PhD student in resilient forage production systems
Crop Production Science
Description of the doctoral project
Forage crops, particularly perennial leys, are central to ruminant production and agricultural systems in Sweden. Developing forage systems that maintain high and stable production while making efficient use of resources and providing wider environmental benefits is increasingly important under changing climatic and production conditions. Increasing plant diversity, including the use of different grass, legume and forb species, offers opportunities to improve the productivity, persistence and resilience of forage systems.
The doctoral project will investigate how the composition and management of forage crops influence their productivity, persistence, forage quality and resilience. Particular emphasis will be placed on species-rich and functionally diverse leys and on understanding how different plant species and functional groups contribute to forage production under contrasting environmental and management conditions.
The research will primarily be based on farms and at field experimental sites in both northern and southern Sweden. The doctoral student will work with established and new experiments investigating forage species, mixtures and management, as well as with forage systems under practical farm conditions. The project may include studies of different legume and non-leguminous forb species and their contribution to productive and persistent forage systems.
The doctoral student will be part of the forage research group at the Department of Crop Production Ecology in Umeå, while the physical place of work may be either Umeå or Uppsala. The research is conducted in collaboration with other researchers at SLU as well as agricultural organisations, farmers and other external partners. The position will include on-farm research and interaction with farmers, providing opportunities to work with forage production both in controlled field experiments and under commercial farming conditions.
About the position
The doctoral programme comprises both research and coursework. As a doctoral student, you will gain broad research experience in forage and crop science. Your main activities will include:
Field work during the growing season will be an important component of the position. The work will involve travel to farms and experimental sites in different parts of Sweden, including Röbäcksdalen in Umeå.
Requirements
To meet the general entry requirements you must have been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).
Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in crop production science: knowledge corresponding to at least 120 HEC in biological subjects. This must include a degree project and completed specialisation courses in crop production science or equivalent subjects.
You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.
Your profile
We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong interest in forage crops, crop production and sustainable agricultural systems.
You should have:
The following qualifications would be an advantage:
We place particular emphasis on personal qualities. You should be able to work both independently and collaboratively, take initiative, organise field and analytical work in a structured way, and contribute positively to a research environment involving different disciplines and external partners.
About us
Read more about the department on https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/crop-production-ecology/
Form of employment / Funding
Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme). Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.
Location:
You will be part of a research team based in Umeå. However, as the position involves travel throughout Sweden, it is possible for the position to be based at the department’s other main campus in Uppsala, or at another location upon agreement.
Scope:
100%.
Start date:
December 2026 or upon agreement.
Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 23 october 2026.
Read more about the attachments that your application should include at https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/
Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.
