University of Inland Norway is home to around 15,000 students and 1,500 employees. We have campuses in Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum, Rena, Evenstad and Blæstad, and offer some courses at Kongsvinger, Tynset and in Oslo.
Campus Blæstad is located on a farm in a rural landscape, eight kilometres outside Hamar city centre and less than one hour by train from Oslo Airport. Blæstad/Hamar has easy access to both Oslo city and the beautiful mountain areas of Rondane and Jotunheimen.
Our vision is "Stronger together - we build the university in an interdisciplinary community, together with the communities and the industries"
PhD Research Fellowship in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology
About the position
The Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology at University of Inland Norway(INN) invites applications for a PhD research fellowship in the field of applied ecology.
The duration of the PhD Research Fellow is 3 years, planned start in August 2025. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, workplace at Campus Blæstad. Shorter stays in Tromsø (NINA) and Bavaria is possible.
About the project
The boreal biome is characterised by long winters with snow and low temperatures. Climate change is reshaping the characteristics of northern ecosystems and ecological interactions, and we need to understand the impacts of these changes better. The subnivean space, where key small mammals of the ecosystems are active throughout the winter, have been particularly challenging to study due to practical constraints. However, this doctoral research project will overcome the methodological limitations by developing and validating novel methods based on automatic recorders (camera traps and acoustic recorders) to detect small mammals throughout the year. The project will use these novel methods to increase understanding of northern population dynamics, land use effects on life in the subnivean space and explore the effects of climate change by contrasting the influence of boreal and temperate weather events on small mammal populations.
The research is linked to ongoing projects at INN and The Bavarian Forest National Park as well as a national monitoring program for small rodents. The PhD candidate will have access to extensive datasets and fieldwork in Norway and Germany.
The candidate’s main supervisor will be Associate Professor Magne Neby (INN). Co-supervisors will be Professor Marco Heurich (INN / Bavaria National Park, Germany), and Researcher Eivind Flittie Kleiven (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NINA).
Qualifications
It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University's PhD programme in Applied ecology and biotechnology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.
To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must normally have a minimum master's degree or master's level (120 credits, §3 master's in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education, within biology, ecology, biotechnology, evolution, environmental sciences or other relevant subject areas.
Furthermore, you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, ie. the average grade should normally be B or better from the master's program (120 credits) or equivalent education. Calculation of the average grade is based on the credits for each course and for the master's thesis. Applicants with weaker grades than what is normally required for admission must document that they will be able to complete a doctoral degree. In cases where the education has been approved with the use of the grades passed / failed, the applicant is admitted after an individual assessment. If you have education from abroad, you can contact here. for approval of your education, alternatively a similar assessment will be made in connection with the application process.
The following qualifications is also required for the position:
Experience with data sampling in the field.
Proficiency in statistical data analysis using programming languages such as R.
Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the following attributes:
Experience with modelling of population dynamics using occupancy, n-mixture and/or capture-recapture models.
Experience with modelling population dynamics in a Bayesian framework
The ability to work independently and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
Results-oriented and a strong motivation for successfully carrying out a PhD within the given time frame of three years, maintaining high scientific integrity and ethical standards.
Experience from other subjects/courses relevant for the project.
A commitment to conducting high-quality research with rigor and transparency and eagerness to disseminate science to fellow scientists and the wider public. Any record of peer-reviewed scientific publications or other writing experiences will be positive.
Applicants who cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2 upon employment must complete training corresponding to at least 15 credits during the scholarship period.
Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement.
The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at University of Inland Norway. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship.
How to apply
Your application must include:
A cover letter summarising the candidate’s motivation and how they meet the position requirements.
CV detailing your relevant educational background and experience (registered in Jobbnorge's form).
Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (A certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian.)
A list of publications.
The names and contact information for two referees.
Any other documentation you would like us to consider.
Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.
We offer
A good academic environment with networks at multiple institutions (INN, NINA and Bavaria National Park).
An exciting and challenging position at a developing institution
A campus setting surrounded by fields, forests and mountains with opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale
Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension and insurance schemes.
For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.
General information
For further details about the position, please contact Associate Professor Magne Neby, magne.neby@inn.no
INN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here.
We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
