PhD Research Fellow in global change ecology

UiB – Knowledge that shapes society

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

PhD Research Fellow in global change ecology

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in global change ecology at the Department of Biological Sciences (BIO) and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research at the University of Bergen. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years, with the possibility of a 4th year contingent upon additional work (e.g., teaching duties in the Department). The position is affiliated with the Centre for Mountains in Transition (CMT), a new interdisciplinary research centre based at the University of Bergen, funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation (TMF) and the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks:

CMT is dedicated to understanding and addressing the impacts of climate and environmental change in mountain regions. With a primary focus on the Scandinavian mountains, CMT brings together climate science, ecology, hydrology, geoscience, and social sciences to explore how mountain systems are changing—and how we can build resilience for the future. Mountains are sensitive to global change. Increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, shifting precipitation and snow patterns, changing biodiversity, and increasing human pressures are transforming these landscapes. CMT aims to generate cutting-edge knowledge and practical solutions to safeguard mountain ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Through four interconnected research themes—Trends, Seasonality, Extremes, and Resilience—CMT investigates long-term environmental changes, seasonal dynamics, extreme events, and strategies for sustainable mountain management. The centre collaborates closely with stakeholders, including national parks, local communities, and industry partners, ensuring that research is relevant, actionable, and impactful. The University of Bergen hosts CMT in collaboration with NORCE, NMBU, and other national and international partners.

This PhD project will investigate the patterns, drivers, and consequences of vegetation change in mountainous regions. The overall objectives are to (i) improve process understanding of variation and context-dependencies in biodiversity change, (ii) assess and compare the impacts of multiple global change drivers, and (iii) explore consequences of biodiversity and vegetation changes for ecosystem functioning. The research will leverage existing and initiate new field experiments and observational data on mountain biodiversity and ecosystems. Specific research questions for this PhD may relate to how landscape or climatic contexts, at scales ranging from local to global, shape vegetation, biodiversity, or ecosystem dynamics in mountainous regions. There will be opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations with other PhDs within CMT along a regional-scale bioclimatic gradient in Western Norway. This regional system enables the exploration of the evolving patterns of mountain ecosystems in response to climate and land-use change, and how these changes affect traditional cultural landscapes and ecosystem service provisioning in the region.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary supervisory team that draws on expertise from the University of Bergen’s Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Earth Science. The project also benefits from close collaboration with national public agencies, such as the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre (Arsdatabanken), and international networks and collaborations, including the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) and other relevant groups, which provide a rich and supportive research environment with access to high-quality data and applied resources knowledge.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in Ecology, biology, or a similar field.  Master’s students can apply, provided they complete their final master’s exam before 01.01.2026. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded. 
• A relevant background, for example, in plant ecology, global change ecology, or biodiversity science, is a requirement 
• Applicants must possess strong skills in the management and analysis of ecological or biodiversity data using R. 
• Experience (for example, a master’s project or internship) working with plant, vegetation, or alpine ecology is a requirement.
• Fieldwork experience and knowledge of plant identification and mapping are advantages.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. 

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized, particularly during the interview. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position
The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD Research Fellow position:

About the PhD Research Fellow

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the Head of department upon appointment. If a 4th year is granted, one year of career-promoting work associated with teaching, dissemination or research infrastructure/services, will be distributed over the full employment period and thus corresponding to 25 per cent of the time each year. 

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g., research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen. 

We can offer:

• A good and professionally stimulating working environment 
• Salary as a PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 568 700. Further salary increases are made according to the length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• A cover letter outlining your research interests and motivation for applying for the position (1 page max).
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the primary advisor for the master’s thesis or its equivalent. 
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master’s degree. Your master’s degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma before starting in the position.
• relevant certificates/references
• approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
• a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Professor Vigdis Vandvik, the Department of Biological Sciences,  vigdis.vandvik@uib.no / +47 55583332

For HR related questions, please contact Magnus Larsen,  magnus.larsen@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. 

Further information about the employment process can be found here.    

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

About UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Science and Technology. Read more about the faculty and departments.