The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) invites applications for a fully funded four-year PhD position focused on airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) and forest biodiversity monitoring. The position is based in Umeå, Sweden.
Host Department and Research Context
The PhD position is hosted at SLU’s internationally recognized Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies. The department conducts basic and applied research in wildlife ecology, biodiversity conservation, fish biology, and aquatic ecosystems.
This position is part of the TRACE-AIR project and is embedded in the prestigious WIFORCE Research School, funded by the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research. The school tackles large-scale challenges in forest biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource use.
Project Scope and Objectives
Monitoring biodiversity at large spatial and temporal scales is a major bottleneck in conservation. Airborne eDNA is an emerging and highly promising tool that detects species without direct physical capture. The PhD project leverages a globally unique archive of weekly air filter samples collected since 1974 in northern and southern Sweden. Key objectives include:
- Method Validation: Evaluating the taxonomic resolution and reliability of air eDNA compared to traditional terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity monitoring.
- Ecological Tracking: Tracking migratory species, forest pathogens, and invasive species over long-term temporal scales.
- Monitoring Framework: Developing recommendations to integrate air eDNA into national environmental monitoring and conservation policies.
Funding and Benefits
- Fully funded 4-year doctoral employment (PhD employment contract).
- Competitive doctoral salary, comprehensive social benefits, and Swedish healthcare coverage.
- Access to advanced molecular biology laboratories, bioinformatics infrastructure, and high-performance computing clusters.
Preferred Qualifications
- M.Sc. degree in Ecology, Biology, Forestry, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience or interest in molecular lab work (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, metabarcoding).
- Familiarity with programming languages (especially R or Python) and data analysis.
- Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via SLU’s online recruitment portal by 10 February 2026. Please reference job ID SLU.ua.2025.2.5.1-4139 and submit your CV, motivation letter, M.Sc. thesis, and contact details for two references.