Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc in Forest Landscape Modelling — SLU, Sweden

About the role

The Department of Forest Resource Management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Umeå invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral researcher position in forest landscape modelling. This role is part of the interdisciplinary WindyForests project, which brings together researchers from several universities to develop knowledge for the sustainable planning of wind power in forest landscapes. You will work with the Heureka decision support system to analyse how different forest management strategies affect biodiversity, ecosystem services, and their interactions with wind power development.

Responsibilities

• Use simulation and optimisation methods to quantify conflicts and synergies between sustainability goals in the forest landscape.
• Develop and analyse spatially explicit future scenarios in collaboration with stakeholder groups.
• Evaluate indicators such as biomass production, carbon sequestration, recreational values, and wind energy.
• Contribute to research within the WindyForests project, working with a multidisciplinary team.

Requirements

• A PhD in forestry, ecology, environmental science, systems analysis, mathematics, operations research, or a related discipline, with a focus on quantitative modelling and/or optimisation in the thesis.
• Strong interest in forests and forestry.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Primarily candidates who obtained their PhD no more than three years ago; exceptions for leave, parental leave, union trust positions, military service, or clinical/assignments relevant to the subject.

Experience with optimisation methods, long‑term forest landscape modelling, ecosystem services modelling, and computer‑based decision support systems, especially the Heureka system, is an advantage.

What we offer

• Temporary employment for 24 months (100% full‑time) with possibility of extension.
• Place of work: Umeå, Sweden.
• Start date as agreed.
• A dynamic research environment at the Department of Forest Resource Management, which has about 120 employees and conducts education and research in forest planning, remote sensing, inventory, mathematical statistics, and landscape studies. The department also runs national environmental monitoring programmes.
• An inclusive and gender‑equal work environment at SLU, which has around 4,000 employees and 6,000 students.

How to apply

Submit your application no later than 11 August 2026. Include your CV, a cover letter describing your research interests and experience relevant to the position, and any supporting documents. Please quote reference number SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-1602. The application is submitted via the SLU recruitment system (button below).

For questions about the position, contact Karin Öhman (professor of forest planning), Isabella Hallberg‑Sramek (project leader WindyForests), or Hans Petersson (head of department). Union representatives are listed on the SLU intranet.

Original vacancy