At the Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, a 3-year PhD position is vacant. The PhD student will work in a stimulating research environment, and there are opportunities for a stay abroad at INRAE in France.

The position is a part of the project ‘Production of high quality goat milk through increased use of Norwegian feed resources and improved feed utilization’ funded by the Research Council of Norway (project no. 234342). The project is carried out in close collaboration with leading research environments on goats in France (INRAE), the Norwegian dairy industry (TINE) and the feed industry (Fiskå Mølle AS and Norgesfôr AS).

Norwegian goat milk production has an important role in Norwegian agriculture by producing high quality milk and milk products based on the utilization of local feed resources. Grazing goats are also important for the care of rural landscapes.

The main objective is to generate new knowledge to strengthen goat industry’s ability to deliver products with high nutritional quality based on Norwegian feed resources in efficient and sustainable production systems. Increased use of Norwegian grain in concentrates for dairy goats is an important measure to achieve these goals. However, a high proportion of rapidly degradable starch in the feed has a major impact on rumen microbiota and fermentation. This can cause milk fat depression and rumen acidosis with increased concentrations of endotoxins in the rumen, blood and milk. The effects of rumen acidosis are well documented in cows, but little studied in goats. The project will provide important data for the revision of feeding standards and the development of new feeding strategies for high-yielding dairy goats.

An application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD program at the faculty. Documentation necessary to prove that the admission requirements are met, must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

  • Improve scientific skills by relevant PhD courses.
  • Carry out laboratory analyzes related to rumen fermentation and endotoxins.
  • Data collection, processing of data and statistical analyzes.
  • Write and publish scientific articles in reputable international journals in collaboration with the supervisor group.
  • Participate in meetings with the Norwegian goat industry and at international conferences.

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.

Competence

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year MSc degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

  • MSc in animal science or cand.med.vet degree.
  • Skilled in academic writing, both in English and in Scandinavian languages.

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

  • Skilled in processing data and ability to develop statistical competence.
  • Great interest in ruminant nutritional physiology.
  • Knowledge in Norwegian dairy production.
  • Experience with experimental work in agriculture and livestock.
  • Basic experience in laboratory work.

You need to:

  • Be motivated for career and competence development.
  • Be curious and highly motivated for research.
  • Be accurate and patient when performing experimental work.
  • Have good communicative skills, both written and oral.
  • Have good collaboration skills and ability to work in teams.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 491.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact Dr. Margrete Eknæs (project leader), phone: +47 67 23 26 70, e-mail: margrete.eknas@nmbu.no.

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: 22.08.2022

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

  • Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
  • Complete CV 
  • Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, 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.
  • Names and contact details for two references
  • Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)
  • Confirmation that information and documentation submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

About The Faculty of Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to help shape the future food- and bio-production through teaching and research within biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has an annual turnover of approx. 250 million kroner. The faculty is organized into nine research sections: Genome Biology, Breeding and

Quantitative Genetics, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Environment, Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Agroecology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Protection and Food Crops, Plant Biology and Biotechnology. The faculty has seven large and small research centers and laboratories, including a Center for Outstanding Innovation  – Foods of Norway. The faculty is responsible for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aquaculture, Biology, Animal Science and Plant science as well as English-language master’s degrees in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology and Genome Sciences.

The faculty is responsible for PhD degrees in animal science and plant science. The faculty currently has about 690 bachelor and master students and 90 PhD students. The faculty has about 240 employees and its own faculty administration.

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.

NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.

We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.


 

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