NMBU PhD Scholarship in Landscape Architecture 2026 – Study in Norway | Eligibility and How to Apply

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The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is offering a fully funded three-year PhD position in Landscape Architecture, with a focus on large-scale landscape changes. Hosted by the School of Landscape Architecture within the Faculty of Landscape and Society, this position gives you the opportunity to conduct original doctoral research on one of the most pressing spatial challenges of our time: how societies manage, represent, and reshape landscapes in the face of energy demands, infrastructure growth, climate change, and ecological pressures. As a paid government employment position with a competitive annual salary, it is a genuinely attractive opportunity for any serious researcher in this field.

This position is for graduates with a Master’s degree in landscape architecture or a closely related landscape-centred discipline who want to pursue their own PhD research within a defined thematic framework. The research is grounded in the Norwegian context, but the academic questions it addresses are globally relevant, and applicants from any country are welcome to apply.

This post covers everything you need to know to apply confidently: eligibility criteria, benefits, required documents, a step-by-step application guide, key dates, and practical tips to help you put together a strong application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To be considered 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 landscape architecture or another field of study centred on landscape is required.
• Your degree must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme (i.e., a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s level education of five years or more).
• Your overall GPA must be a minimum of B.
• Your Master’s thesis must be graded B or higher.
• You must meet the admission conditions for NMBU’s PhD programme in Society, Development and Planning at the Faculty of Landscape and Society.

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 and Experience That Will Be Prioritised:

• Understanding of Norwegian society and its landscape-related challenges.
• Experience with shaping, developing, or managing landscapes in a professional or academic capacity.
• Experience with research and research communication.
• Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is noted as an advantage.

Personal Qualities the Committee Will Look For:

• Strong commitment to research and genuine motivation to complete a PhD.
• Ability to work independently and in a structured manner.
• Willingness to contribute to a positive scientific work environment.
• Interest in developing the research field at an international level.

Other Requirements:

• The position starts on 1 September 2026.
• You are expected to be present on campus in Aas, Norway on a regular basis.
• No teaching duties are attached to this position.

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 candidates.

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is not open to all fields of study. It is specifically focused on landscape architecture and related disciplines. Eligible and relevant fields include:

• Landscape Architecture
• Landscape Planning
• Landscape Ecology
• Environmental Design
• Urban and Regional Planning (with landscape focus)
• Spatial Planning
• Landscape Engineering
• Environmental Studies (with landscape focus)
• Ecological Design and Nature Restoration
• Geography (with landscape focus)

The PhD project must take its departure in landscape architecture and relate to the Norwegian landscape context. Applicants from adjacent disciplines are welcome if their background demonstrates a clear and central focus on landscape.

The project should address one or a combination of the following thematic perspectives:

• Landscape ecological approaches, including ecological design, nature restoration, and conservation
• Ethical and aesthetic considerations of landscape restoration, conservation, and creation, including spatial and temporal dimensions
• Representation, visualisation, and scenario modelling of landscape change
• Sustainable land-use transitions through integrating interdisciplinary knowledge and different understandings of landscape

Benefits

This is a paid government employment position, not a traditional scholarship award. Here is a full breakdown of what you receive:

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 during the three years.

Duration: Three-year fixed-term employment contract.

Course Credits: You will complete compulsory and elective PhD courses worth 30 ECTS, including oral and written examinations.

Research Supervision: You will work with a dedicated team of supervisors throughout your doctoral project.

Research Affiliation: The position will be affiliated with one of the research groups at the Department of Landscape Architecture, providing access to an established academic community and research infrastructure.

No Teaching Duties: Unlike some PhD positions, this role does not include teaching obligations, allowing you to focus fully on your research.

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

Travel and Fieldwork Funding: Confirm whether project or departmental funding is available to cover fieldwork, conference attendance, or research travel costs.

Relocation Support: Contact NMBU directly to confirm whether any relocation assistance is provided for international candidates moving to Aas, Norway.

Required Documents

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

1. Motivation letter (1 to 2 pages). This should clearly explain your interest in the research area and why you are qualified for this specific position.
2. Project proposal (maximum 2,000 words). This must describe your approach to a PhD project within the thematic perspectives listed above, including your theory, research question(s), and potential methods.
3. CV entered directly into JobbNorge’s CV form within the system. This is a legal requirement and cannot be replaced by an attached CV document alone.
4. Bachelor’s degree diploma and official transcript.
5. Master’s degree diploma and official 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 and include 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 professional projects.

How to Apply

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

Step 1: Read the full vacancy description thoroughly and study the thematic perspectives outlined for the PhD project. Understanding what the department is looking for will help you shape a targeted and relevant proposal.

Step 2: Research the work being done at the School of Landscape Architecture at NMBU. Look at recent publications and research group profiles to understand the department’s current focus areas and identify where your work would fit.

Step 3: Develop your project proposal (maximum 2,000 words). Define your research question clearly, select a relevant theoretical framework rooted in landscape architecture, and describe your proposed methods. Make a strong case for why your chosen approach addresses a meaningful gap or challenge in the field.

Step 4: Visit NMBU’s Web Recruitment System. Register an account if you do not already have one, then log in and locate the vacancy for this PhD position at the School of Landscape Architecture.

Step 5: Enter your CV directly into JobbNorge’s CV form within the recruitment system. This is a mandatory requirement under the Public Administration Act Section 15. Do not assume that attaching a separate CV file is sufficient.

Step 6: Write your motivation letter (1 to 2 pages). Focus on your specific interest in large-scale landscape changes, your relevant academic and professional background, and what you hope to contribute to the department’s research.

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

Step 8: Prepare your English proficiency documentation. Verify with NMBU which specific tests or documents satisfy PhD regulation Section 5-2(3) and obtain the necessary paperwork in advance.

Step 9: Contact your two references in advance and ensure their names and accurate contact details are ready to include in the application form.

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

Step 11: Review your full application before submitting. Verify that your CV form is complete, all documents are uploaded, and your project proposal and motivation letter are properly attached.

Step 12: Submit your application before the deadline of 7th April 2026. If shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview and must be prepared 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

Passing the eligibility check is just the beginning. Here is what the selection committee considers when comparing candidates:

Quality of the Project Proposal: Your 2,000-word proposal is likely the most important document in your application. The committee wants to see original thinking, a clearly defined research question, a relevant theoretical grounding in landscape architecture, and a realistic methodological approach. Generic or vague proposals will not be competitive.

Academic Excellence: Your grades matter. The minimum is a B average and a B on your thesis, but candidates with stronger records will stand out. Consistent scholarly performance at postgraduate level demonstrates your readiness for doctoral work.

Understanding of Norwegian Landscape Context: The project must relate to the Norwegian context. Demonstrating familiarity with Norwegian society, land use challenges, energy infrastructure debates, or landscape planning frameworks will strengthen your application considerably.

Relevant Practical Experience: Hands-on experience with shaping, developing, or managing landscapes, whether through professional work or academic projects, is explicitly valued by the committee.

Research Communication Skills: The committee looks for candidates who can communicate research effectively. Prior experience publishing, presenting at conferences, or producing reports in academic or professional settings is a strong signal.

Language Skills: Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is noted as an advantage. It is not required, but candidates who have it will have an edge in day-to-day work and collaboration within the department.

Independence and Work Ethic: The committee expects candidates who can work in a structured, self-directed way. Evidence of completing complex, independent academic or professional projects supports this.

Important Tips

1. Put your strongest effort into the project proposal. It is the document that will differentiate you from other qualified candidates. A sharp, well-structured 2,000-word proposal with a clear research question, relevant theory, and credible methods will speak louder than any other part of your application.
2. Ground your proposal in the Norwegian landscape context. The vacancy is explicit that the project must relate to Norway. Research Norwegian energy infrastructure debates, recent planning decisions, or landscape conflicts to show that you understand the local context, even if you are applying from abroad.
3. Use the four thematic perspectives as a guide, not a constraint. You can address one or a combination of them. Choose the angle that best matches your background and interests, and make a compelling case for why your approach is valuable.
4. Contact the Head of Department before applying if you have questions. Nina Berre (Nina.Berre@nmbu.no, +47 90107912) is available for general questions about the position. A professional, focused inquiry can help you sharpen your proposal and demonstrates genuine interest.
5. Do not overlook the CV form requirement. Your CV must be entered directly into JobbNorge’s online form. This is a legal requirement. Applications that rely solely on an attached CV document may not be processed correctly.
6. Start document preparation early. Certified diplomas, diploma supplements, and English translations can take time to arrange, particularly for applicants outside Europe. Begin this process as soon as possible.
7. Highlight any Scandinavian language skills. Even basic proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish is worth mentioning. It is explicitly listed as an advantage and may influence how the committee views your ability to work and integrate within the department.
8. Choose references who know your research ability well. The strongest references will be people who supervised your Master’s thesis or worked with you in a research environment. Inform them early and brief them on the position so their comments are relevant.
9. If you have professional landscape experience, make it visible. The committee specifically values experience with shaping, developing, or managing landscapes. Include specific projects, roles, or outcomes in your CV and refer to them briefly in your motivation letter.

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 information about NMBU: www.nmbu.no/en

Contact for position queries: Nina.Berre@nmbu.no | +47 90107912

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

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