ABOUT THE POSITION
The position is part of RoBoZoo, a research project funded by the Research Council of Norway and led by the University of Inland Norway (INN). RoBoZoo takes a One Health approach to understand how food production systems, rodent ecology and climate-related environmental change interact to influence exposure to rodent-borne zoonotic microbes, and how this may relate to long-term fatigue and health outcomes among farmers. RoBoZoo combines nationwide data on small-mammal communities, pathogen occurrence, farm characteristics and environmental conditions with epidemiological surveys, serology and collaboration with farmers, agricultural advisers and health professionals. Follow the links to read more about RoBoZoo (https://www.inn.no/english/research/research-projects/robozoo/) and the University of Inland Norway (https://www.inn.no/english/about-inn/).The PhD candidate will take a central role in RoBoZoo’s research on exposure and preventive practices in food production. The main empirical responsibility will be a large-scale questionnaire study among farmers and a general-population comparison group. In collaboration with researchers, farmers, agricultural organisations and project partners, the candidate will take lead in the implementation and analysis of the questionnaires.

The questionnaires will cover farm conditions, pest-control activities, perceived exposure risk, background variables, selected health outcomes such as chronic fatigue, and more. This will allow the project to examine how knowledge, perceived risk and preventive practices correspond with self-reported exposure, farm-level risk factors and measured indicators of previous zoonotic exposure.

The candidate will lead the development and testing of a food-production-specific Risk Exposure Index. This index will be used to identify factors associated with zoonotic exposure in different food-production systems and to support prevention and risk communication.

Beyond analysis, the PhD candidate will play an active role in translating research findings into practice. Building on the empirical results, the candidate will contribute to the development of mitigation strategies and stakeholder-oriented guidance aimed at reducing zoonotic risk and supporting safer working environments for farmers. The candidate will contribute to stakeholder workshops, scientific publications and communication of results to relevant audiences in agriculture, health and public administration.

PhD enrolment:The PhD candidate will be employed by the department of Microbiology, Innlandet Hospital Trust (IHT), Lillehammer and enrolled at the program PhD in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, University of Inland Norway (INN). The candidate will be supervised by Professor Magne Neby, INN, Associate Professor Cecilie Dyngeland, INN, Professor John Linnell, INN and PhD Karoline Berger, IHT.

Workplace: The main workplace will be at Campus Blæstad (INN). Periods of presence at Innlandet Hospital Trust and project-related travel are expected.

Planned fellowship period: 01 January 2027 -- 31 December 2029.

ABOUT INNLANDET HOSPITAL TRUST (Sykehuset Innlandet HF)

Innlandet Hospital Trust has an active research environment and currently have approximately 70 PhD candidates in progress, approximately 20 postdoctoral fellows,10 research groups, and two research centres. Research and innovation are key prerequisites for the quality and development of healthcare services and are statutory responsibilities within specialist healthcare services. Active professional and research environments foster critical thinking and improve patient care by integrating research findings. Research at Innlandet Hospital Trust shall be of high quality. We emphasize research topics relevant to the hospital and that benefit patients through improved diagnostics, treatment, care, habilitation, and rehabilitation.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:
• Applicants must hold a completed master´s degree at the time of employment, with a grade of B or equivalent.
• It is a requirement that the PhD candidate qualifies for admission to the University's PhD program in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.
• To be admitted to the doctoral program, the candidate must normally have a minimum master's degree or master's level (120 credits, §3 master's in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education, within social sciences, public health, epidemiology, biology, ecology, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, environmental sciences, or related disciplines.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English competence through an approved test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). See exceptions to English language test requirements here: https://www.inn.no/english/research/doctoral-degree/organization-and-regulations-for-the-phd-programme/supplementary-provisions-for-admission-phd.html.

DESIRABLE:
• Experience working across disciplines (e.g., One Health, eco-epidemiology, public health,

zoonoses, agriculture/environment).
• Experience with survey/questionnaire methods in research, e.g. development, implementation and/or analysing survey data.

Norwegian/Scandinavian language skills are an advantage (for interaction with farmers and stakeholders, and dissemination activities).
• Documented competence in quantitative statistical methods and analysis, including experience with multivariate statistics.
• Proficiency with the statistical program R.
• Relevant experience from, or good contextual understanding of both health, and northern agricultural and/or ecological systems.

PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Strong motivation to carry out high-quality research and complete a PhD within the project period.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and deliver results on time.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; comfortable working with interdisciplinary partners.
• Structured, reliable and committed to research integrity and high ethical standards.
• Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience, and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement.
• Personal qualities and suitability for the role will be given considerable weight.
• WE OFFER
• An exciting and challenging PhD position in a high-impact, interdisciplinary One Health project with strong societalrelevance for farmer health and climate-resilient food production.
• An ambitious and highly international environment.
• Collaboration with a broad national and international network of researchers, healthcare professionals and societal partners.
• Salary in accordance with applicable collective agreements and comprehensive public-sector pension and insurance schemes.
• Professional development opportunities in an ambitious research environment.
• Employment on the terms set out in the applicable laws, collective agreements, and regulations in force at any time
• Company sports association: SI Aktiv: https://www.siaktiv.no/.

HOW TO APPLY
The application must be submitted electronically via the portal specified in the official job announcement.

The application should include:
• Cover letter describing motivation and suitability for the position.
• CV detailing your relevant educational background and experience
• Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (a certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian).
• List of publications (if applicable).
• Do not upload full-text publications, reports, theses, or similar text unless specifically asked to.
• Names and contact information for two references

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE NOTE
After the application deadline, a public list of applicants will be prepared. Applicants may request exemption from the public list in accordance with Section 25 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova §25). The employer will assess whether the criteria for exemption are met. Please note that an application may be made public even if exemption has been requested. In such cases, the applicant will be notified.