Researcher

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

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About the job

Are you ready to take your research career to the next level and engage in the EU-founded SingleTree project? We offer an exciting 2-year researcher position that gives you the opportunity to work with an international consortium and develop a strong research profile and network. You will also gain valuable experience that may be relevant for your future career. Join our research environment and take the next step in your career with us.

About the position

NTNU is a partner in the EU-founded project ‘SingleTree’, lead by the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) and with research and industry partners in multiple European countries. The main purpose of the project is to optimize multifunctional forest-based value chains with single tree information and application of digital technologies with living lab sites in Sweden, Switzerland and Spain. See https://singletree.eu/ for more information on the project.

NTNU’s role is to develop and utilize life cycle assessments methods. In particular there is a need to focus on climate and carbon-related indicators, as well as different biodiversity indicators, to explore which are the most feasible and potentially further develop these. Environmental impact assessment will be used on both individual technologies and technologies implemented across value chains. In the project, remote sensing data will be collected and there is in particular a need to explore how these can be utilized in LCA and develop tools that enables protocols for single-tree environmental passports.

We are thus seeking a candidate with experience in mathematical modelling and programming skills, as well as an understanding of life cycle assessment methodologies, systems understanding and preferably an understanding of the climate and nature crisis.

You will be a part of an international team. You will report to Professor Ottar Michelsen at Department of Industrial Economy and Technology Management as your main contact person, and you will also work closely with Professor Anders Hammer Strømman at The Industrial Ecology Programme at Department of Energy and Process Engineering.

Duties of the position

The main task for the position is to contribute to NTNUs engagement in the SingleTree project. This will include systematic review of relevant LCIA methodologies on carbon and biodiversity relevant for the project, explore utilization of remote sensing data, collaboration with partners in the project and contribute on workshops and in other fora, develop protocols for single-tree environmental passports, present at international conferences as well as publish in internationally recognized journals within the field. There is also a possibility to recruit MSc-students to the project and supervision could then be an additional task.

Required selection criteria

The research position’s main objective is to deliver high quality research in the project in collaboration with colleagues and partners. A research track record documenting these qualifications is thus essential. A relevant doctoral degree, either Norwegian or an equivalent foreign doctoral degree assessed as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required. However, candidates that are close to finish their doctoral degree can also be taken into consideration if they can document research capabilities in other ways.

Other requirements include:

• Good programming skills in one or several languages (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, C++) Competence in mathematical modelling, simulation or optimization is strongly desired
• Good understanding of fundamentals in mathematics and natural sciences
• Strong analytical capabilities
• Candidates must have published their research in recognized international journals within the field. The most relevant publications from the last three years will be given the most weight.
• Fluent written and oral skills in English
• A relevant scientific background

Strong, well-matured and well-articulated motivation for working on the topic at hand is required. The candidates must therefore in their application provide a 1-2 page letter where they describe: i) their motivation for applying for this position and ii) how they see their competence and capabilities as relevant for the position

The candidates selected for interview will be asked to demonstrate good ability to absorb and present material from the research frontier on the matters at hand

Desired qualifications and other assessment criteria

• Documented research collaboration with industry, business, and public organizations, and how the research has contributed to the field and provided improvements. Collaboration with forest industries is an advantage
• Previous experience with LCA and environmental sustainability analysis is an advantage, in particular knowledge on climate and biodiversity assessments
• Experience with remote sensing data
• Competence on data processing and parsing, in particular NetCDF, as well as data management experience is desired
• Documentation of own research agenda and an academic network
• The quality of publications and the project description
• Contributions to the academic and work environment in previous positions
• Ability to communicate in one of the Scandinavian languages

Personal characteristics

We are looking for an academic team player who is creative, analytical, independent, flexible, and engaged. The candidate must be motivated to work in a multi-disciplinary team, with an interest in cross-disciplinary learning. Enthusiasm and the ability to contribute to a good working environment in general will be emphasized. In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

We offer

• An exciting and international academic environment with opportunities for competence development
• Opportunities for collaboration with significant industrial companies and public organizations
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• Good loan, insurance, and pension schemes in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The position as researcher, code 1110 is remunerated with a gross annual salary from NOK 625 100. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a statutory contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The researcher is employed for two years, and Trondheim is the workplace. For necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

Statutory leaves are not included in the calculation of the employment period.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to stay updated on professional and organizational changes and adapt to these.

It is a prerequisite that the person employed is residing in Trondheim. Some travel must be expected.

The employment will be carried out according to the principles of the Civil Servants Act.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.  If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The application must include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter where you describe: i) their motivation for applying for the position and ii) how you see your research profile, competence and capabilities as relevant for the position
• A short project description (up to 3 pages) describing how you foresee research topics, issues, choice of theory and method, and what the project will create in terms of results
• Relevant example(s) on your experience with coding/programming
• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• Scientific works including the PhD dissertation. For joint works, you must include a short explanation of your contribution.
• A complete list of publications
• Relevant publications
• Any teaching experiences and pedagogical qualifications/competence
• Names and contact information of three potential references

If all or part of your education was completed abroad, we ask that you also include documentation of the scope and quality of your entire educational journey. A description of the necessary documentation can be found here. If you already have a statement from HK-dir, please include that as well.

When assessing the most qualified candidate, we emphasize education, experience, and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also be considered when evaluating candidates.

NTNU is committed to following the evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and the commitments in CoARA (responsible research assessment and recognition of a broader range of academic contributions in line with NTNU's societal mission).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

General information

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity of society and utilizes the potential of the population's combined competencies. Our vision is Knowledge for a Better World, and our values are creative, critical, constructive, and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse, and gender-balanced is crucial for us to achieve our goals together. We seek employees with various competencies, academic combinations, life experiences, and perspectives to contribute to even better task-solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or if you have been out of the workforce for a period.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you would like more information about the position, please contact Professor Ottar Michelsen, phone +47 915 55 983 / email ottar.michelsen@ntnu.no or Professor Anders Hammer Strømman, phone +47 918 97 993 / email anders.hammer.stromman@ntnu.no..

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Oddny Lyngvær at oddny.lyngvar@ntnu.no.

The application with attachments must be submitted through Jobbnorge.no.