PhD Candidate in mucus - microbiota interactions

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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 by the possibilities to promote human, animal and environmental health by furthering our understanding of host microbiota interactions? And are you intrigued by how soft materials can provide strong defenses? The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science (IBT) has a vacancy for a 100% position as a PhD candidate working on a interdisciplinary project within the field of mucosa – microbiota interactions across the Biopolymer and Biomaterials (Biopolymers and Biomaterials - NTNU), and Microbial Biotechnology (Microbial Biotechnology - NTNU) research groups. Your main supervisor will be Associate Professor Catherine Taylor Nordgård, and your co-supervisor will be Professor Ingrid Bakke. 

As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The mucosal surface is a universal dynamic interface between higher organisms and the external environment, and the importance of microbes for both mucosal health and wider functioning of higher organisms is becoming clearer and clearer.  The project will utilize our established gnotobiotic experimental system for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and our biopolymer and biomaterial research laboratory to study the dynamic bacteria-mucus interplay, investigating how microbial exposure influences the biomechanical functional properties of the mucus layer at the host environment boundary. 

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Conduct high-quality research within the project framework described above
• Participate actively and collaborate within the research group(s) 
• Communicate the research through academic publications, popular science dissemination and national/international conferences 
• If applicable, participate in teaching, research exchange, workshops or other training activities

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in biotechnology or a related area that includes practical laboratory experience in microbiology and biochemistry/chemistry or similar. 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 and no later than 31.12.2025.
• 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 Programme (https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd)
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English

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

• Experience with microscopy 
• Experience with rheology 
• Experience with biopolymers, hydrogels or biofilms
• Experience with cultivation of microbes and axenic experimental systems

Personal characteristics

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

• Work independently and take initiative
• Plan and carry out work systematically 
• Tackle research questions with curiosity and self-motivation
• Engage in critical analysis and adapt when necessary

• Communicate clearly and constructively and embrace collaboration

  Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with real world implications
• An interdisciplinary international and inclusive professional environment with excellent experimental infrastructure
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)  
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

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 3 years, with the possibility of 1 year extension due to teaching duties. Fluency in a Scandinavian language is required to qualify for teaching duties.

The candidate must start in the position no later than 01.04.2026.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biotechnology (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbiot) within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out 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 with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

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

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure 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:

• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV 
• Copy of Master's thesis. 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.
• 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.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

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 Catherine Taylor Nordgård, email catherine.t.nordgard@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: 31.12.2025

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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.