PhD Position in Social Dimensions of Ecosystem Restoration

Third-cycle subject area

Forest Management

Description of the doctoral project

This PhD position focuses on social dimensions of ecosystem restoration. It is part of a broader research project, ”https://mmw.wallenberg.org/en/project/restoring-forest-ecosystems-well-being-humans-and-ecosystems”. This social science project explores how Sweden will scale up the European Union’s Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), what is needed to address the needs and values for individual private forest owners, and opportunities for connecting multiple human and environmental goals across rural landscapes of Sweden.

The project is a part of the broader research program https://www.slu.se/en/wiforce. It will also engage in interdisciplinary collaboration by combining social scientific data with ecological analysis from the ”https://www.slu.se/en/research/research-catalogue/projekt/b/blue-leads-green/” project.

The PhD student will have the freedom to co-design their project that may explore questions related to, but not necessarily limited to:

• How can the NRR address diverse needs, values, and aspirations of different stakeholders in Sweden, especially individual private forest owners?
• How do human values, perceptions, and sense-making relate to ecological dimensions of forest restoration and biodiversity?
• How might the NRR encourage the adoption of alternative forest management strategies?
• How do multilevel forest and environmental governance play out in the NRR’s implementation?
• How can research and knowledge extension better respond to the needs of forest owners in restoration decision-making?
• What are stakeholders’ broader goals and visions for more sustainable and thriving rural landscapes of the future?
• How can restoration science better integrate analysis of societal processes that shape ecosystem degradation and recovery?

This project is envisioned as a social scientific research project. However, we encourage interdisciplinary research that will connect social scientific analysis with natural scientific research in the Blue Leads Green Project.

Those employed as doctoral students will focus on their third-cycle (doctoral) courses and study programmes. As a doctoral student, you will operate independently and must be prepared to contribute to your department’s work and development in various ways.

Upon agreement, you may have to participate in departmental duties involving teaching and administration. These duties may take up to a maximum of 20 per cent of your full working hours. If you participate in these duties, your period of study will be extended.

About us

The title 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 staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/

Form of employment / Funding

Employment as a PhD student for 4 years

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

Location:

Umeå

Scope:

100%

Start date:

According to agreement, but fal 2026 preferred

Application and selection:

Please submit your application at the latest May 18 2026

You will find a complete advertisement, qualifications and how to apply on this link https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-and-vacancies/

Read more about the attachments that your application should include at 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/