Researcher/Senior Researcher in National Soil Carbon Monitoring

NIBIO is establishing a programme for national soil carbon monitoring in the National Forest Inventory. The programme will cover forests and pastures (infields) throughout the country through systematic sampling in a selection of the National Forest Inventory plots.

For this position, we are looking for a person with good expertise in soil carbon, and a great commitment to soil and climate. You will enter the programme while it is still in a start-up phase and take part in the design of a national programme for monitoring soil carbon. 

The position is affiliated with the Department of Forest and Climate, but you will also cooperate closely with the National Forest Inventory. You will be able to work in a committed research environment at the forefront of research on carbon dynamics in forests, greenhouse gas accounting and climate commitments, as well as systematic mapping and monitoring of forest and land resources.

The position is located in Ås, 30 km south of Oslo

You will lead the programme for national soil carbon monitoring and have overall responsibility for all steps from planning data collection to disseminating results. You will lead a core group affiliated with the monitoring programme, consisting of you, a chief engineer/researcher and several field workers. The programme is currently being established, and the allocation of tasks will be adapted to the group's overall expertise.

• Management of the programme for national soil carbon monitoring
• Development of scientific methodology for soil sampling in forests and pastures for soil carbon
• Development of research projects based on data from the programme
• Scientific publication
• Establishment and maintenance of internal and external networks

• PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant natural science discipline
• Experience with fieldwork
• Experience with tools for efficient data management and analysis
• Project manager experience
• Experience with scientific publishing
• Class B driving licence
• A strong command of oral and written English
• Applicants without Norwegian as mother tongue must commit to learning written and spoken Norwegian within two years after starting the position

• Experience from soil sampling, preferably involving soil carbon
• Experience with international soil classification (WRB or equivalent)
• Knowledge of the IPCC's guidelines for the LULUCF sector
• Knowledge of Norwegian and boreal forests
• Master relevant statistics software (preferably R) at a high level
• Command of a Scandinavian language

• Good collaborative qualities and ability to make contacts with other institutions and persons
• Systematic, accurate and results-orientedAbility to work independently
• Flexible and take initiative, have an interest in the field and want to learn more
• Ability to contribute to a good working environment and to create a productive environment among colleagues

The position is remunerated according to the Norwegian State Salary Scale as Researcher code 1109 or Senior Researcher code 1183, salary grade 62 - 82 (NOK 563 900 - 873 400 per. year), commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which includes a good occupational pension scheme, occupational injury and group life insurance, and low-interest home loans.

Contact Head of Research/Head of Department Forest and Climate Gunnhild Søgaard, tel. +47 917 27 960 or see website nibio.no

Please send your application with CV electronically via the link on this page .

Take diplomas and letters of recommendation with you if invited to an interview, or submit them as an attachment along with the electronic application/CV.

We would like to point out that information about applicants may be subject to public disclosure, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Offentlighetsloven), Section 25. An applicant can request to be exempted from inclusion on a public list of applicants. If the request for confidentiality is denied, the applicant will be notified thereof.

About diversity and inclusion - for applicants living in Norway:

In accordance with the Norwegian Civil Service equal opportunities policy, qualified candidates are encouraged to apply - regardless of age, gender, functional disabilities, gaps in CV or national or ethnic background. As a government agency, we have the opportunity to provide positive special treatment for applicants who have a disability, gaps in their CV or immigrant background. Positive special treatment means, among other things, that you will more easily come to the interview. Read more about this here  (in norwegian).

NIBIO’s activities lie within agriculture, food, climate and the environment. The Institute conducts research and management support, and provides knowledge for use in national preparedness, governmental and district management, industry, and the society at large. NIBIO has approximately 700 employees present in all parts of the country. Its main office is located at Ås in Viken. NIBIO is owned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Department of Forest and Climate  is part of NIBIO's Division of Forest and Forest Resources . The departement conducts research on the role of forests in the climate system and the effect of climate changes on forests.

The department is working together with the Norwegian Environment Agency on the Norwegian national greenhouse gas inventory under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, where we are responsible for the greenhouse gas inventory for the land use sector (LULUCF; Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry). Including responsibility for developing and improving methods and models for calculating emissions and uptake of greenhouse gases from forests and other land use.