PhD Position in Forest Sciences

About the position A 100 % PhD position in forest sciences is available at University of Inland Norway (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The academic focus is production forestry, with emphasis on forest management, carbon storage, and forest production under climate change. The PhD position lasts four years and starts in the late fall of 2026 or early in 2027. Twenty-five percent of the time period is allocated to teaching in the forestry at the department. The final doctoral education plan must be approved and agreed upon within three months after the start of the position. The successful candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, with a specialisation in Forestry. The PhD program helps address local and global problems concerning the environment, food production and sustainability. The aim is to generate new knowledge of the sustainable management of biological resources. Read more about the PhD program here . The workplace is at Campus Evenstad. The successful candidate will be part of the Evenstad Forest Research Group. We emphasise presence on campus and an interest and ability for group work to reach individual and common goals. We welcome candidates who share our ambition to contribute to forest research that enhances ecological, social and economic benefits of forests, forestry and forest industries, at the regional, national and international levels. To achieve that aim, our research group is founded on close cooperation within academia and with external actors, stressing the importance of realism and relevance in research, education and outreach. About the project Forests cover 40% of Norway’s mainland and provide multiple important services such as raw materials for industry, habitats for species, recreational areas, and carbon sequestration and storage. Climate change, societal expectations, and market trends are changing the frames for forest management in Norway. Enhancing forests’ climate resilience is becoming a priority to reduce risks of lower growth and higher tree mortality. Improving conditions for biodiversity may have impacts such as changes in forest management, reduced timber availability, and higher operational or administrative costs. This PhD project aims to generate new knowledge to improve forests' ecological, social and economic outcomes. Relevant to this aim, improving the understanding of how changes in natural and societal conditions affect forest management, and how shifts in management can improve timber production, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation and resilience. The project lies in the intersection of multiple disciplines, such as forest management, economics, engineering and ecology. The project is funded by INN as an independent project and its objectives are therefore flexible and will be tailored to the successful candidate’s scientific profile and interests. Examples of possible project foci include collection of vegetation data in the field, model development, remote sensing analyses, analyses of timber production, economic and policy data and documents, development of forestry cost functions, or surveys of forest owners. The project can be adapted to fit other ongoing projects in the research group for cooperation and mutual benefit. See https://www.inn.no/english/research/our-research/forest-research/ for examples of projects. The candidate’s main supervisor will be Prof. Hanne K. Sjølie. Co-supervisor will be Ass. Prof. Endre H. Hansen. Depending on the project details, other supervisors may be included. Qualifications It is a requirement that the candidate qualifies for admission to the University's PhD programme in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered. To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must normally have a master's degree or master's level (120 ECTS), or equivalent education, within forestry, or other relevant subject areas. You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, i.e. the average grade should normally be B or better from the master's program (120 credits) or equivalent education. If you have education from abroad, you can contact HK-dir for approval of your education, alternatively an assessment will be made in connection with the application process. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the following attributes: - A strong forestry background. - Solid theoretical foundation, interest in the research field and motivation for research. - Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with colleagues. - A structured approach to work and ability to take initiative. It is beneficial if you also have: - Knowledge of how forests are managed in the Nordic countries. - Suitability and interest in teaching. - Fluency in a Scandinavian language. - A collaborative approach. During the evaluation process, candidates may be asked to present ideas about the PhD project’s scope and research questions. Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience and personal suitability, including motivation and other requirements, as defined in the advertisement. The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at University of Inland Norway. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship. How to apply Your application must include: - Application letter including a brief account of your research interests and motivation for the position. - CV detailing your relevant educational backgr