PhD scholarship within environmental performance of circular wood chains, Norway

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), has a vacant 3-year PhD position related to environmental impacts of circular wood chains.

The urgent need for climate change mitigation makes it apparent that efficient and sustainable resource use must be addressed. Shortages of reneable resources are already restricting sustainable development. More efficient use of resources is important in both economic and environmental terms. Cascading is an important part of the circular economy, where resources are retained in the economy for as long as possible.

The present PhD project focuses on the transition to a circular economy, with cases applied to the forest sector and how better utilization of reclaimed wood may influences timber and wood products markets and have positive environmental impacts. Dependent on the competence and interest of the applicant, the PhD may use different methodological tools such as economic equilibrium modelling of forest and energy markets and/or environmental analysis using life cycle assessments (LCA) on sector level.

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.

Main tasks

• Gaining insights in theories and methods for assessing how the transition to a circular economy may affect the forest sector value chain and the energy system
• Assess and model the green transition of the Nordic forest and energy sector towards 2050 and analyze the environmental and economic performance of circular wood chains
• Writing scientific papers.
• Collaborating with researchers and actors in the energy sector.

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 Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are at master’s degree level. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies 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.

Required Academic qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field, such as forest sciences, environmental studies, or economics
• Documented competence in operational analysis and ability to perform quantitative model analyses

Experience and skill in the following areas will be emphasized:

• Forestry or forest industries
• Environmental assessments or life cycle asessments
• Experience in forest sector or energy markets modelling
• Programming skills in GAMS or similar programming languages

You need to:

• Be strongly motivated and committed
• Be creative and have the ability to work independent and structured
• Have analytical capacity
• Have the ability to work independently as well as in a team

Knowledge of the Scandinavian language is beneficial.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow, pay scale 20 (salary step. 54-62). PhD Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 492.200, -) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

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

For further information, please contact professor Erik Trømborg (erik.tromborg@nmbu.no).

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants

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: 24.03.2022

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Complete CV
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, 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
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)

About The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) works with nature and the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, biological and geological processes.

MINA’s employees undertake teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, hydrology and limnology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy, and nature-based tourism.

Our vision is to be a key actor in knowledge production and dissemination, and our goal is to deliver research of high, international quality, and varied and excellent teaching. The faculty’s employees are significant participants within their respective fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally. The faculty is dominated by a vital research culture and high levels of scientific production.

The faculty has about 200 employees, 90 PhD students and 650 students.

Read more about MINA here.

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,800 employees of which about 250 phd scholarships and 6,000 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.

We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.