PhD scholarship within Animal Breeding and Genetics - Genomic prediction of nitrogen use efficiency

The Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position related to animal breeding and quantitative genetics. 

This PhD project “Phenotypic and genomic prediction of nitrogen use efficiency of dairy cows” will be conducted in close collaboration with an on-going Nitrogen-efficiency project at NMBU, where relevant data is collected. Enhanced nitrogen use efficiency can mitigate the environmental impact and economic losses of dairy farming. 

This PhD project will evaluate the potential of using milk spectra to predict N-traits using artificial intelligence (AI) and use the predictions for genetic improvement and herd management to increase the sustainability of Norwegian dairy production.

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.

The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD Fellow, normally NOK 536.200 per year upon employment. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact professor Bjørg Heringstad 

E-mail: bjorg.heringstad@nmbu.no; phone +47 48221788 

Information for PhD applicants and general information to applicants

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: 01.05.2025

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). 
• 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.