PhD position in applied ecology - Welfare and behaviours of horses kept in three different systems

About the position

A 100 % PhD position in applied ecology is available at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The position is financed by INN and will run for 3 years, starting in August 2026. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in applied ecology and biotechnology, with workplace at Campus Blæstad.

About the project

This position is allocated to the ongoing project “Welfare and Behaviours of Young Competition Horses in Different Summer Management Systems”, funded by The Horse Research Foundation (Stiftelsen Hästforskning).

The focus will be on yearling stallions of the Norwegian Swedish Coldblooded trotter, a common breed managed in different systems. Over two summer grazing seasons, at least 10 horses from three different systems—mountain pastures, lowland pastures, and stabled horses with access to paddocks or small grazing areas—will be monitored. The aim is to compare time budgets for welfare-related behaviours such as grazing, resting, and social interactions. Horses will also be assessed for stress levels and body development to study the relationship between these factors and behaviour.

The PhD student will use data from GPS collars and triaxial accelerometers, combined with video analysis and machine learning, to quantify different types of horse behaviour. Stress evaluation will be performed by analysing biomarkers, specifically cortisol concentrations in faecal samples collected at multiple points during the grazing season. In addition, weight and body condition will be monitored throughout the season using measuring tapes and Body Condition Scores (BCS), and these measurements will be integrated into the overall analyses.

The goal of this study is to provide horse owners with knowledge about horse development and welfare under different environmental conditions, enabling informed choices based on animal welfare criteria.

The candidate’s main supervisor will be Associate professor Morten Tofastrud. Co-supervisors will be Associate professor Mari Reiten and the Professors Barbara Zimmermann and Morten Tryland (all at INN).

Qualifications

It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University's PhD programme in Applied ecology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered. Applicants who have submitted their master's thesis for evaluation before the deadline are eligible to apply, but final documentation must be obtained before employment is offered.

To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must normally have a minimum master's degree or master's level (120 credits, §3 master's in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education, within agricultural sciences, biology, ecology, veterinarian sciences, or other relevant subject areas. 

Furthermore, you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, i.e., the average grade should normally be B or better from the master's program (120 credits) or equivalent education. Calculation of the average grade is based on the credits for each course and for the master's thesis. Applicants with weaker grades than what is normally required for admission must document that they will be able to complete a doctoral degree. In cases where the education has been approved with the use of the grades passed / failed, the applicant is admitted after an individual assessment. If you have education from abroad, you can contact NOKUT for approval of your education, alternatively, a similar assessment will be made in connection with the application process.

Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the following attributes:

The position will require previous experience from handling and statistical analysis of large datasets and spatial data. Excellent data programming skills in the R software are required. 

We expect the candidate to be passionate about doing research, and to be willing to develop the skills to communicate this passion with other scientists and the public. A further preference will be given to candidates with good teamwork characteristics and communication skills, and documented peer-reviewed scientific publications or other writing experience.

Language proficiency

Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English competence through an approved test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience, and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement. In addition, the following will be emphasized: quality of the project description, documented independent research and development work or experience relevant to the project. 

How to apply

Your application must include:

• Application letter including a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• CV detailing your relevant educational background and experience (registered in Jobbnorge's form).
• Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (A certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian.)
• A list of publications.
• The names and contact information for two referees.
• Any other documentation you would like us to consider.

Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.

If you are awaiting final master's documentation, please submit your thesis and transcript.

We offer

• An exciting and challenging position at a developing institution. 
• A place in an ambitious and highly international environment. 
• A challenging and exciting project with opportunities for personal and scientific development. 
• An independent and flexible work setting that the successful candidate may largely influence her/himself. Daily contact with inspiring skilled colleagues. 
• A campus setting surrounded by agricultural landscapes with neighbouring forests and mountains with opportunities for outdoor recreation. 
• Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale (A paygrade of LT 54). 
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension and insurance schemes.

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.

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General information

For further details about the position, please contact Morten Tofastrud email: morten.tofastrud@inn.no.

INN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here: https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling.

We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.