PhD in marine nature conservation and fisheries

About the position

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, invites applications from outstanding candidates for a three-year PhD position in marine nature conservation and fisheries. The successful candidate will be part of the Ecology division, located in Bodø, Norway.

This PhD will seek synergies between marine nature conservation and sustainable fisheries, notably by identifying opportunities for Marine Protected Areas to benefit fisheries through spillover benefits, as well as the MPA being refugia for broodstock and juveniles. Both global, regional and local perspectives and applications, across finfish and shellfish, are encouraged, with the aim to develop general theory around optimising marine spatial management to restore biodiversity while enabling sustainable use of resources.

The preferred start date is September 1, but this is flexible.

Qualification requirements

• A master’s degree in a relevant field of study is required
• Grade average of B or better (or equivalent score) both for the programme as a whole and the master’s thesis
• See admission requirements: PhD in Biosciences
• Employment is conditional upon admission to the faculty’s doctoral program. The final project outline must be approved within three months of appointment. Termination may be considered if admission to the doctoral program is not obtained within this deadline, or in cases of failure to submit annual progress reports and/or serious deficiencies in progress or duty work. For admission requirements and regulations, see our web page
• Fluent English skills are required both written and oral.

A solid understanding of fisheries, biogeography, marine ecology, natural history, and nature conservation science and practice is essential. Strong computational and analytical skills, and ability to quickly learn new analytical methods are important. Experience in publishing papers as a lead author is an asset.

Candidates who already have a PhD degree will not be considered for the position.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• Theme and perspectives from the applicant’s master’s study
• The applicant’s description of motivation for the doctoral work and opportunities for completion
• Relevant experience from research work
• Ability to work independently, goal-oriented and systematically
• Personal suitability

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is NOK 550 800,-.

• Benefits from the Government Pension Fund for loans, insurance and pension
• Creative and collegial working environment
• A workplace with progressive development
• Flexible working hours
• An active university sports club

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

Nord University is subject to the Security Act, which sets requirements for the handling of classified and sensitive information. To increase security in the hiring process, Nord may conduct background checks on relevant candidates.

Please note that all our candidates may be asked questions necessary in this context. This includes questions about any potential connection to countries that PST has identified as key threat actors in its annual threat assessment.

The state workforce should, to the greatest extent possible, reflect the diversity of the population. Therefore, Nord University encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds, and other diverse life experiences to apply. Information about disabilities or gaps in the CV may be used for anonymized registration purposes.

For this position, Nord University is cautious about hiring individuals with connections to countries that PST has identified as key threat actors in its annual threat assessment.

Contact information

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

• Mark Costello, mark.j.costello@nord.no

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations. For more information, see Nord`s website .

The Faculty reserves the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language, educational background or personal characteristics

Application

Application deadline: 01.06.2026.

The application should include:

• Application letter with description of your motivation for applying for the position
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience and overview of any scientific publications)
• Copy of diploma for both bachelor and master education and relevant certificates
• Applicants with education from countries outside Scandinavia with diplomas issued in a language other than English, must enclose officially certified diplomas in both the original language and authorized English translations
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit HK-dir approval of their master´s degree (Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills)
• Copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis
• Name and contact information of 1-3 references (name, your relation to the person, email and phone number)
• Other activity that is considered relevant for the position, and wishes to be taken into account in the assessment

All documents must be uploaded as attachments as a PDF file to the electronic application form.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.