About the position

A four-year PhD fellowship in marine ecology is available at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University (Bodø, Norway) as soon as possible. The position includes a 25% teaching load.

FBA invites applications from outstanding candidates for a four-year PhD fellowship within the project: “Marine Fish Larvae Dynamics (MarFild) – Can pelagic larvae of benthic invertebrates buffer climate-driven match–mismatch dynamics?” The project aims to study the seasonal succession of fish larvae and their potential planktonic prey to identify the role of meroplankton as a food source for commercial fish species. Plankton communities (mero-, ichtyo-, and holoplankton) will be studied in a sub-Arctic fjord. The combination with mesocosm feeding experiments and metabarcoding of fish larvae diet will provide new insights into planktonic trophic interactions under climate change.

The position is funded by Wintershall-Dea Norge AS and will be carried out in collaboration with Akvaplan-niva in Tromsø and Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) in Gdansk, Poland, where the candidate will do part of the experimental and lab work.

Qualification requirements

  • At time of employment, the candidate should have completed an MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, namely (marine) ecology, biology, molecular biology, or other relevant fields and a focus on marine coastal ecosystems is preferred
  • The grades at the qualifying MS examination needs to be B or better (ECTS scale from A-E)
  • The PhD will be in charge of planning and conducting field campaigns, laboratory experiments, taxonomic identification of plankton, metabarcoding of stomach samples, and analyzing data. Hands-on experience in conducting field work including ship based sampling, conducting experiments, plankton ecology, genetics and metabarcoding, and statistical analyses are advantageous for the position. The position requires a highly motivated and systematic candidate capable of working independently and in teams
  • Proficiency in oral and written English is essential and knowledge of a Scandinavian language is beneficial for the position
  • The candidate should fulfill the admission requirements and participate in the training component stipulated in regulations of the PhD program
  • Application for admission to the program must be submitted within three months after taking up the position. For admission requirements and regulations, please have a look at our web page

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

  • Themes and perspectives from the applicant’s master’s degree will be given weight in the assessment of candidates
  • Project sketch with description of project idea and plan for implementation
  • Personal suitability and motivation for the position
  • The applicant’s description of motivation for doctoral work and opportunities for implementation
  • Relevant experience from research work will count positively

We offer

The annual salary for a PhD position (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, LR 20, NOK 501 200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.

  • Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension
  • Creative and collegial working environment
  • A workplace with steady progressive development
  • Flexible working hours
  • Active university sports team

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply. Nord University practices moderate allocation according to gender quotas in accordance with the Basic Agreement for State Employees.

If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.

Contact information

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting :

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations.

The Faculty reserve the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language, educational background or personal characteristics.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically by 24.10.2022.

The application must include:

  • Cover letter outlining the candidate’s motivation and suitability for the position
  • A short project description (maximum 2 pages) based on the theme of the announced position, including the theoretical basis and intended methodology
  • A complete CV (education, work experience and publications, maximum 2 pages)
  • Certified copies of academic degree transcripts for academic degrees (both bachelor and master degree) and other relevant qualifications
  • Other activity that is considered relevant, such as list of publications and academic work
  • Contact details for at least 2 referees (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
  • Signed consent form PhD (if relevant)

All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.

Refnr. 30076279

More information can be found here.