Researcher

Department of Forest Resource Management

We are looking for a person with expertise in remote sensing and data-driven approaches to forest ecosystems and biodiversity monitoring. Are you the person we are looking for to apply and develop methods for large-scale species and habitat mapping and contribute to European biodiversity assessments?

About the position

You will work with developing and applying remote sensing and data-driven methods for large-scale biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring. Your work will involve integrating forest disturbance information into forest structure Essential Biodiversity Variables and combining these with environmental and biodiversity data to produce pan-European species distribution and habitat maps. You will apply machine-learning methods with uncertainty estimation and validate the results using systematic biodiversity observation networks, spatial cross-validation, and independent national and regional datasets. You will also contribute to assessing species and habitat status, identifying high nature value forests and degraded habitats, and prioritising areas for conservation and restoration. Through this work, you will contribute to the development of scalable biodiversity monitoring and integrated European biodiversity assessments.

Your profile

We are looking for a researcher with expertise in forest remote sensing, forest disturbance dynamics, and landscape-scale ecological analysis.

Requirements:

• A doctoral degree in forest science, ecology, remote sensing, environmental science, or a related field.
• Expertise in forest remote sensing and forest ecosystem analysis.
• Experience working with satellite time series and remote sensing data.
• Experience integrating multispectral, LiDAR, and field data.
• Experience applying machine-learning methods to forest ecosystems, including species and habitat mapping.
• Ability to integrate remote sensing information into biodiversity indicators and monitoring frameworks.
• Experience with large-scale species and habitat mapping, uncertainty estimation, and validation using independent datasets.

Meritorious:

• A strong scientific publication record.
• Postdoctoral experience in a field relevant to the position
• Experience with biodiversity monitoring and ecological assessment.
• Experience in teaching and supervision.
• Experience of collaborative and interdisciplinary research.
• Experience working with large-scale or continental-scale environmental datasets.

About us

The Department of Forest Resource Management conducts education and research in the areas of forest planning, forest remote sensing, forest inventory and sampling, forest mathematical statistics and landscape studies. The department is also responsible for the implementation of the ongoing environmental monitoring programs the National Forest Inventory, National Inventory of the Landscape in Sweden, Terrestrial Habitat Monitoring and the Butterfly and Bumblebee Inventory. In total, we are about 120 employees. 

For more information about the department or division visit: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/forest-resource-management/

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Location:

Umeå

Form of employment:

Indefinite-term employment. SLU may use probationary employment.

Scope:

100%

Start date:

As agreed. 

Application:

Please submit your application before deadline 2 November 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

 

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden. SLU has around 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.