Postdoctoral researcher position within seaweed ecology – Deadline 23 February 2025

About the position

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) offers a 3-year postdoctoral position as part of the ‘PROTEUS’ research project.

PROTEUS is funded by the European Horizon’s programme, a large project with a consortium of Norwegian and European partners, with IMR’s component focused on kelp forest ecology and the ecological impacts of kelp harvesting. This project sits within IMR’s strategic initiative to build a strong center for coastal and blue forest research within one of Europe’s largest marine research institutes.

We seek a marine biologist with relevant experience and publication record to support research focused on understanding the interactions between kelp and associated biodiversity following disturbances and harvest. The broader aim of IMR’s component of the PROTEUS project is to better understand consequences of harvesting on kelp forests in Norway and enable evidence-based management and mitigation strategies.

The postdoctoral researcher will work with a team of researchers and research technicians to support and deliver research outcomes within a field-based research program. The PROTEUS postdoctoral position is placed within a broader group of leading kelp ecologists, seaweed geneticists and oceanographers based in Norway and with strong international collaborations, who will provide mentoring support. Field work and travel within Norway and internationally must be anticipated. Knowledge about Norwegian coastal ecosystems and working diver certification is an advantage. Experience with multivariate data analysis, statistical modelling and scientific writing is also a strong advantage.

We offer the opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary and ambitious research group with strong international links. IMR Flødevigen Research Station is a center for coastal ecology in cooperation with industry, management, and the university sector. The position is based within the Benthic Communities research group and located at Flødevigen research station (Arendal).

About the research group 

The Benthic Communities group focuses on research, mapping and monitoring of benthic ecosystems, including seaweed and kelp forests on shallow rocky shores and coral reefs in deep waters. Our research is aimed at supporting our national advisory task on ecosystem-based management of our seas and coastal areas, where both climate and human activity are important factors. Marine ecological research is rapidly developing and collaboration with leading developers on new technology is central to our work.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Lead, coordinate and support PROTEUS research activities as directed by project leaders.
• Science communication and writing including research publications, outreach, conference presentations, reports, and grant proposals.
• Organize and participate in field work in connection with empirical studies, collections and field experiments.
• Organize and undertake sample processing, laboratory and aquarium experiments.
• Data curation, data analysis and reporting of new and existing data.
• Other activities as directed by the IMR PROTEUS team.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• PhD in marine biology or ecology, preferably with a focus on marine botany, kelp forests or biodiversity.
• Ability and willingness to coordinate, organize, participate in and lead field activities across Norway.
• Strong skills and experience with data management, quantitative data analyse, data presentations and ecological concepts.
• Strong publication record in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Good written and oral skills in English.
• Drivers’ license (class B).

We will also emphasize (desirable experience)

• Research experience in kelp forest ecology, seaweed-associated biodiversity, issues around the kelp industry.
• Experience and skills in data analysis, modelling and general statistics in R and PRIMER.
• Experience with state-of-the-art sampling techniques in the marine rocky shore environment.
• Experience with field work and experiments in the field, mesocosms and laboratory
• Scientific working diver certification and experience, ideally some training with surface supply diving or a willingness to undertake such training.
• Experience working with and from small boats and research vessels.

The working language at the IMR is Norwegian, and good communication skills in Norwegian is beneficial for both the applicant and our institute.  Sufficient progression in learning to speak and write Norwegian during the first two years of employment is expected. If necessary, non-Norwegian speakers must commit to language training. Language training costs will be reimbursed based upon completion of the language courses.

Personal competencies

At the IMR we believe that personality affects how we work, communicate and thrive in the work place. For this position we are interested in candidates who

• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• Good organizational and logistics skills
• Ability to work efficiently independently and in teams.

Inclusion, Diversity and Affirmative Action

We welcome all qualified candidates to apply for a position with us, regardless of age, gender, functional ability, nationality or ethnic background. We are an Inclusive Working Life Enterprise, and we aim to facilitate for applicants with disabilities.

When receiving applications from candidates with reduced functional abilities, gaps in CV or immigrant background, we will invite at least one qualified candidate from each category to an interview. Specific requirements should be met, in order to be considered for affirmative action. Also, you must specify that you wish to be considered for the action when applying. Please read more here.

Your application must include

• a short statement describing your research interests and your motivation for applying for the position. This should be no more than one A4 page.
• full name and contact information of 2 or 3 references. You references should be supervisors from your PhD, and/or references from recent previous positions
• a CV,  copies of grades and degree certificates, and other relevant certificates
• a complete list of scientific publications, if available

All documents should be in a Scandinavian language, or in English. Candidates with documentation from foreign institutions should include the institution’s explanation of its grading system.