About the Department  and theposition

The main research goal of the Department of Biology (https://www.ntnu.edu/biology) is to understand biological processes and use that knowledge to preserve the environment. The Department takes an interdisciplinary approach to education and research that is deeply rooted in environmental biology. The cross-disciplinary strategic focus areas are climate change, biodiversity, pollution and sustainable use of natural resources. The position to be filled will be based in the MsB section. The overarching aim of the MsB section is to perform research on processes involving interplay across different scales of biology ranging from molecular events in single cells via the organism to the ecosystem level. The data produced at these different scales will be interconnected using systems biology-based approaches. The MsB section currently recruits new scientific staff due to the retirement of several academics, which creates a unique opportunity to build a novel research team with ambitious aims. On this occasion we are aiming to hire a person with a strong track record in plant ecology.

To connect well with the members and aims of the group we seek a person that is using molecular methods to study ecological processes in plant populations and communities. We are particularly interested in applications from candidates with research activities related to below-ground processes. The candidate should also contribute to the department’s aims to strengthen cross-disciplinary research collaborations between groups at the department.

Job descrition

As new MsB team member you will

• be responsible for the development of the discipline together with other scientific staff in the department
• be expected to develop a research program supported by external funding and to undertake supervision of Masters and Doctoral candidates
• participate in teaching activities in accordance with the relevant curriculum, and assist in developing the teaching program, including advanced and postgraduate courses. You will have responsibility for teaching in introductory ecology, as well as teaching in advanced courses, depending upon relevant interests/expertise
• contribute to management and the strategic development of the department, the faculty and NTNU

Qualifications and selection criteria

For being taken into consideration you must hold a PhD, or academic work of the same scope and quality, within biology and document a strong research and academic competence within plant ecology.

Further advantages will be related to:

• the relevance of your research area to one or more of the focus areas at the department: climate change, biodiversity, pollution, sustainable use of natural resources.
• proven effectiveness in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• demonstrated teaching and communication skills.
• pedagogical training in student-centered and active learning methods at all levels

You will be expected to deliver high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and undertake supervision of Masters and Doctoral candidates. Evaluation of these skills will be based on documented experience and relevant teaching qualifications. Applicants with teaching experience at university level are preferred. Quality and breadth of the teaching qualifications will be evaluated.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.  This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

You must document relevant basic competence for teaching and supervision at university/higher education-level, ref. Regulations. If this cannot be documented, you are required to complete an approved course in university teaching within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

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

Please see the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts for general criteria for the position.

Personal characteristics

We are looking for a new colleague who is

• interested in interdisciplinary research and collaboration
• working in a strategic and coordinated manner with colleagues
• promoting an inclusive and supportive work environment
• ambitious and open to tackling new challenges

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position.

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 position as Associate Professor comes with a starting package for new research staff, opportunities for mentoring and is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

It is required that the newly appointed member of staff takes up residence in Trondheim or nearby and is present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

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 description of the academic works to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

The application for this position and all relevant materials submitted must include the following:

• a complete CV with certified copies of relevant certificates, diplomas and a complete publication list, including information about SCOPUS ID, funding, duration and size.
• a brief description of your research and teaching profile as well as a short outline of the your visions for the position regarding future research and teaching activities (max 5 pages). NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.
• a short summary on how you envision your research to fit into the multiscale biology theme of the section.
• Summary of your pedagogical qualifications based on a list of factors, which can be found here Regulations.
• Relevant documentation summarizing your experience with university administration and outreach activities.
• Copies of up to 4 relevant, published peer-reviewed publications. 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.
• Names and contact details of 3 potential references.

When the application deadline has passed, a shortlisting committee will evaluate all applications. The best qualified applicants will then be considered by an external appointments panel and the most suitable applicants will be invited to interview and to deliver a lecture to undergraduate students

General information

A good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. NTNU wishes to increase the proportion of women in its academic positions, and women are therefore 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. Norway, like other Scandinavian countries, has generous rules for both maternity and paternity leave. 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 (About Trondheim). Trondheim is a small city by international standards with low crime rates and little pollution. It also has easy access to a beautiful countryside with mountains and a dramatic coastline.

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.

Under the Freedom of 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. 

For further information, please contact Prof. Bente Graae (bente.j.graae@ntnu.no), Assoc. prof. Rick.Strimbeck (Richard.strimbeck@ntnu.no) or the Head of Department Dr. Else Berit Skagen (else.berit.skagen@ntnu.no), at the Department of Biology. More information about the department can be found on http://www.ntnu.edu/biology.

 Please submit your application and supporting documentation via jobbnorge.no. If you are invited for interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas.

Application deadline: 20.04.2020

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 Biology 

We work with global challenges in natural diversity, climate, the environment, health and nutrition. Our expertise in biological processes at all levels – from molecules to ecosystems – contributes to a sustainable society. The Department educate graduates for a wide range of careers in public administration, business and academia. The Department of Biology is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 20th April 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent