PhD scholarship within Plant/Soil Sciences with focus on uptake dynamics of PFAS in vegetables 

About the position

The Department of Plant Science, Faculty of BioSciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD-position with the project title “PFAS Pollution as a Threat to Safe Food: Understanding PFAS dynamics in vegetables - Uptake, Translocation, and Physiological responses”. The PhD-student will be connected to the NFR financed project “PFAS in Agriculture: Risks and Mitigation (PFARM)” led by NIVA (2026-2029). One important aim of the PFARM-project is to make a risk assessment for PFAS for Norwegian conditions. The data from the PhD-student will focus on the understanding of uptake mechanisms of PFAS and lay the foundation for the risk assessment that will primarily be done by NIVA. 

Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence and tendency to bioaccumulate, represent a growing global concern. Their accumulation in water, soil, biota, and plant‑based foods poses a significant threat to food safety. This PhD project will generate new insights into PFAS behavior under Northern environmental conditions and in vegetable species relevant for Northern food production. 

The primary objective is to characterize PFAS uptake patterns in selected vegetable crops and to identify the key factors governing these patterns, including climatic conditions, soil properties, and plant species or organ specificity. Targeted PFAS analyses will be carried out using high‑resolution LC/QTOF mass spectrometry at the NIVA laboratory to determine PFAS concentrations in plant tissues. Additionally, the project will investigate plant physiological responses to PFAS exposure, including growth, photosynthesis, and protective mechanisms.

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 programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Conduct controlled-environment experiments using different vegetable species and varying climate and soil conditions. 
• Perform growth analysis and gas‑exchange measurements to assess photosynthesis, transpiration, and overall plant performance. 
• Analyze plant samples for PFAS using high‑resolution LC/QTOF mass spectrometry. 
• Carry out metabolite profiling to gain physiological insight into how food plants respond to PFAS exposure.

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 successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. 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 qualifications

• Master’s degree in plant physiology, plant science, plant biology, general biology, soil and water science, or related fields
• Knowledge of and/or experience in plant research and/or soil science
• Knowledge and/or interest in chemical or biochemical analysis
• Documented scientific writing skills in English
• Candidates finishing their education in the spring/summer of 2026 can also apply, but must provide documentation of their degree before employment

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Knowledge of and/or experience with controlled environment plant research and methods including growth analysis and gas exchange measurements
• Knowledge and/or interest in whole plant physiology (from soil to plant) 
• Good computational skills and a working knowledge of programming in R
• Significant contribution to scientific publication(s)
• Documented skill in public communication
• Good problem-solving capability and critical thinking

You need to:

• Be willing to work both independently and as part of a team, also interdisciplinary
• Bring your own creativity to the project
• Be motivated to learn new skills

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.

For further information, please contact Professor Sissel Torre 

E-mail: sissel.torre@nmbu.no; phone +47 47602672

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: 08.04.2026

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 Biosciences

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.