Two PhD Positions in Biogas Process Development and Microbiology at SLU, Sweden

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is inviting applications for two PhD positions in Biogas Process Development and Microbiology at the Department of Molecular Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. The doctoral projects focus on anaerobic digestion, renewable energy, microbial biotechnology, process optimisation, and the development of stable and efficient biogas systems. Biogas production is increasingly important for achieving environmental and societal goals. Through anaerobic digestion, agricultural residues, organic waste streams, and other resources can be converted into renewable energy and nutrient-rich biofertilizers, while also supporting nutrient recycling and greater energy preparedness and self-sufficiency.

The two PhD projects will investigate different but closely connected aspects of biogas production. One project focuses on process optimisation using agricultural feedstocks, while the other investigates process microbiology and microbial communities in biogas systems. Both positions are part of the Microbial Biotechnology research group at SLU and are connected to the Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC). The first project is also connected to the Interreg BEAR project, conducted in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology and the University of Oulu. The positions are full-time doctoral studentships covering four years of postgraduate education. The expected start date is upon agreement, but no later than December 2026. The application deadline is 31 August 2026.

PhD Positions Overview

Key Detail	Information
Positions	2 PhD Students
Research Area	Biogas Process Development and Microbiology
Subject Area	Biology
University	Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Department	Department of Molecular Sciences
Research Group	Microbial Biotechnology
Location	Uppsala, Sweden
Employment	Doctoral studentship, 4 years
Workload	Full-time, 100%
Start Date	Upon agreement, no later than December 2026
Application Deadline	31 August 2026
Reference Number	SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2034
Working Hours	Day
Employment Level	Time-limited employment
Main Supervisor	Professor Anna Schnürer
Faculty	Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences

About the PhD Projects

The two doctoral projects are part of a broader research programme investigating how biogas processes can be made more efficient, stable, and valuable for society. Anaerobic digestion relies on complex microbial communities that break down organic material and ultimately produce biogas. Maintaining a balanced microbial community is essential for reliable process performance. At SLU’s Department of Molecular Sciences, researchers study both biogas process operation and optimisation and the microbiology underlying anaerobic digestion. The two PhD positions reflect these complementary research areas. Although the projects have defined scientific directions, successful candidates will have some opportunity to influence the detailed design of their doctoral research.

PhD Project 1: Biogas Production from Agricultural Feedstocks – Process Optimisation

The first PhD project focuses on the growing use of biogas production in the agricultural sector. As agricultural biogas systems expand, there is an increasing need for research that can improve process performance and develop effective technologies for treating agricultural residues and producing valuable outputs. As a PhD student in this project, you will operate and evaluate different laboratory-scale biogas processes. The main objective will be to optimise both biogas production and the quality of the resulting biofertilizer.

The research will involve chemical and microbiological analyses to evaluate how different process conditions affect digestion performance. There will also be opportunities to work with process modelling, providing a combination of experimental and computational approaches. This project is particularly relevant to candidates interested in anaerobic digestion, industrial biotechnology, renewable energy, agricultural waste management, process engineering, and sustainable nutrient cycling. The project is also connected to the Interreg BEAR project, carried out in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology and the University of Oulu.

PhD Project 2: Process Microbiology

The second PhD project focuses on the microbial communities responsible for biogas production. Anaerobic digestion depends on complex interactions between microorganisms, and changes in microbial activity can influence process function, efficiency, and stability. The doctoral researcher will investigate how microbial activity responds to different operating conditions and how these changes are related to the performance of biogas processes.

The research will use molecular biological methods and bioinformatics to analyse microbial communities in both laboratory-scale and full-scale biogas systems. One of the central aims is to identify microorganisms and microbial markers associated with particular operating conditions.

These microbial markers could ultimately help researchers understand and predict process disturbances before they significantly affect biogas production. The project therefore combines microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, anaerobic digestion, microbial ecology, and renewable energy research.

Research Methods and Skills

Depending on the selected PhD project, the doctoral researchers will gain experience with a broad range of experimental and analytical approaches.

Research activities may include:

• Laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion experiments.
• Chemical analysis of biogas processes.
• Microbiological analyses.
• Process optimisation and evaluation.
• Process modelling.
• Molecular biological methods.
• Microbial community analysis.
• Bioinformatics.
• Statistical analysis.
• Analysis of full-scale biogas processes.
• Identification of microbial markers associated with process conditions.

The projects provide an interdisciplinary research environment in which experimental laboratory work can be combined with computational and data-driven approaches.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related field. Excellent knowledge of English is required, both written and spoken. Applicants should have language skills equivalent to a passing grade in Swedish upper-secondary school English B/English 6.

The successful candidates should also be able to read and critically evaluate scientific literature in English and communicate research findings clearly in both written and spoken English.

Your Profile

SLU is seeking highly motivated candidates with a strong interest in renewable energy systems, biotechnology, and industrial microbiology. The ideal applicants will be curious about how biological processes can contribute to sustainable energy production and resource recovery. Because both projects involve collaboration within research teams and with external stakeholders, strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.

Applicants should also be capable of working independently, organising research activities effectively, and developing solutions to scientific and practical problems.

Meritorious Qualifications

Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• Biogas production and anaerobic digestion.
• Process modelling.
• Programming.
• Statistics and quantitative data analysis.
• Swedish language skills.

Candidates do not necessarily need experience in all these areas. The relevance of previous training and experience will depend on the PhD project for which the applicant is applying.

An Opportunity to Work Across Academia, Industry, and Society

Both PhD projects are connected to the Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC), a national transdisciplinary centre of excellence that brings together researchers from Linköping University and SLU with approximately 50 private and public organisations representing the biogas value chain. The centre aims to promote co-production of knowledge between academia, industry, and the public sector. This approach supports long-term competence development in both research and the biogas industry.

For the PhD students, this means that the doctoral projects are closely connected to real-world challenges in biogas production and resource recovery. Collaboration with industry and societal stakeholders can also provide valuable opportunities to understand how scientific findings can be translated into practical solutions.

Research Group and Supervision

Both doctoral projects will be conducted within the Microbial Biotechnology research group at the Department of Molecular Sciences. The principal supervisor for both projects will be Professor Anna Schnürer. Additional researchers within the group will also contribute to supervision, ensuring that the doctoral students have access to the expertise required for their respective projects.

Because the research is conducted in close collaboration with industry and other societal stakeholders, supervisory teams may also include external supervisors from industry. This structure provides an opportunity to work within a broad research network while developing both independent research skills and collaborative expertise.

About the Department of Molecular Sciences

The Department of Molecular Sciences at SLU provides a research environment for studying biological and molecular processes relevant to agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, and sustainable resource use. The department’s work on biogas combines fundamental understanding of microbial processes with practical research into process operation and optimisation. This makes it an appropriate environment for doctoral research connecting microbiology with renewable energy and resource recovery. The two positions offer opportunities to contribute to research addressing major sustainability challenges while developing specialised expertise in microbial biotechnology and anaerobic digestion.

About the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) plays a key role in supporting sustainable societal development through science and education. The university focuses on interactions between humans, animals, ecosystems, and the responsible use of natural resources. SLU’s main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå, and Uppsala, with additional research stations, experimental forests, and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

The university has approximately 4,000 employees and 6,000 students and doctoral students, with an annual turnover of more than SEK 4.5 billion. SLU aims to provide an inclusive working environment in which different experiences and perspectives contribute to scientific discussion, creativity, and development. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Employment and Salary

Each position is a full-time doctoral studentship covering four years of postgraduate education. The workload is 100%, and the positions are based in Uppsala, Sweden. Salary is determined according to the local collective agreement for doctoral students, with fixed salary progression levels. The expected start date is upon agreement, but the successful candidates are expected to begin no later than December 2026.

Application Requirements

Applicants may apply for one or both PhD positions.

If applying for both projects, the application must clearly state:

1. Which project or projects you are applying for.
2. Which project is your first priority.
3. Why you have chosen that project as your first priority.

Applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates how their academic background, research interests, technical skills, and previous experience relate to the selected project or projects.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates should submit their applications through Apply for this position system before 31 August 2026. Applicants may apply for one or both projects. If applying for both, clearly identify the preferred project and explain the reasons for the choice. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. reference number SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2034.

Selection among eligible applicants will be based on the submitted application documents and will consider the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral programme within the allotted time. Applicants will need to log in or register to submit an application.

Apply for this position

Contact Person

For questions about the PhD projects, applicants can contact:

Professor Anna Schnürer
Department of Molecular Sciences
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Phone: +46 73 423 15 17
Email: anna.schnurer@slu.se

Why Apply for These Biogas PhD Positions?

These PhD positions offer an opportunity to work on research with direct relevance to renewable energy, circular resource use, sustainable agriculture, and environmental biotechnology. The process optimisation project is particularly suitable for candidates interested in improving anaerobic digestion performance, biofertilizer quality, laboratory-scale process operation, and modelling. The process microbiology project is well suited to candidates interested in microbial ecology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and understanding how microbial communities influence biogas process stability.

Both projects provide access to interdisciplinary expertise and connections with academic, industrial, and public-sector partners through BSRC. The combination of fundamental research and practical applications makes these positions particularly relevant to researchers interested in developing sustainable biogas technologies.

Reference number: SLU.ua.2026.2.5.1-2034
Positions: Two PhD Students
Research area: Biogas Process Development and Microbiology
Subject area: Biology
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Duration: 4 years
Workload: 100%, full-time
Start date: Upon agreement, no later than December 2026
Application deadline: 31 August 2026
Publishing date: 26 June 2026
Principal supervisor: Professor Anna Schnürer