PhD within International Environment and Development Studies with a focus on Arctic politics
Deadline: 07.04.2026
Publisert
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About the position
The Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Faculty of Landscape and Society (LANDSAM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD–position in International Environment and Development Studies focusing on Arctic politics.
The Arctic continues to undergo profound physical transformations. The prospect of a “blue,” seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean introduces new risks and reshapes patterns of activity. On land, melting permafrost and increasing wildland fires pose significant societal and environmental challenges. The region’s politics are influenced by broader geopolitical rivalries and intensifying security concerns, as well as debates on justice, decolonization, sustainability, and the evolving roles of Indigenous and state-led diplomacy. Additional dynamics—such as de-globalization and the green transition—further shape the political landscape. While acutely affected by global climate change, the Arctic is also framed as a potential source of planetary solutions: from a new era of space development and satellite technologies to enhance understanding of earth systems, to innovative governance approaches for shifting ecosystems, to resources intended to support the global green transition.
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with strong potential to conduct excellent research on Arctic regional politics. The call for applications is intentionally broad to encourage applicants to describe their own research interests and plans, and to demonstrate how they would design conceptually and empirically rigorous research within this thematic field. This fully funded university position is linked to a growing research milieu at the Department on polar and ocean security and governance, supported by a range of externally funded departmental projects. The Department offers an interdisciplinary and experienced academic community with wide-ranging expertise in world order, security, development, sustainability, environmental governance, and land politics, among other areas.
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
The successful candidate is expected to enroll in an approved PhD programme, and the work will be organized with the goal of completing a PhD degree during the period of employment.
The PhD candidate will carry out a PhD project that involves preparing a project plan, conducting literature search, collecting and analysing data, and writing a PhD thesis. The PhD candidate receives supervision from a small team of supervisors.
The candidate needs to complete compulsory and elective courses with oral and written exams (30 ECTS).
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:
To be eligible for the position, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to one of the PhD programmes at NMBU.
Admission to a PhD programme requires that the applicant has a relevant academic background; a master's degree, a cand.med.vet. degree, or an equivalent qualification, in accordance with the descriptions in the national qualifications framework. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken. For more detailed information about the admission criteria, PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required Academic qualifications
Higher education (master’s degree) in international relations, political science or another relevant social science field.
Strong academic background from previous studies (GPA of minimum B, master’s thesis min. B)
Proficiency in both written and oral English in accordance with PhD regulation § 5-2 third paragraph
The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:
Relevant fieldwork experience and language skills relating to the position
Track record of independent, research-related work
Experience contributing to and participating in research-related work environments
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD. Fellow (NOK 550800). This is a temporary position with a duration of three years. For particularly well‑qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered. Seniority promotion in the position.
Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD scholarship position. The position is a fixed-term position and starts on 1 September. The candidate is expected to be in the office on campus on a regular basis.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars, and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act. Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants
For further information about the position if needed, please contact Professor Elana Wilson Rowe
Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. 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: 07 April 2026
Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.
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
Project proposal (max. 2000 words) including potential research questions, theoretical perspectives and methods
CV
Documentation of relevant 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.
Names and contact details for two references
About the Faculty of Landscape and Society
The Faculty of Landscape and Society is home to some of Norway's foremost academic environments within international environment and development studies, public health science, landscape architecture, landscape engineering, urban and regional planning, property development and property law. The Faculty has 1300 students and 180 employees divided into five departments and a Faculty administration. It offers popular, forward-focused Bachelor, Master’s and PhD programmes. The Faculty is interdisciplinary and works with sustainable social development, both nationally and internationally.
Program coordinator Josie Teurlings,For questions regarding the PhD program (eligibility for admission, structure of the program etc), josie.teurlings@nmbu.no
Professor Elana Wilson Rowe, For further information about the position if needed, elana.wilson.rowe@nmbu.no
