Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN University) is home to over 14,000 students and 1,000 employees, and has campuses in Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum, Rena, Evenstad and Blæstad.
INN University aspires to build strong and enduring academic and research environments that will spearhead regionally, nationally and internationally. We are developing a new and better institution with high academic and pedagogical quality, aiming at achieving university accreditation by 2020.
Our vision is "Stronger Together".
The Evenstad campus is located at the heart of Østerdalen in Stor-Elvdal municipality, approximately 20 km south of the town of Koppang. The campus has a pleasant and inclusive study and academic environment, as well as scenic surroundings. At Evenstad, we offer programs in applied ecology, forestry and wildlife management at BSc, MSc and PhD levels.
Are you our new colleague?
About the position
A 100% position as a PhD candidate in applied ecology is available at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The position will run for 3 years, starting in august 2021. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in applied ecology and biotechnology, with workplace at Campus Evenstad.
The project will explore the predator-prey dynamics of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and will go beyond the state-of-the-art by integrating both temporal and spatial aspects into the analyses, especially those related to how natal-dispersal patterns and seasonal migration behavior of roe deer influence the predator-prey dynamics. Furthermore, the study will need to include the anthropogenic impacts of human caused mortality (such as hunter harvest, lethal control and vehicle collisions) on both predator and prey, as well as the effects of variable access to alternative prey such as free-ranging domestic sheep for lynx. The goals of the project will be to better understand these predator-prey dynamics and make real-world predictions. The project will consist of the analysis of empirical field data to estimate parameters, and better understand behaviours and mechanisms, as well as the use of individual-based simulations to model dynamics. The project will be based on more than 25 years of accumulated data from VHF radio-collared and GPS-collared lynx (>200 individuals) and roe deer (>400 individuals), as well as camera-trapping data from the last 5-10 years. The field data has been collected in the boreal forest ecosystems of southeastern Norway.
The candidate’s main supervisor will be Professor John Linnell at INN. A large team of co-supervisors will contribute to different parts of the project. These consist of Morten Odden, Petra Kaczensky and Marco Heurich from INN, John Odden and Erlend Nilsen from the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, and Olivier Gimenez from CNRS, Montpellier, France.
Contact
Head of departement Nils Kvilvang, email nils.kvilvang@inn.no
Main supervisor John Linnell, email john.linnell@inn.no
Qualifications
The candidate must have a master degree in environmental science, zoology, ecology or biostatistics, with an average weighted mark for the Master’s degree programme of at least a B.
The position will require advanced quantitative skills as well as an understanding of wildlife ecology, behavior and management. It is therefore a requirement that the candidate has documented experience with the quantitative analysis of ecological data.
Experience with the statistical software R (or equivalent) is therefore also a requirement. A preference will be given to candidates with documented experience with individual-based modelling, Bayesian statistics, hierarchical models, simulations, movement ecology, or predator-prey modelling.
A further preference will be given to candidates with documented scientific publications or other writing experience.
Fieldwork experience is not required, but existing field experience or an interest in gaining first-hand experience of the study system while based at Campus Evenstad will be viewed positively when other qualifications are equal. Campus Evenstad is in an isolated rural setting, so the candidate should ideally have a strong interest in outdoor recreation and nature-based activities.
We expect the candidate to be able to work within a team of fellow PhD and postdoctoral scholars from multiple institutions and with multiple supervisors that are working on related and supporting topics, as well as take part in the professional and social life at Campus Evenstad. As a result we will give preference to candidates with good teamwork characteristics and communication skills.
How to apply
The application and attachments must be submitted electronically and include the following:
Application cover letter that summarizes how the candidate’s motivation and how they meet the position requirements.
CV (summary of education and work experience).
Copies of academic certificates/transcripts.
List of minimum 3 references with full contact information.
A complete list of scientific and other publications.
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds. According to the Norwegian Law "Offentlighetsloven §25.2 ledd", information about the applicant can be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the public list of applicants.
We offer
A place in an ambitious and highly international environment.
A challenging and exciting project with opportunities for personal and scientific development.
An independent and flexible work setting that the successful candidate may to a large extent influence her/himself. Daily contact with inspiring skilled colleagues.
A campus setting surrounded by forests and mountains with opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The position’s salary follows position code 1017 PhD candidate in the state's wage regulations, determined according to competence and experience
Life insurance and occupational injuries insurance are included. Pension contributions to Statens pensjons
State Pension Fund will be automatically deducted. All residents in Norway are automatically included in the Norwegian public health system.
