About the position 

The NTNU University Museum is looking for an energetic and ambitious postdoctoral researcher for a period of four years, as part of an international project funded by the Research Council of Norway.

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.  

The ColdRein project seeks to reveal the evolutionary history of the Svalbard reindeer population during its adaptation to its harsh and highly stochastic Arctic environment and to generate fundamental insights into the process of rapid environmental adaptation in a large mammal.

Using a large circumpolar population genomic dataset consisting of hundreds of reindeer genomes, the successful applicant will be expected to: (1) perform basic bioinformatic analyses; (2) characterize population structure; (3) apply evolutionary simulations and genomic scanning to determine how long-term fluctuations in population size and dispersal reflect paleo-environmental dynamics; (4) to search for signatures of positive selection; (5) to characterize these changes over time using ancient genome sequences; and (6) take the lead in writing manuscripts on these topics.

The position is based in Trondheim with Prof. Mike Martin  within the Holomuseomics research group at the NTNU University Museum , and in close association with Prof. II Brage Hansen and a team of international partners.

Main tasks

• Conduct high-throughput data processing (quality control, trimming, mapping, etc.) on hundreds of reindeer genome sequences
• Perform population genomic analyses (including selection scanning), advanced demographic modelling, and evolutionary simulation using both ancient and modern genome sequences
• Integrate demographic models with paleo-environmental records
• Attend project meetings and take the lead in writing relevant manuscripts

Mandatory qualifications

• Relevant scientific background: PhD in a topic related to Evolutionary Biology and/or Computational Genomics, completed by the employment start date
• Documented evidence (in form of published papers and/or PhD thesis) of using state-of-the-art methods in population genomics and demographic modelling
• Relevant experience in adaptation genomics (including selection scanning)
• Relevant experience analysing low-depth genomic data using Unix command-line tools
• Excellent in English (written, reading, spoken)

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  

Other Qualifications of Considerable Interest

• Knowledge of the principles of population genomics
• Relevant experience in mammal population genomics
• Relevant experience performing evolutionary simulations
• Experience and interest in supervising student research using computational methods
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, both verbal and written

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 follows code 1353 Postdoctoral Fellow, salary range NOK 553 500 - 650 300 per annum before tax. There will be a 2% deduction to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund from gross salary.

Desired start date is 01.04.2024 and the period of employment is four 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. 

Applications must be submitted electronically through www.jobbnorge.no with the following attachments:

• Curriculum vitae
• Certificates for Master and Ph.D. degree (if obtained at the time of application)
• A list of all scientific publications and other scientific work of relevance
• Contact information for three references
• Cover letter and/or statement including description of how this position fits the career plan and interests of the applicant, as well as how the candidate qualifies for the position

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. 

The terms of employment will be in accordance with existing national regulations of 31 January 2006, with NTNU’s supplementary regulations of 1 August 2012. The best-qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Information about the applicants may be open to public inspection under the Freedom of Information Act. The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants. The employee is expected to accept possible changes in work tasks. It is a major political objective to achieve a balance of age and gender in the national labour force and to recruit people with an immigrant background. Accordingly, immigrants are encouraged to apply for all advertised positions.

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 Department of Natural History at the NTNU University Museum has 20 faculty positions, 15 PhD students and postdocs and 15 technical and administrative positions. The department’s research activity is facilitated through several research groups. The Department cooperates formally with the NTNU Department of Biology and is responsible for teaching biogeography and biosystematics (systematics, taxonomy, floristics, faunistics).

Further information about the department is available at http://www.ntnu.edu/inh.

The NTNU University Museum is located in historic Trondheim, Norway’s third most populous municipality. Nestled at the meeting of the Nidelva River and the Trondheim Fjord, the mountainous surrounding area boasts many opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Trondheim itself offers exciting activities for researchers as well as good connections to major European transport hubs. More information about Trondheim can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trondheim. Information about Norway’s consistent top placement in global quality-of-life rankings can be found here: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/norway.

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. 

Further information about the department and the open position can be obtained from Prof. Mike Martin (phone: +47 901 518 50, e-mail: mike.martin@ntnu.no), or Head of Department Ingrid Mathisen (phone: +47 909 18 277, e-mail: ingrid.e.mathisen@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. 

Application deadline: 23.01.2022

NTNU

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.

NTNU University Museum  

The NTNU University Museum is one of Norway’s leading institutions in protection, conservation, exhibition and research related to natural and cultural material.

We are one of Norway’s six university museums. The museum has two departments, a national laboratory for age determination, an exhibition and events section, and an administration.

Deadline 23rd January 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service