PhD Research Fellow in Behavioral Ecology

About the position

The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for a 100% position as PhD Research Fellow in Behavioral Ecology from 01.08.24.

The position is located at the Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, and the immediate superior is the Head of the Department. The main work place is in Bø, in the Municipality of Midt-Telemark, Telemark County, Norway.

The appointment is for a period of three years without teaching requirement. Depending on the Department's needs and the applicant's competence, a four-year appointment duration with a 25 % teaching requirement can be considered. There is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD-program in Ecology within three months of accession in the position.

About the PhD-project

This project will be carried out within the framework of the Norwegian Beaver Research Project (NBRP), and the research groups ECOHUB and the AquaHit group. The NBRP is one of the largest and longest-going beaver research projects in the world. More than 500 Eurasian beavers have been captured since 1997, and about 100 individuals in 25 families are followed annually. The project has a large international team of MSc and PhD students, and researchers who publish their results in international refereed scientific journals.

The primary advisors will be Prof. Frank Rosell from University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), and co-supervisors will be Dr. Jennifer Elaine Smith, University of Wisconsin, and Dr. Hanna Kavli Lodberg-Holm and Dr. Norith Eckbo, USN.

The general goal of the proposed PhD project is to improve our knowledge about how different factors affect the stress ecology of the Eurasian beaver in response to climate and changing environments. The successful candidate will live-capture beavers, collect hair samples of beavers, analyze data, and write scientific papers.

The PhD project is proposed to consist of the following research questions:

1. Use physiological indicators of stress physiology to explain individual differences based on sex, age-category, and identity across time in Eurasian beavers.

2. Use physiological indicators of stress physiology to explain variation in dominance status, body condition, and exposure to flooding in female Eurasian beavers.

3. Assess the extent to which anthropogenic activities and landscape features associated with a beaver’s territory explain increased stress physiology and reduced longevity.

Publication of research results in international peer-reviewed journals is expected.

Qualifications

Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) equivalent higher education qualifications in ecology/environmental sciences. The degree must be accomplished before application deadline.

If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. You must apply for the recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for being hired. Please apply here.

• It is beneficial if the applicant has a prior knowledge in beaver ecology and/or stress ecology, and/or how animals respond to climate and changing environments.
• It is also beneficial if the applicant has experience with boat driving and field work under challenging conditions.
• The applicant must have a driver’s license.
• The applicant should have strong analytical skills with experience using statistical software such as R.
• The applicant must be fluent in English orally and in writing and be experienced in academic writing and publishing scientific papers.
• The candidate must have the ability to work independently and at the same time have the motivation to share knowledge and take part in teamwork.

Personal suitability for the post will be emphasised.

It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Ecology within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Program, the candidate must have a grade B (weighted average) or higher in his/her Master’s degree or equivalent higher education.

Co-operation between staff members is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realize common objectives.

We offer

• A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills.
• A good social environment.
• Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan.
• Opportunity for physical activities within working hours.
• Excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and a lively student community on campus.

Salary

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 532 200 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position. In special cases, employment in code 1378 (NOK 532 200 – 667 700 a year) may be considered.

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

Other information

The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.

The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.

According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.

The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.

Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:
Professor Frank Rosell, email: frank.rosell@usn.no, phone: +47 35 95 27 62.

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
Head of Department Live Semb Vestgarden, email: live.s.vestgarden@usn.no, Phone +47 35 95 27 97.

How to apply

The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).

The following documents shall be attached to the online application:

• Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)
• Other relevant certificates (e.g. driving certificate (B, BE), boat certificate, software skills)
• A letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
• Any scientific publications and a list of these
• Three references (contact information)

Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.

The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline

The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.