A PhD fellowship is available at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU (Trondheim, Norway), with an expected start during autumn 2022. The duration is three years with the possibility of one years’ extension due to teaching activities. The focus of the PhD project will be on fish – microbe interactions, with a particular focus on bacterial strains in the genus Janthinobacterium. Yolk sac fry of Atlantic salmon will be used as a model for fish – microbe interactions. The experimental work will include molecular biology of the bacterial strains, genomics and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The PhD candidate will be part of the research group Analysis and Control of Microbial Systems.
You will report to Professor Ingrid Bakke.
Duties of the position
The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the PhD program in Biotechnology (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbiot) at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, NTNU. The graduate program requires the student to obtain 30 ECTS points during the three-year period in order to graduate. For a position as a PhD candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. A project plan will be prepared in collaboration with the supervisor Ingrid Bakke, and the candidate is expected to perform the experimental work, analyses of data, and write scientific publications according to this plan.
Required selection criteria
- You must have a professionally relevant background in biotechnology
- Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level
- You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program in biotechnology or a related field, 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 must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program (PhD education – Faculty of Natural Sciences – NTNU)
- You must have hands-on experience in standard DNA-based laboratory methods (PCR, qPCR, DNA and RNA extraction)
- You must have experience in data analyses of bacterial genomics and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data
- You must have experience in cultivation of fish fry
- You must have good written and oral English skills
The appointment is to be made in accordance with 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 cultivation of Janthinobacterium strains
- Experience in germfree rearing of Atlantic salmon yolk sac fry
Personal characteristics
The successful candidate is flexible and co-operative, enjoys working in teams and has good communication skills. The ability to work independently and to organize and prioritize own work within the project timetable is essential. Other important qualifications are good practical and analytical skills, a critical approach to the research work, and the ability to keep accurate and up to date records. He/she should enjoy interdisciplinary research and learning new skills. In the evaluation of the candidates, emphasis will be placed on education, experience in the fields described by the required and preferred selection criteria, personal suitability, as well as motivation.
We offer
- exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
- an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
- favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- employee benefits
Salary and conditions
As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross 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 three years with the possibility of one years’ extension due to teaching activities.
Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Biotechnology (PhD programme in Biotechnology – NTNU ) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.
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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.
Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.
The application must include:
- CV and certificates
- An up to one page personal motivation letter
- 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.
- Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
- Name and contact information 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.
We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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
NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.
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.
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Ingrid Bakke, email: ingrid.bakke@ntnu.no.
If you think this looks interesting and in line 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: 15.07.2022
NTNU – knowledge for a better world
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 Biotechnology and Food Science
Our activities contribute to increased exploitation of existing and new ingredients for sustainable food production as well as next-generation energy solutions and medical technology. We educate graduates for a wide range of careers in industry, public administration and academia. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.