PhD Fellow in Terrestrial Quantitative Ecology

About the position

At the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB), Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), there is a vacant position as a PhD Fellow affiliated with the research group "Northern Populations and Ecosystems". The position is part of the new center Centre for Biodiversity Forecasting.

AMB consists of 6 research groups and the COAT center (Climate-Ecological Observation System for Arctic Tundra). Research and teaching at AMB cover a wide spectrum, from molecular mechanisms at the cellular/subcellular level, via studies of adaptations at the organism level, to ecological interactions in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The staff includes 52 permanent scientific employees, 28 technicians, 9 administrative positions, and 65 temporary employees (researchers, postdocs, PhD fellows, technicians). The position is for a period of three years. The purpose of the position is to complete research training leading to a doctorate. Admission to the PhD program is a prerequisite for employment, and the program period starts upon commencement of the position.

The position is for a period of three years. The PhD fellowship is an educational position and aims to complete research training leading to a doctorate. Admission to a doctoral program is a prerequisite for employment, and the study period starts upon commencement of the position.

The place of work is UiT in Tromsø. It is expected that the candidate spends periods at collaborating institutions, particularly Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) in Trondheim. It is desirable to start the position in late autumn 2026. You must be able to start the position within a reasonable time after receiving an offer.

The position's research field

The position is part of the new Centre for Biodiversity Forecasting (CBF), which is one of the four new centers for sustainable land use funded by the Research Council of Norway. The PhD project is anchored in research area 1 (Process-based projections) and specifically contributes to WP 1.1 (Basis for process-based spatial and temporal modeling) and WP 1.2 (Integration of multiple drivers). CBF is built on a strong network of collaborating research institutions, including Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU), SINTEF, and Nord universitet.

The position will also be part of the COAT center (Climate-Ecological Observation System for Arctic Tundra; www.coat.no), which involves Norsk institutt for naturforskning (NINA), Meteorologisk institutt (Met), and Norsk Polarinstitutt (NPI).

The position is placed at the interface between terrestrial ecosystem ecology and quantitative projection models. The candidate's main supervisor will be Nigel G. Yoccoz at UiT, with co-supervisors from UiT, NTNU, and research institutes in Tromsø. Through CBF, one gains access to a very strong group of quantitative ecologists and statisticians with both national and international partners, and through COAT, access to world-class data on Arctic terrestrial ecosystems.

The Project The overall scientific challenge is to develop and evaluate short-term, iterative, ecological projections of essential biodiversity variables (EBVs). This will be done by further developing existing projection models. Current projection models have been developed separately by COAT for single species (willow ptarmigan, reindeer, lesser white-fronted goose), functional groups (small rodents, geometrid moths), or ecosystem components (birch forest, tall shrubs, and dwarf shrubs). Linking the various models into a holistic framework, as well as accounting for the spatial heterogeneity in the tundra and subarctic birch forest ecosystems, requires significant statistical development of ecological projection models.

The PhD project aims to develop these models in close collaboration (co-construction) with local stakeholders, especially Finnmarkseiendommen (FeFo). The candidate's work shall contribute new tools and knowledge to the management of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly to contribute to synergies and trade-offs between biodiversity conservation, reindeer husbandry, harvesting, and renewable energy. The work will include iterative model evaluation to further improve the models. As part of the position, the candidate is therefore also expected to participate in fieldwork. The candidate will thus work closely with statisticians, quantitative ecologists, climate researchers, and managers across the collaborating institutions. The position focuses on the environmental challenges that Arctic and subarctic ecosystems face due to both changed 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 spatial and temporal modeling and projection.
• Documented fluent English skills. Nordic applicants can document their English skills by attaching transcripts from upper secondary school.

Desired qualifications:

• Knowledge of models that integrate different information sources.
• Practical experience with Bayesian models.
• Good command of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is also advantageous.

In the assessment, emphasis will be placed on the applicant's potential to complete research training based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific works. In addition, professional practice and other experience of importance for the completion of the doctoral studies will be taken into account.

In the evaluation, we will also emphasize personal suitability and motivation for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have excellent analytical and collaborative skills, as well as the ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Are positive and can think creatively and critically.

As many as possible should be given the opportunity to undergo research training. If you have already obtained a PhD or have equivalent competence, you are not eligible for employment in this position.

Admission to the PhD program

For employment as a PhD Fellow, it is a prerequisite that you are admitted to the PhD program at Fakultet for biovitenskap, fiskeri og økonomi and that you participate in organized doctoral studies during the employment period.

Admission normally requires that the applicant has:

• 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 equivalent to 30 ECTS or more if the applicant has a Master's degree of 120 ECTS.
• A Master's thesis with a scope equivalent to 20 ECTS or more if the applicant has an integrated Master's degree of 300 ECTS.

Applicants must have achieved a B or better on the Master's thesis, and an average grade of B or better in subjects included in the Master's degree. For integrated Master's degrees, the applicant must have achieved a B or better on the Master's thesis and have an average of C or better in all subjects included in the integrated degree. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.

If you meet the admission requirements and are employed in the position, you will simultaneously receive provisional admission to the PhD program. The application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after commencement of the position.

For applicants with an international educational background, it will be assessed whether the education is equivalent to Norwegian higher education at the Master's level. The assessment follows national approval practices; see Direktoratet for høyere utdanning og kompetanse. Applicants with education from certain countries must have more higher education to meet the admission requirements, for example, a 4-year Bachelor's and a 2-year Master's. UiT normally recognizes foreign higher education from countries that have ratified the Lisbon Convention.

Inclusive working life and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has a personnel policy goal to be an employer that reflects the diversity of society and utilizes the potential in the population's collective competence. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength and we want employees with different competencies, combinations of subjects, life experiences, and perspectives.

If you have a disability, gaps in your CV, or an immigrant background, we encourage you as an applicant to check these boxes in the job application portal. If there are qualified applicants, we call in at least one from each group for an interview, and if you get the job, we will make arrangements for you if you need them. Beyond selecting the right candidates, we do not use the checkboxes for anything other than anonymized statistics. Read more in the Employer Portal: arbeidsgiver.dfo.no/strategisk-hr/inkluderingsarbeid/bli-bedre-pa-rekruttering/hvordan-skrive-stillingsannonser-som-inkluderer/positiv-saerbehandling-nar-man-soker-jobb-i-staten

We offer

• You will become part of an exciting research project
• Good career opportunities
• A good working environment with dedicated colleagues
• Good welfare schemes
• Good pension, insurance, and loan schemes in Statens pensjonskasse
• The position is paid according to the state regulations code 1017, with a gross annual salary of 565,000 NOK

The application

Please note that the application will only be assessed based on the attachments submitted before the application deadline via Jobbnorge. It is therefore important that you attach all necessary documents that demonstrate your qualifications for the position.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter describing your research interests and motivation for the position
• CV
• Official transcripts for Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the original language
• Official grade transcripts for Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the original language
• Official translation of transcripts and grade sheets into English or a Scandinavian language, if applicable
• An explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English language skills
• 2-3 references with contact information
• The Master's thesis, and any other scientific works

Documented completion of a Master's degree is a condition for commencing the position. You can still apply if you are close to submitting or have recently submitted your Master's thesis. You must attach a draft of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or the institution regarding when the thesis is expected to be completed. You must submit grade transcripts for the degree, even if it is not completed.

All documentation to be assessed must be in a Scandinavian language or English. If documentation of English language skills is missing at the time of application, it must be documented before commencement.

Assessment

Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to conduct an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the application documents and the announcement text. All applicants will receive a copy of the expert committee's assessment.

Applicants deemed to be the most qualified will be called for an interview. The interview will, among other things, clarify personal suitability and motivation for the position.

General information

Employment is carried out in accordance with the rules and conditions that apply to state employees at any given time, and guidelines at UiT. On our websites, you can find more information for applicants to positions at UiT.

The position as a PhD Fellow is paid according to the state regulations code 1017. From the salary, a 2% contribution will be deducted to Statens pensjonskasse. You will become a member of Statens pensjonskasse, which provides you with many benefits in addition to lifelong old-age pension and AFP: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you are insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you get good terms on home loans. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter employment period may be granted if the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training program, or when the employment is based on previous employment in an educational position, so that the total time for research training is three years.

Personal data provided is processed in accordance with the Act on the Processing of Personal Data. Applicants may request not to be listed on the public applicant list, but the university may nonetheless decide that the applicant's name shall be made public. The applicant will then be notified prior to publication.

About the employer:

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a broad university that contributes to knowledge-based development regionally, nationally, and internationally. We shall utilize our central location in the Arctic regions, our academic breadth and quality, and our interdisciplinary advantages to meet future challenges.

Credibility, academic freedom, proximity, creativity, and engagement shall characterize the relationship between employees, between employees and students, and between UiT and partners.

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) consists of the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, the Norwegian School of Fisheries and the School of Business. The Faculty's primary tasks are to conduct research, teaching, and dissemination at a high national and international level within its fields. Prioritized research areas are aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, climate, fish and animal adaptation to life in the Arctic, marine biotechnology/bioprospecting, aquaculture/fish health, marine food products, business and industrial economics, resource and environmental economics, market research, and resource management. The Faculty's interdisciplinary profile provides good opportunities to develop research projects where several academic groups collaborate.