Associate Professor in Experimental Biophysics

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About the position

The Department of Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a permanent position as Associate Professor in Experimental Biophysics.

We invite candidates who can develop a high‑profile international research program, strengthen university education in physics‑based understanding of biological systems from molecules to tissues, and contribute to the use and further development of our research infrastructure.

The research profile may focus on either “Molecular Biophysics”, or “Cellular and Tissue Biophysics”. as summarized in the following. 

Molecular Biophysics 

Molecular biophysics seeks to understand the structure, functions, and applications of biological macromolecules and their higher order assemblies through physics-based principles, across multiple length scales. Examples include studying individual macromolecules and their role in hierarchical organization in both healthy and diseased states, as well as the architecture of complex molecular assemblies such as extracellular matrices, biomolecular condensates, and hydrogels. Experimental approaches are often complemented by theoretical and numerical strategies. The insights harnessed provide a foundation for high throughput characterization and diagnostics, highlighting the field’s significant translational potential. 

Cellular and Tissue Biophysics

Research in cellular and tissue biophysics involves experimental studies at the level of individual cells, multicellular systems, and tissues, extending also to animal models. The overarching goal is to advance physics-based understanding of cellular systems and living tissues across multiple length scales, thereby improving diagnostic methods and therapies for conditions such as cancer and central nervous system disorders (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases). A critical prerequisite for better diagnostics and treatments is elucidating the underlying mechanisms of disease and the mechanisms of action of therapeutic interventions. Insights from this research seek to optimize treatment protocols and enable personalized medicine. The experimental approaches are often complemented by theoretical and numerical strategies, providing a comprehensive framework for discovery and translation.

Research infrastructure

The Department of Physics offers a robust research infrastructure relevant to this position, including multiple atomic force microscopy instruments, a range of advanced optical microscopy systems, laboratories for microfluidics/microdevices, and dedicated cell culture facilities. Additionally, the shared cleanroom facility NTNU Nanolab provides important infrastructure for biophysics research. Recent advances in biophysics and biomedical research have been driven by strong integration with engineering and technology. This includes using microscopy methods (confocal and multiphoton nonlinear microscopy, Raman-based microscopy techniques, Brillouin microscopy, advanced scanning probe microscopy), single-cell analyses, microfluidic and micro-physiological platforms, utilization of micro- and nanotechnology, cell or tissue cultures, screening and sequencing and integration with mathematical models. These approaches enable characterization of biological specimens across multiple length scales, including spatially resolved mapping of chemical composition and material properties. Future development will rely on both state-of-the-art commercial instruments and custom-built setups with unique capabilities. Strengthening biophotonics capabilities and expanding the range of microscopy techniques would benefit the research activities at the Department. Within the field of microdevices and their application within biophysics, customized microdevices (e.g. microfluidics integrated with electrical, acoustic, and optical functionalities) are expected to have growing impact and offer significant opportunities for collaborative synergies within biophysics research. 

Beyond the local research infrastructure at the Department of Physics, there are also complementary capabilities located at other departments at NTNU.

Your immediate leader is the Head of the Department of Physics. 

Duties of the position

The successful candidate shall:

• Initiate, conduct and lead experimental research within either of the fields “Molecular Biophysics” or “Cellular and Tissue Biophysics”, and integrate this with application and further development of research infrastructure.
• Take a leading role in research-based education, including supervision, teaching, and course development for bachelor, master and Ph.D. students in physics generally and within molecular and cellular biophysics, bionanotechnology and microscopy, more specifically.
• Participate in administrative activities as for example boards devoted to development of teaching and research at the Department and Faculty.
• Initiate and actively participate in research and innovation projects, including taking a leading role in obtaining external funding.
• Actively disseminate research to the scientific community and the general public.

Required qualifications 

You must have the following qualifications required for the position of associate professor:

• A doctoral degree in biologically oriented physics (biophysics) or a closely related field.
• Experience with experimental research in molecular biophysics and/or cellular and tissue biophysics
• Research experience beyond the doctoral degree of at least two years duration.
• Experience with relevant student interaction through either university level teaching or supervision of bachelor, master and/or doctoral candidates. 
• Very good written and oral English language skills.

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the NTNUs guidelines for academic positions. If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses.

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level B2of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU. 

Preferred qualifications

• Proven ability to attract research funding and lead research and development projects.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in didactic development for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in physics in general, and molecular and cellular biophysics and microscopy in particular. 
• Experience in project coordination and management, including integrating students at various levels into research projects.
• Track record in scientific dissemination and outreach activities.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative networks.
• Experience with start-ups and/or working with industrial partners
• Very good written and oral Scandinavian language skills

Personal qualities

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following personal qualities:

• Strong collaboration skills, sharing knowledge and experience to support colleagues and teams.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and responsible, dependable and trustworthy.
• Active contributor to a positive and stable work environment.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to communicate clearly, precisely, and in a structured manner, fostering acceptance of ideas and plans.
• Self-aware, recognizing personal strengths and limitations, and committed to continuous learning and development.

In the evaluations of the most qualified applicant, education, experience, personal attributes, and motivation for the position will be considered.

We offer 

• Exciting and challenging tasks in a dynamic and international academic environment.
• Attractive collaborations with St. Olavs university hospital 
• State of the art research infrastructure facilities supported by highly competent engineers, such as Center for advanced microscopy and NTNU Nanolab
• Supervision and teaching of students at the most highly ranked physics and nanotechnology study programs in Norway
• A strategically prioritized research area, with access to university-wide networks through NTNU Health and Life Science 
• Legally mandated academic freedom
• Counseling services for administrative staff and academics through NTNU International Researcher Support (NIRS) including housing, dual career services, seminars, courses, and social activities for the international community at NTNU.
• An open and inclusive working environment, with enthusiastic colleagues
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Employee benefits

NTNU – Inclusion and 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.

Application Process

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

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Salary and conditions

The position as Associate Professor (code 1011) comes with a starting package for new research staff and is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale, depending on qualifications and seniority. 

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.  

As an employee at NTNU, you are expected to continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

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

Associate Professors at a Norwegian University can apply to be promoted to the Professor within the same scientific field, based on evaluation of personally acquired competences.

About the application

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

Applications will be evaluated solely on the information received by the deadline. Accordingly, ensure that your submission clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience satisfy the criteria outlined above. All application materials and attachments must be submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.no. Should you be invited to an interview, please bring certified copies of any certificates or diplomas if requested.

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.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically. See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of educational competence
• Academic works– published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 5 items)
• A description of the scientific works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment
• A complete publication list, including Orchid ID (or equivalent)
• A research plan outlining the proposed scope of the research (up to 10 pages). The plan should describe how the candidate’s research will complement the department’s current activities, while contributing to its strategic development. It should also detail how the applicant intends to utilize and further develop the available research infrastructure in their work.
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

It is important that you both document and reflect on your competence. You are encouraged to use the NTNUs competence matrix as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

Collaborative 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 evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration, and an open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and the obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

General information

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.

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.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluations of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and are stipulated by rules of confidentiality. 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Head of Department of Physics, Kathrine Røe Redalen.

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR adviser Ranveig Nerhoel

Application deadline: 17.06.2026