PhD student, Biology – Plant Pathology and Resistance Breeding

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology A PhD position in Biology is vacant at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The department undertakes fundamental and applied research focused on interactions involving plants, pathogenic, symbiotic and saprotrophic fungi and other microorganisms and their role in forest and agricultural systems. Plant breeding for resistance against root diseases in pea Subject: Biology Description: We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our ongoing research in breeding and development of new crops with resistance against diseases. Swedish pea cultivation must increase to meet future demands but is hampered by yield losses caused by soil-borne pathogens. These pathogens include oomycetes causing root rot diseases, but also fungi causing wilt disease. Wilt disease is expected to become more challenging in the future due to a changing climate with higher temperatures. This PhD project will therefore focus on developing tools for breeding new, disease-resistant varieties and shorten the time to their release on the market. This will be achieved through identifying new sources of resistance, method development and marker-assisted selection. The work will be performed in close collaboration with the company Findus Sverige AB. The successful candidate will join a scientific community of researchers, post-docs and PhD students at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-mycology-plantpathology) and the research school Organismbiology (https://www.slu.se/en/graduate-schools/organism-biology). The department offers a creative and stimulating international environment and is associated with the Uppsala BioCenter at SLU and the Linnean Center for Plant Biology in Uppsala. Qualifications: The applicant should have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, horticulture or agronomy with emphasis on plant pathology, plant breeding, mycology, molecular biology or corresponding topics. Documented abilities to manage a laboratory research project are required. Good knowledge of written and spoken English is required. Documented laboratory work experience in mycology, plant pathology and molecular biology methods is highly valued. The candidate should have good communication skills, a strong work ethic, be a team player and work well in a strong research environment. A CV (max 3 pages, font type Arial or Times New Roman, min size 11) should include the following headings: education, work experience, research interests, awards, publications, presentations at conferences, teaching experience, field work experience, laboratory experience, software and computing skills, languages and contact details for two reference persons. A motivation letter (max 2 pages, font type Arial or Times New Roman, min size 11) should motivate the candidate’s qualifications and interest in conducting this PhD project. Place of work: Uppsala Forms for funding or employment: Employment as PhD student (4 years education). Starting date: According to agreement. Application: We welcome your application no later than December 4, 2024, use the button below. A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grade equivalent to English B/English 6 is a basic requirement. Selection among applicants is made with reference to the written application including curriculum vitae, dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, reference persons, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview. Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen, we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography. Read more about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/ Academic union representatives: https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/ The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture. SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala. www.slu.se SLU is an equal opportunity employer.