PhD Research Fellowship in Plant Ecology: Norway

September 25, 2008

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PhD Research Fellowship in Plant Ecology at the project: «The effect of grazing on tree-line dynamics along a taiga-tundra ecotone» (VM 2008/13442)

A PhD position in the field of plant ecology is open at the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Section of Natural History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) from 2009-01-01.
The fellowship is financed by the Norwegian Research Council (Program «Environment2015») as part of the research-project: «Long-term ecological effects of sheep grazing in alpine ecosystems and its integration with management». The fellowship is up to three years.

The PhD-project focuses on grazing effects on the dynamics of vascular plants with a special focus on birch along an altitudinal gradient ranging from the subalpine to the low-alpine region. The study will be conducted within a well established study-design in Southern-Norway (cf. http://folk.uio.no/atlemy/sauindeks.htm for a more detailed description). This is an ecosystem-oriented study, and the PhD-student will be cooperating with scientists in zoology, livestock ecology, and soil & plant sciences. The PhD-project will also be in cooperation with Macaulay Institute, UK. A stay at Macaulay in Aberdeen is planned for during the study.

The fellowship is part of the doctoral programme at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, NTNU, but the PhD-student will work within the group of Conservation Biology at the Section of Natural History in close cooperation with scientists at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology. The Section of Natural History employs 18 scientists in permanent positions, 12 technicians /administrative personnel and ca. 5 fellowships. The Norwegian Biodiversity Centre is also located at the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, NTNU.

Applicants should have the minimum qualification of internationally recognized master’s degree in ecology or related fields. The applicant must have fulfilled the master degree with good results. To fulfil the requirements to be a PhD student, the candidate must have a grade of B (ECTS) or better, or the applicant must document equivalent competence through publications. Ability to goal-oriented work, ability to deliver, oral and written presentation of research results, and good co-operation abilities will be emphasized. Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.html

The application must contain information on education, exams and previous practice. Publications and other scientific works which the applicant wishes to be taken into consideration must also be attached to the application. Multi-authored publications will be considered but, in cases where the impact of the applicant on the publication is not evident, a brief description of the role of the applicant in the work should be enclosed.

The appointment will be in accordance to prevailing national directives as PhD fellow at universities with supplementary directives for NTNU. The applicant commit to participate in the organized doctoral study within the employment period, and the employment presupposes that the applicant is qualified for uptake to the PhD program at the Faculty. A contract concerning the employment period of the fellow will be made.

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations in force governing State Employees and Civil Servants. There is a six-month trial period.

NTNU seeks to achieve a gender balance among its employees and encourages women to apply. The national workforce must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent. It is therefore a major political objective of the Norwegian Government to achieve balance of age and gender and recruit staff with an immigrant background. Immigrants are encouraged to apply for this post.
The annual salary of the PhD position is NOK 353 200 per year (code 1017, level 45 in the Norwegian State salary scale). There is 2 % compulsory deduction for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

For more information about the position contact Researcher Gunnar Austrheim, phone number + 47 73 59 60 31, e-mail: Gunnar.Austrheim@vm.ntnu.no

More information about the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Section of Natural History, is given at: http://www.ntnu.no/museum/nathist

Provide one original and three copies (for a total of four sets) of the following application materials: letter of application, curriculum vitae and attested copies of certificates and references. Other publications must be submitted in 3 copies. Applications should be sent to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.

Applications (letter of application, curriculum vitae and attested copies of certificates and references) can also be sent electronically through this page (see Apply for this position).

Other publications should then be marked with the reference number and sent in 3 copies to Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.

Please quote reference VM 2008/13442 in all correspondence.

Application deadline: 31 October 2008

Scholarship Tags: Ecology, Fellowship, Norway, PhD, Plant, research