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NMBU has internationally leading research environments in several subjects. Together with our partners in society and business, we contribute to solving some of the biggest societal challenges of our time. We focus on innovation, communication and entrepreneurship because we believe these challenges are best solved with joint efforts. We believe that a good working environment is characterized by diversity.If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no/en.
About The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management
The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) works with nature and the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, biological and geological processes.
MINA’s employees undertake teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, hydrology and limnology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy, and nature-based tourism.
Our vision is to be a key actor in knowledge production and dissemination, and our goal is to deliver research of high, international quality, and varied and excellent teaching. The faculty’s employees are significant participants within their respective fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally. The faculty is dominated by a vital research culture and high levels of scientific production.
The faculty has about 200 employees, 90 PhD students and 650 students.
Are you in the ecological impacts of climate change in mountainous regions?
About the position
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position in ecology.
The PhD position is funded by the Centre for Mountains in Transition (CMT: cmt.w.uib.no), an interdisciplinary research centre hosted by the University of Bergen in collaboration with NORCE, NMBU, and other partners. CMT focuses on understanding and addressing climate and environmental change in the Scandinavian mountains, regions highly sensitive to global change, and brings together researchers from climate science, ecology, hydrology, geoscience, and social sciences.
This PhD project investigates how species and ecological communities in mountain environments respond to climate change, with a focus on how interactions between species at different trophic levels shape these responses. The project combines (1) analysis of long-term datasets to quantify historical changes in the distributions of plants and pollinators, and (2) fieldwork to examine phenological synchrony and mismatch in specialized versus generalist plant-pollinator networks.
The project provides flexibility to adapt the approach based on the candidate’s background, for example, by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in the analyses.
The successful candidate will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment with access to international networks, modern infrastructure, and collaboration with stakeholders including national parks, local communities, and industry.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
Collect, compile, and analyze data to map the responses of plants and pollinators to climate change
Participate in the development and adaptation of statistical models for analyzing climate data and species distributions
Collaborate closely with other researchers, including the other PhD students at CMT, and contribute to interdisciplinary discussions and dissemination of results
Present research findings at conferences and in scientific publications, and complete a dissertation within the project period
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required Academic qualifications
Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in ecology or a related field
Experience with statistical analysis and ecological data, preferably using R or related tools.
Good written and oral communication skills in English, and, preferably in a Scandinavian language
In addition one or more of the following additional competencies will be considered an advantage:
Experience with fieldwork in terrestrial ecosystems, ideally with pollinator or plant communities.
Experience working with large datasets, including biodiversity or occurrence data (e.g., GBIF).
Understanding of species distribution modelling or trait-based ecology.
Interest or experience in applying AI or machine learning methods to ecological questions
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
Personal Atributes:
Strong motivation for ecological research and addressing global change challenges.
Curiosity, creativity, and willingness to learn new skills.
Willingness to engage in both field and computational work.
Adaptability and initiative
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow. PhD Fellows will normally have a starting salary of NOK 550 800. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact:
Professor John-Arvid Grytnes, E-mail: john-arvid.grytnes@nmbu.no; phone +47 4116 0708
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 01.09.2025
Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.
Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
Complete CV
Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
