Department for Molecular Sciences
Subject area: Biology
Description of the PhD projects
We are seeking two PhD students in the field of biogas production, with a focus on the digestion process. The biogas process is currently an important tool for achieving multiple societal benefits and environmental goals. Through anaerobic digestion, a wide range of organic waste streams and residues can be treated while simultaneously closing nutrient cycles and producing renewable energy and nutrient-rich biofertilizers. Biogas production also contributes to increased preparedness and self-sufficiency. The biogas process is driven by complex microbial communities that must remain balanced to ensure efficient and stable biogas production. At the Department of Molecular Sciences, research is conducted both on process operation and optimization and on process microbiology, often in close integration.
The PhD projects will focus on the following areas, with some opportunity for the successful candidates to influence the detailed project design.
Biogas production from agricultural feedstocks – Process optimisation. Biogas production in the agricultural sector is currently expanding rapidly, creating a strong need for new knowledge and technological development. As a PhD student in this project, you will operate and evaluate different laboratory-scale biogas processes with the aim of optimising both biogas production and biofertiliser quality. The processes will be studied using chemical and microbiological analyses, and there will also be opportunities to work with process modelling.
Process microbiology. This project focuses on the microbiology of different types of biogas processes and on how microbial activity is affected by different operational conditions, as well as how these changes relate to process function and stability. The work will involve molecular biological methods and bioinformatics to analyse microbial communities in both laboratory-scale and full-scale biogas processes. The aim is to identify microorganisms and microbial markers associated with specific operating conditions and to be used to predict process disturbances.
Qualifications:
A Master's degree in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related field. Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken (equivalent to a passing grade in Swedish upper secondary school English B/English 6).
Your profile:
We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a strong commitment to advancing renewable energy systems and a keen interest in biotechnology and industrial microbiology. Applicants should be able to read and critically evaluate scientific literature in English and communicate effectively in both written and spoken English. Excellent communication and teamwork skills are essential.
Meritorious qualifications:
Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas are considered an advantage: Biogas processes, Modelling and/or programming, statistics, Swedish language skills
About us:
The positions are based at the Department of Molecular Sciences at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. For more information about the department, please visit our website: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/
The positions are connected to the national transdisciplinary centre of excellence, the Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC), as well as the Interreg project BEAR for the PhD project 1, carried out in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology and the University of Oulu. BSRC brings together researchers from Linköping University and SLU, together with approximately 50 private and public organizations representing the entire biogas value chain. The PhD positions within BSRC are intended to promote co-production of knowledge between academia, industry, and the public sector, thereby ensuring long-term competence development in both research and industry.
Both projects will be carried out within the Microbial Biotechnology research group, and the principal supervisor for both projects will be Professor Anna Schnürer. The PhD students will also be supervised by additional researchers within the research group, ensuring access to the expertise required for the successful completion of the projects. Since the projects are conducted in close collaboration with industry and other societal stakeholders, the supervisory teams may also include external supervisors from industry.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/
Read more about doctoral studies at SLU: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/
Employment and salary:
The position is a full-time doctoral studentship comprising four years of postgraduate education. Salary is determined according to the local collective agreement for doctoral students, with fixed salary progression levels.
Scope: 100 % av heltid
Location: Uppsala
Start date: Upon agreement but not later than December 2026
Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below not later than 2026-08-31. Applicants are welcome to apply for one or both PhD positions. The application must clearly state which project(s) are being applied for, indicate which project is the applicant's first priority, and explain the reasons for this choice.
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/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/