Researcher in Environmental Degradable Polymer Coating Analysis

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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

We currently have an opening for a motivated researcher in the PolyMarine-project, led by Jotun AS in collaboration with NTNU, SINTEF Ocean and NORCE. The project focuses on the development of new generation polymers for marine coatings via implementation of an integrated safer and sustainable by design (SSbD) approach. The researcher will be based at NTNU in Trondheim and will be responsible for developing and applying analytical methods to investigate micro- and nanoplastic derived from polymer-based coatings, as well as molecular degradation products formed through accelerated environmental weathering. The research will involve collaborative work at SINTEF Ocean within the topics outlined above. 

The position is temporary, and available from 2026 to 2028. We are looking for someone who can start early in 2026.

Your immediate leader is Head of the Department of Chemistry.

Duties of the position

• Development of optimised sample preparation and analytical pipelines for determination of microplastics (µRaman), nanoplastics (pyrolysis GC-MS) and molecular degradation products (LC/GC-HRMS) of polymer-based coatings.
• Conducting simulated environmental UV- and mechanical degradation studies.
• Quantification of molecular and particulate species in samples from bench-scale and mesocosm fate and impact studies.
• Day-to-day project administration and coordination of work with other partners.
• Contribute to the supervision of master’s students.
• Dissemination of project results.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, polymer chemistry, or related scientific fields.
• Completed doctoral degree in one of the above-mentioned disciplines. 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
• Extensive hands-on experience with experimental and/or analytical laboratory work.
• Proficiency in oral and written English.

Preferred selection criteria

• Firsthand experience of micro- or nanoplastic and/or mass spectrometry-based non-target screening for unknown chemical identification is considered an advantage.
• Direct experience with environmental fate and/or toxicity studies.
• Good publication track record.
• Proven track record of popular science communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Project management experience.
• Previous experience with supervision of students.

Personal characteristics

• Analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Motivated to embrace challenges, enthusiastic, and result oriented.
• Proven initiative and ability to work independently, while being a team-player motivated by advancing others.

Emphasis will be placed on motivation, personal and interpersonal qualities.

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 is remunerated depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 

The employment period is 2,5 years.

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 (3-5 works) 
• A description of the academic/artistic works that you regard as most relevant and that you particularly want to be taken into account in the assessment 
• Details of the projects you have managed, with information about funding, duration and size 
• 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 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 have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Lisbet Sørensen, email: lisbet.sorensen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Marie Kristiansen, email: marie.kristiansen@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. 

Application deadline: 16.11.2025