Arbetsbeskrivning

Department of Forest Ecology and Management A PhD position on dissecting root exudation in boreal plants is available at the department of Forest Ecology and Management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU. SLU has an international character both in terms of research and teaching. The department includes about 115 people of which 9 are professors. Our mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystems and how these should be managed today and in the future. For more information: http://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-management/ 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/ Name of research project/thesis: Dissecting root exudation in boreal plants Research subject: Biology   Description: Forests play a crucial role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide increase carbon exudation from plant roots, but the impact of this process on nitrogen availability and consequently plant growth remains poorly understood. Carbon exudation stimulates the growth of fungi and bacteria within the rhizosphere, the soil zone closest to the roots, influencing nitrogen dynamics and plant nutrition. To optimize tree access to nitrogen and enhance growth, it is essential to understand tree root - microbe interactions. A critical knowledge gap lies in the fine-scale regulation of carbon exudation by plant roots. This PhD project addresses this gap by investigating the mechanisms underlying root exudation and its regulation.  The doctoral candidate will mainly work under axenic conditions at fine root scale with boreal plants. Root exudates will be analysed with different LC-MS and GC-MS methods in close collaboration with the Swedish Metabolomics Centre https://www.swedishmetabolomicscentre.se/ The project is led by Sandra Jämtgård, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU in collaboration with Peter Marhavý, Umeå Plant Science Centre, UPSC https://www.upsc.se/  and Clydecia Spitzer, SLU.  The doctoral candidate will be part of multidisciplinary research team with expertise spanning plant physiology, forest ecophysiology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics, which provides good conditions for scientific exchange and discussion. Qualifications: The qualifications required for this position are: • A master's degree in biology, plant physiology, biochemistry or a related subject • Experience in axenic cultivation of plants • Experience with univariate and multivariate analysis on a range of data types • Fluent in English, and be able to write, communicate and interact in an English-speaking environment      • Merits: • Experience in LC-MS and/or GC-MS analysis • Experience in confocal microscopy • Experience in transcriptomics • It is also of merit to show good cooperation skills and work independently  Place of work:       Umeå Forms for funding or employment: Employment as PhD student, full time for 4 years. Starting date: During spring 2025, according to agreement. Application: Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-02-18. The following must be attached to the application: • Cover letter describing yourself and showing your motivation for applying for this position (max. 2 pages, in English) • Master thesis • CV, including date of graduation, list of published works and names and contact details of two references • Copy of diploma, as well as other relevant certificates   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. Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/ 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.