This is NTNU
NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.
At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.
You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.
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About the position
The Department of biological sciences (IBA), NTNU seeks a highly qualified, ambitious and motivated candidate to further advance biological monitoring of the marine environment.
A deep understanding of marine ecosystems is essential for the sustainable and responsible use of the ocean. Despite significant increase in available ocean data, we still lack a comprehensive monitoring system capable of capturing the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors, as well as the impacts of human activities in coastal areas.
Recent technological developments vastly extend our suite of tools for marine observation. Uniting these technologies with domain knowledge at the intersection of environmental sciences, biology and technology will strongly improve our understanding of marine systems.
The successful candidate will contribute to an initiative that integrates novel measurement techniques with artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles to enable next‑generation marine monitoring. They will join a highly cross-disciplinary team with competencies in marine systems, marine biology, aquaculture, water analyses, marine and maritime technology, and artificial intelligence.
The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position with a goal to qualify for work in senior academic positions.
The position reports to Head of department.
About the project
This project builds on our work on systems for sampling and processing large water volumes for plankton analyses and optical and acoustic nekton monitoring. The research question driving this project is how marine parasites disperse from their hosts and what risk they pose to both wild and farmed fish. Specifically, we have been working on salmon lice in commercial aquaculture. Current efforts use machine learning (object detection) to automatically quantify parasites in the sea, with ongoing extensions targeting the detection and enumeration of fish eggs and microplastics. This project will expand our work by combining autonomous water sampling and semi-autonomous analyses with an extensive monitoring program over several years. Different additional methods, including molecular-biological, optical and acoustic methods (both on plankton and nekton) may be used to complement these datasets to deepen our understanding of marine systems.
This project is expected to drive rapid advances in ocean science, and it has the potential to directly support improved industrial practices of human activities in the sea, marine environmental management and marine governance. The position offers some flexibility to align research actions with specific interests and strengths of the successful candidate.
This position is closely connected to the development of the Fjordlab infrastructure and related projects at Campus Ålesund, as well as the InnoSea research group at IBA. The department maintains strong ties with regional industries, both in the health and the marine sector, and it focuses on interdisciplinary research and research-based innovation related to sustainable salmon farming, the marine environment, marine ingredients, and medical and laboratory technology. Further information is available on the department’s homepage: http://www.ntnu.edu/iba.
Main duties of the position
The interdisciplinary nature of this position demands efficient collaboration in a team with domain knowledge in the marine environment, marine biology or ecology, technology and automation. It is therefore important for the successful candidate to be open to learning skills allowing proper communication and collaboration with participants from other subject areas.
Specific tasks include:
- Further development of methods and sampling protocols for water and plankton analyses
- Utilization of autonomous vehicles in environmental monitoring. No previous knowledge of these systems is required at the start of this position.
- Field work, installation of sensors and collection of samples.
- Data collection and analysis of the distribution and behavior of plankton and nekton, which again is linked to environmental status and biological models.
- Use and possibly further development of models based on object recognition, to identify and count marine organisms in water samples and from camera feeds.
- The use of acoustic methods for monitoring nekton. This is not mandatory but can be included to support evaluations of host-parasite interactions.
- The use of molecular-biological methods for analyses and monitoring or marine organisms and pathogens in collaboration with other researchers. This is not mandatory but can be included as a further extension of a more capable monitoring system.
- Publication and other dissemination of results to the scientific community and other relevant stakeholders.
This postdoctoral position will lead to the qualification of the successful candidate as associate Professor, and building of pedagogic competence, teaching and supervision will be part of this position.
The focus of the methods being used in the project will be adjusted based on the competence profile of the successful candidate.
Required selection criteria
The successful candidate must:
- have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in a relevant subject area, with a focus on the use of technology in biology or environmental sciences. Alternatively, the successful candidate must hold a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in the same research areas.
- have experience from field work or laboratory work. This project will require practical skills.
- have experience in the administration and analysis of large datasets.
- show high standards in research ethics and quality. This must be evident from the candidate’s publications.
- have documented good knowledge of English language, both written and oral.
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.
If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations concerning the degrees of philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.
As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01/08/2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate
Preferred selection criteria
The following will be highly advantageous for this position:
- Expertise in either or several of the following, or related fields: marine ecology, oceanography, planktology, aquaculture. We also encourage candidates with other relevant backgrounds like biotechnology, data science, automation, engineering or similar, to apply, given practical experience in relevant biological settings.
- Experience from work on interdisciplinary topics and in cross-disciplinary teams.
- Strong interest in learning and utilizing new technologies to investigate marine and biological systems.
- General understanding of object recognition, as it will support fast start-up of research activities.
- Hands-on experience from mechanical and simple electrical problems, for example by designing and building laboratory or field setups.
- Good knowledge of Norwegian or other Scandinavian language.
- Driving license class B (car), ideally BE (car with trailer).
- Boat driving license for Norway.
- Experience with work at sea.
Personal characteristics
- Professional curiosity
- Interest in multidisciplinary, complex problem solving in interdisciplinary teams
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic and creative
- Strong collaborative skills and positive attitude
- Ability to work independent and goal-oriented
- Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork at sea
In the evaluation, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.
Personal suitability will be an important selection criterium.
We offer
(decide on what is relevant for the position – add and remove)
- An exciting job with an important social mission
- Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
- Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which containsthe skills and knowledge you will acquire
- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
- Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
- Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
Salary and conditions
As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- 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 3 years.
As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them.
For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed
About the application
The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.
The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
The application must include:
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-,Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
- CV
- A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis.
- Academic works - published or unpublished
- Letter of motivation to apply for this position
- Possible recommendation letters
- Name and contact information of three referees
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 requiredcan be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), 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.
If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
General information
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Head of Department, Lars Christian Gansel, phone: +47 46 45 62 81, email: lars.gansel@ntnu.no.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor, Ingvild Vartdal, email: ingvild.vartdal@ntnu.no.
If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.
Application deadline: 22.03.2026
For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
Ålesund, known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and spectacular nature, is a gem on Norway's west coast. The city offers a vibrant cultural life, modern facilities, and a dynamic business environment. With its strategic location by the sea, Ålesund provides a perfect balance between urban living and natural experiences. Here, you will find excellent schools, top-notch healthcare services, and a wide range of recreational activities. Ålesund is an ideal place for both career and family life, with a safe and inclusive community.
Om arbeidsgiveren:
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 Biological Sciences Ålesund
We work with health and sustainable exploitation of marine resources, as well as medical and marine laboratory technology. The Department has close ties with regional business and industry in the health and marine sectors. This applies to research, education and innovation. The Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
