Fish Health and Parasitology Researcher

About the position

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is strengthening its focus on fish health and is seeking a committed and scientifically strong researcher in fish parasitology at the Section for preventive fish health. Several fish parasites cause major losses and disease challenges in the Norwegian aquaculture industry, and parasites can also cause disease and mortality in wild fish populations. Climate-related challenges and new production technologies may increase the risk of parasite‑related diseases in farmed fish, and parasites are likely underdiagnosed as loss factors in aquaculture. There is therefore a strategic need for the Institute to strengthen its capacity in this field.

The position is part of the Section for preventive fish health at the NVI’s headquaters in Ås - a strong and dedicated scientific environment working with host-agent-environment interactions and disease prevention. The section currently has 21 staff members with extensive activity in externally funded research, surveillance assignments, and international projects, and also contributes to advisory support and preparedness.

Much of the section’s work is project‑based and carried out across departments and sections within the Institute, most often in collaboration with national and/or international partners.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has four international reference laboratory functions, including for the salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris.

You are welcome to contact Head of section, Trude Vrålstad if you have questions about the position.

What does the job involve?

We are seeking a researcher who will contribute to the further development of the field and strengthen research activity in fish parasitology and fish health, with a primary focus on national challenges affecting both farmed and wild fish. The position also offers opportunities to participate in the Institute’s international work related to capacity building in fish health and biosecurity. The activities encompass both ongoing and emerging scientific needs in fish parasitology in freshwater and marine environments.

The specific tasks will be adapted to the candidate’s competence and experience, but may include:

• conducting research that increases understanding of parasitic diseases and provides a basis for effective preventive and/or control

• measures in aquaculture, while also contributing to improved management of wild fish populations

• project development and acquisition of externally funded research and contract projects

• publishing scientific articles and contributing to knowledge dissemination towards authorities, aquaculture industry stakeholders, and the

• scientific community

• contributing to preparedness, risk assessments, and knowledge‑based advice to authorities and industry

• collaborating and building networks with public authorities, the aquaculture industry, and national and international partners

• assisting with method development and disease surveillance targeting both farmed and wild fish

• contributing to the section’s broader project portfolio within research, surveillance, commissioned work, and capacity building

Travel and fieldwork related to research, surveillance, and international projects may be part of the position.

Qualifications and requirement

You need:

• a PhD in a relevant biological or veterinary discipline, preferably within fish parasitology

• relevant research experience, with emphasis on grant application writing and/or project management and/or scientific publishing

• very good written and oral communication skills in English

Please note that the working language at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute is Norwegian. For new employees who do not speak Norwegian, we will offer the opportunity to attend Norwegian language courses. Employees are expected to learn to understand and communicate in Norwegian within a couple of years.

We also emphasize the following qualifications:

• solid experience in fish parasitology in salmonids, but knowledge of parasites in other fish species is also considered relevant

• relevant expertise in modern methodologies and/or analytical approaches

• experience with or interest in applied research, advisory support to public authorities, and preparedness activities

• strong skills in research communication and dissemination

• knowledge of governmental administration and/or the aquaculture industry

• a relevant national and/or international professional network

• good written and oral communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language

Desired personal qualities

You are curious and ambitious with strong motivation for your work. You are creative and proactive, with the ability to think innovatively when developing project ideas and funding proposals. You are structured and reliable, while also flexible when needs arise. You are able to work both independently and in team across diverse projects, contributing to strong and productive collaborations. You demonstrate strong implementationskills, sound judgment, and perseverance in research activities. You give and receive professional input in a constructive and respectful manner, are open about your own ideas, curious about others’ perspectives, and contribute to an inclusive working environment.

You must be able to identify with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute’s core values of being forward‑looking, scientifically ambitious, and collaborative.

In addition to your formal qualifications and scientific expertise, significant weight will be given to your personal suitability and motivation for the position. Applicants are encouraged to include a brief description of their motivation for the position in their application.

We offer

• a permanent research position within a field of high societal importance

• a high degree of independence and opportunities to influence your work

• a strong professional and scientific environment that offers opportunities for continuous learning and scientific development

• a work environment characterized by development, collaboration, high competence, and diversity

• flexible working hours in accordance with the Norwegian State agreements on working time, including summer and winter working hours

• opportunities for physical exercise during working hours, up to one hour per week

• possibility of partial remote work by agreement

You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens Pensjonskasse), which offers favorable pension and insurance schemes, as well as the opportunity to apply for home loans on attractive terms. Read more at spk.no. A 2% contribution will be deducted from your salary.

The positionis remunerated according to the Norwegian government's salary scale and is dependent on qualifications. You will be employed as a Researcher under position code 1109 or 1100, with a salary range from NOK 750,000 to NOK 950,000. For particularly well‑qualified candidates, a somewhat higher salary (possibly position code 1183) may be considered. Final salary placement will depend on your qualifications.

How to apply

You can apply for the position via Jobbnorge.no.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter

• A CV

• Diplomas and certificates

The application, including all attachments, must be submitted through our recruitment system Jobbnorge. Click “Apply for this position” to proceed.

When applying, we kindly ask you to retrieve your academic transcripts from Vitnemålsportalen.no if you are educated in Norway. If your results are not available there, please upload copies of your diplomas or transcripts. All documentation must be in Norwegian, alternatively in another Scandinavian language or in English.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a public institution, and in accordance with the Public Access to Information Act, all applicants are included in a public applicant list after the application deadline. A request for exemption from the public applicant list may be granted in special cases. If your request for exemption is not approved, you will be contacted to consider whether you wish to maintain your application. If you choose to proceed as an applicant, your name will be made public. If not, you may withdraw your application.

For more information on how we process your personal data, please refer to our privacy policy.

Inclusion and diversity

Our employees have diverse backgrounds in terms of nationality, education, work experience, and life experience - something we consider a strength. We believe that diverse perspectives contribute to better solutions and a more inclusive working environment.

We follow government guidelines for inclusive recruitment. Qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CVs, or an immigrant background will be invited to an interview if the eligibility criteria are met. We therefore encourage you to indicate this when applying for the position. This information is also used for anonymized statistics, which all government agencies report in their annual reports.

We hope you will apply for the position!

About us

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a biomedical research institute with special authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. In terms of both professional and financial governance, the Institute reports to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food as well as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

Our mission is to detect and prevent infectious diseases, as well as known and emerging threats to the health of animals, humans, and the environment. In collaboration with public authorities, industry stakeholders, and other knowledge institutions, we contribute to increased knowledge to ensure good animal health and welfare, safe food, and sustainable bio-based industries.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is designated as the national reference laboratory in more than 30 areas of expertise and as an international reference centre for the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in several fields.

Our vision, “Good health for animals and humans,” is achieved through clear goals and strategic, professional collaboration with partners in more than 40 countries in addition to Norway. The Institute has approximately 330 employees, located in Tromsø, Harstad, Trondheim, Bergen, Sandnes, and at its headquarters in Ås, Akershus.