About the position

The Department of Marine Technology has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Fellowship on the topics of data analysis, identification and evaluation of ecosystem indicators, and environmental risk assessment for the Barents Sea.

The Postdoctoral Fellow position is part of the Nansen Legacy, which is a novel and holistic Arctic research project owned by the University of Tromsø, Norway. NTNU is one of ten partners in the project. The project provides integrated scientific knowledge for sustainable management of the marine environment and resources of the Barents Sea and the adjacent Arctic Basin throughout the 21th century. 

Climate change, pollution, and ocean acidification impact the state of the ecosystem in these areas, and the condition of plankton, benthic fauna, fish stocks, sea mammals, and seabirds. The Nansen Legacy will provide an outlook for the expected state of climate, sea ice, and ecosystem, and evaluate the sensitivity and functionality of early-warning indicators for detecting changes and vulnerabilities in marine resources.

The position reports to the Supervising Professor.

Duties of the position

• The research will focus on the identification, analysis and evaluation of the ecosystem indicators using advanced data analysis and risk assessment methods. Ecosystem indicators include changes caused by both natural and human processes.  
• It is a challenge to determine which ecosystem indicators are most feasible for management purposes. Criteria for the assessment and selection of ecosystem indicators need to be established, but in general, the indicators must be scientifically valid, cost-effective and convey information clearly and coherently to stakeholders. The indicators need to measure conditions that the humans have some control over and enable evaluation of the effect of management actions. In general, current risk assessment methods and models are linked to short term incidents. An aim of this work is to link environmental risk assessment to the potential effects of increased human activity in the Barents Sea.
• Expected methods to be applied are based on various frameworks of machine learning techniques and environmental risk assessment.
• The position will be responsible for developing scientific journal and conference publications addressing the above-mentioned topics.

Required selection criteria

• A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. Completion of a Norwegian doctoral degree in Marine Technology/Cybernetics; Marine Safety; Reliability, Availability, Maintenance, Safety (RAMS); Computer Science or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required.
• 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.
• 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.
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken, are required. Applicants from non-English speak countries outside Europe must present an official language test report. The acceptable tests are TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:            
  •  TOEFL: 600 / writing 4.5 (paper-based test), 92 / writing 22 (internet-based test)            
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Other qualifications

• Highly motivated candidate.
• Relevant industry experience may be an advantage.
• Academic results, publications, relevant specialization, work or research experience, personal qualifications, and motivation and a desire to make an impact on critical societal problems will be considered when evaluating the applicants.

Personal characteristics

• Structured
• Thourough
• Trustworthy
• Innovative, creative and open minded

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

The employment period is 2 years.

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 542 400 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Found

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.

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
• Research plan or project proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment 
• Name and address of three referees

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 NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent, NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. 

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 Ingrid Utne, telephone +47 982 22 465, e-mail: Ingrid.b.utne@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marit Gjersvold, e-mail: marit.gjersvold@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). http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/).

Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters .Please refer to the application number IV-136/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.08.2020

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 Marine Technology

We develop methods and technology related to the blue economy: oil and gas extraction at sea, ship technology and the equipment industry, fisheries and aquaculture. We also have a strong commitment to the development of sustainable solutions for offshore renewable energy, coastal infrastructure, and marine robotics. Marine technology helps to solve major global challenges related to the environment, climate, energy, food and efficient transport. The Department of Marine Technology is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 10th August 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Marine Technology