About the position
At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Department of Production Animal Medicine, Section for Small Ruminant Research and Herd Health in Sandnes, a PhD position is available within the project PIG-ART: Optimization of advanced assisted reproductive technologies in pigs. This is a recruitment position with a duration of 3 years.
The project aims to further develop and optimize methods within assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in pigs, including Ovum Pick-Up (OPU), in vitro embryo production (IVEP), embryo transfer, and competence building within gene editing. The PhD candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary research environment with expertise in veterinary reproduction, embryo technology, surgery, and molecular biology. The project is carried out in collaboration with Norsvin SA, the Faculty of Biosciences (CIGENE) at NMBU, and the University of Murcia in Spain.
The project includes both fieldwork and laboratory work at NMBU VET Sandnes (SEARCH) and NMBU Ås (CIGENE). A research stay at the University of Murcia is planned as part of the doctoral work.
The desired start date is 1 September 2026. The position will have its office location at the Section for Small Ruminant Research and Herd Health in Sandnes.
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.
Join this exciting project and contribute to increased sustainability in Norwegian agriculture!
Main tasks
The candidate will work with development and evaluation of reproductive technologies in pigs through:
- Further development and evaluation of Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) in sows
- Studies of oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo production (IVEP)
- Development and testing of laparoscopic embryo transfer
- Competence building within gene editing of porcine oocytes and embryos
- Planning and conducting field trials and experimental studies
- Conducting a research stay abroad at the University of Murcia, Department of Physiology
- Analysis of biological and experimental data
- Preparing manuscripts that meet the requirements for publication in international journals and compile them into a doctoral thesis in accordance with the regulations for the PhD degree at NMBU
- Publishing results in international scientific journals
- Presenting results at national and international conferences
- Completing mandatory and elective PhD courses
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
To be eligible for the position, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme in Veterinary Science at NMBU. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken. For more detailed information about the admission criteria, PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
Required qualifications
- Veterinary degree (DVM / cand.med.vet.)
Applicants completing their degree during spring 2026 may also apply but cannot assume the position until the degree has been completed
- Documented strong academic results
- Proficiency in English, both written and spoken
Qualificiations considered an advantage
- Experience within
- reproductive biology or embryo technology
- laboratory work (IVEP, molecular biology methods)
- laboratory animals or clinical work with production animals (up to 2 years)
- statistical analysis and handling of biological data
- Interest in pig health and pig production
- Strong interest in scientific research
- Interest in the scientific scope of the project
- Scientific publications or academic work
- Driving licence class B
- Be proficient in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, both written and spoken
- Norwegian veterinary authorization, or eligibility to obtain such authorization
Personal qualities
We are looking for a candidate who:
- Is motivated to complete a research education and a PhD degree
- Has strong academic motivation and interest in research
- Is flexible during experimental periods involving animal and laboratory trials
- Works in a structured, accurate and independent manner
- Has good collaboration skills and can work in interdisciplinary teams
- Is flexible and able to participate in both field and laboratory work
- Thrives in an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD. Fellow, NOK 550.800 – 660.000. PhD candidates are normally placed at salary level NOK 550.800. This is a temporary position with a duration of 3 years. Seniority promotion in the position.
Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD scholarship position.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for PhD Research Fellows at universities and university colleges and in accordance with the Norwegian State Employees Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act.
This position is a training/educational position. Grant-funded travel abroad should be expected.
Interested in learning more about the position? We are happy to tell you more about life on campus. Contact Head of section: Marianne Oropeza-Moe, phone: +47 46950083, e-mail: marianne.oropeza-moe@nmbu.no.
Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants
Application
Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. 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. Applications that are not submitted electronically via Jobbnorge by the deadline will not be considered.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.
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
- CV
- Certified copies of relevant 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.
The Faculty of Veterinary medicine has its own webpage about requirements for applicants with foreign education:
https://www.nmbu.no/en/utenlandsk-utdanning
About the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
NMBU The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is the country’s only veterinary educational institution and provides expertise in veterinary medicine and veterinary public health. The faculty educates veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and doctoral candidates in Veterinary Science and conducts research in veterinary medicine and related biomedical fields. We have 500 students and 430 employees.
The faculty consists of the following departments: Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Production Animal Medicine, and Sports and Companion Animal Medicine. We also run the Animal Hospital, which is closely linked to our research and education, and receives patients from all over the country.
At the Section for Small Ruminant Research and Animal Health and the SEARCH Centre, the main focus aligns with NMBU’s societal mission—namely research and education.
The section has 20 employees whose primary responsibilities include teaching veterinary students, providing continuing education and courses for both veterinarians and healthcare personnel, and conducting research in herd health management and biomedicine, with a main focus on the animal species sheep and pigs.
The section is located at Høyland in Sandnes, Rogaland County.