About the position

We have vacancy for a PhD position at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science  that is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The position is related to the project Optimal utilisation of marine food resources (OPTiMAT). OPTiMAT is a comprehensive project dealing with better utilisation of marine food resources and is a collaboration between Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, and Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

This PhD project will focus on applying methods and tools from design thinking and systems engineering with knowledge from microbiology and food processing in order to ensure effective cleaning and maintenance and secure food safety of the products. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop methods and tools for hygienic- and sustainable food processing equipment design, such as including hygienic design principles in CAD tools. The validation of those methods and tools will follow suggested standards developed by the European Hygienic Design Group (EHEDG). EHEDG is a recognized authority in hygienic design and engineering throughout the world. The position does not require prior knowledge about food safety and microbiology; however, it is expected that the candidate is obtaining basic knowledge trough course work and self-study in this field as a part of the PhD project.

You will report to Associate Professor Erin Marie Skjøndal Bar

Duties of the position

• The candidate should actively cooperate and cocreate with other staff and PhD fellows working on the OPTiMAT project to gain new knowledge and new solutions to improve the utilization of marine food resources
• The candidate is specifically responsible for planning and accomplishing research activity related to the specific PhD project
• The candidate should actively disseminate results within the OPTiMAT project, within the scientific group, to other PhD fellows and master students in the field, and to the society overall
• The candidate will be a part of the Food Science research group at Department of Biotechnology and Food Science that are working on a variety of topics related to Food Science and Food Safety. It is thus important that the applicants are willing to collaborate with other researchers, and between fields of research, enabling them to be a part of the team.

Required selection criteria

The PhD position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in Product development/Industrial design, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Other qualifications:

• Candidates with experience within food processing or food production will be preferred
• Applicants should have good communication skills and be fluent in English, both orally and written.

Personal characteristics

• Ability to be creative and take initiative in cross-disciplinary teams
• Ability to work independently as well as in team
• Enthusiastic, with a keen interest in a wider context than own research

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

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years with the possibility of 1 year extension due to teaching duties.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Biotechnology (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbiot) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 3 works)
• Name and address of three referees
• An up to one page "Personal motivation letter" for the position

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

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTN

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or 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.

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.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Eirin Marie Skjøndal Bar, email: eirin.bar@ntnu.no.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number NV-73/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 13.07.2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Biotechnology and Food Science

Our activities contribute to increased exploitation of existing and new ingredients for sustainable food production as well as next-generation energy solutions and medical technology. We educate graduates for a wide range of careers in industry, public administration and academia. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Deadline 13th July 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Trondheim