NMBU PhD Scholarship in Arctic Politics 2026 – Study in Norway | Eligibility and How to Apply

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is offering a fully funded three-year PhD position in International Environment and Development Studies, with a specific focus on Arctic politics. Hosted by the Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric) within the Faculty of Landscape and Society, this position places you at the heart of one of the most consequential and fast-changing regions on the planet. With a competitive government salary and access to a well-established international research community, this is a serious opportunity for any scholar passionate about Arctic governance, security, and environmental politics.

This position is designed for motivated graduates in international relations, political science, or a related social science field who want to pursue original doctoral research on Arctic regional politics. The call is intentionally open-ended, which means you have genuine freedom to develop your own research questions and design. Applicants from any country are welcome, provided they meet the academic and language requirements set by NMBU.

This post covers everything you need to know about this scholarship: who is eligible, what the benefits are, what documents you need, how to apply step by step, key dates, and practical tips to help you put together a competitive application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To qualify for this position, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Citizenship: There are no citizenship restrictions. Applicants from all countries are eligible to apply.

Academic Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in international relations, political science, or another relevant social science field is required.
• Your overall GPA must be a minimum of B.
• Your Master’s thesis must be graded B or higher.
• Your academic background must be relevant to the position and sufficient to meet NMBU’s PhD programme admission requirements.
• Equivalent qualifications to a Master’s degree, such as a cand.med.vet. degree, may also be accepted in accordance with the national qualifications framework.

Research Interest and Expertise:

• You must demonstrate documented expertise and genuine interest in the research subject of Arctic politics.
• You are required to submit a project proposal as part of your application, showing that you can design conceptually and empirically rigorous research within this thematic area.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Documentation of English proficiency must comply with NMBU PhD regulation Section 5-2, third paragraph.

Additional Skills That Will Be Prioritised:

• Relevant fieldwork experience and language skills related to Arctic or polar research contexts.
• A track record of independent, research-related work.
• Experience contributing to and participating in research-related work environments.

Other Requirements:

• You must be willing to be present on campus in Aas, Norway on a regular basis.
• The position starts on 1 September 2026.
• Admission to NMBU’s PhD programme is a prerequisite for appointment to this position.

Eligible Countries

This PhD position is open to applicants from all countries worldwide. NMBU actively encourages international applicants and does not restrict eligibility by nationality or region.

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is not open to all fields of study. It is specifically focused on the following areas:

• International Relations
• Political Science
• Arctic Politics and Governance
• Polar and Ocean Security
• Environmental Governance
• Development Studies
• International Environment Studies
• Sustainability and World Order Studies
• Indigenous and State-led Diplomacy (as a research focus)
• Geopolitics and Security Studies

Applicants from adjacent social science fields may also be considered if their background is directly relevant to the research focus on Arctic regional politics. If you are unsure whether your degree qualifies, contact the programme coordinator before applying.

Benefits

This is a paid government employment position at NMBU, not a traditional scholarship. Here is a full breakdown of the benefits:

Annual Salary: NOK 550,800 per year at government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow. For particularly well-qualified applicants, a higher starting salary may be considered. Seniority promotions are available within the position.

Duration: Three-year fixed-term employment contract.

Research Environment: You will be embedded in a growing research milieu at Noragric focused on polar and ocean security and governance. The department is supported by a range of externally funded projects and offers wide-ranging expertise in world order, security, development, sustainability, and environmental governance.

Supervision: You will receive supervision from a small dedicated team of supervisors throughout your PhD journey.

Course Credits: You will complete compulsory and elective courses worth 30 ECTS as part of the PhD programme, with oral and written examinations included.

Healthcare: As a Norwegian government employee, you are likely entitled to access the national health system. Confirm this with NMBU directly.

Travel and Conference Funding: Fieldwork experience is encouraged. Confirm whether project funding covers fieldwork travel or conference attendance costs.

Relocation Support: Confirm with NMBU whether any relocation assistance is available for international candidates moving to Aas, Norway.

Required Documents

Prepare all of the following before starting your online application. Everything must be uploaded through NMBU’s Web Recruitment System:

1. Motivation letter (no page limit specified, but keep it focused and relevant to this specific project).
2. Project proposal (maximum 2,000 words). This must include your potential research questions, theoretical perspectives, and proposed methods.
3. CV entered directly into Jobbnorge’s CV form (this is mandatory and cannot be replaced by an attached document alone).
4. Bachelor’s degree diploma and transcript.
5. Master’s degree diploma and transcript.
6. Diploma supplement for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, describing your study programme and grading system in detail. This is especially important for applicants from universities outside Norway.
7. If your diplomas or transcripts are not in Norwegian or English, upload the originals in their original language plus an official English translation of each document.
8. Documentation of English language proficiency in line with NMBU PhD regulation Section 5-2(3). 
9. Names and full contact details for two references.
10. Any additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge, such as a list of scientific works or publications. If any publications have multiple authors, include a short description of your specific contribution.

Note: You must confirm in your application that all submitted information and documents may also be used by NMBU in a possible PhD programme admission process. Applications that do not include this confirmation or all required attachments may be rejected.

How to Apply

Follow each of these steps carefully to submit a complete application:

Step 1: Read the full vacancy description and familiarise yourself with the research themes at Noragric, particularly the work being done on polar and ocean security and governance. This will help you align your project proposal with the department’s existing strengths.

Step 2: Develop your project proposal (maximum 2,000 words). This is one of the most important parts of your application. Include clear research questions, a relevant theoretical framework, and a realistic methodology. The call is broad, so this is your opportunity to show independent scholarly thinking.

Step 3: Visit NMBU’s Web Recruitment System. Register an account if you do not already have one, then log in to access the application form for this vacancy.

Step 4: Enter your CV directly into Jobbnorge’s CV form within the system. This is a mandatory requirement under the Public Administration Act and cannot be replaced by uploading a separate CV file alone.

Step 5: Write your motivation letter. Explain why you are interested in Arctic politics, how your academic background qualifies you, and what you hope to contribute to the department’s research milieu. Be specific and genuine.

Step 6: Gather all required documents. Ensure your diplomas are official, your transcripts are complete, and your diploma supplement is included. If documents are not in English or Norwegian, arrange for official translations.

Step 7: Prepare your English proficiency documentation. Verify with NMBU which specific documents or test scores satisfy PhD regulation Section 5-2(3) before uploading.

Step 8: Identify and notify your two references. Make sure they are available and that their contact details are accurate before you include them in the application form.

Step 9: Upload all required attachments through the application portal. Check that every document on the required list is attached and clearly legible.

Step 10: Confirm in your application that your submitted documents may be used in NMBU’s PhD admission process. This step is mandatory.

Step 11: Review your entire application carefully before submitting. Check your CV form entries, all uploaded documents, your motivation letter, and your project proposal.

Step 12: Submit your application before 7th April 2026. If shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview and will need to present original diplomas and certificates at that stage.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 7th April 2026.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements is just the starting point. Here is what the selection committee looks for when evaluating candidates:

Quality of the Project Proposal: This is likely the single most important differentiating factor. Your 2,000-word proposal must demonstrate that you can identify a meaningful research problem, engage with relevant theory, and design credible methods. Vague or underdeveloped proposals will not be competitive.

Academic Excellence: A minimum GPA of B and a thesis grade of B are required, but stronger academic records will stand out. The committee values candidates who have demonstrated consistent scholarly performance at postgraduate level.

Research Independence: Candidates with a track record of independent research-related work are prioritised. This could include research assistant roles, published work, conference presentations, or other evidence of working within academic environments.

Fieldwork and Language Skills: Relevant fieldwork experience related to Arctic or polar contexts, and language skills connected to the region or its key actors, will be viewed positively.

Fit with Departmental Research: NMBU’s Noragric department has specific strengths in polar and ocean security, governance, development, and sustainability. Applications that show clear alignment with these areas will have an advantage.

English Communication Skills: Your written application and any interview will be evaluated in English. Clarity, precision, and scholarly language throughout your documents matter.

Collaborative Potential: The department values participation in research communities. Evidence of experience working with others in research settings, including international collaboration, supports your application.

Important Tips

1. Invest serious time in your project proposal. It is the heart of this application. The call is deliberately broad, which means the committee is looking for candidates who can define their own compelling research direction. A focused, well-reasoned 2,000-word proposal will carry more weight than any other part of your application.
2. Connect your proposal to Noragric’s existing work. Research the department’s current projects on polar and ocean security and governance before writing. Showing that you understand the department’s direction and can contribute to it will strengthen your case significantly.
3. Contact the supervisor before the deadline. Professor Elana Wilson Rowe (elana.wilson.rowe@nmbu.no) is available for questions about the position. A brief, professional email asking a focused question can help you shape your proposal and shows genuine initiative.
4. Do not skip the Jobbnorge CV form. Your CV must be entered directly into the platform’s CV form. This is a legal requirement and applications that only attach a PDF CV without completing the form may not be processed correctly.
5. Apply early to allow time for document preparation. Certified transcripts, diploma supplements, and English translations can take time to obtain, particularly if you studied outside Europe. Start the process as soon as possible.
6. Make your motivation letter specific, not general. Avoid describing a broad love of international relations or the environment. Focus on why Arctic politics specifically, why NMBU and Noragric, and what you bring that is unique to this research context.
7. Highlight any prior research experience prominently. The committee explicitly prioritises candidates with a track record of independent research work. If you have worked as a research assistant, co-authored papers, or presented at conferences, make these visible in your CV and motivation letter.
8. Check your English proficiency requirements early. Confirm with NMBU which documents satisfy Section 5-2(3) of the PhD regulation. Processing language test applications or obtaining institutional letters can take time if you do not already have the required documentation.
9. Think carefully about your two references. Choose referees who can speak directly to your research potential and academic abilities, ideally someone who supervised your Master’s thesis or a senior colleague from a research environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

Apply through NMBU’s Web Recruitment System by clicking the “Apply for this job” button on the official vacancy page.

For more information about the department, visit: https://www.nmbu.no/en

For general NMBU information: www.nmbu.no/en

Contact for position queries: elana.wilson.rowe@nmbu.no

Contact for PhD programme queries: josie.teurlings@nmbu.no

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