Researcher in Aquaculture and Environment Interactions

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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.

About the Job

The Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund (IBA), NTNU has a position available as Researcher (code 1109). The position is 100 % and for a period of 2 years, and the workplace will be at NTNU, Campus Ålesund. The starting date is as soon as possible but is negotiable.

The position is closely connected to our R&D license for salmonids in the sea, and the successful candidate will work in close collaboration with scientific staff at IBA and our research group InnoSEA. At IBA we work in cross-disciplinary teams and main topics within the scope of the positions include fish welfare, behavior of farmed salmonids and aquaculture-environment interactions. More specifically, relevant projects for these positions aim to develop monitoring techniques for fish behavior in aquaculture cages and parasites in the sea, to elucidate the role of fish density and behavior on salmon lice infestations and overall fish welfare, and to evaluate methods to measure, monitor and increase fish welfare. 

Your immediate leader is the Head of department at IBA.

Duties of the position

As researcher at IBA, the successful candidate will be part of our research team and participate in all regular research tasks, including experimental planning, data collection, analyses and dissemination. Practical work will include:

• Fieldwork in projects related to projects at our R&D license for salmonids under various weather conditions, as well as post-processing of samples
• Handling of scientific equipment for sampling of water and fish 
• Measurements of welfare status of fish both manually or by new technologies 
• Analyses of plankton samples using traditional or sensor- and video-based techniques
• Dissemination of results
• Development of new research projects together with the InnoSEA research team at IBA
• Cooperation with PhD students, master and bachelor students

Required selection criteria

We work at the interface of biology and technology to solve biological problems in the marine environment, and we encourage candidates with background in aquaculture, marine and environmental sciences, biology, veterinary science, but also engineering and ICT or other relevant education to apply. The candidates must hold a PhD degree and be experienced in at least one of the following areas:

• Finfish aquaculture research
• marine environmental research
• mechanical engineering or control
• ICT  

The candidates must show a clear interest in complex interactions of aquaculture with the marine environment and fish welfare and will be able to participate in all parts of a project workflow related to the work description. 

Professional English proficiency is required to support scientific dissemination activities.   

Preferred selection criteria

The ideal candidate has additional hands-on experience with some of the following:

• handling of fish or other marine animals 
• field work, also at sea
• water and plankton analyses 
• relevant statistical data analyses 
• machine learning, ideally object recognition
• Participation or leadership roles in research projects
• Development and writing of research grants

A solid project and publication track record is advantageous, but we also encourage early-stage researchers to apply. The preferred work language is Norwegian and therefore skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language are advantageous.

Personal characteristics

• Professional curiosity
• Positive attitude and motivation to contribute to a good work environment
• Good collaboration skills and ability to work cross-disciplinary
• Ability to work both independently and in teams
• Ability to work goal- and result-oriented
• Good dissemination skills
• Practical skills

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, education, experience and personal suitability will be emphasized, together with motivation for the position.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The gross salary for the position of Researcher (code 1109) is remunerated according to the Norwegian State Salary Scale depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund,

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite that you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily. 

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:

• CV, certificates and diplomas 
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works) 
• Details of the projects you have managed or participated in, with information about role and duration 
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees 
   

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.  

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.  

The city of Ålesund, with its population of 50 000, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore a region of Norway that is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords. Ålesund itself, with its Art Nouveau architecture, is by many considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

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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 have any questions about the position, please contact Lars Gansel, telephone +47 46 45 62 81, email lars.gansel@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Gerd Flataas, e-mail: gerd.flataas@ntnu.no.  

If you think this looks interesting and in line 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.