PhD Research Fellow in Terrestrial Ecology

University of Agder; Kristiansand; On-site; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Inclusive environment

Welfare offers

Job summary

The University of Agder invites applications for a PhD Research Fellow in Terrestrial Ecology. The project investigates how pests and crop-protection pressures drive evolution in real landscapes, with ties to Brazil and international collaboration.

The successful candidate will join a growing UiA research community, conduct field sampling and data analysis, and contribute to robust inference on ecological and evolutionary change within human-modified systems.

Qualifications

• Completed Master’s degree in a relevant field; final-stage candidates may apply.
• Strong academic background relevant to the project.
• Experience analysing biological data using R or similar.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field sampling and lab experiments to study genetic variation.
• Apply statistical modelling to quantify evolutionary responses.
• Collaborate across international partners and publish results.

Skills

R

Independent work

Collaborative

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in evolutionary biology or related field

Tools

R

Job description

PhD Research Fellow in Terrestrial Ecology

University of Agder

Gimlemoen 25, 4630 Kristiansand S

Stillingstittel PhD Research Fellow in Terrestrial Ecology

The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.

Responsibilities

The position is in evolutionary ecology and centres on a fundamental question: how do natural populations respond when humans impose strong and sustained new selection pressures? Evolution depends on the genetic variation already present in populations, yet strong selection can rapidly reshape that variation. Understanding what variation persists, how populations evolve, and why responses differ among populations is important both for explaining diversity in nature and for predicting the evolutionary consequences of human intervention.

The PhD project will exploit a globally unique opportunity to observe this process unfolding across real agricultural landscapes in the context of crop protection. In parts of Brazil, living biological control agents have been deployed against agricultural pests for decades, creating landscapes in which pest populations have experienced contrasting histories of sustained selection. By combining field sampling with laboratory experiments and statistical modelling to quantify genetic variation in complex traits, the candidate will test whether these contrasting histories have driven the evolution of resistance or other life‑history shifts in crop pests, and what determines the magnitude of these responses. The project therefore connects fundamental questions about genetic variation and adaptation with an urgent applied challenge: predicting the evolutionary sustainability of biological control. Extended research stays in Brazil will be central to the project, including close collaboration with academic and industry partners, alongside opportunities for research visits and collaboration in Scotland and elsewhere within a wider international network.

The candidate will join a growing collaborative research environment at UiA focused on robust inference about ecological and evolutionary change in human‑influenced systems. Researchers work with complex data from diverse marine and terrestrial study systems to examine how historical conditions, environmental change, human interventions, and observation processes affect ecological and evolutionary dynamics and the conclusions drawn from them. The collaboration brings together complementary expertise in observational, experimental, molecular, and quantitative approaches to ecological and evolutionary research.

Required qualifications

• A completed Master's degree in evolutionary biology, ecology, entomology, agricultural biology, or a closely related field. Candidates in the final stages of completing their Master's degree may also apply.
• A strong academic background relevant to the project.
• Experience analysing biological data using R or a comparable programming environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English. English will be the primary language for supervision and day-to-day research activities.

Strong candidates will typically bring several of the qualifications below, although we recognise that relevant experience may take different forms and do not expect applicants to meet every criterion.

• Experience in relevant areas, such as evolutionary ecology, statistical quantitative genetics, experimental evolution, host–enemy interactions, entomology, plant–insect interactions, plant defence, or biological control
• Experience undertaking laboratory research on insects or other organisms
• Experience with advanced statistical modelling, particularly Bayesian and/or hierarchical models
• A track record of scientific writing, demonstrated through theses, manuscripts, reports, publications, or other research outputs.
• Knowledge of Portuguese, or to a lesser extent Spanish, will be an advantage for fieldwork and collaboration during extended research stays in Brazil.
• Knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage for participation in the wider academic and social environment at UiA.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and organise research effectively.
• Strong collaborative skills and willingness to contribute to a supportive research environment.
• Motivation and preparedness for extended international research stays, particularly in Brazil, and for working across different academic, cultural, and linguistic environments.
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for combining empirical biology with quantitative approaches.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

• professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
• a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
• modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 550 800gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology .

Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

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