Fully Funded PhD Scholarship – Characterization of Boreal Soil Proteins and Their Role in Soil Nitrogen Turnover – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
About the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Applications are open for a PhD position in Characterization of Boreal Soil Proteins and Their Role in Soil Nitrogen Turnover at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU, in Umeå, Sweden. The department includes about 115 people of which 9 are professors. The mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystems and how these should be managed today and in the future. The project is led by Sandra Jämtgård in collaboration with Maja Sundquist and Jonatan Klaminder.
Scholarship Overview
Project Description
Nitrogen availability is a major constraint on plant growth and carbon sequestration in boreal forest soils. Although proteins constitute a large fraction of the soil nitrogen pool, the processes governing their breakdown into amino acids remain poorly understood. A critical knowledge gap lies in understanding the composition and properties of soil proteins and their role in regulating nitrogen cycling. This PhD project will address this challenge by characterizing soil protein composition and investigating the mechanisms that control nitrogen turnover. The doctoral candidate will primarily work in the laboratory, analysing natural soils from mesocosm and field experiments. Analytical work will be done in close collaboration with the Umeå Proteomics Platform.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
This PhD is unique because it addresses a fundamental knowledge gap in boreal forest soil nitrogen cycling: the composition and breakdown of soil proteins. Proteins constitute a large fraction of the soil nitrogen pool, but the processes governing their breakdown into amino acids are poorly understood. The project combines soil science, biochemistry, and proteomics. You will work in close collaboration with the Umeå Proteomics Platform, gaining experience in LC-MS/MS and protein chemistry. For a student interested in soil biogeochemistry, nitrogen cycling, and analytical chemistry, this is an opportunity to generate new knowledge on a critical ecosystem process.
Key Responsibilities
- Characterize soil protein composition in boreal forest soils
- Investigate mechanisms controlling nitrogen turnover
- Analyse natural soils from mesocosm and field experiments
- Work with LC-MS/MS and proteomics methods
- Collaborate with the Umeå Proteomics Platform
Candidate Profile and Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree in Biology with focus on Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related subject |
| Credits | 90 HEC in biology-related subjects (30 at second-cycle level) |
| Language | English B/6, fluent (able to write, communicate and interact in an English-speaking environment) |
| Lab Experience | Documented experience with laboratory work |
| Analytical Skills | Documented experience with univariate and multivariate analysis |
| Personal Qualities | Demonstrated ability of good cooperation skills, problem solving, analytical skills and work independently |
Merits:
- Experience in proteomics analysis
- Experience in LC-MS/MS
- Experience in protein chemistry
- Experience in bioinformatic data analysis
What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Doctoral student (4-year programme) |
| Location | Umeå, Sweden |
| Scope | 100% |
| Start Date | Autumn 2026 |
| Salary | Doctoral student’s salaries set following local collective agreement, fixed progression |
| Research Environment | Multidisciplinary research team with expertise spanning plant ecophysiology, vegetation ecology, soil science and proteomics |
My Application Tips
- Highlight your laboratory experience – Documented lab work is required
- Emphasize analytical skills – Univariate and multivariate analysis experience
- Show proteomics or LC-MS/MS experience – These are meritorious
- Demonstrate protein chemistry or bioinformatics experience – Also meritorious
- Include reference number SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-1987 in your application
Who Should Apply
This PhD is perfect for a student with a background in biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology who wants to work on soil nitrogen cycling in boreal forests. If you are interested in how soil proteins regulate nitrogen turnover and want to gain experience in proteomics and LC-MS/MS, this project offers training across soil science, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry.
How to Apply
Submit your application using the link below on the SLU website.
Reference Number: SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-1987
