PhD Candidate in Biodiversity Value Assessment for Energy Transition

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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About the position

A three-year PhD position is available at the Gjærevoll Centre for Biodiversity Foresight Analyses at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The position is funded by NTNU Energy and also linked to the VISTA Centre for Norwegian Transformative Energy Policy Development (NOTRAP). The PhD project will explore the societally relevant intersection of biodiversity modelling, renewable energy and social-ecological systems.

We are seeking a motivated candidate with experience and interest in biodiversity science, spatial ecology, landscape ecology, land use, or other closely related topics.

The Gjærevoll Centre will be the candidate's primary workplace. Here, the candidate will be part of a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment and contribute to the NOTRAP centre. The candidate is also expected to contribute to NTNU Energy's activities upon request.

As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Director of the Gjærevoll Centre.

About the project

Holistic efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss are needed. A major research objective today is to inform a transition to renewable energy that protects areas of high biodiversity value, and the diverse and irreplaceable values nature holds for human society. This work is strengthened by a community-engaged research framework.

The Gjærevoll Centre brings together researchers from the natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, informatics, environmental engineering, economics and the social sciences to understand how biodiversity is affected by human use of land and water. By combining ecological field studies, biodiversity modelling and foresight analyses with perspectives on societal values and governance, the centre aims to produce knowledge and tools that can inform policies and actions to halt biodiversity loss.

The NOTRAP centre contributes to this aim with a focus on the nexus of energy transition and democracy, establishing Energy Policy Incubators for the co-construction of transformative energy policies. Within the PhD project, it is expected that the candidate will link assessment of biodiversity impacts of energy transition pathways with perceived importance of natural habitats by local populations. The position is funded under NTNU Energy's Focus Area 1, The Renewable Revolution. NTNU Energy is NTNU's strategic research area on energy and aims to strengthen energy research that contributes to securing climate-friendly, nature-friendly and fair energy.

The PhD project will investigate synergies between biodiversity value and societal value in areas with contested land or water use related to the energy transition. As an integrative project, it may combine approaches such as ecological fieldwork, biodiversity modelling, participatory and citizen-based mapping of biodiversity and societal values, and social-ecological systems analysis. The candidate will work with the NOTRAP centre to identify and develop links to its activities, including the Energy Policy Incubators.

The main supervisor will be Researcher Irja Ida Ratikainen (Gjærevoll Centre, NTNU). The candidate will have an interdisciplinary supervision team with co-supervisors from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences.

Duties of the position

Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorateConduct high-quality research within the framework described aboveProduce a high-quality PhD thesis, comprising manuscripts suitable for publication in international peer-reviewed journalsDisseminate research results to academic and non-academic audiencesParticipate actively in relevant research groups at the Gjærevoll Centre and the NOTRAP centreContribute to NTNU Energy's activities Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign institutions

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme. In particular, your previous education must be equivalent to a five-year Norwegian degree programme. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master's thesis. This corresponds to an undergraduate Bachelor degree and typically a 2-year Master's degree.You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.Documented quantitative and computational skills in general, and preferably within spatial data analysis and biodiversity modellingYou must have a Master's degree in ecology or a closely related scientific field. Good oral and written communication and presentation skills in English.

Applicants who are about to complete their Master's degree may apply, but the degree must be completed and documented before the start of employment.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

A solid understanding of biodiversity, spatial ecology, and/or nature conservation and managementExperience from nature management, conservation practice, or participatory and community-engaged researchExperience from interdisciplinary researchGood oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

Work independently and in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve themCollaborate well and contribute actively to an interdisciplinary research environmentCommunicate well, and present and discuss your research with other professionals and with stakeholdersLearn new methods and approaches, and adjust the plan for the project as neededShow curiosity and a strong motivation for the research

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

An exciting job with an important mission in societyDeveloping tasks in a strong and international professional environmentCareer guidance and follow-up during the PhD periodOpen and inclusive working environment with committed colleaguesWorking capital that can be used to implement the projectMentor programme as a new employee at NTNUFavorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biology within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (idetailed below) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The cover letter and CV must be in English or Norwegian/a Scandinavian language.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

A cover letter (maximum 1 page) explaining your motivation for applying, how your background meets the selection criteria, and which research questions or approaches within the scope of the position you would be interested in developingCurriculum Vitae (CV) Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degreesYour Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position. Any publications other relevant research workNames and contact information of three relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Researcher Irja Ida Ratikainen, email: [email protected]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Gerd Flataas, email: [email protected]

Application deadline: 13.11.2026

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

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