About the position

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has two vacant three-year PhD–positions related to use of AI for mapping of forest ecosystems.

New sensors and increased digitalization generate vast quantities of data that together with advanced statistical methods open new possibilities in precision forestry. For example, sensors mounted on forest machines provide detailed tree level information that can be coupled with remotely sensed data for enhanced forest inventories and provision of environmental information. Similarly, the developments in AI and machine learning allow for new and improved processing of remotely sensed data supporting precision forestry.

The PhD candidates will focus on developing methods that utilize remote sensing and AI supporting precision forestry.

Remotely sensed data, such as images, lidar, and photogrammetric point clouds acquired from drones, aircraft, and satellites, will play a central role.

The use of new methods and new technology is a key component of the SmartForest center for research-based innovation. The center is led by the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) and NMBU is the main research partner.

The applicants are made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is also an application for admission to MINA’s PhD programme. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met, must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

Develop machine learning models to produce forest information at local or landscape scales
Develop machine learning models for sustainable forest management
Compare machine learning with existing methods and evaluate its usefulness

The successful candidates are 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

Please note that an application for this position is also an application for admission to the PhD programme at MINA. The applicants must document:

a strong and relevant academic background from previous studies, corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, with 120 ECTS credits at master's degree level. (Read about the ECTS credit system (europa.eu))
a Master's thesis/ individual written assignment of at least 30 ECTS credits included in the degree
an average grade corresponding to grade B or above in the ECTS grading system
proficiency in both written and oral English.

All applicants are advised to read the section Before applying | NMBU | NMBU,with the NMBU PhD Regulations, the relevant MINA PhD programme description and requirements for documentation of English proficiency.

The applicants must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

A Master's degree in forest sciences or related sciences with focus on remote sensing or data science

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

Competence in remote sensing
Competence in machine learning
Programming skills
Competence in Nordic forest management
Driving license category B

You need to:

Be highly motivated and engaged
Be creative and capable of working result-oriented, accurately, and systematically
Have analytical ability
Be able to work independently as well as in a team
Be proficient in English and, preferably, in a Scandinavian language, both written and spoken

Remuneration and further information

The positions are placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow. PhD Fellows will normally have a starting salary of NOK 550 800. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact:

Professor Terje Gobakken. E-mail: terje.gobakken@nmbu.no; phone +47 41512806.

Information for PhD applicants and 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: 03.05.2026

Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.

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. 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 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.

Read more about MINA here.

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