PhD Research Fellow in Marine Ecology and Conservation

About the position

The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for a position as Research Fellow in Marine Ecology and Conservation from 01.12.25.

The position is located at the Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, and the immediate superior is the Head of the Department. The main workplace is in Bø, in the Municipality of Midt-Telemark, Telemark County, Norway.

The appointment is for a duration of three years without teaching requirement. A four-year duration of appointment with a 25 % teaching requirement can be considered, depending on the needs of the Department and the competence of the applicant. There is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD-program in Ecology within three months of starting the position.

About the PhD-project

This project (HotSeabird) will be carried out within the framework of the Seabird Marine Protection Area Project (Seabird-MPA). The Seabird-MPA project investigates, in-field, how seabirds may benefit from marine protected areas and how seabirds can help design nature-positive solutions in marine spatial planning. Methods include individual GPS-tracking of spatial use, monitoring of breeding effort and success, social behaviour and foraging activities, e-DNA analysis of guano and water samples, ecophysiological markers for health condition and stress responses, and monitoring of chick growth and development during the breeding season. 

In addition to project participants at USN, the project consists of a large team of researchers from BirdLife Norway, the Norwegian Marine Institute, the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, the University of Oslo, the University of Agder, and international research partners in Europe. The research group also includes approximately 12-15 students (BSc/MSc/interns). The applicant will also be part of the research group EcoHub at USN, and collaborate with the Norwegian Beaver Research Project (NBP).

The primary advisor will be Dr. Norith Eckbo, from the University of South-Eastern Norway, and the co-supervisor team will consist of Prof. Frank Rosell (USN), Hanna Lodberg-Holm (USN), Dr. Anna Nilsson (NINA), Morten Helberg (BirdLife Norway), and Dr. Anders K. Krabberød (UiO).

The general goal of the proposed PhD project (HotSeabird) is to increase scientific knowledge about seabird responses to both human pressures and conservation measures. Conservation measures include marine protection areas (MPAs) and other effective conservation measures (OECMs). The project aims to develop a novel tool that integrates seabirds as conservation target species in marine spatial planning and other management areas (e.g., Water Framework Directive) in a high human pressure area, Oslofjord-Skagerrak. To do so, the HotSeabird project will identify biological hotspots using seabird GPS-tracking data and their overlap with high human pressure areas, investigate how current conservation measures influence seabird breeding performance, and develop methods for estimating seabird quality using methods linking e-DNA of diet and breeding performance.The study relies heavily on already existing data, but will also include collection of new field data during the breeding seasons of 2026 and 2027.

Qualifications

Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent higher education qualifications in ecology or related areas when starting the PhD position. It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Ecology within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Programme, the weighted average grade of B or higher is usually required.

Applicants must also have qualifications in marine ecology and conservation, with experience with e-DNA analyses, bioinformatics, and use of GPS-tracking in the field. A strong insight into Norwegian nature management processes, frameworks and measures (e.g. MPAs, OECMs, marine important seabird and biodiversity areas (IBA)) are essential. The position requires a strong background in field methods, including safety and security at sea and along the coast. Practical skills in handling and sampling of live-captured animals are an advantage, and a boat driving licence is beneficial.

The candidate should function well in an international research environment and master both spoken and written English. In addition, the candidate should be able to organize and carry out fieldwork at sea in harsh conditions, and communicate with the local general public, landowners, and fisheries (speaking Norwegian is an advantage).

The willingness to cooperate with other PhD-, MSc students and researchers in the Seabird-MPA and NBRP is essential. Co-operation between staff members is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realise common objectives. An ideal candidate should be creative, analytical, independent, and highly self-motivated, and possess good collaborative skills.

We offer

• A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
• Career guidance throughout the entire PhD program, where we work with you to develop a career plan outlining the skills and knowledge you will acquire 
• An ambitious professional community and an inclusive working environment
• Opportunity to take Norwegian language courses
• Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
• Excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and a lively student community on campus

Salary

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 550 800 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position. In special cases, employment in code 1378 (NOK 546 569 – 685 728 a year) may be considered. 

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

Additional information

The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview. 

The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that an approved work permit is a prerequisite for employment. 

According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons from diverse backgrounds. 

The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities. 

Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:
Associate Professor, Norith Eckbo, +47 971 61 019, neckb@usn.no

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
Advisor Tonje Holt Vøllestad, tonje.h.vollestad@usn.no

How to apply

The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post). 

The following documents shall be attached to the online application: 

• Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)
• Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified)
• A 1-2 page motivation letter 
• Documentation of English proficiency 
• Any scientific publications and a list of these
• Three references (contact information)
• Receipt on your application or recognition from HK-dir*

Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified. 

*If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir.). You must apply for the recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. To apply for recognition, you must submit your application digitally through HK-dir’s application portal. You can read more and access the portal here. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for being hired. 

The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline

About us

The University of Southeastern Norway (USN) ranks as the country's fourth largest higher education institution. We are a vibrant community of approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 employees.

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