Postdoctoral position in crop diversification
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet / Kemiingenjörsjobb / Lomma
2025-09-02
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hela Sverige Department of Plant Protection Biology
Do you have a background in natural sciences, with a keen interest in interdisciplinary studies of crop sustainability? We are looking for a postdoc, in the project Diversification with cover crops: sustainability in potato production, who is interested in applied research at the intersections between agronomy, crop health and stakeholder decision making.
About the position
The postdoc will join a team working across Europe in a project designed to facilitate crop diversification for sustainable potato farming with the successful adoption of cover crops. The specific aims of this postdoc position are to assess the impact of cover crops on potato health (including their potential to reduce potato diseases, alter the plant microbiome and host biocontrol agents) and productivity (yield); understand the communication needs of potato farmers; and to co-create evidence-based communication guidelines for the practical use of cover crops by farmers in Northern Europe.
You will be part of a collegial interdisciplinary team encompassing two departments at SLU (Plant Protection Biology (VSB) and Landscape Architecture Planning and Management (LAPF), along with collaborators in Norway, The Netherlands, Germany and Estonia. You will be responsible for designing, developing, conducting, and analysing experiments, which will include small scale field and greenhouse trials of cover crops and potato as well as laboratory work and surveying stakeholders regarding their communication needs in relation to potato cultivation and the use of cover crops. Duties include writing scientific manuscripts, presenting project outcomes at conferences and workshops and supervising bachelor or master's students as and when the opportunity arises. You will be expected to spend time working at both VSB and LAPF departments.
Your profile
Candidates should hold a PhD in a natural sciences discipline, such as biology, ecology, plant pathology, microbial ecology, agronomy or a similar subject. Candidates are expected to have an interest in interdisciplinary research and a good understanding of how to translate research results into farming practice. Previous research experience working with cover crops, potato diseases, microbial ecology (including microbiome analysis) and/or communications research are merits.
Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English are expected. Since the position involves direct communication with farmers and other stakeholders a good understanding of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is also required. The candidate must be capable of independent planning, execution and evaluation of experiments or theoretical work. As a person you are enthusiastic and responsible and have excellent collaborative skills.
As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.
About us
The Department of Plant Protection Biology is an interdisciplinary constellation, encompassing Integrated Plant Protection, Chemical Ecology, Resistance Biology research units, providing excellent opportunities for strong research collaboration within and outside the departmental area. Research efforts at the department are directed towards both fundamental and applied research. Applied plant protection research is carried out in collaboration with industry and focuses primarily on the development of environmentally sustainable pest and disease control strategies for agriculture and horticulture, both in Sweden and internationally. In the Integrated Plant Protection group, we aim to generate knowledge towards the development of sustainable pest and disease management solutions based on conceptual theory and empirical eco-evolutionary, molecular, and genetic data that can meet the needs of current and evolving plant production systems.
Within the Landscape Planning group at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, inter- and transdisciplinary methods from the humanities and natural sciences are used to amongst other things, conduct research to identify communication needs and the development of evidence-based communication guidelines using approaches that feed problems from practice to research.
For more information about the department or division visit:
https://www.slu.se/en/departments/plant-protection-biology/Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting:
https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/Location:
Alnarp
Form of employment:
Temporary employment 24 months, with the possibility of extension.
Scope:
100%
Start date:
Subject to negotiation, start as soon as possible.
Application:
Please submit your application before deadline 18 September 2025. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.
Union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/ The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) 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.
SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Ersättning Fast lön
Så ansöker du Sista dag att ansöka är 2025-09-18
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
Laura Grenville Briggs
fornamn.efternamn@slu.se +4640415247 Jobbnummer 9486706