Postdoc in seagrass ecology

• English

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) offers a 3-year postdoctoral position as part of the NORSE (‘Biodiversity in Northern European Seagrass Meadows – drivers, responses, and resilience’) research project funded by the Norwegian Research Council and lasts over 4-year. This project sits within IMR’s strategic initiative to build a strong centre for coastal and blue forest research within one of Europe's largest marine research institutes, and is also a collaboration that consists of seagrass ecologists in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Finland.

Travel, fieldwork, and experimental work in different sites and field stations in these countries should be anticipated. The postdoctoral researcher will gain mentoring support, training, and networking opportunities from the leading researchers associated with the NORSE project and will have the opportunity to establish connections and advance their research career over the course of the project.

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on understanding changes in eelgrass-associated faunal biodiversity through time-series analyses of field data, as well as on understanding the effects of concurrent stressors on eelgrass-associated biodiversity and the role biodiversity plays in resilience through joint mesocosm experiments across northern Europe. The broader aim of the project is to understand the drivers of biodiversity in eelgrass meadows under changing environmental conditions, and the role of biodiversity in promoting resilience to stressors, with the overall aim to improve management, conservation, and restoration of eelgrass ecosystems.

The candidate will ideally start in September 2024.

The candidate will be employed by the Benthic community group and benefit from a close collaboration between researchers focusing on mapping, and monitoring of benthic ecosystems, including seagrass meadows, macroalgae forests, and deep-sea ecosystems. The position will be located at Flødevigen. Research Station in Arendal, Norway. IMR Flødevigen Research Station is a centre for coastal ecology with good links and cooperation with industry, management, and the university sector.

Research within the project will support IMR’s national advisory task on ecosystem-based management of seas and coastal areas, where environmental changes and human activities are important factors. Marine ecological research is rapidly developing and collaboration with leading developers on new technology is central to our work.

• Lead and support NORSE research activities as directed by project leaders.
• Write research publications, reports, and grant proposals.
• Participate in scientific conferences, science communication, and outreach activities.
• Organise and maintain mesocosm experiment across several countries.
• Participate in fieldwork and sampling across several countries.
• Process field and experimental samples from fieldwork and mesocosm experiments, including epifauna and infauna species identification.
• Analyse field and experimental data using appropriate statistical analysis methods.
• Maintain and curate datasets and coordinate data sharing across NORSE partners.

For the position, we seek an experienced and motivated candidate with a PhD in marine biology or ecology, with a focus on coastal ecology.

• Ability and willingness to organise and lead field sampling and mesocosm experiments.
• Ability and willingness to coordinate and collaborate on joint sampling and experimental activities with partners in Norway and abroad.
• Strong skills and experience in data management and quantitative analyses.
• Strong publication record in international peer-reviewed journals.

The working language at IMR is Norwegian. The candidate should either have a working knowledge of one of the Scandinavian languages (B1 level or similar documented level of fluency) or a willingness to develop this proficiency in Norwegian during the employment period. Language training will be offered and financially supported for candidates without documented B1 level.

In addition to the above requirements, it would be advantageous if the candidate could document:  

• research experience in seagrass, macroalgae or coastal ecology.
• experience with fieldwork in the marine coastal environment.
• experience with mesocosm and/or aquarium experiments.
• scientific working diver certification and experience, ideally some training with surface supply diving or a willingness to undertake such training.
• experience working from small boats and research vessels.

At the IMR we believe that personality affects how we work, communicate, and thrive in the workplace. For this position we are interested in a candidate with good interpersonal skills, since the work will be conducted in a team with both national and international partners. Personal qualities such as good communication and collaboration skills, ability to work independently, efficiently, and purposefully, as well as the ability to carry out and report activities, are emphasized. For this position we are searching for a candidate who:

• is good at collaborating with others across professional fields.
• communicates in an open and adaptive way.
• cares about good relations at the workplace and wishes to contribute to a good work environment.
• have good organisational and logistics skills.
• have good written and oral skills in English.

• The opportunity to work in one of Europe’s leading marine research institutions.
• Potential participation in scientific cruises.
• An exciting and strong professional environment. 

• Flexible work hours, with summer- and wintertime.
• Public sector occupational pension through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Cabins available for rent, sport facilities, and other welfare benefits.

The Institute of Marine Research offers a government-regulated salary as postdoctoral fellowship (code 1352), an excellent pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (see www.spk.no/en for more information), and other welfare benefits.

Note that information about applicants may be made public even if an applicant has requested to be exempted from the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified about this in advance.

Please submit your application electronically through this site, together with other relevant documentation such as:

• cover letter summarizing relevant skills and motivation for applying for the position.
• complete CV
• publication list
• copies of maximum 5 peer-reviewed publications
• names of at least two references
• copies of academic degrees

The Institute of Marine Research value diversity. Therefore, we welcome all qualified candidates to apply for the position, regardless of age, gender, functional ability, nationality or ethnical background. We are an Inclusive Working Life Enterprise, and we aim to facilitate for applicants with disabilities.

Upon receiving applications from candidates with reduced abilities, gaps in CV or immigrant background, we will invite at least one qualified candidate from each category to an interview. In order to be considered for affirmative action, certain requirements should be met. Please read more here.

If you wish to be considered for affirmative action, please specify when submitting your application.

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is one of the largest research institutes of its kind in Europe, with approximately 1100 employees and a wide range of research facilities and laboratories of high international standard. Our main activities are research, advisory work and monitoring. The IMR owns and operates six research vessels. Our main offices are in Bergen, and we have a department in Tromsø, and research stations in Matre, Austevoll and Flødevigen.

The IMR's aim is to be a leading supplier of knowledge relating to the sustainable management of the resources in our marine ecosystems, both nationally and internationally, and the whole food chain from the sea to the table. This includes the marine environment, fish nutrition, and safe and nutritious sea food.

Sigurd Heiberg Espeland

Forskningssjef

+4741426743

[email protected]

Karine Gagnon

Forsker

+4741426743

[email protected]

5th April 2024

Institute of Marine Research

Arendal

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Engagement

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