Phd student, Technology

Department of Biosystems and Technology
At the Department of Biosystems and Technology, we explore interactions between soil, plants, animals, environment, climate and humans in systems for sustainable production of food and renewable raw materials. Our teaching and research activities concern questions about sustainable and efficient use of limited resources for production in greenhouses, on agricultural land and in farm buildings.

For more information about the department, visit: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/biosystems-technology/

Removing agricultural residues as feedstock for the growing bioeconomy – efficiency of intermediate crops to minimize negative environmental consequences
Description:
The PhD work aims at investigating the systems effects of removal of agricultural biomass of residues and crops. In a systems approach, the PhD student is expected to investigate different utilization pathways for the removed biomass.

The overall aim of this project is to generate a knowledge base on how a large-scale removal of agricultural crop residues can contribute to fulfil the expected biomass demand for food products, biobased chemicals and fuels without negative impacts on crop production in general. This project (a) assesses the impact of large-scale removal of crop residues; (b) the capability of intermediate crop (IC) production to avoid negative environmental impacts of residue removal and (c) the potential of crop residues and IC biomass to contribute with biomass to the bioeconomy.

This combination of crop residues removal and cultivation and harvest of intermediate crops (catch crops, cover crops) is suggested as a measure for sustainable intensification; (1) to reduce e.g. nutrient leakage, risk for erosion, crop rotation-relevant diseases, and (2) to increase ecosystems services such as soil organic carbon build-up and weed competition and provision of biomass.

Specific aims include (i) the quantification of environmental emissions and soil organic carbon changes due to residue removal, IC production as well as use of the removed biomass for production of food, feed, chemicals and vehicle fuels; (ii) the assessment of environmental, socio-economic and techno-economic impacts of these measures; and (iii) the design and assessment of strategies for employing these measures for sustainable intensification.

Systems modelling and life cycle assessment (LCA) will be potential methodologies to be applied by the PhD student. The PhD work will be carried out on a scientific basis within the Formas-financed project Removing agricultural residues as feedstock for the growing bioeconomy – efficiency of intermediate crops to minimize negative environmental consequences.

Qualifications:
Requirements:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who has an MSc in technology, agriculture, biology, environmental, systems studies or other types of educations preferably with a systems component in the curricula. Candidates should have a sound understanding of agriculture, biology and green technology. The candidate should be able to work independently as well as to collaborate with people within and outside the university and have good communication skills, including the ability to communicate and write well in English.

Merits:


• Experience in prior systems work (LCA or techno-economic assessment, modelling of production systems, soil organic carbon changes, nitrogen flows) and statistical analyses
• Elaborated skills in using relevant software (Office programs, especially Excel or similar for modelling work, programs for statistical analysis, LCA and LCA database software)
• As the project work may involve work on field experiments it is a merit if the applicant has a car driving licence valid in Sweden
• The ability to communicate and write well in Swedish

Place of work:      
Alnarp, Sweden

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment 100% during 4 years

Starting date:
According to agreement. We would like the PhD student to start early under 2022

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2022-01-12

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: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, 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/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se