PhD scholarship within use of AI for forest mapping

About the position

Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD-position related to use of AI for mapping of forest ecosystems.

 Machine learning algorithms can analyze large amounts of data and provide accurate results. Increased digitalization and the use of new sensors and methods in forestry generate vast quantities of data and demand more accurate information. Machine learning allows for the systematization and processing of this data into new forms of information to support the management of forest resources and ecosystems.

The PhD candidate will join a team of researchers and play a central role in the work of developing new methods and comparing results with traditional approaches. The research will be related to one or more topics within forest mapping, for example, providing information for forest management inventories, exploring the utility of harvester data combined with remote sensing data for forest information and developing methods to support environmental information and certification audits. 

Remote sensing data, including images, lidar, and photogrammetric point clouds collected from drones, aircraft, and satellites, will be integral to the method development process.

The use of new methods and new technology is a central part of the SmartForest center for research-based innovation. The center is led by the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research and NMBU is the main research partner. 

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Develop machine learning models to produce forest information at local and landscape scales
• Develop machine learning models for sustainable forest management
• Compare machine learning with existing methods and evaluate its usefulness

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 master's 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 relevant to the position 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 (https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/regulations-and-guidelines-doctoral-degrees-nmbu).

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

Required Academic qualifications

• Master's degree in forest sciences, nature management, geomatics, data science, or other relevant fields

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Competence in statistics and remote sensing
• Competence in machine learning
• Competence in Nordic forest management
• Experience in fieldwork related to forest assessment and mapping
• Programming skills
• Driving license category B

You need to:

• Be highly motivated and engaged
• Be creative and capable of working result-oriented, accurately, and systematically
• Have analytical ability
• Be able to work independently as well as in a team
• Be proficient in English, both written and spoken

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 fra statens lønnstabell (https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/arbeidsliv/Statlig-arbeidsgiverpolitikk/lonn-og-tariff-i-staten/lonnstabellen/id438643/)) 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:

• Professor Terje Gobakken. E-mail: terje.gobakken@nmbu.no; phone +47 41512806
• Associate professor Hans Ole Ørka. E-mail: hans.ole.orka@nmbu.no; phone +47 95240197.

Information for PhD applicants (https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/applying) and Information to applicants (https://www.nmbu.no/om/adm/poa/rekruttering/viktig-informasjon-for-s-kere/information-for-jobseekers-at-nmbu)

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: 31.01.2025

Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.

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. Diploma, 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 in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3) (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SFE/forskrift/2020-01-30-1471). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant's contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant's contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) works with nature and the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, biological and geological processes.

MINA's employees undertake teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, hydrology and limnology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy, and nature-based tourism.

Our vision is to be a key actor in knowledge production and dissemination, and our goal is to deliver research of high, international quality, and varied and excellent teaching. The faculty's employees are significant participants within their respective fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally. The faculty is dominated by a vital research culture and high levels of scientific production.

The faculty has about 200 employees, 90 PhD students and 650 students.

Read more about MINA here (https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/mina).