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PhD in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology

A PhD programme where you get the opportunity to contribute, through your own research work, to strengthening the scientific knowledge base in the field of sustainable production, use and management of biological resources.

Campus
Evenstad and Hamar
Duration
3 years
Structure
Full time
Credits
180
Teaching language
EN
Startup
August
Researchers and students dressed for the outdoors are out in the forest and spot a moose. The moose lies on the ground with several people around it. Someone is standing next to it and writing notes. They are in an open area and the forest is visible in the background, a little snow on the ground but green fir trees.

About the Programme

The PhD programme in applied ecology and biotechnology is transdisciplinary, aiming to develop and increase knowledge on sustainable production, use and management of biological resources. Biological resources in this sense includes forestry, livestock, crops and other cultivated plants, cultural landscapes, wildlife, fish, microorganisms and other biological products and services within agricultural-, forestry- wildlife- and aquatic systems.

The PhD programme has two specializations; one in applied ecology and one in biotechnology. The specialisation in applied ecology focuses on the harvesting and monitoring of biological resources based on an ecological understanding, whereas the specialisation in biotechnology focuses on the development of biological resources and related services based on understanding of organisms, tissues and cells, including their components and macromolecules.

Together, these specialisations help address local and global problems concerning the environment, food production and sustainability. Our aim is to educate innovative PhD candidates who will develop a better management of nature, ranging from the protection of biodiversity to innovation related to the commercialization of biological resources in a sustainable manner for future generations.

Job opportunities

The PhD programme in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology qualifies for research activity of international standard and other work in society, which requires deep scientific insight and analytic thought, with proper scientific code and conduct. Hence, the PhD qualifies, for instance, for employment in:

  •  Research, communication and other scientific positions in educational, R & D institutions and industry. For employment as lecturers/instructors in educational institutions, additional pedagogic coursework may be needed
  • Private enterprises and public management at all levels from licensees, local or regional authorities, and ministries
  • Advisory services related to ecology, fish and wildlife, bioeconomy, biotechnology and sustainabilit

Practical information

The normative length of the PhD programme is 3 years full-time study, culminating in a doctoral dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The programme consists of 2.5 years of individual research work and a 6-month training component under supervision.

Candidates are expected to conduct independent research, as well as to work in research groups consisting of candidates, researchers and professors. All PhD candidates will be included in one of our research groups.

The training component comprises 30 ECTS credits of post-graduate courses. 10 ECTS are mandatory for all candidates at the programme, whereas 20 ECTS are dependent on the candidate’s specialisation. All teaching will be given in English.

Application deadline and admission

General requirements

To enter the program, students are required to document their having achieved:

1. At least a Master’s degree based on a 5-year cumulative period of study (including the Bachelor’s degree) at a university, university of applied sciences or university college in biology, ecology, biotechnology, evolution, environmental sciences or similar subjects

2. An average weighted (ECTS credits) mark for the Master’s degree programme of at least a B. In cases where all or part of the program is approved with the use of a Pass / Fail mark, the applicants may be admitted following individual assessment

Applicants with a Master's degree from another subject area (e.g. social sciences, economy) than is approved as basis for admission to the programme, or with lower average mark, may be admitted after special review. These applicants must be able to document that it is very likely that they will be able to complete the PhD study. If necessary, additional documentation or a preliminary examination will be required to evaluate the professional level. Such applicants may also, if necessary, be required to complete coursework in certain disciplines within a deadline to qualify for admission. Such coursework cannot count towards the training requirements for a doctoral degree.

English language requirements

All non-native English speakers must provide official documentation of English language proficiency at a sufficiently high level. We require one of the following English language tests with a minimum of the following scores: 5

  • Toefl internet based: 80
  • Toefl paper based: 550
  • IELTS: 6

No exceptions are made for this requirement. Scores lower than 550/80 (TOEFL) or 6.0 (IELTS) will not be accepted. The TOIC test will not be accepted.

How much does it cost?

Funded through advertised PhD position or other external funding.

The International Research School in Applied Ecology (IRSAE)

IRSAE is an academic network for young researchers and has 13 partners in Europe. The Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology at INN is the coordinating partner. There are more than 100 doctoral candidates and around 50 researchers in the network. The mission of IRSAE is to advance the quality of PhD education within various research fields coupled to applied ecology. The annual summer school is the most important event of the year in IRSAE, and normally approximately 60 PhD candidates and 20 researchers participate.

Website of IRSAE: https://irsae.no/ 

Contact us

Picture of Lisbeth Vedå
PhD-coordinator
Picture of Øyvind G Antonsen
Study programme coordinator