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 to meet the growing demands for these resources while making plant production increasingly environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. Together, we expand the knowledge area that contributes to sustainable societal development. We collaborate with growers and industries to develop tomorrow’s crops and actively shape the future of food. We are a workplace that has grown in recent years with a significant number of international employees.
More information about the department/division: https://www.slu.se/institutioner/vaxtforadling/
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/
This doctoral announcement is part of the LTV-faculty's investment in 10 doctoral students in 2024.
Exploring seed quality traits and their genetic regulation in Swedish protein crops for enhanced diversity and nutritional stability
Biology
Description:
As a PhD student with us, you will combine research with education, providing you the opportunity to develop your expertise in bioinformatics, plant genetics, and plant breeding through both theoretical courses and practical elements in the research project. You will conduct independent studies with the support of your supervisor and research team, which means you will receive guidance and support in writing scientific articles, participating in conferences, and developing your research profile. You will be part of a research collaboration where your studies will focus on tasks such as:
- Determining protein, fat, and starch composition, as well as morphological characteristics like seed size, shape, and hardness in diversity panels of pea and faba bean.
- Conducting genetic studies using bioinformatics tools to understand evolutionary aspects of seed storage compounds in legumes.
- Associating nutritional profiles with genomic data to identify and develop DNA markers for various traits.
- Studying genetic factors contributing to variations in seed size and shape, and how these affect seed quality.
- Investigating environmental factors' impact on seed quality in legumes and how storage conditions affect nutritional composition and seed hardness.
You will work in a team in close collaboration with several researchers at SLU and the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen), the joint genebank and knowledge center for genetic resources for the Nordic countries. Together with colleagues, you will be responsible for, within the framework of your research studies, developing new knowledge about genetic and environmental factors affecting seed quality and nutritional content in pea and faba bean for use in plant breeding. The work will focus on data analysis and lab work, but greenhouse and potentially field work will also be involved.
Qualifications:
Formal
- Master’s degree in biology, focusing on plant genetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a similar field.
- Laboratory work experience.
- Good knowledge of plants.
- Strong communication skills and excellent proficiency in English, both spoken and written.
Meritious
- Experience or knowledge of food crops and agriculture.
- Knowledge of a Scandinavian language.
- Experience with the R programming language or bioinformatics.
Personal
- Independent and responsible.
- Creative and motivated
- Strong analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Ability to collaborate with other researchers and students in a research environment.
- Patient and persistent.
- Flexible and adaptable.
Place of work:
Alnarp
Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years)
Starting date:
December 1st, 2024 or according to agreement.
Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2024-09-25.
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/english-language-requirements/
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.
Contact person
Cecilia Hammenhag
Forskare
+46(0)736138070
fornamn.efternamn@slu.se
Anders Carlsson
Head of Department
+46(0)40-415561
name.surname@slu.se
URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=11185&rmlang=UK