PhD fellowship - Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA)
Deadline: 13.10.2021
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Nord University
Global challenges demand new insight, innovative solutions and local legitimacy. Nord University is a young university with strong regional ties and a global perspective. We are committed to delivering relevant educational programmes and research, with a focus on blue and green growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, and welfare, health and education. Nord University has 11,000 students and 1,300 employees at eight study locations in central and northern Norway.
Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA) educates people with the aim of promoting sustainable and innovative development to meet global challenges in food production, climate and environment. The faculty is an international arena for education, research and knowledge dissemination, with employees and students from 25 different countries. The faculty offers a PhD in Aquatic Biosciences. FBA has 900 students and 160 employees in Bodø and Steinkjer. The professional community is organised into the following divisions: Aquaculture, Ecology, Genomics, Animal Science, Production and Welfare and Algae and microbial biotechnology.
Read more: www.nord.no/en/fba
PhD fellowship - effects of climate change on interaction strengths in a specialist predator-prey system
About the position
A three-year PhD fellowship in terrestrial ecology is available at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA), Nord University Steinkjer, Norway.The project will be based at the terrestrial ecology research unit of the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Steinkjer campus.
This PhD project will study predator-prey interactions between willow ptarmigan and gyrfalcon in the light of climate change. The candidate will have access to a unique blend of data from both the predator and prey demography and population abundance, and will conduct advanced statistical modelling under the supervision of a skilled set of supervisors. Some field work in a beautiful alpine landscapes in central Norway must be expected.
The position will be available from the 1st of January 2022.
Qualification requirements
We are looking for motivated and creative applicants with a strong academic background and the ability to collaborate within a research team.
Primarily we will prefer a candidate with the following skills:
MSc in ecology or biostatistics with the grade average of B or better (or equivalent score) both for the programme in total and the master’s thesis
Strong skills or interests in statistical modelling
Knowledge of software R
Ability to conduct field work in remote alpine areas
Knowledge of Bayesian statistics is a strength but not a requirement
A proven record in scientific writing (e.g. having published scientific paper) is a strength but not a prerequisite
Proficiency in oral and written English is essential and knowledge of a Scandinavian language is beneficial for the position
The successful candidate will join the PhD program in Biosciences at Nord University and is expected to complete the study within the period
The candidate should fulfill the admission requirements and participate in the training component stipulated in regulations of the PhD program. Application for admission to the program must be submitted within three months after taking up the position. For admission requirements and regulations, see our web page
We offer
The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, LR 20, NOK 491.200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.
The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.
The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply. Nord University practices moderate allocation according to gender quotas in accordance with the Basic Agreement for State Employees.
If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review
Contact information
Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting :
Associate Professor Jan Eivind Østnes, e-mail: jan.e.ostnes@nord.no, phone: +47 74112125
Professor Erlend Birkeland Nilsen, e-mail: erlend.nilsen@nina.no, phone: +47 41425684
Application
Applications must be submitted electronically by 13.10.2021.
The application should include:
Cover letter outlining the candidate’s motivation and suitability for the position (maximum 2 pages)
Description of the project idea (project proposal), including the theoretical basis and intended methodology (maximum 2 pages)
A complete CV (education, work experience and publications, maximum 2 pages)
Certified transcripts/dipl for academic degrees (both bachelor and master degree) and other relevant qualifications
Other activity that is considered relevant, such as list of publications and academic work
Contact details for at least two referees (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
Signed consent form PhD (if relevant)
All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.
After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.
