About the position
The Animal Welfare research group has a vacant permanent researcher position at Matre Research Station. The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is the Norwegian Authority’s center of competence and main advisor with regards to animal welfare within fisheries and aquaculture. The researcher in this position will be responsible for conducting and communicating research that can provide a basis for advice for better welfare for farmed and wild fish, with focus on work related to ecophyiological questions, like environmental tolerance limits and interactions.
About the research group and area of research
The Animal Welfare group work on research, monitoring and providing advice on the welfare of marine species, with particular focus on farmed fish. Working in close collaboration with other research groups at IMR and international institutions, the group studies a wide range of topics including host-parasite interactions, environmental variation in fish farming operations, what environmental conditions fish prefer and avoid, how fish cope with stress and handling, developing and verifying indicators for objective welfare evaluation, and how fish behavior can be influenced to improve welfare and adapation to novel technologies.
Main tasks
The principal areas of research for this position will include investigating environmental and genetic effects on Atlantic salmon and other cultured species’ physiology and welfare, both through fundamental studies and in the context of existing and emerging aquaculture concepts and environments. Moreover, the knowledge generated should be carried over to commercial and conservation applications in a sustainable and ethical perspective for future aquaculture developments.
Main tasks in the position will include project management, publication of results, applying for grants, contributing to advisory work within the institute and supervision of students. The candidate will be expected to develop, plan, coordinate and conduct studies at our research facilities and in the field, including commercial sites; organise and analyse datasets; communicate and disseminate their findings to broad audiences.
Qualification requirements
For this position, we are seeking a researcher who is skilled with the full work process from designing to dissemenating fundamental laboratory-based experiments which adress physiological and behavioural coping mechanisms in fish. The ideal candidate will have experience working with industry, and be excited to develop their career in a combined field of research and advice where the results have direct practical implications for the regulation and development of aquaculture.
In evaluation of candidates, we will emphasize the following knowledge and qualifications:
- Doctorate in ecophysiology or other relevant field.
- Expertise in salmon aquaculture, fish physiology, experimental biology, environmental effects on fish health, fish welfare evaluations, and the impacts of parasites and other relevant pathologies on cultured species.
- Ability to communicate research findings to broad audiences through stakeholder meetings, international conference presentations, and public outreach.
- Peer-reviewed publication record, including first authorships.
- Collaborative background, including ability to work with industrial partners and national and international research partners.
- Ability to write grant applications and succesfully secure external funding.
- Documented expertise in data analysis.
- Experience with supervision of students at both Masters and PhD level.
Desired competencies
In addition, the ideal candidate will posess the following skills and expertise:
- Published literature review(s) demonstrating expertise in relevant fields.
- Experience in designing and conducting experiments at all scales (lab scale, tank trials, research and commercial cages) including novel setups and methods.
- Ability to initiate and develop research concepts independently.
- A broad methodological repertoire relevant to experimental fish biology.
- Comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of fish physiology, particularly with regards to effects of environmental and biological factors relevant to salmon aquaculture such as temperature, salinity, hypoxia, hypercapnia, water flow, light , smoltification, sexual maturation, altered genotypes, feeding requirements, and various types of prevailing parasites and diseases.
The working language at IMR is Norwegian, and good communication skills in Norwegian will be beneficial for both the applicant and IMR. Sufficient progression in learning to speak and write Norwegian is expected during the first two years of employment. If needed, language training will be offered and costs incurred will be reimbursed based upon completion of the language course.
Personal competencies
The Animal Welfare research group is relatively small, with members divided across multiple IMR offices. Therefore, the candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively and enjoy working independently. The candidate must also be willing to go on sampling trips for extended periods of time, including travel both within Norway and abroad.
- Well organised in managing equipment, budgets, and other staff for research activities.
- Ability to work independently and in a team.
- Eagerness to work in a variety of situations and environments.
- Create a positive working environment, and contribution to the work and wider community.
We offer
The position is paid as 1109/1110 researcher, depending on qualifications, in accordance with the Norwegian wage regulations.
In addition, the researcher will benefit from:
- The opportunity to work in one of Europe’s leading marine research institutions
- A challenging and creative work environment
- World class research facilities
- Flexible working hours
- Public sector occupational pension through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Corporate cabins and sport teams
Additional information
Please submit your application electronically through this site, enclosing a full CV including a list of publications, copies of relevant recommendations and academic transcripts. Please document skills and give at least two references that can be contacted.
Please note that information about applicants may be made public even if an applicant has requested to be exempted from the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified about this in advance.
The Institute of Marine Research values diversity. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, functional ability, nationality or ethnical background. We are an Including Working Life Enterprise, and we aim to facilitate for applicants with reduced abilities.
For more information about the position, please contact research group leader Tore Kristiansen or senior researcher Frode Oppedal by
- Phone: +47 941 53 631/ +47 971 66 781
- E-mail: torek@hi.no/ frodeo@hi.no
To find out more, follow this link.
