Professor/Associate Professor in Microbial Ecology

About the job

At the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science there is a vacancy for a permanent position as Professor or Associate Professor in microbial ecology, evaluated based on qualifications.

The hired person will be a member of division “Analysis and Control of Microbial Systems ” (ACMS). Important research topics in this group are environmental biotechnology and microbial ecology, with a particular focus on biological water treatment, microbial processes in aquaculture systems, and microbe - fish interactions. By combining environmental biotechnology and microbial ecology, we have successfully contributed to the development of knowledge-based management of engineered ecosystems. Our research on fish – microbe interactions and on microbial ecology and microbial management in aquaculture systems has been particularly recognized. We aim at improving the mechanistic understanding and the potential for predicting and managing microbial communities in applied and engineered systems, and we are seeking the person who will see great opportunities in contributing to reach this aim. The successful candidate will have an important role in implementing theoretical concepts, advanced statistical analysis and/or mathematical models in our future research activities.

The Department of Biotechnology and Food science  has a national role and responsibility for research and teaching in biotechnology and food science and a wide range of expertise. We have a special responsibility of teaching in the disciplines of biochemistry and microbiology. The scientific activity is organized in the four main areas of Biopolymers and Biomaterials, Food Science, Microbial Biotechnology, and ACMS. The department focuses on developing integrated research and teaching divisions where researchers and lecturers within related fields can establish strong units. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science hosts the national centre for biotechnology training, research and innovation: Center for Digital Life Norway .

The employed candidate will report to the Head of Department.

Responsibilities 

The hired person is expected to contribute to and expand the ongoing research in the ACMS group, particularly with research aiming at improved mechanistic understanding and the potential for predicting and managing microbial communities in applied/engineered processes.

Other responsibilities are:

• Teaching in microbial ecology and general microbiology
• To initiate research in the field of microbial ecology, and take part in interdisciplinary research collaborations, both within the ACMS group, and with other national and international partners
• To participate in the further development of the ACMS group
• To initiate new research programs and engage extensively in applications for external funding from e.g., the Research Council of Norway, European research and educational agencies, the industry sector, and other available resources
• We strongly encourage candidates with ambitions to apply for ERC-SG or ERC-CG grants.

Required qualifications 

We are looking for the best qualified person irrespectively of the stage in her/his career. Strategic fit will be of importance.

Professor: 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of professor in the field of microbial ecology, as outlined in § 1-2 of the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your scientific experience must be within microbial ecology or a closely related field
• A documented ability to apply theoretical concepts and advanced statistical analysis and/or mathematical modelling relevant to microbial ecology
• Research experience related to the microbial ecology of applied / engineered processes, preferably relevant to biological water treatment, aquaculture systems, and/or host – microbe interactions, and/or a well thought out research plan that include these areas in future research activities.
• You must document ability to attract external funding from national and/or international funding agencies
• You must document an existing research network and ability for collaboration across institutions
• In addition to the requirements for basic educational competence, you must also document:
  • The development of the quality of your own teaching and supervision of students over time
  • Broad experience as a supervisor, preferably at a master’s/PhD level
  • Participation in improving the quality of education in a professional environment

Associate professor: 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of associate professor in the field of microbial ecology, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your PhD, or academic work of the same scope and quality, must be within microbial ecology or a closely related field
• A documented ability to apply theoretical concepts and advanced statistical analysis and/or mathematical modelling relevant to microbial ecology
• Research experience related to the microbial ecology of applied and/or engineered processes, preferably relevant to biological water treatment, aquaculture systems, and/or host – microbe interactions, and/or a research plan that include research within this area.
• You must have a minimum of two years of relevant research experience in addition to your PhD
• You must document ability to attract external funding from national and/or international funding agencies
• You must document an existing research network and ability for collaboration across institutions

Applicable to all:  

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the Norwegian national Regulations . If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU .  

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with collaboration with the industry

Personal qualities

• Ambitious
• Teamwork skills
• Interest in interdisciplinary activities
• Ability to initiate new projects

We offer 

Salary and conditions

A position as a Professor (code 1013) or an Associate Professor (code 1011) you will be remunerated according to the Basic Agreement for the Civil Service, depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Employment will be granted in accordance with the principles outlined in 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. Applicants should be aware that there may be changes in the working environment after employment has commenced.

It is a prerequisite that you are able to be present and accessible at the institution daily.

Application Process

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here .

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English. 

Please address all required and preferred selection criteria in your application. 

Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified 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.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically,   (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of teaching qualifications in applications and appointments to academic positions at NTNU ) 
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works)
• A description of the academic works that you regard as most relevant and that you particularly want to be considered in the assessment
• A list of your previous works, with details on where they have been published 
• A research plan
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope 
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

While considering the best-qualified applicants, we will pay particular attention to personal qualities, your motivation for applying for the position, and your pedagogical skills and qualifications. Our assessment will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration. 

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.  This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight. 

Your application will be considered by a committee of experts. Candidates of interest will be invited to a trial lesson and an interview. 

General information

NTNUs personell policy emphasizes the importance of equality and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, disability, or cultural background. NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions, and has a number of resources  to promote equality. 

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 continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

In accordance with public law your name, age, job title, and county of residence may be made available to the public even if you have requested not to appear on the public list of applicants. For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Head of Department Andreas Møllerløkken , tel. +47 976 84 036, e-mail: [email protected] , or Professor Ingrid Bakke , tel. +47 73 41 22 76, e-mail [email protected] . If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Ranveig Nerhoel .

The application and all attachments should be submitted electronically via jobbnorge.no . If you are invited for an interview, you must bring with you certified copies of all certificates and diplomas.

Application deadline: 09.02.2022

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 Biotechnology and Food Science

Our activities contribute to increased exploitation of existing and new ingredients for sustainable food production as well as next-generation energy solutions and medical technology. We educate graduates for a wide range of careers in industry, public administration and academia. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences .

Deadline 9th March 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent
Place of service