About the position

We have a vacancy for a 3-year postdoctoral position related to the project DYNAMAR - Dynamics of Sexual Selection in a Changing Ocean: Integrating Life History and Local Adaptation. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway, with Professor Trond Amundsen at the Department of Biology, NTNU, as the Project Manager. The project involves collaboration across disciplines among scientists at the NTNU, and extensive national and international collaborations. In Norway, these include several universities, the Marine Research Institute (IMR), and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

The DYNAMAR project aims to analyze effects of climatic variation in marine ecosystems on spatiotemporal dynamics of sexual selection, life history and local adaptation, using the fish Gobiusculus flavescens as a model species. The project combines extensive field studies of sexual selection and life history with common-garden experiments, genetic and genomic analyses, and mathematical modeling.

The postdoc will be involved in a range of these activities, with detailed tasks to be decided in collaboration with the selected applicant, before and during the project. The postdoc will have a central role in conducting and leading field work but will also be involved in other parts of the project. Field work is carried out at locations along the Norwegian coast.

Candidates should be able to lead teams of field workers and be ready to work under variable conditions in the field, including in-water work (by snorkeling). We therefore seek candidates with good leadership skills, who enjoy fieldwork, and who have the ability to conduct careful field studies in a responsible way, scientifically and safety-wise, under sometimes demanding conditions.

You will report to Professor Trond Amundsen.

Duties of the position

• Contribute to practical execution of field studies for the project, including leading small research teams in the field
• Logistical organization of research activities including field work
• Contribute to field- and lab parts of common-garden experiments
• Contribute to laboratory analyses to study parentage, population genetics and adaptation
• Contribute to supervising students, assistants and volunteers
• Analyse and write up data sets for publication, as lead or collaborating author
• The exact tasks will be decided in collaboration with the postdoc, and will be flexibly revised in line with project development

Required selection criteria

Postdoctoral fellow:

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in ecology, evolution, behaviour or related fields, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required. 

Candidates who expect to  complete their PhD soon, before potential employment in the postdoctoral position, are also encouraged to apply.

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.

Required selection criteria

• Relevant field work experience
• Experience from scientific publishing
• Good analytical and statistical skills
• Motivation and readiness to work both in the field and in the lab
• Openness and flexibility to variable work conditions and needs in the projec
• Very good written and oral English language skills

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of sexual selection, life history and adaptation
• Experience from designing research activities and logistic leadership of such activities
• Experience from teamwork in the field and in general
• Experience with handling live animals (including animal welfare training licence if you have)  
• Experience from marine coastal environments and boating
• Experience from work with fish
• Experience from snorkeling 
• Experience from molecular genetic and/or genomic work
• Experience in outreach and public dissemination
• Nordic language skills 
• The totality of fulfilment of preferred selection criteria will be assessed. We do not expect applicants to fulfil all criteria, but each count positively and are relevant for the position.

Personal characteristics

• Good team-worker and team leadership skills, including field work under rough conditions
• Sociable, likes talking to people and organizing things
• Positive, inspirational and supportive attitude: some who wants to “make others better” in the team, and who focuses on the success of the team
• Careful, responsible and trustworthy, in science, logistics and team leadership
• Dedicated and well organized; curious, critical and constructive
• Open-minded and flexible

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

Postdoctoral fellowship:

The employment period is 3 years.

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 545 300 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 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.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite that 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 and must be submitted through the jobbnorge.no web portal.

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 5 works)
• A note briefly describing your role in multi-authored papers (all that you have written; not only the 5 if you have more papers)
• Name, position and contact details of three references
• The application should clearly state why you consider yourself a qualified candidate for the position, and your motivation for seeking this position in particular
• The application should outline your research profile and experience in conducting and organizing research, in student supervision/tutorship, and in public dissemination

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 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 among 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.

According to the 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 Trond Amundsen, e-mail: trond.amundsen@ntnu.no. For questions about the recruitment process, contact Torunn Elena Myhr Olsen, e-mail: torunn.e.m.olsen@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 21/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.03.21

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.

Deadline 10th March 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service