PhD Student - FORCE

Department of Plant Breeding
At the Department of Plant Breeding, we conduct research, education and innovation work of strategic importance for society's long-term access to food, industrial raw materials and energy in order to meet increasing demands for these resources and at the same time make crop production increasingly environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. Together, we expand the area of knowledge that contributes to the sustainable development of society. We collaborate with growers and industries to develop the crops of the future and actively shape the contents of tomorrow's plates. We are a workplace that has grown in recent years with a significant number of international employees.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/ 

Read more about the department of Plant Breeding at https://www.slu.se/en/departments/plant-breeding/

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Name of research project/thesis: Genetic regulation of earliness and cold tolerance in pea and faba bean
Research subject: Biology 
Description:
Do you like to combine work in the field, greenhouse and lab with bioinformatic analysis of large datasets, and at the same time contribute to sustainable food production? We are looking for a PhD student for a research project that aims to develop new knowledge for plant breeding of pea and faba bean, two important protein crops for future Swedish agriculture. 

We are looking for a highly motivated person who wants to carry out research studies focusing on genetic regulation of earliness traits and cold tolerance in Swedish protein crops.

The doctoral education includes both research studies and courses. The main tasks of the research studies will be:

• Plan and carry out field and greenhouse experiments with pea and faba bean diversity panels
• Study and characterize traits such as flowering time, ripening time and cold tolerance
• Perform genetic studies and bioinformatic analysis to identify genes and mechanisms that control these traits
• Develop DNA markers for future application in plant breeding

In the research studies, you will be supervised by researchers at SLU and collaborate with plant breeders at Lantmännen. Through your doctoral education, you will develop new knowledge about genetic factors that affect earliness traits and cold tolerance in pea and faba bean for use in plant breeding.

This research project is part of FORCE, a centre for preparedness and competitiveness. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with Lund University and with the centre's industrial partners. A certain proportion (20%) of the study time will be located at Lantmännen in Svalöv.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a candidate with the following background and qualifications:

Formal requirements
• A second-cycle qualification, or a minimum of four years of full-time study of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle, in biology with a focus on plant genetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics or related fields. 
• Experience of working with plants in the field or greenhouse
• Experience of working in a laboratory
• Good understanding of plant biology
• Good communication skills and excellent knowledge of English, both orally and in writing

Meritorious qualifications
• Experience or knowledge of food crops and agriculture
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language
• Experience of programming in e.g. R or other bioinformatics skills

We value a person who is motivated, curious and has a strong interest in contributing to research and development in plant genetics and plant breeding. You enjoy working both independently and in a team, and have a good ability to structure your work.

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years) 

Starting date:
September 1st, 2025, or according to agreement. 

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-06-06.

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: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/

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

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


The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.