The seed ecology and regeneration management of the two native birch species, silver birch (Betula pendula) and downy birch (Betula pubescens) in Fennoscandia has been quite thoroughly investigated through decades of forestry research. Now, the PhD student is needed, to further contribute to such research in Sweden. Don’t hesitate and apply! 

Introduction

There is an increasing demand for forest management that combine several ecosystem services in the production forestry in Sweden of today. An important forest type for this purpose is stands with naturally regenerated birch in groups interspersed in plantations of Norway spruce (Picea abies) or Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris). Another, is stands of former conifers that after clearcut is possible to change to forests dominated by naturally regenerated broadleaved species, primarily birch.

PhD objectives

The overall objective for the PhD student will be to study and model regeneration and stand development of naturally regenerated birch within forest systems dominated by coniferous plantations. The project is a collaboration between Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the forest company Bergvik. The Ph D student will continue the work with a model for natural regeneration of birch on clearcuts that will be parameterized and validated for full scale use in Sweden. The student will also investigate and develop management options for naturally regenerated birch. One important part of the task is to design and establish field experiments and collect inventory data.

The position is affiliated to the dep. of forest ecology and management in Umeå with possibilities to shorter periods in Alnarp at the dep southern Swedish forest research centre. Approximately 20 % of the time will be field work, allocated from northern to southern Sweden.

Qualifications

Master in forest science or related subjects. The student should have an interest both in applied forest management and theoretical silviculture understanding. The student is expected to have a high level of independence in field work and data analysis, even though the project is a collaboration with staff from Bergvik and researchers on SLU. Documented experience of data analysis and statistical work, as well as field work in forest research, is an advantage.

Attached to application should be curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, link to, or copy of master thesis and two listed references with email addresses. Also attached to application should be a written motivation or reflection, of maximum one A4-page written in Swedish or English. The motivation shall discuss the student’s personal interest in the topic of this study and in silvicultural research in general.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant’s qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at Postgraduate studies

Application deadline: 1st May 2017

Applications, marked with ref no ua 916/2017, must have arrived at the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, SE-750 07 Uppsala o registrator@slu.se no later than 2017-05-01.

Use this APPLICATION FORM

Further information:

• Professor Tomas Lundmark, tomas.lundmark@slu.se