The position
A PhD position is available at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB), Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), affiliated with the Northern Populations and Ecosystems research group. The position is part of the new Centre for Biodiversity Forecasting.
AMB includes 6 research groups and the COAT Centre (Climate-ecological Observatory for Arctic Tundra). Research and teaching at AMB has a broad span, from molecular mechanisms at cellular/subcellular levels via studies of adaptations at the organismal level, to ecological interactions in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The staff counts 52 permanent scientists, 28 technicians, 9 administrative positions and 65 temporary employees (researchers, postdocs, PhD research fellows, technicians). The position is for a period of three years. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.
The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. The candidate is expected to spend periods at collaborating institutions, particularly the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim (NTNU). The position is sought to begin in late autumn of 2026. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.
The position’s field of research
The position is part of the new Centre for Biodiversity Forecasting (CBF), one of the four new Centres for Sustainable land use funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The PhD is anchored in Research Area 1 (Process-based forecasts) and specifically contributes to WP1.1 (Process-based spatiotemporal modelling foundations) and WP 1.2 (Integrating multiple drivers). CBF builds on a strong network of collaborating research institutions, including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), SINTEF and Nord University, and the position will also be part of the COAT Centre (Climate-ecological Observatory for Arctic Tundra; www.coat.no), involving the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA), the Meteorological Institute (Met) and the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI).
The position is situated at the interface of terrestrial ecosystem ecology and quantitative forecasting models. The main supervisor for the candidate will be from the Northern Populations and Ecosystems research group at UiT, with co-supervisors from UiT, NTNU and Research Institutes in Tromsø. Through CBF, the candidate will gain access to a strong group of quantitative ecologists and statisticians with both national and international partners, and through COAT, the candidate will have access to world-class data on Arctic terrestrial ecosystems.
The project
The overarching scientific challenge is to develop and assess near-term, iterative, ecological forecasts of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), by building on and integrating existing single species/group forecasts and models. Current forecasting models have been separately developed by COAT for single species (willow ptarmigan, semi-domestic reindeer, lesser white-fronted goose), functional groups (small rodents, moths) or ecosystem components (birch forest, tall and dwarf shrubs). Linking the different models in a coherent framework and accounting for the spatial heterogeneity of the tundra and subarctic birch forest ecosystems require significant statistical developments of ecological forecasting models.
The PhD project aims to develop these models in close co-construction with local stakeholders, in particular Finnmark Estate (FeFo). The work of the candidate shall contribute new tools and knowledge for the management of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly concerning the synergies and trade-offs between biodiversity conservation, reindeer husbandry, harvesting and renewable energy. The work will include iterative model assessment and adaptive monitoring to further improve the models. As part of the position, the candidate is therefore also expected to participate to field work. The candidate will therefore work inter- and transdisciplinarily with statisticians, quantitative ecologists, climate scientists, and managers across the collaborating institutions. The position focuses on the environmental challenges faced by Arctic and subarctic ecosystems under conditions of both changing land use and climate stress.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
- Master’s degree in statistical ecology, or in statistics with an applied environmental focus or in ecology with a strong quantitative focus.
- Experience with statistical methods that can be used for spatio-temporal modelling and forecasting.
- Documented fluency in English. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.
Desired qualifications:
- Familiarity with models integrating different sources of information.
- Practical experience with Bayesian models.
- Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language.
In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant’s potential to complete a research education based on the master’s thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, professional experience and other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme will be taken into consideration.
We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:
- Have excellent analytical and collaboration skills and the ability to work both independently and in teams
- Have a positive, balanced personality who can think creatively and critically.
As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.
Admission to the PhD programme
For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.
Admission normally requires:
- A bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS and a master’s degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS.
- A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master’s degree of 120 ECTS.
- A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS.
Grade requirements applies both to the master thesis as well as courses part of the master’s degree. The minimum requirements are grade B or better on the master’s degree, and an average grade of B or better on courses that are part of the master’s degree. For integrated master’s degrees, applicants are required to have achieved a grade of B or higher on their master’s thesis and an overall average grade of C or higher across all courses comprising the integrated degree programme. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.
If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position.
Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a 2-year master’s degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
The offer
- Involvement in an interesting research project
- Good career opportunities
- A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
- Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
- Pension scheme through the state pension fund
- The remuneration for the position is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017, with a gross annual salary of NOK 565 000,- (in a 100% position)
Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.
More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here.
The Application
Please note that the application will only be assessed based on the information submitted by the application deadline via Jobbnorge. It is therefore important that you include all necessary documents demonstrating your qualifications for the position.
Your application must include:
- Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
- CV
- Official diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the original language
- Official transcripts of grades/academic record for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the original language
- Official translation of diplomas and transcripts of records (ToR) to English or a Scandinavian language, if applicable
- Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
- Documentation of English proficiency
- References with contact information
- Master’s thesis, and any other academic works
Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.
All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position.
Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee’s mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants’ qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants.
The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position.
Questions about the position
Nigel G. Yoccoz
professor
+47 91 61 61 94
nigel.yoccoz@uit.no
Find out more about this opportunity here.