PhD scholarship in the ecosystem biogeochemistry of the Norwegian grazing outfields

About the position

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD position examining the ecosystem biogeochemistry of the Norwegian grazing outfields.

The position supports curiosity driven research to improve our fundamental understanding of how plants drive changes in soil properties in the context of domestic and native herbivory. The position should excite those with a strong interest in plant ecology and soil science. An ideal candidate has an interest in the theory of ecosystem functioning and is eager to advance our conceptual understanding of ecosystem nutrient cycling via plant-soil-herbivory interactions.    

Given the potential breadth of the topic, candidates across a broad set of interests and skills in relation to plants, soil and herbivory are encouraged to apply. Nevertheless, the project will specifically focus on plant-soil interactions in the collection of plant and soil samples in Norwegian grazing outfields including forests and alpine areas. 

The candidate will have privileged access to existing long-term herbivory exclosures to examine the effect of herbivory or its absence on plant and soil properties. 

The candidate will join the Soil and Water Section within a welcoming environment prioritizing high quality research, active supervision, and work-life balance. The candidate will work closely, but not exclusively, within a larger project entitled “Soil carbon in Norwegian outfield and infield grazing areas: Plant-soil-herbivory feedback on plant production and soil carbon dynamics” (SCANGRAZ), financed by the Research Council of Norway. 

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

Main tasks

The PhD candidate will contribute to: 

• Statistical analyses of existing plant and soil data drawn from a long-term herbivory exclosure experiment 
• Collecting plant and soil samples in long-term experimental herbivory exclosures in Norway 
• Chemically analyzing plant and soil samples in the laboratory
• Conceptual and theoretical development of plant-soil-herbivory interactions in Norway’s grazing outfields 
• Writing and publishing academic manuscripts and presenting those findings at academic conferences 

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

The applicant must document: 

• a strong and relevant academic background from previous studies, corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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 NMBU’s PhD regulations, the relevant MINA PhD program 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 ecology, soil science, environmental science or a related field before the position starts 

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Experience with the field collection of plant or soil samples especially in long-term experiments
• Experience with the laboratory analyses of plant or soil samples
• Knowledge of the ecological theory of herbivory or plant-soil interactions
• Skills in data analyses using R software
• Driving license class B

You need to have:

• Good communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Interest in herbivory, plants or soils 
• A passion for the outdoors 

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 assoc. prof. George N. Furey, E-mail: george.neil.furey@nmbu.no; phone +4767231813

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: 15.12.2025

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) written with no text generated using artificial intelligence 
• Complete CV 
• A copy of the master’s thesis if finished and available
• 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.