Would you like to become a PhD student in Forest Management and Forest Operations in Sweden? From my experience, Sweden is among the best countries to study forestry-related subjects, so don’t hesitate and apply – the deadline is March 5th.
Wood supply systems adapted to bioeconomy and the future’s products
In the transition to a biobased economy, further development of sustainable products and services based on forest biomaterials is important. It is likely that the future use of forests and forest products will be much more diversified. For instance, future biochemical industries will require new type of forest based raw materials, which will have to be identified and managed in the supply chain. It is also likely that there will be new types of payed ecosystem services related to forestry. Hence, there is a need to develop and adapt the supply systems to the future’s demand.
The overall objective of the PhD project is to analyse how the raw material supply best should be structured to meet future needs of forest biomaterials. Questions that will be addressed is whether or not today’s cut-to-length (CTL) method effectively will meet the future’s demand, or if some kind of full tree, tree-part or other system has the potential to be more effective when the entire supply chain is analysed. In the project, several possible harvesting and transport systems will be analysed for their potential for Swedish forestry under a number of defined possible future scenarios.
The project is part of SLU’s research school Bioeconomy-adapted forest management, and its forest operations part FIRST2 (http://www.slu.se/first). This means that you will be part of a global network within the field of forest operations and forest management. The department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology (SBT) (www.slu.se/sbt) has about 40 employees, out of which 8 are PhD students. SBT carries out high quality research, undergraduate and postgraduate education on an international level and collaborates with society and industry to develop a bio-based economy in which forest biomaterials becomes very important. SBT’s focus is on forest value chains in the bio-based industry, where different forest biomaterials are harvester and processed for different purposes, while forest ecosystem services are managed sustainably.
Qualifications
We believe that the successful candidate holds an MSc degree in forestry, with focus on industrial wood supply, or an MSc degree with specialization on systems analysis or logistics. Previous experience in scientific publishing and international experience are meriting, as is practical experience from industrial wood supply. Very good skills in English (both written and oral) are required. The successful candidate is expected to be highly motivated, and to be able work both independently and on supervisors’ initiatives to move the project forward. The PhD student is also expected to function well within the research group. Personal merits will play a significant role in the recruitment process.
Employment as PhD student
A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education.
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 www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/
To apply Use this APPLICATION FORM
Further information:
- Professor Tomas Nordfjell, tomas.nordfjell@slu.se,
- Professor Ola Lindroos, ola.lindroos@slu.se
Academic union representatives
- SACO Saco-S föreningen SLU +46 (0)18 671085
- SEKO Inga-Lis Johansson +46 (0)90 786 82 10
- ST Hans Åkesson +46 (0)90 786 83 42