NMBU PhD Scholarship in Environmental Sciences and Chemistry 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is offering a fully funded three-year PhD position in Environmental Sciences and Chemistry at its Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA). This position is embedded within the VIRTUE project, a Research Council of Norway-funded initiative developing a circular, nature-based system for removing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from contaminated soils, food systems, and animal feed. With PFAS concentrations in Norwegian sewage sludge measured up to 4,000 times above the soil toxicity threshold, this is not just an academic exercise. It is urgent, globally relevant, and high-impact research that directly connects soil science, food safety, and public health.

This position is for graduates with a Master’s degree in soil science, environmental science, environmental chemistry, ecology, agronomy, or a closely related field, who are ready to conduct original doctoral research on one of the world’s most pressing pollution challenges. The work involves field experiments, laboratory analysis, and collaboration with 19 industrial and municipal partners, alongside leading Norwegian research institutions including NIBIO and NGI. Applicants from any country are welcome, provided they meet the academic and English language requirements set by NMBU.

This post covers everything you need to know to apply: who is eligible, what the benefits include, which documents to prepare, a step-by-step application guide, key dates, and practical tips to help you build a strong and complete application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

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

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

Academic Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field is required. Suitable disciplines include soil science, environmental science, environmental chemistry, ecology, or agronomy.
• Your overall academic background must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, with 120 ECTS credits at Master’s degree level.
• Your Master’s thesis or individual written assignment must be worth at least 20 ECTS credits.
• Your average grade must correspond to a B or above in the ECTS grading system.
• You must document expertise and genuine interest in the research subject.

Required Academic Knowledge:

• A strong academic record in statistics and data analysis is required.

Additional Skills and Experience That Will Be Considered an Advantage:

• Knowledge of biogeochemical processes and/or organic contamination.
• Experience with field experiments and chemical analysis of soil and/or contaminants in a laboratory setting.
• Experience with PFAS and/or biochar specifically.
• Knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.
• Strong academic writing skills in English and documented experience with scientific writing.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Documentation of English proficiency must be submitted in line with the NMBU PhD regulations. 

Personal Qualities the Committee Will Look For:

• Solution-oriented and pragmatic, while remaining thorough and accurate.
• Ability to work independently and show initiative with careful thought.
• Analytical and academic approach to research questions.
• Good collaborative, social, and communication skills.
• Genuine interest in and willingness to conduct fieldwork.

Other Requirements:

• Admission to NMBU’s PhD programme is a prerequisite for appointment.
• You must confirm in your application that submitted documents may also be used in the PhD admission process.

Eligible Countries

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

Can’t find your country? This scholarship accepts applications globally. Search for more country-specific opportunities using a scholarship search tool.

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is not open to all fields. It is specifically focused on environmental and soil sciences and closely related scientific disciplines. Relevant fields include:

• Soil Science
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Ecology
• Agronomy
• Agricultural Sciences (with soil or environmental focus)
• Geochemistry
• Biogeochemistry
• Natural Resource Management
• Hydrology or Limnology (with environmental contamination focus)
• Food Safety Science (with environmental chemistry focus)

The project focuses on four main research themes: mapping PFAS in agricultural soils, phytoremediation using plants and grasses, pyrolysis of PFAS-containing biomass, and biochar as a soil and feed additive. Candidates with direct experience in any of these areas will be prioritised.

The candidate has flexibility in selecting where to place the main emphasis of their work and may also explore life-cycle analysis, human exposure assessment, or cost-benefit modelling as part of the project.

Benefits

This is a paid government employment position at NMBU. Here is a full breakdown of what you receive:

1. Annual Salary: NOK 550,800 per year at government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow. Seniority promotions are available within the position during the three-year period.
2. Duration: Three-year fixed-term employment contract.
3. Research Collaboration Network: You will work alongside NIBIO, NGI, and NMBU, as well as 19 industrial and municipal partners. This is an unusually large and active project network, offering exposure to both academic and applied research environments.
4. Field and Laboratory Access: Fieldwork will be based in Norway. Lab and greenhouse tests will be conducted at NMBU, NIBIO, and Mære Agricultural College. Pyrolysis work will use equipment from Norwegian industrial and college partners including VOW ASA, Mære, Lindum, and OBIO.
5. Research Flexibility: You will select two or three of the four main research tasks to focus on, and may also explore supplementary dimensions such as life-cycle analysis or human exposure assessment. This degree of ownership is rare in a PhD position.
6. Supervision: You will be supervised by a team including Professor Gerard Cornelissen (NMBU and NIBIO) and Associate Professor Erlend Sørmo (NMBU).
7. Healthcare: As a Norwegian government employee, you are likely entitled to access Norway’s national health system. 
8. Travel and Conference Funding: Fieldwork is a core part of the project. Confirm with the supervisors whether fieldwork travel, laboratory visits to partner institutions, and conference attendance are covered by the project budget.
9. Relocation Support:  Contact NMBU to confirm whether relocation assistance is available for international candidates.

Required Documents

Prepare all of the following before starting your online application. Most documents must be submitted through NMBU’s Web Recruitment System. Any documents that cannot be sent electronically must be posted directly to NMBU (see postal address below):

1. Motivation letter. No page limit is specified, but keep it focused and relevant to the VIRTUE project.
2. CV entered directly into Jobbnorge’s CV form within the system. This is a legal requirement and cannot be replaced by an attached CV file alone.
3. Bachelor’s degree diploma and official transcript.
4. Master’s degree diploma and official transcript.
5. 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.
6. If your diplomas or transcripts are not in Norwegian or English, upload the originals in their original language and provide official English translations of each document.
7. Documentation of English language proficiency in line with NMBU’s PhD regulations for the MINA programme.
8. Any additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge, such as a list of scientific publications. If any publications are co-authored and your contribution is not obvious, include a brief explanation of your specific role.

Note: Names and contact details for two references are not explicitly listed in this vacancy. 

For documents that cannot be sent electronically, send in triplicate by ordinary mail to:

NMBU, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management

P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas

Mark the envelope: still.nr. 26/03126

These must arrive by 26th April 2026.

How to Apply

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

Step 1: Read the full vacancy description and review the published Viewpoint paper on the VIRTUE project concept. Understanding the three-step phytoremediation, pyrolysis, and biochar system will allow you to write a much more specific and credible motivation letter.

Step 2: Think carefully about which two or three of the four main research tasks you would want to focus on. Be ready to explain this in your motivation letter and connect it to your academic background and relevant experience.

Step 3: Research the work of Professor Gerard Cornelissen and Associate Professor Erlend Sørmo. Knowing your supervisors’ research interests will help you align your application language and show genuine familiarity with the research environment.

Step 4: Write your motivation letter. Describe your specific interest in PFAS contamination and remediation, the research tasks you would like to pursue within the VIRTUE project, and how your academic background in soil science, environmental chemistry, or ecology equips you for this work.

Step 5: Visit NMBU’s Web Recruitment System. Register an account if you do not already have one, then log in and locate the PhD vacancy at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA).

Step 6: Enter your CV directly into Jobbnorge’s CV form within the system. This is mandatory under the Public Administration Act Section 15. Uploading a PDF attachment alone is not sufficient.

Step 7: Gather all required academic documents. Ensure your diplomas and transcripts are certified and complete. If any documents are not in English or Norwegian, arrange for official translations before the deadline.

Step 8: Prepare your English proficiency documentation. Verify with NMBU which specific documents satisfy the MINA PhD programme requirements and obtain the necessary paperwork early.

Step 9: Compile any additional professional documentation, such as a list of scientific publications or reports. For co-authored works, prepare a brief note explaining your specific contribution.

Step 10: Upload all required attachments through the application portal. Check that every item on the required list is included and clearly legible.

Step 11: For any documents that cannot be submitted electronically, prepare three printed copies and send them by ordinary mail to NMBU’s Faculty of Environmental Sciences at P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas. Mark the envelope with still.nr. 26/03126 and ensure they arrive by 26th April 2026.

Step 12: Confirm in your application form that your submitted documents may be used by NMBU in the PhD programme admission process. Review your complete application and submit before the deadline of 26th April 2026.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 26th April 2026.

Documents sent by post must also arrive by 26th April 2026.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

Getting through the eligibility check is just the first step. Here is what the selection committee looks for when comparing candidates:

1. Relevance and Depth of Academic Background: Your Master’s degree must connect clearly to soil science, environmental chemistry, or ecology. Candidates whose thesis work or coursework directly addresses contamination, biogeochemical processes, or remediation will be the most competitive in this category.
2. Statistics and Data Analysis Skills: A strong academic record in statistics and data analysis is a stated requirement, not just a nice-to-have. The committee will look for evidence of this in your academic transcripts and any research outputs.
3. Fieldwork Willingness and Experience: The project is field-based in Norway, and the vacancy explicitly asks for candidates with a genuine interest in fieldwork. Prior experience with field experiments or environmental sampling will significantly strengthen your application.
4. Experience with PFAS or Biochar: Candidates who have worked with PFAS analysis, biochar, or remediation techniques at any level are explicitly prioritised. Even coursework or thesis research in these areas is worth highlighting.
5. Scientific Writing Quality: Your motivation letter is assessed as both a statement of interest and a demonstration of your academic writing ability. Strong English writing skills are required, and your letter will serve as direct evidence of this.
6. Collaborative Capacity: The VIRTUE project involves 19 industrial and municipal partners alongside three research institutions. The committee is looking for candidates who can navigate collaborative, multi-stakeholder research environments. Evidence of teamwork, communication, and cross-institutional work supports this.
7. Initiative and Independence: The position allows the candidate to select their research focus areas. This requires genuine intellectual ownership. Evidence of independent thinking in your thesis, publications, or research experience will reassure the committee that you can drive your own work.

Important Tips

1. Read the VIRTUE Viewpoint paper before writing your motivation letter. It gives a detailed description of the project’s scientific logic and goals. Referencing it specifically in your letter shows you have engaged seriously with the research, not just skimmed the job advertisement.
2. State clearly which two or three research tasks you want to focus on and explain why. The position gives you real flexibility. Showing that you have thought carefully about where your background fits within the four tasks (soil mapping, phytoremediation, pyrolysis, or biochar) demonstrates scholarly maturity and makes the committee’s assessment easier.
3. Highlight any experience with PFAS, biochar, or environmental contamination analysis prominently. These are listed as specific advantages. If your Master’s thesis or coursework involved any of these topics, make sure that is immediately visible in both your motivation letter and your CV.
4. Contact the supervisors before applying if you have questions. Professor Gerard Cornelissen (gerard.cornelissen@nibio.no, +47 97724503) and Associate Professor Erlend Sørmo (erlend.sormo@nmbu.no, +47 95248151) are both available. A focused, professional inquiry can help you refine your research focus and demonstrates initiative.
5. Demonstrate your fieldwork readiness explicitly. The vacancy states that a credible interest in fieldwork is required. If you have conducted field experiments, environmental sampling, or any outdoor research work, describe this concretely in your CV and motivation letter.
6. Start document preparation early, especially for international applicants. Certified diplomas, diploma supplements, and English translations can take significant time to arrange. Begin the process well before the 26th April 2026 deadline.
7. If you have publications, include a contribution statement for co-authored works. This is specifically requested in the vacancy. A clear, honest explanation of your role, whether you designed the study, collected data, led the writing, or contributed specific analyses, helps the committee understand your capabilities accurately.
8. Do not overlook the postal submission requirement. If any of your documents cannot be sent electronically, you must post three copies to the MINA faculty address and mark the envelope with still.nr. 26/03126. For international applicants, allow ample postal time to meet the 26th April 2026 arrival deadline.
9. Mention any Norwegian or Scandinavian language skills. It is listed as an advantage and may improve your ability to conduct fieldwork in Norway and engage with local partners. Even basic language ability is worth stating honestly.

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 general NMBU information: www.nmbu.no/en

Contact for project queries: gerard.cornelissen@nibio.no | +47 97724503

Contact for PhD programme queries: erlend.sormo@nmbu.no | +47 95248151

Postal submissions (for documents that cannot be sent electronically):

NMBU, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management

P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas

Reference: still.nr. 26/03126

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