PhD programme in Biology
Biology
PhD programme (doctoral education)
- PhD Full time, 3 years
- Campus Trondheim
- Admission Application and admission
- Application deadlines Ongoing admissions
The objective of the PhD programme in Biology is to prepare the PhD candidates for work that requires advanced scientific expertise and analytical skills and for a career in academia.
The PhD programme in Biology is closely linked with our research groups and departments, and is a key component in the overall research strategy at the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
The goal of a PhD education is to enable the candidate to conduct research at a high international level. The research will be made with sound scientific practice and established standards for research ethics. The PhD candidate will be able to solve complex research problems using creative solutions that will have a social and economic impact on society.
The PhD programme in Biology educates independent researchers that are well qualified for work that requires advanced scientific expertise and analytical skills in biology, and who have the competencies needed in research, development, and dissemination at universities, other public and private institutions, companies, and organizations.
Research areas
- Aquaculture
- Cell and molecular biology
- Ethology
- Evolutionary biology
- Environmental toxicology
- General ecology
- Physiology
- Marine biology
- Natural resource management
Read more about the research areas at the Department of Biology
The PhD education is a structured degree with a nominal duration of three-year full-time study. Some PhD positions may include a fourth year of required duties, usually in the form of teaching, this will be detailed in your employee contract if applicable.
The PhD programme consists of
- at least 30 ECTS of courses (0,5 year), and
- an independent academic work in the form of a doctoral thesis (estimated to 2,5 years)
Read more about the PhD education at the Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Choosing courses
- Doing the doctoral thesis
- Learning activities and internationalization
- Assessment
- Evaluation of PhD programmes
Read more about PhD education
A PhD degree is the highest level of formalised education in Norway.
A doctoral degree from NTNU qualifies you to a range of positions both in the private and public sector. Academia has traditionally been the main career path for doctors, but now an increasing number of doctors are going into leading positions in the private sector.
To be accepted to a PhD programme at NTNU, you must have
- a funding plan
- completed at least five years of higher education that includes a master's degree or other equivalent degree within a relevant area. The Faculty may approve other, comparable qualifications as the basis for admission.
- a strong academic record and a weighted average for the last two years of your master's degree equivalent to a B or higher in NTNU's grading scale.
Applications for admission to the PhD programme must to be submitted through the Department of your subject area.
Administrative contact
Maja Caroline Haaker
Senior Executive Officer
Academic contact
Henrik Jensen
Professor and Deputy of Research at the Department of Biology