Department of Energy and Technology

At the Department of Energy and Technology, research and education are conducted focusing on how agriculture can contribute to a sustainable society. We have extensive expertise in technology and systems for sustainable production of food and bioenergy. Within the field of methodology, we have extensive competence in System Analysis including Environmental Systems Analysis and LCA, as well as Biometrics.

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/

Energy management and carbon removal in agri-food system 

Research subject: Technologhy 

Description:

Take the chance as a PhD student to work with energy for sustainable food systems, a key topic for the future of humanity.

The food system is the societal system that has the most challenging problems to reach net zero in greenhouse gas emissions and meet future climate goals. However, there are great opportunities to improve the climate performance of the food system by developing and implementing innovative technology that improves the choice of energy sources and the energy efficiency of the system. There are also opportunities to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by increasing the amount of carbon in the soil through various measures. Another technology with high potential is to convert methane from point sources in agriculture into carbon dioxide and thus significantly reduce the sources' climate effects. However, more knowledge is needed regarding how individual technical solutions should be designed for optimal climate benefits, and what potential there is to reduce the entire food system's climate impact.

The research will be based on a pronounced system and life cycle perspective. The work will build on the extensive knowledge and model structure developed within Phase 1 of the research program Mistra Food Futures (mistrafoodfutures.se) and include extensive collaboration with various researchers and external organizations in the food chain.

The PhD position is part of the research programme Mistra Food Futures, the largest research programme on sustainable and resilient food systems in Sweden. The programme is an established science-based knowledge platform, which actively works to encourage a transformation of the Swedish food system, taking a global perspective, into one that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, resilient and that delivers healthy diets. The programme is a collaboration between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, together other with other universities and partners from the Swedish food value chain, authorities and regions. As one of more than 10 PhD students in Mistra Food Futures, you will be an active member in the Mistra Food Futures' Academy, an inter- and transdisciplinary academy aimed at training the next generation of food system researchers.

Qualifications:

You must have a basic degree in natural science or engineering. Documented knowledge in environmental science and life cycle assessment (LCA), energy technology, modeling and simulation, agricultural production chains and industrial ecology are valuable for the work and meritorious for the position. We assume, however, that you can supplement your knowledge within the doctoral program if you lack experience in some of the mentioned areas, but has deep knowledge in some of the others. You must be able to write and speak English well. Emphasis is placed on personal qualities, such as the ability to work together, analytical and problem-solving ability as well as the ability to work independently.

Place of work:      

Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:

Employment as a PhD candidate for 4 years.

Starting date:

According to agreement.

Application:

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2024-06-03.

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: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/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

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=10412&rmlang=UK