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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Quantitative Evolutionary Ecology

Employer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU
Location
Trondheim, Norway
Closing date
21 Sep 2021

About the position 

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in quantitative evolutionary ecology to fill a three-year position available at the Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, NTNU.

The Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD) is a leading cross-disciplinary Centre of Excellence, with primary interests in population ecology, evolutionary biology and community dynamics. CBD works at the interface between biology and mathematical sciences and strives to apply cutting-edge theoretical and statistical frameworks to field data to resolve key questions in the contexts of both fundamental and applied science. Further information is available at http://www.ntnu.edu/cbd

This postdoctoral position represents an exciting opportunity to help lead advances at the interface of evolutionary quantitative genetics and movement ecology.

Wild populations experiencing locally deteriorating environmental conditions can in principle persist through phenotypic plasticity or micro-evolution, or by moving elsewhere. While these three mechanisms have each received considerable attention, we still know little about how they can act in combination, for example through micro-evolution of the degree of plasticity in seasonal movement.
The primary aims for the postdoctoral position are to apply advanced quantitative genetic analyses to a multi-year dataset from a wild bird population to estimate forms of plasticity and genetic variation in the occurrence of seasonal migration versus residence, specifically focusing on early life (i.e. pre-recruitment years). Achieving these objectives will require linking quantitative genetic animal model analyses with capture-mark-recapture analyses.

The post will suit a quantitative ecologist, evolutionary biologist or ecological statistician with interest in applying advanced statistical methods to quantify patterns, causes and consequences of phenotypic variation arising in wild populations. There will be scope for the post holder to innovate and develop particular aspects of the work programme.

The post is part of a research project funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN). The post holder will work with Professor Jane Reid and Dr Paul Acker at CBD, NTNU, with further support from statistician Associate Professor Stefanie Muff. This team can provide further training and support in the required analyses. The post holder will also work closely with a PhD student and two further postdoctoral researchers at CBD, and with the research team of Dr Francis Daunt, CEH, UK, utilizing the available field dataset on European shags in Scotland.

Duties of the position

  • Undertake advanced quantitative genetic and capture-mark-recapture analyses of multi-year data from a wild bird population (European shags)
  • Contribute to developing and testing novel statistical models and analytical methods
  • Produce high quality manuscripts and presentations for research dissemination
  • Contribute to collecting, collating and checking field data
  • Contribute to building a collaborative and interactive local and international research environment, including collaborating with theoreticians

Required selection criteria

  • You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree, or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD, before starting the position
  • You must have relevant experience in evolutionary ecology, population biology and/or ecological or evolutionary statistics, ideally with experience in evolutionary quantitative genetics and/or demographic variation
  • You must have good competence in advanced statistical analyses, including mixed models, and ideally including Bayesian approaches and/or capture-mark-recapture methods
  • You must have good competence in using R, or other appropriate statistical programming languages
  • You must have willingness to learn, and help to develop and test, new advanced analytical methods
  • You must have experience of publishing in high-quality journals and/or of preparing manuscripts for submission, appropriate to career stage
  • You must have excellent communication skills in written and verbal English
  • You must be a good teamworker, with enthusiasm for working in a collaborative research environment, yet you must also be able to undertake independent and self-motivated research activity

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 of working with wild population data and associated ecological fieldwork is desirable
  • good written and oral English 

Personal characteristics

(Skriv inn 3-5 personlige egenskaper. Se kompetansebeskrivelser i punkt 1.1.2 i prosessbeskrivelsen) 

  • Reliable​​​​​​
  • Communicative
  • Self-motivated
  • Organised
  • Collaborative

We offer 

  • exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
  • opportunities for career development and training, including participation in international research conferences and events
  • an open, interactive 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 primary period of employment is three years. In addition, the post holder may also be eligible to apply for a funded extension for a research placement abroad.

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 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
  • Letter of interest in the position, summarising key attributes and reasons for application
  • Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 2 items)
  • Name and address of three referees
  • Diploma for PhD degree

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 Professor Jane Reid, email jane.m.reid@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Liv-Mari Granum (HR), e-mail: liv.m.granum@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 94/21 when applying.  

Application deadline: September 21, 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 21st September 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service

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