PhD scholarship within AI-Driven Climate-Resilient Wheat Breeding

About the position

The Department of Plant Science (IPV), Faculty of Bioscience(BIOVIT) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3- year PhD-position related to related to recently funded SmartWheat project by the Norwegian Research Council. 

The PhD candidate will develop AI-driven models to analyze UAV-based multispectral, hyperspectral, and RGB imagery. These models will integrate crop growth models, agronomic data, and genomic data to predict key wheat traits under varying climate conditions. 

The position is based at NMBU, with close collaboration with plant breeders at Graminor and industry partners such as Telia, Aersea, and Felleskjøpet. 

The candidate is expected to undertake research stays at Wageningen University and Research and gain practical plant breeding experience through collaboration with Graminor and field work at NMBU.  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

• Imaging technologies (hyperspectral, multispectral, and thermal) for drought stress assessment
• Recording key physiological traits and identifying traits related to drought tolerance using imaging data
• Develop deep learning and machine learning models for trait prediction.
• Use crop models to analyze time-series UAV data in combination genomic, and agronomic information.
• Collaborate with plant breeders, data scientists, and industry partners.
• Publish research in high-impact journals and present 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 master's 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 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 plant science, agronomy, bioinformatics, agriculture engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of plant physiology.
• Strong programming skills in Python and R.
• Good scientific writing skills in English.
• The candidate which finishes their education within the spring/summer of 2025 can also apply but must provide documentation of their degree before employment.

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Experience with crop modeling.
•  Experience with plant breeding.
• Background in data science and statistical analysis.
• Experience in remote sensing and plant phenotyping.

Personal qualities required:

• Ability to work independently, be structured and efficient.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Be willing to work in the field experiments and some travel

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in a pay grade of  536 200NOK per year 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. Sahameh Shafiee: Sahameh.Shafiee@nmbu.no

Information for PhD applicants (https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/applying) and general 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: 24.april 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 Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million. 

BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.

BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor's and master's programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master's programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor's and master's students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.