Arbetsbeskrivning

Subject area: Agricultural Science

About the position

Crop diversification is a set of agroecological practices, e.g. diverse crop rotations (varying the crops in time), intercropping (species mixtures) and cover crops (non-harvested vegetation grown during times between main crops). Crop diversification can enhance soil health by promoting biological activity and reducing the buildup of pests and diseases. Different crops with varying root systems enhance soil structure, nutrient cycling, and water retention, which can make farming systems more resilient and sustainable.

The PhD student will investigate the effects of crop diversification on soil health under the supervision of a multi-disciplinary team of researchers. The student will be involved in the recently funded Horizon project SOILPATH and will also study other ongoing crop diversification field experiments at SITES Lönnstorp, Alnarp, Sweden. The research will include conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, as well as assessing soil health parameters from field experiments.

In addition to field experimental investigations, the PhD student will engage with societal stakeholders such as farmers, advisors, and other agricultural actors e.g. in workshops aimed at improving our understanding of soil health and the role of crop diversification in sustainable farming systems. The PhD student will thus contribute to identifying and developing combinations of farming practices that protect or improve soil health while maintaining strong potential for adoption by farmers.

Requirements

To meet the general entry requirements you must have:

• been awarded a second-cycle (Master's) qualification;
• satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad ( Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).

You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.

Required qualifications

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Agroecology, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Very good understanding of crop diversification practices and soil health
• Experience working with field experiments in agricultural systems
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Ability to work independently

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with systematic reviews and meta-analysis
• Knowledge of soil health indicators and soil assessment methods
• Experience in data analysis and statistical methods
• Good communication skills in Swedish or another Scandinavian language, both written and spoken
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders in the agricultural or food system (e.g., farmers, advisors, agricultural organizations)
• A valid car driver's licence recognized in Sweden

About us

At the Department of Biosystems and Technology, we explore interactions between soil, plants, animals, the environment, climate, and humans in systems for sustainable food production and renewable raw materials.

The PhD student will be based in the subject area Horticultural and Agroecological Systems (HAS) within the Department. In HAS, the Agroecology research focuses on the sustainability of horticulture and arable cropping systems and how it is influenced by crop choice, crop diversity, management practices. The subject area is actively involved in teaching linked to its research areas and is also responsible for managing field experiments at the Lönnstorp field research station - an infrastructure for long-term and experimental research on cropping systems and agroecological practices.

Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/

Form of employment / Funding

Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme)

Doctoral student's salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.

Location:

Alnarp, Sweden

Scope:

100%

Start date:

Beginning of June 2026 or as soon as possible.

Application and selection:

Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 29 April 2026.

Your application must include the following (in PDF format): cover letter, CV, copies of your degree certificate(s) and a transcript of records, copy of your second cycle (Master's) degree project, documents confirming you meet the English language requirements and contact details of two references.

Read carefully here about the attachments that your application must include: https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant's ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.

Academic union representatives:

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