conducts undergraduate and postgraduate education at a high international level and collaborates with society and industry to develop a bio-based economy where forest biomaterials play a key role.
The Department of forest genetics and plant physiology is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC,
https://www.upsc.se), a world leading centre for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology in Northern Sweden. Its mission is to conduct excellent and innovative basic research that benefits forestry, agriculture, the environment and society, aiming to understand how plants grow, adapt and acclimate and how this knowledge can be used to breed better plants.
For more information about the departments, visit:
Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology | slu.se
Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology | slu.se
Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting
https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/Name of research project: Turning Commercial Forests into Progeny Trials: Linking Genetics and Harvesting Data
Research subject: Forest management, or Technology
Description:
This PhD project sits at the intersection of forest genetics, tree breeding, and advanced forest operations, aiming to integrate genetic data with detailed harvesting and environmental information. The project focuses on transforming commercial forests in Sweden into large-scale progeny trials by linking DNA from individual trees with operational and phenotypic data collected during conventional harvesting.
The research will involve practical DNA sampling, high-throughput genotyping, and data fusion using machine-generated harvest data, annotated images, and environmental information. The student will also evaluate methods to reconstruct pedigree relationships and quantify the real-life benefits of improved breeding material in mixed stands. Conducted in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, the project leverages expertise in forestry, genomics, bioinformatics, AI, and data management, providing hands-on experience in field sampling, lab work, and computational analysis. The outcome will advance understanding of tree genetics in operational forestry and demonstrate new ways to optimize tree breeding and forest management.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate should have an MSc in the field of bioinformatics, but it could also be from genetics, biology, forestry, computer science or any other closely related subject, as long as the candidate has a strong interest in and can show indication of capacity to expanding into new competence areas. The candidates must
1) have a strong interest in integrating genetics, data management and management of biological processes,
2) have demonstrated experience in data management and/or genetic laboratory work,
3) be able to independently conduct field work, and
4) be fluent in English to be able to write, communicate and interact in an English-speaking research environment.
Meritorious:
• Experience of field work
• A valid Swedish driving licence or equivalent
• Experiences of academic publishing.
Much emphasis in the evaluation of applications is placed on analytical and problem-solving capacity, your ability to take initiatives, and ability to collaborate as well as work individually.
Place of work:
Umeå, Sweden
Forms for funding or employment
Employment (4 years)
Scope
100%
Starting date
According to agreement.
Application
Click the "Apply" button to submit your application. The deadline is 2026-02-10.
To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master's) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.
Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here:
https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport's information page containing their photograph and personal details.
Read about the PhD education at SLU at
www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/Union representatives:
Union representatives | Medarbetarwebben
Ersättning Fast lön
Så ansöker du Sista dag att ansöka är 2026-02-10
Klicka på denna länk för att göra din ansökan Omfattning Detta är ett heltidsjobb.
Arbetsgivare Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (org.nr 202100-2817),
http://www.slu.se Arbetsplats Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Kontakt Professor
Ola Lindroos
firstname.surname@slu.se +46 90-786 86 36 Jobbnummer 9642766