Arbetsbeskrivning

Department of Forest Ecology and Management About the position This position will work on the project “Restoration futures: Pathways forward with the European Union Nature Restoration Law”. The European Union’s Nature Restoration Law (NRL) of 2024 has set ambitious targets for nature restoration across the continent. The NRL holds great potential to improve and conserve biodiversity, promote climate action, safeguard critical ecosystem services, and enhance human well-being. However, realizing these objectives requires policy frameworks that are able to connect goals under the law with diverse needs and values of rural land owners and users. This project builds a science-to-practice collaboration between researchers at SLU, Umeå University, and staff at the Swedish Forest Agency to examine how the NRL can support more sustainable and thriving forested landscapes in Sweden. Focusing on private forest owners that comprise nearly 50% of Sweden’s total forest area, this project examines how the environmental goals from restoration can be aligned with diverse societal objectives and human needs and values, and we work with policymakers, civil society actors, and forest owners to co-produce visions and pathways to scale up restoration over time. The position will be based at SLU in Umeå. Your profile  You will become part of an interdisciplinary team with social and natural scientists. We are interested in candidates trained in the social sciences, with good knowledge of Swedish forestry and policy. The candidate should have previous experience of using qualitative research methods, with knowledge of approaches for analyzing people’s needs and values for nature. Previous experience interacting with private forest owners and engagement with strategies of knowledge co-production are a merit. The position requires good communications skills in English and Swedish. The ability to interact with forest owners and other stakeholders in Swedish is a requirement. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most. Our team is also committed to providing support for growth and mentorship to help the postdoc build their research profile and move to the next state of their career. Please do not hesitate to contact us before you apply, should you have questions regarding qualifications or fit for the project. About us   The Postdoc. will be employed at The Department of Forest ecology and management. 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 working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/ Location: Umeå Form of employment: Temporary employment 24 months Scope: 100% Start date: During March 2026 or by agreemenr Application: Please submit your application before deadline 29 January 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below. The application should be written in English and contain: 1) Cover letter describing the applicant’s skills, qualifications, and research interests that are relevant for this job. 2) C.V. including the list of your published work, and names and contact information for two references. 3) Copies of transcripts of academic records, links to published papers and doctoral thesis  4) A copy of your PhD diploma 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 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 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.