Researcher Position in Sea Lice and Aquaculture Biology

About the Job

A temporary research position is available at the Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim. The position will be in the Marine Sciences section, where we study marine ecosystems and sustainable use of the ocean. The research focus in the section combines marine ecology and aquaculture. The employment applies for a period of up to 18 months, depending on the start date. The project ends 28th February 2028. 

In the research group “Fish parasites, health and welfare” the main focus is on the parasitic salmon louse, as it causes large challenges for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. The group collaborates closely with the aquaculture industry through the “Research platform Taskforce salmon lice”, and works with a variety of research projects. In addition to salmon lice, the group focuses on fish health and welfare, as well as zooplankton biology and ecology. The group offers a strong scientific environment as well as an including and highly collaborative work environment. The researcher will be working on a selection of projects connected to the “Research platform Taskforce salmon lice”, including (but not limited to) ongoing projects on submerged farming (“Nedsenket drift: Luseforekomst, fiskevelferd, dødelighet og behandlingspraksis – DypDrift”), delousing treatments (“Utvikling av toleranse mot brakkvann som følge av ferskvannsbehandlinger i lakselus – Fersklus-2”), and novel technology (“Bruk av UVC-lys i avlusningsbehandling: Effekt på fisk og lakselus – UVC-lus”), funded by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund. 

The research tasks and methodologies are varied and include planning and execution of laboratory work such as behavioural experiments and aquaculture technology related tests, and data analyses using e.g. laboratory results as well as production data from the aquaculture industry. Some fieldwork may also be included. In addition, the researcher will be involved in co-supervision of master students in activities linked to the projects and the research platform. The activities of the research group are reliant on external funding, and the researcher may contribute to project application

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department

Duties of the position

• Carry out research in the fish parasites, health and welfare group in close collaboration with other team members
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination, including dissemination aimed at and dialogue with the aquaculture industry
• Participate in the marine sciences research group 
• Follow up on ongoing projects and contribution in project application 
• Participate in national and international activities such as conferences and workshops
• Supervising students, helping them with their research projects, and advising on methodology and academic writing

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed, or soon to be completed, a doctoral degree in Biology, Aquaculture, Marine Sciences or similar from Norway or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree. NOTE: Documentation of a submitted doctoral thesis must be presented before you can take up the position
• Documented ability of planning, carrying out and publishing research
• Experience in zooplankton ecology or behaviour or aquaculture research
• Knowledge of data analysis and statistics
• Approved laboratory animal science certification. If the candidate does not have this, the certification must be completed during 2026
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with one or more of the following topics:
  • aquaculture 
  • sea lice
  • zooplankton
  • fish health and welfare
  • behaviour 
  • image and video analysis
• Experience in teaching and/or co-supervision of MSc-students. 
• Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or other Scandinavian language.

Personal characteristics

In this researcher position it is important that you:

• Have excellent team work skills
• Work with a problem-solving attitude in the team as well as independently 
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject 
• Enjoy interdisciplinary research
• Have an interest in both basic and applied research and the intersection between them
• Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed 
• Have a willingness to learn new methodologies

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities, such as motivation, experience and curiosity.

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

The gross salary for the position of researcher (code 1109) is depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The employment applies for a period of up to 18 months, depending on the start date. The project ends 28th February 2028. The start date is by appointment, preferably around September 2026.  

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. 

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis. 

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

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:

• Application cover letter (max. 1 page) that summarizes the candidate’s motivation and how they meet the position requirements.
• CV, diplomas, and certificates, including laboratory animal science certification (if the candidate does not have this, the certification must be completed during 2026). If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation or thesis submission, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of submission of the doctoral thesis must be presented before taking up the position.
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis. 
• Academic works – published or unpublished (up to 5 items)
• A complete publication list
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

It is important that you both document and reflect on your competence. You are encouraged to use the NTNUs competence matrix as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

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. 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 a committee at the department. Candidates of interest will be invited to a digital interview.

General information

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse, and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.   

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.  

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability, and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time. 

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.  

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 expert evaluations of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and are stipulated by rules of confidentiality. 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Associate Professor Anna Båtnes, e-mail anna.s.batnes@ntnu.no. 

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Alexander Skomakerstuen e-mail: alexander.skomakerstuen@ntnu.no