PhD Research Fellow in Ecology - Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health
Deadline: 15.03.2021
University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.
We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.
USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.
The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs.
They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.
For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences have a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Ecology
About the position
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for a 100% position as PhD Research Fellow in Ecology from 01.05.2021, or as soon as possible after this date.
The position is located at the Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, and the immediate superior is the Head of the Department. The main work place is in Bø, in the Municipality of Midt-Telemark, Vestfold and Telemark County, Norway.
The appointment is for a duration of three years without teaching requirement. A four year duration of appointment with a 25 % teaching requirement can be considered, depending on the needs of the Department and the competence of the applicant. There is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD Program in Ecology within three months of accession in the position.
About the PhD-project
“The impact of climate change and habitat degradation on sea turtle nesting at the Pacific coast of Guatemala”
Sea turtles are particularly effected by climate change because they lack sex chromosomes, and their sex is determined by temperature conditions during the incubation period. Temperatures above a pivotal temperature produce more females, and temperatures below, produce more males. Also sea level rise affects sea turtles. Projected sea-level rise is expected to cause shoreline erosion and inundation and flooding of nesting beaches. Constructions on the beach area will reinforce these negative effects of climate change, due to restricting of the nesting area ashore.
Coastal development and building construction are one of the main human-related activities impacting available nesting habitats of sea turtles. Also light pollution from buildings is considered as an influencing factor for both nesting turtles and hatchlings. Our research aim is to gain knowledge on the effects of human activities (in particular habitat degradation and climate change) on the nesting of sea turtles. The research will be valuable for the management of sea turtle populations and nesting habitat.
The PhD fellow will be part of a research project aimed at studying the impact of climate change and local degradation of the nesting beaches of Olive Ridley sea turtles at the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Fieldwork and data collection in Guatemala is part of the project, and the candidate will work in collaboration with several researchers, master and bachelor students, both from USN and our partner institution in Guatemala. The candidate is expected to assist with supervision of students. Opportunities and funding for research visits to other institutions within and outside Norway are available.
Publication of research results in international peer-reviewed journals is expected.
The supervisors will be Assoc. Prof. Stefanie Reinhardt, Prof. Hans Renssen, Prof. Frank Rosell (all from USN) and Dr. Lucy Hawkes from the University of Exeter. Additional collaboration partners from the University del Valle in Guatemala will participate in the research activities. The applicant will be part of the research groups “Laboratory of Evolutionary and Behavioral Ecology” and “Biodiversity and Climate Change” at USN.
Qualifications
Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) equivalent higher education qualifications in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Ecology or related disciplines.
The degree must be accomplished before application deadline. It is a requirement that the successful candidate is granted admission to the USN’s PhD Program in Ecology within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Program, the candidate must have a grade B (weighted average) or higher in his/her Master’s degree or equivalent higher education.
The successful candidate should have:
Good oral and written English skills.
A strong background in statistics, especially the ability to handle and analyze large spatio-temporal data. Use of the statistical platform R, and GIS.
The ability to work independently and at the same time have the motivation to share knowledge and take part in team work.
The willingness to cooperate with other PhD students, postdoctoral researcher and researchers in an international environment is essential. The candidate should be willing to spend a certain amount of the PhD period with collaboration partners abroad.
The ability and willingness to conduct long and arduous days of field work under simple and challenging conditions, and adapt to different situtaions and social customs in Guatemala.
An ideal candidate should be:
Creative
Analytical
Highly self-motivated
Possess good collaborative skills
Demonstrable skills in the publications of scientific papers is advantageous, but not required.
Candidates with relevant field experience will be preferred.
Also Spanish language knowledge will be an advantage.
The staff at the faculty work within subject teams to a large extent, and the candidate must be motivated to share his or her knowledge and cooperate.
Personal suitability for the position will be emphasized.
We offer
A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
Opportunity for physical activities within working hours
Salary
PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 482 200 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position. [In special cases, employment in code 1378 (NOK 482 200 – 618 600 a year) may be considered.]
A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.
Other information
The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment. Candidates already having a PhD won’t be considered for the position.
According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.
The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.
Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact:
Dr. Stefanie Reinhardt, stefanie.Reinhardt@usn.no / +47 3595 2846
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact: Head of Department Live Semb Vestgarden, live.S.Vestgarden@usn.no / +4735952797
How to apply
The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).
The following documents shall be attached to the online application:
Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)
Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified)
A letter of motivation
Any scientific publications and a list of these
Three references (contact information)
Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.
The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.
The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.
