PhD Position on Solar Sharing and Agrivoltaics in Agriculture

About the position

The Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), in collaboration with the Department of Electric Energy, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), has a vacant three-year PhD–position related to solar sharing in agriculture (agrivoltaics). The position is fully funded by the Research Council of Norway and will be part of the international research project “Soldeling i landbruket” (Solar Sharing in Agriculture).

The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the PhD programmes of both NMBU and NTNU and will be awarded a double degree through a joint doctorate (Cotutelle) agreement. The candidate will be fully employed by NMBU and have NMBU as their main workplace. As part of the Cotutelle agreement, the candidate is also required to spend a full year of research stay at NTNU. Throughout the project period, the candidate will be affiliated with both institutions and collaborate closely with project partners, including SINTEF, other research institutes, industry partners, and agricultural stakeholders.

This project aims to advance knowledge on deploying solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on agricultural land (commonly known as agrivoltaics) in Norway. It explores innovative solutions for dual land use, enabling energy generation and food production to coexist. By implementing low-density solar installations that share sunlight with crops, the project seeks to minimize impacts on agricultural yields while supporting Norway’s renewable energy ambitions. Research will address technical, agronomic, economic, and social dimensions of agrivoltaics under Nordic conditions. The results will provide valuable insights for energy companies, farmers, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders, driving sustainable development in Norwegian agriculture and energy sectors.

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU and NTNU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD program at the institutions. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Develop new knowledge on agrivoltaics (solar sharing in agriculture) under Norwegian conditions.
• Investigate crop performance, agronomic practices, and microclimate effects beneath solar panels.
• Analyse the technical and economic potential of agrivoltaics, including land use and business models.
• Study implications for mechanization, harvesting practices, and alignment with Norwegian agriculture.
• Assess social, political, and regulatory challenges and opportunities for agrivoltaics in Norway.
• Disseminate results through scientific publications, conferences, and stakeholder engagement.

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.

We have compiled a deliberation for this position.

Competence

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at both NMBU and NTNU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
 

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

Required Academic qualification

• Master’s degree in agricultural engineering, agronomy, agribusiness, electric power engineering, industrial economics, or another relevant field.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at the master's level.
• Strong academic background (average grade B or better, or equivalent compared with NMBU`s/NTNU`s grading scale).
• Willingness to conduct research stays at both NMBU and NTNU, and to collaborate actively with project partners.
• Proficiency in English, written and spoken (CEFR level C1 or equivalent test results). Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. One of the following test scores could be documented for this purpose:   
• TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) — iBT enhanced score reporting is required. Your proficiency level for the overall test should correspond to a score of at least 100. Your proficiency level for each section of the test should correspond to at least ‘high intermediate’ level. 
• IELTS — 8, with no section lower than 7.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted) 
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) — 193-199 

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Knowledge in agronomy, mechanization, renewable energy, or energy system modelling.
• Experience with crop modelling, sensor technology, or laboratory/field experiments.
• Skills in programming (e.g. Python, R) and data analysis.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, scientific papers, and presentations.

You need to:

• Be curious, creative, and motivated to explore new ideas.
• Work independently and take initiative, while also contributing actively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Be structured, solution-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Have strong collaboration and communication skills, both with academic and industry partners.
• Be available during the summer for fieldwork,  and be prepared to collect data at critical time points and be present for those measurements.
• Be willing to travel and spend two years at NMBU and one year at NTNU.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow, and is remunerated with a starting annual salary of NOK 550,800. Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars. The candidate will hold a formal employment of 100% at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. 

For further information, please contact:

• Dr. Sahameh Shafiee, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), e-mail: sahameh.shafiee@nmbu.no
• Associate Professor Steve Völler, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), e-mail: steve.voller@ntnu.no

We offer 

• A fully funded PhD position with competitive salary and benefits.
• The candidate will get a double degree, both from NMBU and NTNU
• Access to cutting-edge research infrastructure and international collaborations.
• The opportunity to work on a high-impact project with direct applications in plant breeding.
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

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 25.02.2026

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/NTNU 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)
• Project proposal (2 pages) describing your background and how it fits this interdisciplinary position, along with your initial ideas for addressing the research questions, including theoretical perspectives, methodology, and a tentative progress plan. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project. 
• 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.
• A copy of the Master's thesis. If you recently submitted your Master's thesis, you are encouraged to attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• 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). 
• If you speak Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, please include proof of your proficiency.
• 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 Biosciences and NTNU

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million. 

BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.

BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor’s and master’s programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master’s programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor’s and master’s students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.

About NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

The PhD candidate will be associated with the Department of Electric Energy (IEL) at NTNU. IEL is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other universities and research organizations internationally.