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".
INN is home to over 14,000 students and 1,000 employees, and has campuses in Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum, Rena, Evenstad and Blæstad. INN aspires to build strong and enduring academic and research environments that will spearhead research and education for sustainable development regionally, nationally and internationally.
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.
Moose ecophysiology with focus on reproduction
About the position
A 100 % PhD position 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 November, 2021. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in applied ecology and biotechnology, with workplace at Campus Evenstad.
In most animals, reproductive events such as mating and giving birth are precisely timed during the annual cycle, adapted to ensure maximum reproduction and high survival probability of offspring. However, for many species, we do know which factors drive the timing of these events. Is it the body condition of the individual animal or environmental conditions such as air temperature or resource availability? How flexible are animals in adjusting the timing of these reproductive events? As climate change is altering the timing of many natural processes, such as the onset of spring or the peak of plant productivity, animals’ reproduction might become disharmonious with their environment. Hence, gaining a better understanding of reproductive timing and flexibility therein is crucial to predict species’ responses to ongoing and future change. This project aims to answer these questions for moose by using devices that measure body temperature, heart rate and movements of the animal, and detect mating events. To investigate the relationship between start of pregnancy and timing of calving in spring, studies will be done on captive moose to determine the exact length of pregnancy, from mounting by the bull to birth, and variability therein. Daily feces collections and measurements of reproductive hormones in captive animals will be used to establish the relationship between body temperature and the reproductive cycle. Once timing of ovulation, conception and parturition can be pinpointed using body temperature, we will use an extensive data set to address the question of what is driving the timing of reproductive events in female moose in the wild.
The candidate’s main supervisor will be Associate Professor Alina Evans. Co-supervisors will include Wiebke Neumann, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Dan P Thompson, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Kenai Moose Research Center. Additional co-supervisors and coauthors will be determined while the candidate develops the PhD proposal at the start of the PhD.
For more information about the position, contact Alina Evans, alina.evans@inn.no
Qualifications
The candidate must have a Master’s degree in physiology, veterinary medicine (or DVM), biology, ecology, or similar subjects. The candidate must have a strong academic background from her/his previous studies; the average grade from the master's degree or equivalent education should normally be B or better. Applicants with a Master's degree from another subject area, or with lower average mark, may be admitted after special review.
Desired experience
Publishing in English in peer-reviewed journals
Experience in a related subject matter including but not limited to physiology of large mammals, thermoregulation, metabolism, movement ecology, physiology of reproduction.
Working in the field with animal related projects
High level of analytical competence including using the program R AND/OR high level of physiology education and documented interest in developing analytical competancies.
Personal Skills
Ability to work independently and purposely
Ability to work as part of a team and to assume different roles which require collaboration with supervisors, other PhD students, masters students, bachelors students and other collaborators.
Interest in learning new skills, programs and in thinking about science in new ways.
The evaluation of candidates will consider education, experience, publishing, personal traits, motivation and the qualifications required and desired in the announcement.
How to apply
The application and attachments must be submitted electronically and include the following:
Application cover letter that summarizes 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.
Life insurance and occupational injuries insurance are included. Pension contributions to Statens pensjonskasse (State Pension Fund) will be automatically deducted. All residents in Norway are automatically included in the Norwegian public health system.
