PhD Candidate, Marine Environmental DNA and Coastal Marine Ecology

About the position

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate for a project focusing on marine environmental DNA (eDNA) and coastal marine ecology.

The PhD-project is centred around coastal environmental DNA dynamics and the use of eDNA techniques to map and monitor biodiversity in Nordic coastal ecosystems. The candidate will examine the relative role of physical, microbial and extra-cellular enzymatic processes in coastal eDNA degradation and how these relate to spatial and temporal interpretation of eDNA data. The project ties in with a broader program combining eDNA and other techniques to assess key anthropogenic and ecological processes effecting the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. Understanding how different laboratory approaches affect final datasets is also key to comparing studies from different labs and developing standardized approaches. Accordingly, the candidates work will be at the coalface of understanding physical-, biological- and laboratory-derived variation in eDNA datasets and relating molecules in the environmental mediums back to living organisms in ecosystems. We offer an international leading research environment with a scope highly relevant for career development in both basic and applied research, industry, and public sector.

The successful candidate will be employed at the NTNU Department of Natural History. The Department conducts research in biogeography, biosystematics and ecology, with an emphasis on studies using or contributing to the NTNU University Museum’s scientific collections. As a museum, the Department is also strongly involved in popular scientific dissemination and provides knowledge for nature management to make research-based decisions.

The position includes 25% work duties for the Department and the employment applies for a period of 4 years. Popular scientific dissemination to the Norwegian public is one of NTNU University Museums most important societal missions. Accordingly, the Department of Natural History offers possibilities for outreach activities as a part of the work duties.

You will report to lead supervisor researcher Glenn Dunshea  and Head of Department Ingrid E. Mathisen .

Duties of the position

• Formulate detailed research questions together with supervisors and collaborators
• Perform fieldwork and experiments in Nordic coastal ecosystems (some travel required)
• Generation of eDNA datasets through molecular lab work
• Perform bioinformatic analyses and statistical modelling
• Disseminate results in scientific literature as well as to the general public and relevant stakeholders

Required selection criteria

• A master degree in biology or equivalent with relevant background in molecular ecology, marine ecology or similar. Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• A strong academic background from previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education
• You have strong quantitative & analytical skills
• You have excellent written and oral English language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants  and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in a molecular laboratory, in particular in generating metabarcoding or metagenomic datasets, qPCR and/or ddPCR
• Experience in bioinformatics, particularly of environmental metabarcoding or metagenomic datasets
• Experience in modern statistical techniques using relevant scripting languages (R, python etc)
• Experience performing marine fieldwork under challenging conditions
• Experience and knowledge of relevant ecosystems is an advantage and specializations in marine biology or ecology are particularly relevant
• Passion for communicating science to a range of audiences
• Good communication skills in oral or written Norwegian are an advantage

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiasm for the research topic and for dissemination of scientific research, both through journal articles and public engagement
• Able to work with people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse research interests
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic
• Strongly collaborative
• Solutions-orientated

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 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 4 years.

The position is subject to external funding.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in biology (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbi ) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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 daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English or with a certified English translation.

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. 

The application must include: 

• A one-page cover letter stating specifically why you believe you meet the selection criteria
• A 1-2 page summary of your motivation for pursuing a PhD, research interests and future research goals
• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and address of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

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, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher 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.

In accordance with The Public 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 Glenn Dunshea, telephone +47 73 55 89 31, email [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ingrid Ertshus Mathisen, e-mail: [email protected] .

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: 29.05.22

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 Natural History

We conduct research in biogeography, biosystematics, evolutionary biology and ecology with a focus on biodiversity. The Department is responsible for developing and maintaining the Museum’s natural history collections, including the botanical garden at Ringve in Trondheim. The Department of Natural History is one of two departments at the NTNU University Museum

Deadline 29th May 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service