PhD scholarship: combining data from harvesters, remote sensing and AI to improve forest mapping

About the position

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

Increased digitalization and the use of new sensors and methods in forestry generate vast quantities of data and demand more accurate information. Machine learning allows for the systematization and processing of this data into new forms of information to support the management of forest resources and ecosystems.

The PhD candidate will focus on integration of the extensive amount of data collected by forest machines with remote sensing data to further characterize forest structure. 

Remote sensing data, such as images, lidar, and photogrammetric point clouds acquired from drones, aircraft, and satellites, will play a central role in the development of the methodology.

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 and NMBU is the main research partner. 

The applicant is 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 and landscape scales
• Develop machine learning models for sustainable forest management
• Compare machine learning with existing methods and evaluate its usefulness

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

Please note that an application for this position is also an application for admission to the PhD programme at MINA. The applicant 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 20 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 applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

A Master's degree in forest sciences with focus on remote sensing or data science, or a Master's degree in another relevant field

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 position is 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: 13.11.2025

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.