🌊 2 PhD positions in Norway! Marine evolutionary ecology in Bergen (3-year theoretical ecology projects)
2 PhD RESEARCH FELLOWS IN MARINE EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
Location:
Bergen, Norway
Organization:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen - Theoretical Ecology Group
Contract Type:
Fixed-term PhD positions - 3 years each
Main Description:
Two PhD positions available in marine evolutionary ecology focusing on individual organisms in their environment through numerical modeling. The positions are part of different research projects studying how physical influences and relationships with other species explain marine organism adaptations.
Position 1 - Project THERMOS:
Part of "Regional downscaling of eco-physiological theory – confronting global predictions with local observations" funded by the Research Council of Norway. Focus on how temperature and other drivers affect spawners and modify spawning timing in high-latitude spring bloom systems using Norwegian Atlantic cod and herring as test cases. Development of mechanistic simulation models to investigate how fish utilize different temperature ranges for bioenergetic tasks (feeding, digestion, gonad development). Collaboration with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) including temperature sensor data from tagged fish.
Position 2 - Project DRIFT:
Part of "Systematically rethinking advection and cross-ecosystem subsidies" funded by the Trond Mohn Research Foundation. Focus on how advection turns ocean currents into food conveyors, studying transport of mesopelagic organisms (1-16 billion tonnes of small fishes, 50-95% of global fish biomass) from open ocean to underwater slopes. Use particle tracking within ocean circulation models to simulate biomass transport and identify advective feeding hotspots. Collaboration with Geophysical Institute and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research.
Requirements:
- Essential: Master's degree in biology or relevant discipline (must be completed before 01.09.2025)
- Knowledge: Broad understanding and intuition in marine ecology
- Mindset: Willingness to challenge existing thinking
- Advantageous: Mathematics, computer programming, and/or mechanistic modeling skills
- For DRIFT position: Understanding of physical oceanography or experience with ocean circulation models/particle tracking
- Skills: Independent and structured work capabilities, good collaborative skills
- Language: Excellent written and oral English
- Personal qualities: Strong motivation, ambition, and demonstrated future potential
Benefits/Conditions:
- Duration: 3 years fixed-term
- Location: Bergen, Norway
- Research focus: Marine evolutionary ecology with numerical modeling
- Collaborations: Institute of Marine Research, Geophysical Institute, Bjerknes Centre
- Starting date: To be determined (available from 15/06/2025)
How to Apply:
Application deadline: 15 June 2025
Full job description: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/281140/phd-research-fellow-two-positions-in-marine-evolutionary-ecology
Contact for questions:
- anders.opdal@uib.no
- tom.langbehn@uib.no
Special requirements: University of Bergen is subject to export control system regulations which will be applied during application processing.
Note: Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized during interviews. Ambitions and potential demonstrated in motivation letters and interviews will be key evaluation criteria.
