Do you want to contribute to the development of knowledge, insight and solutions that are relevant to conserve the world’s biodiversity today and in the future?
We are looking for a PhD research fellow in Tropical Forest Ecology and Conservation.
About the position
Are you interested in how seasonally dry tropical forests are impacted by climate change and habitat destruction, and want to engage in research with skilled colleagues who share your interests? Maybe you can become our new colleague at the Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences. The position is available from fall 2026 for a three year time period, with the latest starting date in September 2026.
This is an educational position that is primarily intended to give promising researchers the opportunity to develop academically and professionally through organised research training.
It is a condition that the person who accepts the position applies for and is granted admission to the faculty’s doctoral programme in Ecology within three months of starting in the position.
The doctoral programme includes relevant courses corresponding to approximately six months of study, a thesis based on independent research, active participation in national and international research environments, relevant research dissemination, a trial lecture and public defence of the thesis. Read more about organised research training at USN on our website.
The PhD research fellowship is for a fixed term of three years with organised research training.
Your immediate superior will be the Head of the Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Jørn Henrik Sønstebø and your principal supervisor will be Associate Professor Dr. Stefanie Reinhardt. You will be affiliated with the department’s research group EcoHub. During working time in Norway, it is a prerequisite that you live close by so that you can be present at, and available to, the academic environment at your workplace during ordinary working hours. The place of work will be at campus Bø, Midt-Telemark municipality. Additionally, you will have to spend two times approximately three months in Guatemala to conduct field work in seasonally dry tropical forests.
About the PhD-project
The person appointed will be affiliated with the research project “Tree growth in vulnerable tropical forests – impact of climate change and habitat destruction”, which is an international collaboration between researchers at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), the University of the Valley of Guatemala (UVG) and the University of São Paulo (USP). The project is supervised by Assoc. Prof. Stefanie Reinhardt (USN) together with Prof. Daniel Ariano (UVG), Assistant Prof. Giuliano Maselli Locosselli (USP), Assoc. Prof. Lærke Søndergaard Stewart (USN), and Assoc. Prof. Roland Pape (USN).
The research project focuses on tree growth in seasonally dry tropical forests and mangrove forests in Central America. These ecosystems host exceptionally high levels of biodiversity. At the same time, they undergo severe land use changes and are particularly impacted by climate change.
The project will study the impact of climate change and other human activities on tree growth by a dendroecological approach where core samples of trees are taken and then analyzed regarding age and variation in growth in response to a changing climate and human land use. By linking tree-ring data with ecological and environmental variables, the project will provide new insights into how climate change and land-use changes impact vulnerable forests in Central America.
The projects methodological approach consists of a combination of
- extensive field work in seasonally dry tropical forests and mangrove forests in Guatemala which involves, among others, identification of vascular plant species, and taking tree-core growth increment samples,
- lab work related to preparing and analyzing the growth increment samples,
- GIS-work to derive important environmental parameters, and
- statistical data analyses (like, e.g., bootstrapped correlation and response functions, regression frameworks, multivariate statistics using R)
Qualifications
Requirements for the position:
- Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent qualifications in ecology or related areas when starting the PhD position.
- You have a solid methodological foundation in ecological data collection and analysis, such as field‑based sampling, quantitative ecological analyses, or handling of ecological datasets.
- This position requires good English language skills. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests:
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
- IELTS – International English Language Testing Service
- Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
- PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic
- Advanced written and oral proficiency in Spanish (C1 level or higher).
- Applicants must hold a valid driver’s license, as basis to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) before starting the PhD position, or hold a driver’s license valid in Guatemala.
- Meet the formal requirements for admission to USN’s doctoral programmes and the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences’ doctoral programme in Ecology no later than three months after starting in the position. For admission to the programme, the weighted average grade of B or higher is usually required.
Relevant strengthening qualifications:
- Experience with relevant field work in tropical forests (preferably in Guatemala) and lab analyses, as well as familiarity with statistics (preferably R) and GIS tools (preferably QGIS).
- Identification skills of vascular plants in seasonally dry tropical forests of Central America.
- General familiarity with Guatemalan culture and nature is also a preferred qualification.
Personal qualities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, as the position involves extensive fieldwork in rural communities in Guatemala.
- The candidate must be highly motivated and able to work effectively both independently and, in a collegiate manner, within a team, under challenging field conditions.
- An ideal candidate should show curiosity and strong (self-)motivation for the subject area, be analytical, structured, independent, approachable, and possess good collaborative skills.
- The willingness to cooperate with other PhD-, MSc students and researchers involved in this international project is essential.
- Personal suitability for the position will be emphasized.
What we offer
- Organised research training in a large undertaking with an important social mission
- Careers advice and guidance throughout the entire doctoral programme. Together we will draw up a career plan that includes the skills and knowledge you will acquire.
- An inclusive and supportive working environment with ambitious colleagues.
- Salary in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale for PhD research fellows (position code 1017) NOK 550,800. Any further increases in pay grade will be based on length of service in the position.
- Deductions will be made from your salary to make statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund on your behalf.
- Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, ensuring favourable pension, insurance and loan schemes.
- The opportunity to take Norwegian language courses.
- Excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and a lively student community on campus.
- UVG, as the local academic contact, will provide support with scientific research, collection and sample exportation permits, through their institutional biodiversity permits.
General information
The Appointment Committee for Fellowship Positions (TUS) is the appointing authority for this position. Your competence for the position will be assessed by an expert committee. The expert committee will assess your competence for the position based on the documentation you have registered in Jobbnorge.
Based on the expert committee’s assessment, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates.
Employment at USN is carried out in accordance with the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Service Act, and the legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further consideration.
The University’s Guidelines for recruitment positions at the University of South-Eastern Norway provide a more detailed description of the criteria for appointment as a PhD research fellow.
As an employee of USN, you must always adapt to changes in the field and all organisational changes that are adopted.
How to apply
If you think this position looks interesting and matches your qualifications, you can apply electronically by clicking on “Apply for the position” on this page. Here you will need to enter a short application text and information about your relevant education and work experience. In the application text, you must clearly describe your skills and motivation for the position.
The application must include:
- Certified diplomas for your bachelor’s and master’s (or equivalent) degrees (120 ECTS). The diplomas must be in a Scandinavian language or English
- An explanation of the grading system for foreign education (diploma supplement if available)
- Your master’s (or equivalent degree) thesis. If your master’s thesis was a collaborative project, you must submit a short statement detailing your involvement
- Other relevant certificates and diplomas
- A 1–2-page motivation letter
- Documentation of your English language skills (may be provided later if unavailable), see English requirement for programmes and subjects taught in English at USN
- List of any scholarly publications
- Contact information for three references
The application will be assessed based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the expiry of the application deadline. Make sure your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the competence requirements described in the job advertisement.
When assessing who is best qualified for the position, we attach weight to education, experience and personal qualities.
All documentation must be provided in English. If the attachments exceed 30 MB in total, they must be compressed before uploading.
Please note that information about you as an applicant may be disclosed publicly even if you have requested not to be included on the public list of applicants (cf. Section 25 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act). You will be notified if your request for exemption from public disclosure is denied.
We only consider applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge. On request, you must be able to provide certified copies of your documentation.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact:
Head of Department, Jørn Henrik Sønstebø, jorn.h.sonstebo@usn.no, +4792609482
Associate Professor, Stefanie Reinhardt, Stefanie.Reinhardt@usn.no
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
Advisor Tonje Holt Vøllestad, tonje.h.vollestad@usn.no
About us
The University of Southeastern Norway (USN) ranks as the country's fourth largest higher education institution. We are a vibrant community of approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 employees.
Additional information about the Faculty and Department can be found on our website.
Video:
https://vimeo.com/898549899/60305e2540