PhD in seabird ecology in a changing Arctic

Are you interested in a PhD in seabird ecology at one of Norway’s leading research institutes?
If so, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and this position could be for you.

PhD in seabird ecology in a changing Arctic:
We invite applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD position at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) in Tromsø, in collaboration with PhD-awarding university UiT- The Arctic University of Norway (UiT).The position is affiliated with the national research program Arctic Ocean 2050. The program brings together 18 Norwegian research institutions in a major interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at strengthening Norway’s knowledge base and strategic capacity in a rapidly changing Arctic Ocean. Its goals are to improve our understanding of the present-day Arctic Ocean and how it may change towards 2050, and develop the knowledge needed for future management, sustainable use, and a safe and secure region. The ten-year program (2026–2035) combines basic research, applied science, and innovation – offering unique opportunities for professional development and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Arctic Ocean 2050 focuses on processes within the central Arctic Ocean, its interactions with the surrounding seas, and how these dynamics connect to broader climatic and political systems. As part of Arctic Ocean 2050, you will join an ambitious research environment with high societal relevance and the opportunity to contribute to new knowledge on some of the world’s most remote and important ocean regions. The PhD project will focus on seabird communities as well as seabird trophic and spatial ecology in the Arctic Ocean, and will be linked to the SEATRACK program. Interactions between seabirds and sea-ice associated habitats, both current and future (based on climatic projections) will be studied, as well as on the effects of the potential increase in human activities (ship traffic). This project will improve our understanding of the importance of the Arctic Ocean for seabirds, as well as potential feedbacks, and their vulnerability to the direct and indirect effects of environmental changes.

Project and related tasks:
The successful candidate will join NINA’s Department for Coastal and Arctic Research in Tromsø, an interdisciplinary and international environment working on topics linked to terrestrial, coastal, and marine Arctic ecosystems. The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with other institutions and projects through Polhavet 2050 - Arctic Ocean 2050 and SEATRACK. Both NINA and UiT are part of the Fram Centre, which will provide additional opportunities for networking across disciplines. This PhD position provides an exciting opportunity to develop expertise in trophic ecology, remote sensing, species distribution modelling, and future projections thereof. The position might include fieldwork (ship based - pending additional funding), and some lab work, and will rely strongly on statistical modelling. The work will rely on a combination of existing datasets (e.g. seabird distribution, environmental data) and data collected in situ during the duration of the project.

The PhD project will revolve around four main topics:
• Circumpolar distribution of seabird colonies and foraging areas around the Arctic Ocean
• Importance of sea-ice habitats to seabirds, in particular with regards to the marginal ice zone (MIZ) and polynyas
• Seabird prey and trophic interactions in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent regions
• Arctic seabird communities and biodiversity: spatiotemporal patterns of seabird biodiversity hotspots in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent regions

The PhD project has a length of three years, with the possibility of extension in case of involvement in other relevant projects at NINA.

Start date: 1 September 2026

Eligibility Criteria:
• master's degree or equivalent in ecology or closely related subjects
• strong academic background with a grade of B or better in a weighted average during the last 2 years of the master's program. See more about requirements for admission to the PhD program at UiT here: admission requirements
• broad knowledge in marine ecology and oceanography
• solid knowledge and interest in further development in statistics and modelling using R statistical software
• minimum B2 level in English (oral & written)
• As a PhD candidate, you are required to participate in an approved doctoral training programme leading to a PhD degree within a period of three years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme is two months after commencing the position. Admission to the PhD the University requires that you meet the formal eligibility criteria.

In addition, it is an advantage to have demonstrated experience with:
• spatial analysis and GIS software
• additional programming languages (e.g. Python)
• one or several of the following topics: seabird ecology, arctic ecology, trophic interactions
• communication in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language
• extended fieldwork on research cruises
• analysis of large spatial data sets
• laboratory work linked to trophic ecology (stable isotopes, fatty acids)

Personal qualities:
You are independent, structured, engaged and build trust in relationships with others. You enjoy collaborating with others and communicating your results. You are prepared for a varied and sometimes challenging working day as a research fellow.

NINA offers:
• a workplace in one of Europe's foremost environmental institutes
• a salary as a research fellow
• flexible working hours scheme
• good pension scheme and group life insurance
• a supportive and inclusive working environment in one of the northernmost cities in the world

For NINA, a good working environment is characterised by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or if you have been outside working life for a period. If necessary, the workplace will be adapted for people with disabilities. The working language in NINA is Norwegian and language training is facilitated when needed.

The application letter must include:
• a brief statement outlining your research interests and your motivation for applying for the position,
• a CV with information about education, relevant work experience, and an overview of all publications, diplomas and certificates. Contact information for at least two references should also be included. Relevant applicants will be invited for an online interview.

About NINA and UiT:
NINA is an independent research institute organised as a foundation (www.nina.no). We are the largest research institute in applied ecology in Norway with over 350 employees. The head office with the NINA building is in Trondheim. We have offices in Oslo, Bergen, Lillehammer and Tromsø. This position will be based at NINA Tromsø, Fram Centre.

UiT - The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus research university and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) consists of 3 departments: Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB), Norwegian College of Fishery Science and School of Business and Economics. The PhD will be registered as a student in the PhD programme of BFE at AMB.

Questions related to the position should be directed to Senior Researcher Arnaud Tarroux + 47 456 90 959 or Research Director Kjetil Sagerup +47 480 69 976

The application deadline is 25 March 2026