About the position

A 100 % PhD position in applied ecology is available at the University of Inland Norway (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The position will run for 3 years, planned start in August 2026. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, workplace at Campus Blæstad. Shorter research stays at fieldsites at Evenstad and with international partners near Umeå, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland is also planned.

About the project

Climate-driven fluctuations in populations of small mammals (rodents and shrews) and different forms of agricultural practices can increase human exposure to rodent-borne microbes. The project combines environmental monitoring and modelling of small mammals with molecular detection of zoonotic microbes by using established methods (e.g., serology, PCR and metabarcoding) and through development of new methods. The analyses will be conducted on rodent biobank materials as well as new samples. 

The PhD candidate will combine long‑term field monitoring and modelling of small mammals with targeted pathogen detection.
The work includes 
(i) participating in and analysing data from ongoing monitoring of rodents and shrews across seasons, altitudes and latitudes, including winter sampling below snow
(ii) analysing an existing and expanding rodent/shrew biobank (tissues and blood) using serology and targeted PCR to quantify zoonotic microbe exposure and infection patterns
(iii) contributing to development and validation of new environmental surveillance methods using PCR, metabarcoding and metagenomics. 
The project will integrate ecological, climatic and molecular data in statistical models and result in peer‑reviewed publications and dissemination to stakeholders.

The research is closely linked to the project RoBoZoo financed by the Norwegian Research Council. RoBoZoo is an interdisciplinary project that investigates the interactions between small mammals and humans to understand how they are influenced by climate change and agricultural practices, and how this affects the risk of rodent-borne zoonoses. We will also investigate potential links between zoonotic exposure and long-term fatigue in humans. The project combines ecology, molecular methods, surveys, blood samples, and agricultural data to develop tools that support safer and more resilient food production in a changing climate.

The candidate’s main supervisor will be Associate Professor Magne Neby (INN). Co-supervisors will be Professor Morten Tryland (INN), Professor Frauke Ecke (Uni. of Helsinki Finland, SLU Sweden), and Researcher Kayla Buhler (INN, Cornell Uni.).

Qualifications

It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University's PhD programme in Applied ecology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant 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 biology, ecology, epidemiology, veterinary medicine, virology, environmental sciences or similar subjects.

Furthermore, 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. Calculation of the average grade is based on the credits for each course and for the master's thesis. Applicants with weaker grades than what is normally required for admission must document that they will be able to complete a doctoral degree. In cases where the education has been approved with the use of the grades passed / failed, the applicant is admitted after an individual assessment. If you have education from abroad, you can contact NOKUT for approval of your education, alternatively, a similar assessment will be made in connection with the application process.

 

Required qualifications• Has collaborative skills and, at the same time, being capable of working independently.
• Experience with sample collection in the field.
• Proficiency in statistical data analysis using programming languages such as R. 
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral 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).

Desired experience and skills: • Experience with sampling live and dead wild animals
• First-hand experience with serology, PCR, bioinformatics and/or DNA metabarcoding analysis.
• Experience in a related subject matter including but not limited to infection biology, parasitology, livestock, wildlife ecology, wildlife biology, and anthropogenic impacts on wildlife populations.
• Experience with sample collection in the lab or laboratory diagnostics (e.g., necropsy, fecal collection, microscopy, morphological identification of parasites, ELISA).
• A commitment to conducting high-quality research with rigor and transparency and eagerness to disseminate science to fellow scientists and the wider public. Any record of peer-reviewed scientific publications or other writing experiences will be positive.
• Results-oriented and a strong motivation for successfully carrying out a PhD within the given time frame of three years, maintaining high scientific integrity and ethical standards. 

 

Candidates applying for this position will be assessed holistically, considering their educational qualifications, professional experience, and personal aptitude, as well as their motivation and fulfilment of other prerequisites as outlined in the job post. The evaluation process ensures that we select the most suitable candidate who aligns with our project's requirements and objectives.

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

The application and attachments must be submitted electronically and include the following:
• A cover letter summarising the candidate’s motivation and how they meet the position requirements.
• CV detailing your relevant educational background and experience (registered in Jobbnorge's form). 
• Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts/grades (a certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian.)
• List of publications, if relevant. Please note your level of contribution.
• The names and contact information for two references. 

Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.

We offer
• Good career opportunities in an ambitious and highly international environment.
• A good academic environment with networks at multiple institutions (INN Norway, SLU Sweden and Finland).
• A challenging and exciting project with opportunities for personal and scientific development.
• An independent and flexible work setting that the successful candidate may to a large extent influence her/himself. Daily contact with inspiring, skilled colleagues.
• A campus setting surrounded by fields, forests and mountains with opportunities for outdoor recreation.
• The position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale. A pay grade of 54 (NOK 479 400,- p.a).
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with, among other things, good pension and insurance schemes. All residents in Norway are automatically included in the Norwegian public health system.

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0FVnszhpJYGeneral information

INN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here: https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling.

We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.