Norges Miljø- Og Biovitenskapelige Universitet (nmbu)

Erik Aschehoug

Associate Professor

<h2>About the position</h2>Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position related to pollination services within apple orchards, with a focus on landscape ecology.We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated PhD candidate to join our research team on a project titled “The effect of landscape scale habitat and floral resource availability on pollination services and apple yield”. This research aims to explore how the habitat surrounding orchards, orchard structure, and manipulation of floral resources can enhance pollination services and increase apple orchard productivity. Pollination is a critical ecosystem service for apple orchards, influencing fruit set, yield, and overall orchard health. This project will investigate how landscape heterogeneity and landscape structures, such as flower strips and other vegetation features, can support pollinator populations and improve pollination efficiency.  The successful candidate will work on field-based experiments, data collection, and analysis, focusing on understanding the interaction between floral resources, pollinator activity, and apple yield outcomes. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing pollination services in apple orchards. The candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team, with opportunities to collaborate with both academic researchers and industry professionals.The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment. <h2>Main tasks</h2><ul><li>Conduct field research in apple orchards to assess pollinator diversity and the pollination services they provide.</li><li>Investigate the effect of landscape features and floral resources on pollinator populations.</li><li>Analyze the effects of pollinator communities on apple yield and fruit quality.</li><li>Collaborate with other researchers, orchard managers, and stakeholders to implement and evaluate landscape interventions.</li><li>Communicate research findings through publications, conferences, and outreach activities.</li></ul>The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.  <h2>Competence</h2>The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the <a href="https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/regulations-and-guidelines-doctoral-degrees-nmbu" rel="nofollow">PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description</a>.  The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.Required Academic qualifications<ul><li>Masters degree in a relavent scientific field, such as biology, ecology, or natural resource management</li><li>Experience conducting field work</li><li>Basic statistical competence</li></ul>The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:<ul><li>Familiarity with pollination ecology, including the role of pollinators in agricultural systems.</li><li>Experience with experimental design and field research, particularly in agricultural or ecological settings.</li><li>Experience with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) or spatial analysis for landscape-level studies.</li><li>Experience with scientific writing in English</li></ul>You need to be able to:<ul><li>Work independently to accomplish tasks on time</li><li>Work in poor weather conditions for an extended period</li><li>Have a high level of motivation and a strong interest in learning new skills</li><li>Have a valid driver’s license</li></ul> <h2>Remuneration and further information</h2>The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow. PhD Fellows will normally have a starting salary of NOK 550 800. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars. For further information, please contact Erik Aschehoug, Associate Professor. E-mail: erik.trond.aschehoug&#64;nmbu.no<a href="https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/applying" rel="nofollow">Information for PhD applicants</a> and <a href="https://www.nmbu.no/om/adm/poa/rekruttering/viktig-informasjon-for-s-kere/information-for-jobseekers-at-nmbu" rel="nofollow">Information to applicants</a> <h2>Application</h2>To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the &#39;Apply for this job&#39; button above. This will route you to the University&#39;s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.Application deadline: 15.09.2025Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge&#39;s CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates. The following documents must be attached to the application:<ul><li>Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)</li><li>Complete CV </li><li>Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.</li><li>Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.</li><li>Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with <a href="https://lovdata.no/dokument/SFE/forskrift/2020-01-30-1471" rel="nofollow">NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3)</a>. </li><li>Names and contact details for two references</li><li>Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.</li></ul> <h2>About The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management</h2>The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) works with nature and the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, biological and geological processes.MINA’s employees undertake teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, hydrology and limnology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy, and nature-based tourism.Our vision is to be a key actor in knowledge production and dissemination, and our goal is to deliver research of high, international quality, and varied and excellent teaching. The faculty’s employees are significant participants within their respective fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally. The faculty is dominated by a vital research culture and high levels of scientific production.The faculty has about 200 employees, 90 PhD students and 650 students.<a href="https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/mina" rel="nofollow">Read more about MINA here</a>.

PhD scholarship within basic and applied ecology