Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrated Coastal Ecology

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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 position

We offer an exciting 3-year postdoctoral position based at NTNU’s Department of Biology for a scientist with integrated approach in understanding interactions between water dynamics, nutrient processes and catchment activities in a fjord environment. We are looking for a candidate with a background in aquatic sciences, environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry, or a closely related field, with experience in field measurements, modelling, or both.

Special emphasis of this postdoctoral position is to develop a focused and affordable measurement concept using remote sensing and in-situ approaches for river plumes in a fjord system. Measurements will be adapted with the development of a coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical plume model for Trondheimsfjorden. Additionally, the fellow will help to develop scenario analyses that will link catchment sources and human activities with fjord input.

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as associate professor. The position may also offer additional skills that are relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career.

Apply for this position to become part of our research environment and take the next step in your career with us.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. 

About the project 

The PLUME is an interdisciplinary project funded by NTNU Ocean and Coast, with the goal of understanding the Trondheim Fjord as a connected system — from river catchment to open water, from physical dynamics to public knowledge and governance. It brings together researchers from mathematics, civil engineering, biology, industrial ecology, and science and technology studies, hosted by the interdisciplinary research team Water and Water Systems connecting several research groups. The project runs from mid-2026 to mid-2029 across three interconnected work packages: WP1 Water Dynamics, WP2 Nutrient Impacts, and WP3 Societal Interactions. It is led by Mats Ehrnström (leader) and Terje Finstad (co-leader). Each position is central to one work package and will collaborate closely with the others.

This Postdoc position belongs to WP2 Nutrient Impacts. The main supervisor for WP2 is Associate Professor Pauliina Salmi, Department of Biology (Phytoplankton and Ocean Colour). The position will work closely with Professor Daniel Müller, Department of Energy and Process Engineering (Industrial Ecology), and Professor David Weissbrodt, Departments of Biology / Biotechnology and Food Science (Environmental Microbiology). The research connects to the NFR project MIND-P and the EU Horizon project GREENHOOD and an Equinor-funded pectroscopic ocean colour remote sensing research project.

Duties of the position

• Carry out research of excellent scientific quality 
• Report on research progress and write academic publications and popular science dissemination, in collaboration with the supervisors and collaborators
• Contribute to joint activities across The PLUME as a whole
• Participate in the research groups Phytoplankton and Ocean Colour, Environmental Microbiology and Industrial Ecology
• Participate in teaching. The postdoctoral position requires contribution to teaching, as well as the completion of university pedagogy training (UNIPED) if it has not yet been taken before the start of the position. Both teaching and UNIPED training must occur within the 3 years of this Postdoc position
• Mentoring bachelor/master students and collaborating with PhD candidates of the aforementioned research groups, helping them with their research projects, and advising on methodology, critical/creative thinking, and academic writing 

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree with aquatic sciences, environmental chemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering or environmental technology profile, or equivalent. Suitable emphases include in-situ measurements and remote sensing, biogeochemistry, environmental microbiology, industrial ecology, aquatic processes, modelling and data analyses approach in environmental science (e.g., GIS, LCA), or equivalent
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position

• Good oral and written presentation skills in English

   

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations concerning the degrees of philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Commitment to carry out research in Trondheim
• Experience in implementing in-situ water quality measurements and sensor data analysis
• Experience in remote sensing with satellites
• Experience in analytics in biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and field work in aquatic environment
• Experience in Python, GIS, or equivalent tools for environmental data-analysis
• Familiarity with computational flow dynamics modelling
• Familiarity with environmental risk assessment and communication
• Interest in building expertise to bridge research from downstream to upstream processes within the fjord catchment area, across fields from phytoplankton and water quality to microbial and industrial ecology
• Experience and motivation with scientific publishing and valorisation

Personal characteristics

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you

• Show motivation to integrate and interact within NTNU’s Norwegian and international community
• Work structured, set goals and make plans to achieve them 
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject 
• Can assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions based on data 
• Can adjust the plan flexibly for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer 

• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment 
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which containsthe skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. 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 essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment for this internally funded (NTNU TSO Ocean & Coast) Postdoc position is 3 years, including all activities in research, teaching and educational competence.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. 

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed

About the application 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-,Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV and portfolio of publications, presentations, and other relevant academic activities.
• A summary (max. 1 page) of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis summary.
• A short statement of research interest within the scientific area of the position, including methodological elements that can be integrated within the project (max. 1 page).
• Five most relevant academic works - published or unpublished 
• Name and contact information of three referees 

 

If all or parts of your education hasbeen taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation requiredcan be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information 

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

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

Associate professor Pauliina Salmi, pauliina.salmi@ntnu.no, on the postdoc research target

Professor Mats Ehrnström, mats.ehrnstrom@ntnu.no, on NTNU’s Ocean & Coast project “The Plume” 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact:
Senior Executive Officer HR Alexander Nilsen Skomakerstuen, alexander.skomakerstuen@ntnu.no

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 10.05.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 
 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.