PhD position in applied ecology - Welfare and behaviours of horses kept in three systems

About The Position

A 100 % PhD position in applied ecology is available at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The position is financed by INN and will run for 3 years, starting in August 2026. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in applied ecology and biotechnology, with workplace at Campus Blæstad.

This position is allocated to the ongoing project “Welfare and Behaviours of Young Competition Horses in Different Summer Management Systems”, funded by The Horse Research Foundation (Stiftelsen Hästforskning).

The focus will be on yearling stallions of the Norwegian Swedish Coldblooded trotter, a common breed managed in different systems. Over two summer grazing seasons, at least 10 horses from three different systems—mountain pastures, lowland pastures, and stabled horses with access to paddocks or small grazing areas—will be monitored. The aim is to compare time budgets for welfare‑related behaviours such as grazing, resting, and social interactions.

Horses will also be assessed for stress levels and body development to study the relationship between these factors and behaviour.

The PhD student will use data from GPS collars and triaxial accelerometers, combined with video analysis and machine learning, to quantify different types of horse behaviour. Stress evaluation will be performed by analysing biomarkers, specifically cortisol concentrations in faecal samples collected at multiple points during the grazing season. In addition, weight and body condition will be monitored throughout the season using measuring tapes and Body Condition Scores (BCS), and these measurements will be integrated into the overall analyses.

The goal of this study is to provide horse owners with knowledge about horse development and welfare under different environmental conditions, enabling informed choices based on animal welfare criteria.

The candidate’s main supervisor will be Associate Professor Morten Tofastrud. Co‑supervisors will be Associate Professor Mari Reiten and Professors Barbara Zimmermann and Morten Tryland (all at INN).

It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University’s PhD programme in Applied Ecology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must normally have a minimum master’s degree or master’s level (120 credits, 3 masters in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education, within agricultural sciences, biology, ecology, veterinarian sciences, or other relevant subject areas.

Furthermore, you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, i.e., the average grade should normally be B or better from the master’s program (120 credits) or equivalent education. Calculation of the average grade is based on the credits for each course and for the master’s thesis. Applicants with weaker grades than what is normally required for admission must document that they will be able to complete a doctoral degree.

In cases where the education has been approved with the use of the grades passed / failed, the applicant is admitted after an individual assessment. If you have education from abroad, you can contact NOKUT for approval of your education, alternatively, a similar assessment will be made in connection with the application process.

Emphasis Is Placed On The Following Attributes

The position will require previous experience from handling and statistical analysis of large datasets and spatial data. Excellent data programming skills in the R software are required.

We expect the candidate to be passionate about doing research, and to be willing to develop the skills to communicate this passion with other scientists and the public. A further preference will be given to candidates with good teamwork characteristics and communication skills, and documented peer‑reviewed scientific publications or other writing experience.

Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. Applicants from non‑English‑speaking countries must document…