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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 position
The Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD–position related to crop physiology and breeding.
The main goal for the PhD project is to help elucidate the environmental and genetic control of maturation in faba bean under Norwegian growing conditions. Faba bean has gained increased interest from farmers in later years. Being a grain legume, it fixes nitrogen through its symbiosis with N-fixing bacteria. Thus, it needs little fertilizer, leaves N in the soil for the next crop in the rotation, and has a very high grain protein content. Cultivation of faba bean is therefore of high value in a sustainable food system. Faba bean originates from more southern latitudes and adaptation to our northern climate is necessary to utilise its full potential. In particular, the late maturation of the crop can be a problem in some years and should be improved. While there is some knowledge on environmental and genetic regulation of flowering time, much less is known about the regulation of maturation, particularly under Nordic conditions.
We aim at 1) characterising the effects of environmental factors such as temperature, photoperiod and water availability on maturation-related traits, 2) characterising the genetic variation, heritability, genotype-environment interactions and correlation among these traits, and 3) identifying genetic markers and developing genomic prediction models for maturation-related traits. The successful PhD candidate will be heavily involved in this work, which is associated with the projects ProMax, FutureProteinCrops and Fabanova, all partly aimed at developing faba bean for the Nordic climate.
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 attachments.
Main tasks
Conduct field experiments and collect data
Perform various analyses of collected data, data from former experiments under controlled conditions or in the field, molecular genotyping data and environmental data
Write scientific papers
Complete required courses
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. 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
A five-year master’s degree in a relevant field, e.g., plant science, plant biology, plant physiology, genetics. Applicants that complete their master’s degree before 1st September 2026 will also be considered.
Proficiency in English, as described above
The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:
Knowledge in crop physiology, genetics, statistics
Research experience
A scientific mind-set
Skills in academic writing
You need to:
Be highly motivated for completing a PhD
Be open-minded and eager to learn
Be goal-oriented, accurate, analytical and structured
Have strong communication and cooperation skills
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow with a salary of 550 800 NOK per annum. For exceptionally well-qualified candidates, a higher salary may be considered.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact Prof. Åshild Ergon
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: 29.03.2026
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.
About The Faculty of Biosciences
The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million.
BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.
BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor’s and master’s programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master’s programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor’s and master’s students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.
