PhD scholarship within theme “Norwegian and the EU forest sector in the sustainable circular bioeconomy”
Deadline: 15.08.2022
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.
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 interested in applying your analytical skills in policy-relevant research on forests, forest policies and forest-based bioeconomy?
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 related to economically oriented but multidisciplinary analysis of the topic “Norwegian and the EU forests and forest sector in the sustainable circular bioeconomy”.
Forestry and the forest-based sector in Norway and the EU are not immune to global challenges: demand for alternative uses of biomass and land is intensifying and finding a balance among often conflicting uses is not trivial. The question of how Norwegian and European forests can contribute to the development of a bioeconomy, while accounting for important sustainability issues, particularly climate change mitigation and safeguarding biodiversity, is the central theme of this Ph.D. project.
The project explores the challenges, possibilities, and consequences that international and national policies and the many demands for forest land and biomass pose to the forestry sector in Norway and in the EU. The project provides policy-relevant new knowledge on these questions based on model-aided scenario analyses. The project also improves and appends existing tools (forest sector and forestry models) for analysing the forest product market development and the alternative uses of forests and wood resources.
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
Main tasks:
Collecting and analysing data and other information from national and international sources
Adapting existing bio-economic models on global forest sector (FORMEQ) and on Norwegian forestry to serve the research goals.
Performing statistical analysis when relevant.
Writing and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
Presentation of project results in workshops and conferences
Collaborating with project members
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 from previous studies 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.
Required Academic qualifications:
Master’s degree within a relevant scientific field, such as forest sciences, management science, operations research, or economics.
Documented skills in quantitative methods
The following experiences and skills will be considered advantageous:
Modelling and programming
Knowledge on policy and/or market analyses
Sufficient understanding of a Scandinavian language to also use background material written in Norwegian
Knowledge on the EU and/or Nordic forest sector and forestry
In addition, the applicant should have the following:
Good communication and collaboration skills
Strong ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing
Strong analytical skills
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 501 200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
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: 15.8.2022
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. Di-ploma, 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.
Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English
Names and contact details for two references
Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)
