PhD Candidate in bioreactors for aquaculture water treatment

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

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About the position

Are you excited about sustainable water treatment? The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science (IBT) has a vacancy for a 100% position as a PhD candidate within the field of biological water treatment in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). 

You will be part of the Analysis and Control of Microbial Systems group (ACMS), that is now integrated into the Microbial Biotechnology research group. We are passionate about conducting fundamental research to deepen our understanding of microorganisms and apply them to production and environmental processes. Your PhD supervisor will be Associate Professor Sharada Navada, who has 10 years of international work experience in the water treatment industry. 

Depending on your research topic, you will have the opportunity to collaborate across NTNU departments and the aquaculture industry in Norway.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) use biological water treatment to remove toxic compounds produced by the fish. Fluctuations in water quality can stress the biological reactors, thus impairing treatment efficiency and posing a risk to fish health. This project will explore stress adaptation in bioreactors and water treatment in aquaculture. 

The work will involve experimental studies on biofilm reactors. There may be opportunities to collaborate on other projects in water treatment and can include interactions with the aquaculture industry.

Duties of the position

• Participate and collaborate within the research group to conduct high-quality research
• Communicate the research through academic publications, popular science dissemination and national/international conferences
• If applicable, teaching/research exchange/collaboration on other relevant projects 
• Complete the doctoral education by submitting and defending the thesis within the stipulated period

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant background within biotechnology, biochemical, or environmental engineering. Candidates with a related background in biology, microbiology, or chemical engineering with relevant theoretical and laboratory skills may also apply. 
• You must have a relevant Master's degree. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program (PHBIOT)
• Excellent communication skills in oral and written English, preferably certified by a recognized institution (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, CPE).

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

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and 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

• Skill in experimental design and wet-lab analyses
• Experience with bioreactor experiments
• Hands-on experience with biofilm research 

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Self-motivated and independent, with excellent time management skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Resilient and persistent, ability to work constructively under pressure 
• Strong communication and collaborative skills, be open to feedback and teamwork

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• An international and inclusive professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Employee benefits 
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

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.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is three years, with a possibility for one year extension through 25% teaching duty (if qualified). The PhD thesis should be submitted, preferably defended, within this period. Fluency in a Scandinavian language is required to qualify for teaching duty. 

For employment as a PhDCandidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in in Biotechnology (PHBIOT)  within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participatein an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and 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 withthe principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technologyand 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 must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment (in English). 

The application will be assessed based on only the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, ensure 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.

The application must include:

• CV and certificates
• A statement of purpose letter of motivation including
  • Section 1: why you are interested in this specific PhD project, your academic/professional/research background and skills, career goals and personal characteristics that make you suitable for this position (max. 400 words)
  • Section 2: Brief outline for a project proposal within this topic that includes research questions that interest you, theoretical perspectives, methodological design and progress plan (max. 400 words)
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• Abstract of Master’s thesis (max. 500 words) including the background, knowledge gap, research question, methodology, results, application potential and conclusions. 
• Copy of Master's thesis (if available). If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work. In case of joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions,and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and 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 applicant list, 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 think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Sharada Navada, email: sharada.navada@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Cecilie Skagfjord (HR, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science), e-mail: cecilie.skagfjord@ntnu.no. 

Application deadline: 20.10.2025

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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.