Would you like to pursue a PhD in freshwater ecology within one of Norway’s leading research environments?

If so, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and this position could be just what you're looking for.

PhD position in freshwater ecology and environmental effects of hydropower

The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) is at the forefront when it comes to research on environmentally friendly renewable energy production. NINA is a research partner in FME RenewHydro (https://www.ntnu.edu/renewhydro)

As a part of our research in RenewHydro, NINA, in collaboration with Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU University Museum, Department of Natural History), is advertising a PhD position in freshwater ecology. The PhD candidate will work with freshwater ecology in hydropower reservoirs, aiming at producing new knowledge to better understand the effects of more flexible hydropower on the environment, and contribute to solutions that enable renewable energy production and healthy freshwater ecosystems.

The PhD candidate will be employed by NINA and will have the main supervisor and follow the PhD program at the Norwegian university of science and technology university (NTNU).

About the position
The PhD candidate will be a part of the research center RenewHydro, within the project “Sustainable upgrading and expansion of the hydropower system”. This is an interdisciplinary project that includes a total of nine PhD candidates from various scientific fields related to the hydropower sector, including turbine design, marked designs, social science and environmental research. At RenewHydro, researchers from diverse scientific disciplines collaborate with the hydropower industry and management authorities to ensure scientific results and knowledge of high societal relevance.

The PhD candidate will focus particularly on freshwater ecology and the environmental impacts of increased flexibility in hydropower production, as well as the development of environmental solutions that can contribute to improved ecological status in hydropower reservoirs. The candidate will have the opportunity to actively contribute to the development of the PhD project, within the thematic framework. However, the main focus will be on developing models that describe biodiversity and functional changes in ecosystems as a function of varying environmental conditions associated with hydropower operations.

Of particular interest is the investigation of how external stressors may drive changes in life-history traits, such as individual size, and how these, in turn, influence species diversity and functional responses within fish communities.

The candidate will work with existing datasets on ecology and environmental impacts, while also having the opportunity to conduct fieldwork. The position entails close collaboration with researchers possessing in-depth knowledge of the datasets and methodologies involved.

The position is advertised as a three-year position with the possibility of extension through involvement in other relevant projects at NINA

Required qualifications:

• MSc degree in ecology or similar discipline
• a strong academic record and a weighted average for the last two years of your master's degree equivalent to a B or higher in NTNU's grading scale. For more information about admission to a PhD-program at NTNU: Admission and financing - PhD - NTNU
• broad knowledge of freshwater ecology
• strong interest and good skills in statistical analyses using R.
• be comfortable with and capable of performing varied fieldwork
• good communication in English both written and verbal

Preferred qualifications:

• ability to communicate easily in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.
• ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary environment and interest in applied research
• experience in analyzing large datasets
• knowledge about Norwegian management practices and the hydropower industry

Personal qualifications:

You are an independent, structured person that takes initiative and has the ability to build trust in relationships with others. You can communicate knowledge and results. You are prepared for a varied and sometimes challenging work life.

We offer:

• a workplace in one of Europe's foremost environmental institutes
• salary as a PhD in NINA
• flexi-time scheme
• good pension scheme and group life insurance
• a pleasant working environment in modern premises of high standard

The application must include a CV with education, work experience and an overview of any publications, diplomas and certificates. A minimum of two references should also be included.

Applicable candidates will be called for an interview.

About NINA and NTNU

NINA (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research) is an independent research institute organized as a foundation (www.nina.no). We are the largest research institute in applied ecology in Norway, with over 350 employees. Our main office, the NINA House, is located in Trondheim, adjacent to the Gløshaugen campus. We also have offices in Oslo, Bergen, Lillehammer, and Tromsø, as well as a research station for salmonid fish at Ims in Rogaland. This position is based at NINA’s main office in Trondheim.

NINA’s research on renewable energy is interdisciplinary and aims to find good environmental solutions for the energy sector, management authorities and society. To be sustainable, renewable energy must be produced in a way that has a low impact on nature in addition to a low climate impact. Read more about NINA’s research on renewable energy here: https://www.nina.no/english/Sustainable-society/Renewable-energy.

The NTNU University Museum is the natural and cultural history museum in Trondheim. The Department of Natural History conducts research in systematics and taxonomy, evolutionary genomics, as well as in phylogeography, population genetics, and ecology with an emphasis on conservation biology.

For NINA, a good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or if you have been out of work for a long period. If necessary, the workplace will be adapted for people with disabilities.

The working language at NINA is Norwegian, and language training will be offered if needed.

Questions related to the position should be directed to researcher Charlotte Evangelista +47 925 17 131 or research director Tonje Aronsen +47 971 23 901.

Application deadline: 20 May 2025.

The position will start autumn 2025.