Join an innovative PhD project tackling one of dairy farming’s most debated welfare challenges. 

About the position

The Department of Animal and aquacultural sciences, Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has two vacant 3-year PhD-positions related to cow-calf contact in dairy production.

The project “Connections - Impact of bonding time on welfare and productivity of cow and calf", funded by the Norwegian Research Council, aims to advance knowledge on how cow-calf contact (CCC) systems can be implemented in practice, both in Norway and internationally. The project will provide groundbreaking insights into CCC systems by exploring innovative approaches that enhance animal welfare while supporting health and productivity. The overall ambition is to generate new knowledge that can contribute to transforming dairy farming practices on small and large farms worldwide and promote more sustainable and ethical dairy production with cow-calf contact.

Two PhD positions are available within the project; each connected to a different thematic direction. 

One position will focus on health-related aspects and is suited for applicants who are motivated to explore themes broadly related to animal health and productivity within cow-calf contact systems. The other position focuses on ethological aspects and is suited for applicants with interests connected to animal behavior and welfare in cow-calf systems.

Please indicate in your application which of the positions you would prefer.

The project includes an animal trial at the Livestock Production Research Centre, NMBU. The successful candidates will also be expected to participate in research stays, courses, and conferences abroad as part of their training.

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.

Main tasks

• Plan and conduct animal trials, with associated analyses 
• Process research data and publish findings as scientific publications and a PhD thesis.
• Complete mandatory courses for the PhD programme.
• Present and discuss research at internal seminars, workshops, and international conferences

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. 

Competence

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 or a cand.med.vet. (veterinary) 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 PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description (https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/regulations-and-guidelines-doctoral-degrees-nmbu).

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

• A completed master's degree that meets the admission requirements. Relevant academic backgrounds include animal or veterinary science or other closely related disciplines, such as biology or ethology.
• Written and oral proficiency in English

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Documented experience of working with farm animals, preferably in farm animal trials
• Comprehensive understanding of modern dairy production
• Documented experience with data handling and statistical methods
• Documented experience with animal behavior analyses or laboratory analyses
• Certification to conduct animal experiments on cows

You need to:

• Be able to work independently and systematically
• Have critical thinking skills
• Be motivated to obtain a PhD and to work in this particular research field
• Be structured, solution-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Willingness to conduct national and/or international research stays
• Have good communicational and interpersonal skills

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow, and is remunerated with a starting annual salary of NOK 550,800.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact Dr. Sabine Ferneborg, associate professor.

E-mail: sabine.ferneborg@nmbu.no, phone +47 67232896

Information for PhD applicants (https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/applying) and general information to applicants (https://www.nmbu.no/om/adm/poa/rekruttering/viktig-informasjon-for-s-kere/information-for-jobseekers-at-nmbu)

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University'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: 22.03.2026

Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge'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:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Project proposal (2 pages) describing your initial ideas for addressing the research questions, including theoretical perspectives, methodology, and a tentative progress plan. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• Complete CV 
• 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.
• 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.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3) (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SFE/forskrift/2020-01-30-1471). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• 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.

About The Faculty of Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million. 

BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.

BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor's and master's programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master's programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor's and master's students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.

NMBU will contribute to securing the future of life through outstanding research, education, communication and innovation. We have the country's most satisfied university students, who receive research-based education in a unique student environment. Our graduates gain a high level of competence in interdisciplinary collaboration and are popular in the labor market.

NMBU has internationally leading research environments in several subjects. Together with our partners in society and business, we contribute to solving some of the biggest societal challenges of our time. We focus on innovation, communication and entrepreneurship because we believe these challenges are best solved with joint efforts. We believe that a good working environment is characterized by diversity.If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no/en