PHD

Department of Ecology in Uppsala
1 PhD student in the research education subject: Biology with spezialisation in ecology

Mitigating conflicts between conservation and farming: predicting hotspots of crop damage caused by large grazing birds The number of large grazing birds (geese, swans and cranes) is increasing in Sweden and many other parts of the world. These birds often aggregate in large numbers at wetlands where they use surrounding agricultural land for foraging, leading to crop damage and reduced income for farmers. We are looking for a PhD-student that will study factors affecting crop damage and occurrence of large grazing birds for mitigating the conflict between conservation measures (e.g. wetland restorations) and agriculture. The PhD-student will use available data on bird numbers and damage but will also perform own field surveys. The data will be used to develop models for predicting areas of damage risk at different spatial levels.
The results will also be used to suggest preventive measures to mitigate damage and conflicts. The position will be placed at the Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, SLU.

Qualifications
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, with courses in ecology. A high level of both written and spoken English and a driving license are required. Experience from a similar scientific field, scientific publication, applied statistics, geographic information systems (GIS) and field work are also considered as merits. Ability and experience to inform and communicate with stakeholders is also a merit. The applicants are expected to provide (1) a motivation letter, (2) CV, (3) certified copy of degree certificates, (4)copy of a dissertation at second-cycle level, corresponding at least 15 HEC, (5) a certified copy of the passport must be attached if the applicant is a foreign citizen, and (6) a list of at least two referees and their contact information.

Forms for funding or employment
Employment as PhD student 4 years SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level.
Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e. had completed a programme of higher education for at least 180 Higher education credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015."

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list if at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Read more about the PhD education in the Handbook for postgraduate students
Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/
 

Further information:
Docent Johan Månsson, Johan.Mansson@slu.se, +46 581-697325
Professor Tomas Pärt, Tomas.Part@slu.se, +46 18-672704
Academic union representatives
SACO Saco-S föreningen SLU +46 (0)18 67 10 85
SEKO Linda Thörnström +46 (0)18 67 10 57
ST Lotta Olsson +46 (0)18 67 15 36
Applications, marked with ref no 64/2016, must have arrived at the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, S- 750 07 Uppsala or registrator@slu.se no later than 2016-03-01.