About the position

The Faculty of Science and Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3 year PhD or Postdoc –position related to Sustainable Zero Pollution Solutions for the Arctic (ArcSolution Project). 

Desired start date: 01.06.2025

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability, circular economy, and solving real-world challenges in the Arctic? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge solutions that protect both human and ecosystem health in a rapidly changing world?

We invite applications for a PhD/Postdoc position as part of the Horizon Europe project:
"Arctic Pollution in a One Health Perspective – from Complex Challenges to Sustainable Solutions (ArcSolution)" 

About the ArcSolution Project

The Arctic is undergoing dramatic transformations due to climate change and pollution from diverse sources — affecting people, wildlife, and ecosystems. ArcSolution takes a One Health approach, recognizing the deep interconnections between environmental, animal, and human health. This ambitious, interdisciplinary project brings together environmental sciences, health studies, technical innovation, and social sciences to tackle Arctic pollution holistically.

With case studies across Northern Norway, Northern Finland, Greenland, and Svalbard, the project reflects the diversity of Arctic communities, lifestyles, and environmental pressures.

The EU project includes 14 partner institutions from 8 different countries.

As a PhD Fellow, you will join the Resource Recovery Research Group at NMBU’s Faculty of Science and Technology. Your work will focus on developing sustainable Zero Pollution technological solutions tailored for Arctic conditions and local realities.

The appointed candidate will be affiliated with the University’s organized research training. The academic work for PhD position is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the University, with the aim of obtaining the degree of PhD.

The successful candidate is expected to join the existing research milieu or network and contribute to its development. Read more about the doctoral degree.

Main tasks

The candidate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary and international team and contribute to the advancement of sustainable technologies in waste/wastewater management in the arctic. The candidate is anticipated to undertake:

• Review of the scientific literature and state-of-the-art on (decentralized) treatment technologies for sludge and wastewater 
• Designing, conducting and analyzing lab and pilot scale experiments
• Advanced statistical analysis and other data sciences techniques for the handling of the collected data
• Perform high-quality scientific research and publish at least 3 publications in internationally scientifically indexed journals
• Be a cooperative member of the project team and collaborate with other project partners and local stakeholders
• Contribute to supervision of Bachelor and Master level student projects in collaboration with other associated research groups at NMBU
• Present scientific results in internal research group meetings, project meetings and national/international conferences

The specific tasks of the position will be:

• Literature review on the existing data on state-of-the-art (decentralized) treatment technologies for sludge and wastewater 
• Hands-on laboratory and on-site work on state-of-the-art (decentralized) treatment technologies for sludge and wastewater (a.o. Pyrolysis and Hydrothermal Carbonization, Decentralized Anaerobic Digestion, Decentralized Electrochemical Treatment, Filtration)
• Using LCA as tool for evaluating and comparing the environmental impact of developed technological solutions.

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. 
The main purpose of the post-doctoral position is to qualify for work in high-level scientific positions. A PhD degree is then required.

Competence

Required qualifications

• A Master's /PhD degree or equivalent in Environmental Engineering, Chemical engineering, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry or related fields. Foreign degrees must correspond with the admission criteria for the PhD program. Candidates submitting MSc thesis within 30 June 2025 may be considered.
• Hands-on experience in various wastewater treatment technologies and analysis of wastewaters
• Proficiency in both written and oral English in correspondence with the admission criteria for the PhD program.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame
• The applicant's ability to complete research training
• Special knowledge about/ interest in local arctic communities/ culture

The ideal candidate should have a solid academic background in environmental engineering, and specifically in wastewater treatment technologies, by having worked on related MSc/PhD projects or via undergraduate/graduate courses. Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.

Personal qualities:

• Excellent communication skills (English required, Sami highly advantageous)
• Good social and collaborative skills
• Ability to work independently and motivated to work in an interdisciplinary team
• High motivation and team player skills
• Individuals with a strong drive to develop innovative and transformative technologies that benefit society are especially encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to travel to project partners and local stakeholders

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

Remuneration and further information

We offer:

• Government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow NOK 536 200 per annum. 
• Government pay scale position code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow NOK 604 900 per annum. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.
• For particularly well-qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered.

Formal regulations

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU)

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NMBU.

Contact information

For further information, please contact Dr. Pelin Kocatürk Schumacher, Associate Professor 

E-mail: pelin.kocaturk.schumacher@nmbu.no (do not use this e-mail for application, it is only for questions)

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: 30.04.2025

Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

By applying the candidate confirms that information and documentation submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process to the PhD program.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The application must include:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
• Summary of MSc thesis (maximum 2 pages)
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, 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 in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) develops research-based knowledge and educates civil engineers and lecturers needed to reach the UN's sustainability goals. We have approximately 150 employees, 70 PhD students and soon 1500 students. The education and research at REALTEK cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.

This includes data science, mechanics and process engineering, robotics, construction and architecture, industrial economics, environmental physics and renewable energy, geomatics, water and environmental engineering, applied mathematics as well as secondary school teacher education in natural sciences and use of natural resources such as in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. The workplace is in Ås, 30 km from Oslo.

What is it really like to work at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) at NMBU?

 – Guided tour of the Faculty of Science and Technology on Vimeo