NMBU PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Norway 2026

The fellowship is offered at the Membrane Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Norway, one of the country's leading research institutions. The position is part of the TIES project: "Tunable Ion Separations with Micro-Structured Composite Membranes," an innovative research initiative funded by the Research Council of Norway. This represents a prestigious opportunity for researchers interested in membrane technology, electrochemistry, and sustainable water treatment within a high-level Norwegian research environment.

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Quick Overview

• Host Institution: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

• Department: Membrane Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology

• Project: TIES (Tunable Ion Separations with Micro-Structured Composite Membranes)

• Funding: Research Council of Norway

• Positions Available: PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Duration: 3 years (PhD) / Standard Norwegian academic timeline (Postdoc)

• Start Date: 1st May 2026 or earlier

• Application Deadline: 6th March 2026

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Project Overview: TIES Research Focus

The TIES project aims to develop a novel electromembrane process for two critical environmental applications:

• Recovery of rare earth elements from various sources

• Removal of ionic micropollutants from water systems

The core scientific question driving this research is how to achieve selective ion separation based on differences in diffusion coefficients in electromembrane systems, pushing the boundaries of current separation technology.

Research Areas Include

• Design of advanced composite membranes with tailored properties

• Investigation of electroosmosis and ion concentration polarization phenomena

• Development of specialized electromembrane cells for controlled experiments

• Data-driven membrane discovery using machine learning approaches

• Lab-scale and pilot-scale testing of developed technologies

The selected fellow will work mainly on the experimental aspects of membrane preparation, characterization, and electrochemical testing, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries.

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Main Research Tasks

The fellow will engage in diverse research activities that span the entire scientific process:

• Literature review on electromembrane processes and membrane materials

• Selection and characterization of candidate materials

• Preparation and testing of composite membranes (hands-on laboratory work)

• Assembly and testing of electrochemical cells

• Laboratory and pilot-scale ion separation experiments

• Contribution to stack system design and evaluation

• Progress plan submission (for PhD candidates) during first months of appointment

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Eligibility Criteria

Required Qualifications

• For PhD applicants: Master's degree in relevant fields

• For Postdoctoral applicants: PhD degree in relevant fields

• Relevant fields: Chemical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Physical or Polymer Chemistry, Water or Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or closely related disciplines

• Must meet eligibility for admission to the NMBU PhD programme through standard university requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English – essential for effective communication and scientific writing

• Laboratory experience or data science background – strengthens applications significantly

• For Postdoctoral applicants: Proven independent research track record, publications, and project leadership experience

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Desired Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Specialization in electrochemical processes or membrane technology

• Experience in polymers, membrane materials, electrochemistry, or water treatment

• Knowledge of multivariate analysis, statistics, machine learning, or programming

• Academic writing skills and published research

• Scandinavian language skills – considered advantageous (not required)

• Recent graduates with excellent academic results – may receive priority, encouraging early-career researchers to apply

Salary and Benefits

PhD Research Fellow Positions

• Salary: 550,800 NOK per year (Code 1017)

• Higher salary possible for exceptionally qualified candidates

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions

• Salary: Starting from 610,000 NOK per year, depending on qualifications and experience

Additional Benefits

• Position follows Norwegian state employment regulations

• Comprehensive benefits including pension contributions, paid leave, and social security coverage

• Competitive salaries allow researchers to focus entirely on their work without financial concerns

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Personal Qualities Sought

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking abilities – essential for complex research challenges

• Independence and motivation – crucial for driving projects forward with minimal supervision

• Ability to collaborate and accept feedback – ensures productive teamwork within the Membrane Laboratory

• For Postdoctoral applicants: Ability to lead and coordinate research tasks – demonstrates readiness for independent research careers

• Physical presence at the institution is required for professional and social collaboration

These personal qualities are evaluated during interviews and through application materials.

Required Documents

Applications must be submitted online through NMBU's Web Recruitment System – the only accepted method for consideration.

Essential Documents

• Motivation letter – maximum 1 page explaining interest and qualifications

• Comprehensive CV – covering education, positions, publications, teaching, and relevant experience

• Certified academic diplomas and transcripts – with English translation for non-English or non-Norwegian documents

• Diploma supplement – required for non-Norwegian universities

• Proof of English proficiency – must meet NMBU PhD regulations standards

• Master's or PhD thesis abstract or publications – demonstrating research capability

• For multi-author publications: Include description of your specific contribution

• Names and contact details of two referees – for reference checks

• Additional relevant documentation – strengthens application

All documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language to facilitate evaluation.

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Research Proposal Requirements

For Postdoctoral Applicants

• Submit a brief research proposal outlining your intended research direction within the TIES project framework

For PhD Applicants

• Submit a short research proposal relevant to the TIES project

• This can significantly increase chances of interview selection by demonstrating preparation and interest

Important Dates and Contact

• Application Deadline: 6th March 2026

• Start Date: 1st May 2026 or earlier

• Interviews: Selected candidates will be invited for interviews

• Verification: Original diplomas and certificates must be presented during interviews

Note: Information submitted in applications may also be used in the PhD admission process at NMBU, streamlining administrative procedures.

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Why Choose NMBU for Research?

• Leading Institution: NMBU is one of Norway's premier research universities

• Innovative Project: Work on cutting-edge TIES project funded by Research Council of Norway

• Excellent Facilities: Access to state-of-the-art Membrane Laboratory

• Competitive Salary: Generous Norwegian research salaries

• Comprehensive Benefits: Pension, paid leave, and social security

• Beautiful Location: Study in Norway, one of Europe's most beautiful countries

• Career Development: Build skills for future academic or industry positions

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Tips for a Strong Application

• Start Early: Begin preparing documents well before the March 6th deadline

• Write a Strong Motivation Letter: Clearly explain your interest and qualifications in one page

• Prepare Research Proposal: For Postdoc and PhD applicants, a focused proposal increases chances

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize membrane technology, electrochemistry, or data science background

• Secure Strong References: Choose referees who know your research potential well

• Translate Documents: Ensure all non-English documents have certified translations

• Describe Contributions: For multi-author publications, clearly state your specific role

• Proofread Everything: Check for errors before submitting

Final Thoughts

The NMBU PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Norway offers an exceptional opportunity for researchers in membrane technology, electrochemistry, and sustainable water treatment to join an innovative project funded by the Research Council of Norway. With competitive salaries (550,800-610,000+ NOK per year), comprehensive benefits, and access to world-class facilities at the Membrane Laboratory, selected fellows can focus entirely on groundbreaking research.

The TIES project aims to develop novel electromembrane processes for recovering rare earth elements and removing ionic micropollutants – critical environmental challenges. Research areas include advanced composite membranes, electroosmosis, machine learning-driven discovery, and pilot-scale testing.

The application deadline is 6th March 2026, with positions starting 1st May 2026 or earlier. Required qualifications include relevant Master's or PhD degrees, English fluency, and laboratory or data science experience. Postdoctoral applicants need proven research track records and publications.

If you are a passionate researcher ready to contribute to cutting-edge membrane technology and sustainable water treatment, this fellowship could be your pathway to an impactful career in one of Europe's most beautiful countries.

Good luck with your application

Apply Now

For complete and official information and to submit your online application, visit the official NMBU Web Recruitment System:

Apply for NMBU PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 Norway