Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Silviculture of Planted Birch – SLU Alnarp, Sweden
Quick Overview
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is hiring a PhD student in silviculture of planted birch at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre in Alnarp. This is a fully funded four year doctoral position, and it lands at a moment when birch is becoming genuinely important in Swedish forestry.
Why now. Swedish forests have been dominated by conifers for decades. Climate change, biodiversity targets, and demand for broadleaved timber are all pushing the sector toward diversification. Birch is one of the leading candidates. It grows fast, suits climate adapted management, and fits the growing market for sustainable materials and energy.
But the knowledge base is thin. Planted birch stands need better guidance on site selection, thinning regimes, and fertilisation. That is the gap this project fills. It builds on research from the first phase of Trees For Me, a Centre of Excellence focused on fast growing broadleaved trees.
The deadline is 31 October 2026. Start date is 11 January 2027, or as agreed. If you have a Master’s in forest science or a related field and you want to work on real silvicultural questions with field data, this is a strong opportunity.
Key Details
| Position | PhD Student in Silviculture of Planted Birch |
| Organization | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) |
| Location | Alnarp, Sweden |
| Department | Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre |
| Program | PhD, four year programme |
| Qualification | MSc forest science, forestry, or another relevant subject meeting specific entry requirements in Forest management |
| Subject Area | Forest management |
| Funding | Employment as doctoral student, salary per local collective agreement |
| Scope | 100 percent |
| Start Date | 11 January 2027, or as agreed |
| Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Reference Number | SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2881 |
| Apply Via | SLU application portal |
About the Project and Research Centre
The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre is an interdisciplinary department at SLU’s Alnarp campus. Its research spans silviculture and forest management, forest ecology, forest pathology, and forest policy and planning. The department treats forests as complex socio ecological systems and works closely with stakeholders across academic, public, and private sectors.
This PhD project sits within Trees For Me, a Centre of Excellence focused on fast growing broadleaved trees for sustainable forests, materials, and energy. Trees For Me brings together academic, public, and private partners to build knowledge for resilient and diversified forest landscapes. The doctoral student will become part of this active network and the department’s silviculture research environment.
The project itself investigates the silviculture of planted birch. It builds on research from the first phase of Trees For Me. Key areas include growth and stand management, specifically pre commercial thinning, commercial thinning, and fertilisation. It also includes tree species comparisons that can improve guidance on site selection.
The methods are practical and field heavy. Field experiments and forest inventories. Measurements of stand development and tree growth. Spatial data and GIS. Statistical analysis in R. The doctoral student will complete relevant doctoral courses and is expected to develop increasing independence in research planning, implementation, and scientific writing.
Field work will take place at sites across Sweden, with office work based in Alnarp. This is not a desk bound PhD. It is a field based research programme with real data collection at its core.
Key Responsibilities
Field Research
- Plan and carry out field experiments and forest inventories
- Measure stand development and tree growth
- Conduct pre commercial thinning, commercial thinning, and fertilisation trials
- Collect data at sites across Sweden
Data Management and Analysis
- Manage spatial and experimental data
- Apply GIS and spatial data analysis methods
- Perform statistical analysis in R
- Interpret results in the context of silvicultural practice
Communication and Dissemination
- Write scientific articles
- Present at conferences
- Engage with project partners in Trees For Me
- Communicate findings to academic and practitioner audiences
Doctoral Training
- Complete relevant doctoral courses
- Develop independence in research planning and implementation
- Build scientific writing skills
- Contribute to the department’s silviculture research environment
Candidate Profile
Required:
- Master’s degree in forest science, forestry, or another relevant subject that fulfils the specific entry requirements in Forest management
- At least 90 credits in subjects relevant to forest management, of which at least 30 credits must be at second cycle level
- Ability to communicate scientific work clearly in spoken and written English
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in field and multidisciplinary research settings
- English language requirements equivalent to Swedish upper secondary Engelska B or 6
Desirable:
- Experience of fieldwork, particularly forest inventories or field experiments
- Experience of GIS and spatial data analysis
- Experience of statistical analysis in R
- Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language, or willingness to learn Swedish
- Valid driving licence
Personal qualities:
Curiosity, initiative, reliability, organisational ability, and willingness to collaborate will be important in the selection process.
What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | PhD Student in Silviculture of Planted Birch |
| Organization | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) |
| Location | Alnarp, Sweden |
| Department | Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre |
| Program | Four year doctoral programme |
| Scope | 100 percent |
| Salary | Doctoral student salary per local collective agreement, fixed progression |
| Start Date | 11 January 2027, or as agreed |
| Research Network | Trees For Me Centre of Excellence |
| Environment | Collaborative, international research setting |
Application Tips
- Apply before 31 October 2026. The deadline is firm and the reference number is SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2881.
- Check the specific entry requirements carefully. You need at least 90 credits in subjects relevant to forest management, with at least 30 credits at second cycle level. This is in addition to the general Master’s requirement.
- Confirm your English proficiency. The requirement matches Swedish upper secondary Engelska B or 6. Provide documentation if needed.
- Highlight field experience. Forest inventories, field experiments, or any hands on data collection work should be prominent in your application.
- Show your GIS and R skills. These are listed as desirable and are central to the project’s methods. Mention specific projects or coursework.
- Address the language point. If you do not speak Swedish, state your willingness to learn it. The department values this.
- Mention your driving licence. Field work across Sweden requires travel. A valid licence helps.
- Review the SLU application guidance. The required attachments are listed on the SLU doctoral application page. Follow the instructions exactly.
Editor’s Analysis, What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out
Most forestry PhDs in Europe focus on conifers, because that is where the industry’s money and research history sit. This one goes the other way. It focuses on birch, a broadleaved species that is gaining ground in Swedish forestry for reasons that are both ecological and economic.
The Species Shift
Birch is becoming a complement to conifers in Swedish forestry and a tool for climate adapted diversification. That shift is real, but it is under researched. Planted birch stands need better guidance on site selection, thinning, and fertilisation. This PhD addresses that gap directly. Being early in a species transition means your work has immediate relevance to practitioners.
The Trees For Me Network
Trees For Me is a Centre of Excellence focused on fast growing broadleaved trees. It brings together academic, public, and private partners. For a doctoral student, that network is valuable. You get access to industry contacts, real world sites, and a multidisciplinary research community. That is harder to find in a standard PhD programme.
The Methods Mix
This project combines field experiments, forest inventories, spatial data, GIS, and statistical analysis in R. That is a practical skill set. Field data collection is a core competency in forestry research, and GIS plus R are increasingly expected in both academic and industry roles. The PhD builds all three.
The Field Component
Field work across Sweden is a genuine part of this role. Some PhD students spend four years in front of a screen. This one does not. If you want to work in forests, measure trees, and see the data come from real stands, that matters.
The Location
Alnarp is in southern Sweden, close to Malmö and Copenhagen. The campus is known for its agricultural and forestry research environment. It is a collaborative, international setting with strong links to industry and government.
The Trade Offs
Field work across Sweden means travel and time away from base. The project requires quantitative skills in GIS and R, which may mean a learning curve if your background is purely biological. Swedish language skills are desirable but not required. Winter field work in Sweden is not for everyone.
The Bottom Line
For a Master’s graduate in forest science who wants to work on broadleaved silviculture, this is a well structured, fully funded PhD with a strong network behind it. Birch is a growth area. Being early in it has advantages. The deadline is 31 October 2026. If the fit is right, apply.
Apply Now
Organization: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Department: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Position: PhD Student in Silviculture of Planted Birch
Location: Alnarp, Sweden
Start Date: 11 January 2027, or as agreed
Deadline: 31 October 2026
Reference Number: SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2881
Apply Via: SLU application portal
Application Guidance: https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the position? A PhD student position in silviculture of planted birch at SLU’s Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre.
- Where is the position located? Alnarp, Sweden.
- What is the qualification requirement? A Master’s degree in forest science, forestry, or another relevant subject that fulfils the specific entry requirements in Forest management.
- What are the specific entry requirements? At least 90 credits in subjects relevant to forest management, of which at least 30 credits must be at second cycle level.
- What is the funding? Employment as a doctoral student for four years, with salary set per local collective agreement.
- When does the position start? 11 January 2027, or as agreed.
- What is the application deadline? 31 October 2026.
- What research will I do? Investigate silviculture of planted birch, including growth and stand management, pre commercial and commercial thinning, fertilisation, and tree species comparisons.
- What methods will I use? Field experiments, forest inventories, spatial data and GIS, and statistical analysis in R.
- Do I need to speak Swedish? No, but knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is desirable, as is willingness to learn Swedish.
- Do I need a driving licence? A valid driving licence is desirable because the work involves field activities at sites across Sweden.
- What is the reference number? SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2881.
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