LEDIG STILLING VED Norsk institutt for naturforskning (NINA)
Research Fellow – Analyses of Land-Use Planning and Land-Use Changes
Deadline: 15.04.2026
Publisert
NINA is an independent research institute organized as a foundation (www.nina.no). We are the largest research institute in applied ecology in Norway, with more than 350 employees. Our headquarters, NINA-huset, is located at Gløshaugen in Trondheim, and we have offices in Oslo, Bergen, Lillehammer, and Tromsø.
The workplace for this position is NINA’s office in Trondheim.
NINA is advertising a three-year PhD position in quantitative geography, focusing on the relationship between spatial planning and land use change in Norway. The position is based at NINA's Department for Land and Biodiversity in Trondheim, with academic affiliation at NTNU (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering).
Background and research need
Spatial planning (variously referred to as land use planning or urban and regional planning) is one of society's most important instruments for governing how land is used and how landscapes develop. Spatial planning is rooted in architecture, engineering, and the natural and social sciences, and has traditionally been concerned with meeting specific development needs, while also setting frameworks for land use and conservation related to agriculture, nature, outdoor recreation and reindeer husbandry.
In recent decades, Norwegian planning research has largely moved towards social science questions, with emphasis on processes, actors and governance. This is valuable knowledge, but a gap has emerged: we lack planning research that treats land as a concrete, measurable quantity and examines whether land use planning actually works. Internationally, this is a growing field, often referred to as land system science, which combines geodata, scenario analysis, and knowledge of the drivers of land use change.
Recent research shows that the loss of natural land in Norway is occurring at a high rate and with considerable geographical spread, and that there may be systematic mismatches between what plans provide for and societal needs. Increased access to remote sensing data and new digital planning data from the Norwegian Mapping Authority now enable analyses of the relationship between planning and landscape development that were not previously possible. Drawing on these data sources, this PhD will examine the extent to which land-use planning governs actual land use and investigate what plausible scenarios of population growth, energy transition, and climate change may demand of future land use.
Project description
The project comprises three sub-projects that together illuminate the relationship between land use planning and land use change across time and space. A unifying theme is the land use plan as both object and instrument: what do the plans say, do they achieve their intended effect, and what should future plans account for?
The first sub-project examines historical land use and land cover change and the extent to which land use planning explains these changes. Using satellite data and the national map base, we will map patterns, rates, and geographical variation in the loss and conversion of natural and agricultural land. These analyses will be linked to adopted land use plans to assess the relationship between planning and observed change. Specifically, we will examine whether changes occur within or outside planned development areas, the extent to which planned land use is actually implemented, and what factors explain discrepancies between plans and physical reality?
The second sub-project looks ahead and examines the relationship between planned land use and the land likely to be required to meet societal goals. We analyse current land use plans including land reserves, designated land uses and their geographical distribution, and compare these with estimates of land requirements for development and conservation in one or more selected sectors, based on demographic or sector-specific drivers. This analysis will assess the extent to which planned land allocations align with likely demand and whether there is systematic over- or under-allocation of land in different parts of the country.
The third sub-project develops scenarios for future landscape change. These scenarios will integrate projected land requirements for development and conservation with ongoing processes of change such as vegetation encroachment, climate-driven vegetation shifts and urban expansion. The aim is not to produce precise forecasts, but to explore the range of possible outcomes under current land use policies and trajectories of landscape change, and to demonstrate how scenario-based approaches can support future land use planning for nature and landscape.
The project will draw on national digital planning data from the Norwegian Mapping Authority, the national land account base map, satellite-based land cover maps and other spatial datasets. The candidate will be part of NINA’s and NTNU’s research environments in quantitative geography and landscape ecology, and will have the opportunity to contribute to larger national and international research projects.
Required qualifications
• Relevant master's degree in land use planning, spatial planning, urban and regional planning, geography, geomatics, statistics, biology or natural sciences, or relevant programs in architecture or engineering.
• Strong academic background, with a grade average of B or above from the master's degree, assessed against NTNU's grading scale. Candidates with a weaker academic record may be considered if they can document particular suitability for doctoral study. You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty of engineering at NTNU.
• Experience with GIS tools and spatial data analysis applied to large and varied datasets.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral, in Norwegian and English.
• Interest in how land-use planning affects the condition and development of nature.
Desirable qualifications
• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language.
• Experience with remote sensing data or satellite-based land cover classification.
• Knowledge of Norwegian physical geography and Norwegian or European land use planning.
• Experience with spatial and statistical analysis, data science, and/or scenario modelling in scripting environments such as R, Python or Google Earth Engine
If you have an unusual background or wish to discuss practical arrangements, we encourage you to get in touch before the application deadline.
Personal qualities
We are looking for a candidate who is analytical and enjoys working with large, complex datasets. You are driven by curiosity but also motivated by producing research with societal relevance. You work independently and in a structured manner and have a strong capacity to deliver. Good collaborative and communication skills will be valued.
In evaluating applications, we will emphasize personal suitability, motivation for the position, and ambitions and potential for research, in addition to academic qualifications.
NINA offers:
• a workplace in one of Europe's foremost environmental institutes
• salary as a Research Fellow according to NINA’s salary system
• flexible working hours scheme• good pension scheme and group life insurance
• a pleasant working environment in modern, high standard facilities
About the application
The application must be written in Norwegian, another Scandinavian language, or English. It should include a short motivation letter (1 page), CV with information on education, relevant work experience, and a list of relevant publications. Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees must be attached. References may be requested for an interview.
If all or part of your education was completed abroad, you must also include documentation of the scope and quality of your education (both bachelor’s and master’s, and any additional higher education). If your institution provides a diploma supplement (common at most European institutions), please include this. A description of required documentation can be found here. If you have an evaluation from HK-dir, please include it as well.
About NTNU
NTNU is a degree-awarding institution. NTNU is an internationally oriented university headquartered in Trondheim, with campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund. NTNU has a primary profile in technology and natural sciences, alongside a wide range of professional programs and broad academic coverage including the humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, educational science, architecture, entrepreneurship, and the arts. A doctorate from NTNU qualifies you for leading roles in industry, public administration, higher education and research.
For NINA, a good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or if you have been outside working life for a period. If necessary, the workplace will be adapted for people with disabilities.
The working language in NINA is Norwegian, and language training is facilitated when needed.
Questions related to the position should be directed to: Senior researcher Trond Simensen, phone +47 415 09 167, Professor Jan Ketil Rød, phone +47 73 59 27 72 or Research director Signe Nybø, phone +47 906 79 782.
