PhD Candidate in parasite and plankton behavioural biology and ecology

A PhD position is available at the Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim. The position will be at the Marine Sciences section, where we study how marine ecosystems function and how humans may use ocean life in a sustainable way. The work in the section combines marine ecology and aquaculture. As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

In the research group “Fish parasites, health and welfare ” there is a large focus on the parasitic salmon louse, as it causes large problems 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.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

The PhD project will be organised under the research group “Fish parasites, health and welfare” and will focus on behaviour and ecophysiology of sea lice and selected zooplankton species. The project will include methodological developments as well as investigations of behavioral responses of the species in question to different stimuli and putting the results in an ecological context. The project will largely rely on laboratory experiments using image and video detection and subsequent analyses using programming. Established cultures of different species will be used, and in addition there will be possibilities for field work.

The project has room for modifications based on the interests and expertise of the candidate.

• Complete the course part of the doctoral education; 30 ECTS
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Write and defend a PhD thesis
• Participate in the research group “Fish parasites, health and welfare” and the Marine Sciences section
• Participate in national and international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at educational institutions

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

• You must have a relevant Master’s degree in biology or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level. Master students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master’s degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you maybe considered 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 Programme
• Very good oral and written presentation skills in English
• Experience with work with zooplankton, parasites or aquaculture
• Experience with laboratory work

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

• Experience with behavioural-related experimental work
• Knowledge on programming in R/Python is beneficial

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• Work independently
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Work in a team, present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

• An exciting job with an important mission in so ciety
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access toemployee benefits.

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.

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work with a possibility for up to 12 months of other career promoting work.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biology within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

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.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

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.

The application must include:

• A cover letter outlining the applicant’s research interests, experience, expertise, and motivation for applying for the position (1 page)
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• CV
• Copy of Master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• If applicable, a list of publications with a description of the applicant’s contribution to each publication and/or other relevant research work
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

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. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt 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 exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact associate professor Anna Solvang Båtnes, telephone +47 47648015, email anna.s.batnes@ntnu.no.

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

Application deadline: 13.04.2026