Associate Professor in marine biodiversity

Om stillingen

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus on professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 44,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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About the job

The Department of Biology at NTNU has a vacancy for an Associate Professor position in marine biodiversity. The position is sponsored for 5 years by Det Norske Veritas ( DNV ) and will thereafter be fully covered by NTNU.

The motivation for the professorship is to develop the strong research focus at the department on how different anthropogenic influences such as climate change, loss of critical habitat types, pollution and industrial aquaculture affect the biological diversity in the marine environment. The position will be connected to the  Marine Sciences section at the Department of Biology and is expected to interact with other sections in the department. We are aiming for an excellent candidate with a strong research track record in quantitative analyses concerning how environmental changes and anthropogenic stressors affect biodiversity. The position is open for people working within all research topics involving processes affecting marine biological diversity at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. However, applicants that have a particular emphasis on approaches to assess and monitor impacts of different forms of human activities on biodiversity changes in time and space are preferred. Furthermore, candidates with research focus on general principles for biodiversity dynamics using existing and new databases in the marine ecosystem are particularly welcomed. The person will be involved in NTNUs strategic area, ? Ocean and Coast ?.

The main research goal of the Department of Biology is to understand biological processes and to use this knowledge to preserve the environment. The strategic focus areas are climate change, biodiversity, pollution, industrial aquaculture, and sustainable use of natural resources. We currently have teaching and research activities in the following fields: animal physiology, biodiversity dynamics, ecology and evolution, cell and molecular biology, environmental toxicology, and marine sciences and aquaculture. The department focuses on developing integrated research groups where researchers within related fields can establish strong collaborative research and teaching units. We are therefore seeking candidates who will complement and strengthen excellent research and education at the Department of Biology. More information about the department can be found at  http://www.ntnu.edu/biology . The department is also heavily involved in the  Gjærevoll Centre for Biodiversity Foresight Analyses , which is an interdisciplinary research center established by the Rector of NTNU and hosted by the Faculty of Natural Science.

The position is permanent and reports to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

You will be expected to:

• Develop your own independent research program supported by external funding. 
• Initiate new research projects.
• Build an active research group, including supervision of MSc and PhD candidates.
• Strengthen and complement the department?s research and teaching activities in marine biodiversity.
• Teach in accordance with the relevant curriculum, and help develop teaching programs, including postgraduate courses.
• Participate in science communication, strategic development and management of the department, the faculty, and NTNU. 
• Contribute to developing the Gjærevoll Centre for Biodiversity Foresight Analyses as an internationally leading center in biodiversity research and NTNUs strategic area (TSO) ?Ocean and Coast?. 

Required qualifications 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of Associate Professor in the field of marine biodiversity as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your PhD, or academic work, must be within the field of marine biodiversity or a comparable, related field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant research experience post PhD is required.
• Documented track record in quantitative analyses of marine biodiversity as evidenced by publications as first-, last- or corresponding-author in peer-reviewed journals.
• Potential for building a successful research group.
• Teaching and supervision experience in higher education.
• Potential to complement and collaborate with the Gjærevoll Centre for Biodiversity Foresight Analyses.

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the Norwegian national  Regulations . If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

Language skills in a Scandinavian language is required for the position, as referenced in the Norwegian national Regulations . New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three (B2) of the  course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU .  

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated ability for collaboration across research fields.
• Demonstrated ability to lead their own research program and group, supervise students, PhD, and postdoctoral fellows.
• Track-record of initiating projects and attracting funding.
• Research independence, including publications without PhD supervisors.
• Pedagogical training and/or experience in student-centred and active learning methods.
• Experience with cross-disciplinary research - particularly with a focus on digitalization and nature-positive solutions.
• Documented experience with assessment and monitoring impacts of different forms of human activities on biodiversity changes in time and space
• Previous research focus on general principles for biodiversity dynamics using existing and new databases in the marine ecosystem

Candidates will be evaluated based on documented qualifications. We are looking for qualified candidates regardless of their gender, gender identity, functional ability, or cultural background. We especially encourage excellent, upcoming academics from underrepresented groups to apply.

Personal qualities

We are looking for a new colleague who:

• Enjoys leading their own research program and group, teaching and supervising students, PhD fellows and postdocs.
• Promotes an inclusive, and supportive work environment.
• Is ambitious and open to tackling new scientific challenges.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer?

• Exciting and challenging 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 
• E mployee benefits  

The new Associate Professor will as a start-up package be offered a PhD position and a start-up grant. 

Application Process

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here .

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Salary and conditions

NTNU human resources policy objectives emphasize diversity and equality. Moreover, the Department of Biology actively pursues diversity and gender balance for a good scientific environment (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity committee). Therefore, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, functional ability, national or ethnic background, or from other under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Furthermore, candidates are encouraged to apply irrespective of parental or other type of leave.

The position as Associate Professor (code 1011) comes with a starting package for new research staff and is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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 on a daily basis. 

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation 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. You are encouraged to use the Universities Norway?s  NOR-CAM toolbox  as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Your application must include:

• A complete CV including information about previous funding (if available), interdisciplinary research projects (if applicable), professional network/collaborators (if applicable), a complete publication list, and an overview of teaching, administrative and outreach activities
• The six most relevant publications ? published or unpublished ? that have relevance to the evaluation of qualifications; describe your contribution to the publication and its importance for you and for the field.
• Research plan (max. 5 pages).
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically,   (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of teaching qualifications in applications and appointments to academic positions at NTNU )
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope.
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees.
• Other documents which you would like to present (e.g. certified copies of relevant certificates or diplomas).

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

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. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration, and an open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment ? DORA and The obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a  wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway?s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality .

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 continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

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.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact the Head of the Marine Sciences Bengt Finstad , or Head of the Department Kjetil Rasmussen

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR adviser Ranveig Nerhoel .

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: 31.03.2025