PhD Scholarship - Digital Solutions for Forest Management (EU Small4Good Project)

This PhD position is part of the EU-funded 'Small4Good' project, which aims to advance multifunctional forest management for small forest owners across Europe. The successful candidate will join the Department of Forest Operations and Digitalization at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), located in Ås, Norway, and work closely with the Division of Forest and Forest Resources. The project centers on developing and testing innovative digital solutions, including computer vision models and a digital assistant based on large language models (LLMs), to support small forest owners. The research will also involve creating new business models and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) methods, enabling digital tools to facilitate payments for ecosystem services. Operational solutions tailored to small-scale forestry and supported by emerging digital services are a key focus. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the implementation of multifunctional forest management in line with the EU Forest Strategy, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and future-oriented practices. NIBIO is a leading research institute in agriculture, food, climate, and the environment, with approximately 750 employees nationwide. The Forest Operations and Digitalization department conducts applied research on forest and natural-resource-based value chains, aiming to enhance profitability and sustainability in forest products and services. The PhD candidate will benefit from a skilled professional environment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a generous personnel policy. The position is fully funded, with a salary range of NOK 551,000 - 605,000 per year, and includes membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, occupational injury and group life insurance, and access to low-interest home loans. Applicants must hold a master's degree in forestry, possess strong programming and machine learning skills, and have a solid understanding of forest management. Admission requirements for the PhD program at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) must be met. Fluency in English is required, and free Norwegian language training is offered if needed. The application deadline is November 4, 2025. Applications should be submitted electronically, with supporting documents attached. NIBIO encourages diversity and inclusion, and qualified candidates from all backgrounds are welcome to apply.