About the position

A PhD position is available in The research group for Climate and Buildings at the Department of Building- and Environmental Technology at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The PhD position is for a period of 3 years, with a desired start date of 1st of September 2026

We are offering a PhD scholarship within the research project SenseWood – Digitalisation of wooden building skins for a predictable performance. SenseWood, funded by The Research Council of Norway, aims to develop a new digital technology to classify biological and fire protection degradation in wooden façades on multi-story buildings by combining remote sensing-based façade inspection with microclimate modelling and performance simulations.

The PhD project is anchored in The research group for Climate and Buildings at NMBU. The project combines building-physics modelling with multispectral/hyperspectral façade analyses, and is carried out in close collaboration with Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) who brings strong competence on wood materials and degradation for interpretation and validation of remote-sensing–based condition indicators.

The candidate will develop high-resolution models linking local climatic exposure to material degradation, service life, and fire-retardant performance of wood-based façade systems. By combining microclimate modelling, remote sensing data, and data-driven methods, the results are integrated into a Digital Twin framework. The research will support predictive risk assessment and data-driven maintenance planning for tall timber buildings with fire-retardant-treated or coated façades.

Main tasks

The candidate will:

Develop microclimate and performance models for wooden façades at high spatial resolution
Model degradation of fire-retardant-treated and coated wood under outdoor exposure
Integrate hyperspectral and other remote sensing data with numerical simulations
Contribute to a Digital Twin for façade condition, fire safety risk classification, and maintenance planning
Apply statistical and machine-learning methods to link climatic loads to degradation indicators
Validate models using experimental data and in-situ measurements from tall timber buildings
Perform high-quality scientific research and publish the outcome through relevant channels.
Be a cooperative member of the project team and collaborate with other project partners.
Take part in joint research activities such as case studies, data collection and processing.

The position involves training through formal courses, active participation in research activities, collection and processing data, publication in international peer-reviewed journals, with a view to successful completion of a PhD degree.

For professional and social interaction, the candidate is expected to be physically present at NMBU on a daily basis.

Competence

Required qualifications

A Master's degree or equivalent in building engineering, building physics, material science, data science, or a related field. Foreign degrees must correspond with the admission criteria for the PhD program. Candidates submitting M.Sc. thesis within 30. June 2026 may be considered
In the Master’s degree, both the average grade point and the Master’s thesis, must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system.Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference
Proficiency in both written and oral English in correspondence with the admission criteria for the PhD program.
Strong interest in modelling, simulation, and digital building technologies
Experience with or motivation to learn programming and data analysis (e.g. Python, R)
Personal suitability and motivation for the position

Qualifications considered an advantage:

Background in façade technology, building physics, fire safety, or material degradation
Experience with BIM and/or Digital Twin concepts
Knowledge of remote sensing, hyperspectral data, or machine learning
Interest in sustainable construction and tall timber buildings
The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
The applicant's ability to complete research training

Personal qualities:

A learning disposition
Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities
Good communicative skills

Remuneration and further information

We offer:

Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017, 550 800 NOK. For exceptionally well qualified candidates a higher salary may be considered.

Formal regulations

Employment is to be made in accordance with Regulations to the Universities and University Colleges Act and Regulations for the PhD degree at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) , and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act.

The framework for the position is:

A PhD position in a high-profile, interdisciplinary research project on tall timber buildings
Research at the intersection of fire safety, Digital Twins, and climate-resilient façade design
Access to advanced modelling tools, remote sensing data, and real-world case studies
Opportunities for international collaboration, conferences, and research stays

Contact information

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Arnkell Jonas Petersen or Professor Thomas K. Thiis.

E-mail: arnkell.jonas.petersen@nmbu.no; phone +47 4569 3271; Thomas.thiis@nmbu.no

For professional and social interaction, the candidate is expected to be physically present at NMBU on a daily basis

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants

Application

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: 04.05.2026

Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

By applying the candidate confirms that information and documentation submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process to the PhD program.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The application must include:

Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
Curriculum Vitae (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
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.
Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3).
Names and contact details for two references
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 Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) develops research-based knowledge and educates civil engineers and lecturers needed to reach the UN's sustainability goals. We have approximately 150 employees, 70 PhD students and soon 1500 students. The education and research at REALTEK cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.

This includes data science, mechanics and process engineering, robotics, construction and architecture, industrial economics, environmental physics and renewable energy, geomatics, water and environmental engineering, applied mathematics as well as secondary school teacher education in natural sciences and use of natural resources such as in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. The workplace is in Ås, 30 km from Oslo.

What is it really like to work at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) at NMBU?

- Guided tour of the Faculty of Science and Technology on Vimeo

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