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Department of Crop Production Ecology Research subject: Biology with specialisation in ecology Description of the doctoral project Crop production is increasingly challenged by multiple, interacting stresses, including drought, heat, nutrient limitations, weeds, pests, and diseases. Crop genetic diversity can strengthen resilience under these conditions, but the expression of resilience depends strongly on the environment and on how crops are managed. Service crops, used as an agroecological management practice, can provide valuable ecosystem services, such as the regulation of weeds, pests, and diseases, as well as nitrogen fixation and the maintenance of soil health and fertility. However, there is still limited understanding of how crop genetic diversity and service crops interact to alleviate multiple stresses - an important knowledge gap that this project will address. The project will investigate how agroecological management practices influence resilience to multiple stresses in wheat and pea. You will examine how management practices modify genotype responses across growing conditions, with a particular focus on interactions between genotype, environment, and management. The aim is to understand how management practices shape resilience to multiple stresses in different crop genotypes and to identify promising variety–management combinations that support stable performance under low-input conditions. Experiments will be conducted under field conditions, comparing different agroecological management practices. Measurements will include crop development, phenology, yield, and quality traits, alongside monitoring of a broad range of abiotic and biotic stresses, including drought, heat, nutrient limitation, weeds, pests, and diseases. Biodiversity assessments, microbiome analyses, and environmental observations will provide additional context for evaluating the wider effects of management practices and for interpreting crop performance under field conditions. As the PhD student in this project, you will gain broad research experience through field experimentation, data processing, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and the communication of research findings. You will work closely with researchers at SLU and with partners in a European research consortium. This collaboration will provide excellent opportunities to develop your scientific expertise, build an international research network, and contribute to research across countries and disciplines Qualifications     A second-cycle (MSc) degree in agronomy, crop science, plant biology, ecology, plant breeding, agricultural systems science or a related field     Documented experience of working with plants, crops, or agricultural systems     Good knowledge of plant ecology and an understanding of its relevance to sustainable crop production, agroecological management, or crop resilience     Documented experience in statistical data analysis     Good command of written and spoken English The following qualifications would be an advantage:     Documented experience with crop phenotyping, crop physiology, or genotype evaluation     Documented experience with field assessment of weeds, pests, diseases, or environmental factors     Documented experience in scientific writing and communication     A driving licence valid for use in Sweden   We place patricular emphasis on personal qualities. You should be abel to work both independently and collaboratively, take initiative, manage complex tasks in a structured way and contribute positivley to an inclusive team environment spanning disciplines and countries. To be qualified to apply To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively