PhD position: Sharing and combining expert and citizen science data for improved ecological inference: an interdisciplinary approach

26 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Department

Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology

Research Field

Environmental science » Ecology
Environmental science » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

14 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

A 100% position as a PhD candidate in applied ecology is available at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The position will run for 3 years, starting in early 2024. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, with workplace at Campus Evenstad.

The PhD project is a part of a Biodiversa+ funded project (“BIG_PICTURE: Developing data management and analytical tools to integrate and advance professional and citizen science camera-trapping initiatives across Europe”) involving 17 partners from 10 countries. Its overall goal is to promote the sharing and enhanced use of camera-trapping data from across Europe to improve the monitoring of wildlife. To reach these goals the wider project will develop e-infrastructure in the form of interoperable databases and Artificial Intelligence algorithms for image processing as well as evaluate the most appropriate analysis approaches for data collected under different sampling regimes and to address different questions.

Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Science and Biotechnology , PhD in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science » Ecology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must have a master's degree or master's level based on a 5-year cumulative period of study (including the Bachelor’s degree) or equivalent education, within Environmental Science, Zoology, Ecology, Geography, Biostatistics or other relevant subject areas.

Furthermore, you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, ie. the average grade should 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.

The position will require a willingness to adopt an interdisciplinary approach. This will require good quantitative skills and the use of basic social science methods such as interviews and questionnaires, as well as an understanding of wildlife ecology, behavior and management. It will be essential for the candidate to participate in at least some fieldwork associated with camera trapping in boreal forest settings in both winter and summer. Campus Evenstad is in an isolated rural setting, so the candidate should ideally have a strong interest in outdoor recreation and nature-based activities and be willing to live in a very isolated rural setting. We expect the candidate to be able to work within a team of fellow PhD and postdoctoral scholars from multiple institutions and with multiple supervisors that are working on related and supporting topics, as well as take part in the professional and social life at Campus Evenstad. There will also be a need for the candidate to interact with stakeholders and citizen scientists.

There is a requirement that the candidate has: 

• Documented experience with the quantitative analysis of ecological, or sociological, data.
• Experience with the statistical software R (or equivalent).
• A driving license for car
• Good teamwork characteristics and communication skills

A preference will be given to candidates with: 

• Documented experience or familiarity with the analysis of spatial data using tools such as occupancy modelling, species distribution or habitat modeling, or structured equation modelling.
• Experience of working with interdisciplinary projects, social science approaches and / or with databases.
• Documented scientific publications or other writing experience.
• Previous fieldwork experience and / or good outdoor skills (including winter experience).
• A familiarity with hunters, hunting, foresters or forestry.
• Good language skills (including knowledge of multiple European languages).

Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the following attributes:

• Professional and personal prerequisites for completing the doctoral degree program within the employment period.
• The ability to work independently and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• The ability to work in a structured manner and having a large work capacity.
• Solid theoretical insight and interest.

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).

Specific Requirements

The project needs to start in early 2024 – so availability to start during late winter / early spring will also be given a priority.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Environmental science » Ecology

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

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.

The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Campus Evenstad, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Department of Forest and Wildlife Management

Country

Norway

State/Province

Inland county

City

Koppang

Postal Code

2480

Street

Anne Evenstads Vei 80

Where to apply

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/258322/phd-candidate-in-applied-…

Contact

State/Province

Inland County

City

ELVERUM

Website

https://www.inn.no/om-hoegskolen/ledige-stillinger
https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/258322/phd-candidate-in-applied-ecology

Street

Postboks 400

Postal Code

2418

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

Phone

+4762430847

STATUS: EXPIRED