About the position 

We are searching for two Post doc candidates for a project investigating processes impacting the long-term dynamics, stability, and resilience of species communities.

The fully financed 2-year Post doc positions are available at the Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The aim of these postdoc-projects is to study long-term community-level responses to environmental variation. Central tasks will also be to evaluate such responses across environmental gradients in space, and to account for and understand effects of trophic interactions, life history, and density-dependent dynamics on community structure.

To reach these aims, the candidates will work with comprehensive data of communities from different taxa to combine empirical and eco-evolutionary modelling of multi-species population dynamics, especially focusing on the impact of different climate change scenarios. We are searching for highly motivated candidates with experience from community ecology, preferably also with competence in population-dynamic modelling or in analyses of co-evolutionary processes of interacting species. The successful candidates will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team covering empirical, theoretical, and statistical expertise in eco-evolutionary biology.

You will report to the head of department.

Duties of the position

The postdoc candidate will perform empirical case study analyses, theoretical multi-species modelling, and simulations with the aim to produce papers for publications in highly ranked journals A central focus will be to combine ecological and evolutionary approaches. Participation in field work for collecting community data is possible but not mandatory.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD 
• You must have a professionally relevant background in Biology or Biomathematics
• D understanding of population and community dynamics or eco-evolutionary processes are mandatory

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  

Preferred selection criteria

• experience with analyses of ecological or evolutionary dynamical processes are mandatory
• ability to handle and analyse large data bases
• good scientific communication skills (written and oral English)
• experience from scientific publishing
• good skills in R or equivalent programming language
• experience with analyses of ecological or evolutionary dynamical processes are mandatory

Personal characteristics

• ability to work in a team, as well as independently
• motivated to combine theoretical work with empirical studies of complex biological systems
• ambitious

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

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

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross 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 period of employment is 2 years.

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 you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis. 

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.

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 application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas 
• transcripts and diplomas for PhD degrees.  
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to XX items) 
• Research plan (1 page max)
• Name and address of three 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. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well. 

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 and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

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 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 Bernt-Erik Sæther, email bernt-erik.sather@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-71/21 when applying.  

Application deadline: 25.06.2021.

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 25th June 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service