The Department of Biology (IBI) has a vacant permanent position for a marine phytoplankton ecologist as an Associate Professor in the Marine Sciences section. The position is part of a NTNU effort to use enabling technology for research and education of phytoplankton dynamics to provide knowledge needed for better ecosystem management.

The overarching aim of the Marine Sciences section is focused on sustainable management, production, and utilization of biological marine resources. The announced position will strengthen research, education, and innovation activities in marine sciences at NTNU, particularly to provide better knowledge on natural and human induced changes in marine primary production and biodiversity using new tools. This position is expected to contribute to the collection and analysis of data from advanced sensors attached to robotic platforms operating in space, air, sea surface and/or underwater for the study of marine phytoplankton, such as the Observation Pyramid (OP). Therefore, candidates with expertise in the collection and analysis of data from in situ sensors collected over different time and space scales related to phytoplankton biomass, biodiversity, primary production and function are encouraged to apply for this position.

We are looking for a candidate who can create synergies with other sections from the Department of Biology, which include broad biological expertise (e.g. cellular and molecular biology, physiology, environmental toxicology, ecology and biodiversity). In addition, the new faculty member is expected to take an active part in the development of cross disciplinary research at NTNU. Collaborations with colleagues at the Departments of Marine Technology, Engineering Cybernetics, Chemistry and Marine Archaeology are highly relevant. The Associate Professorship will have access to the NTNU and SINTEF infrastructure in the Norwegian Ocean Technology Centre including the Fjordlab, OceanLab, RV Gunnerus and the Applied Underwater Robotics Laboratory (AUR-Lab) at Trondhjem Biological Station (TBS).

The employed candidate will be a member of the Marine Sciences section with office and laboratory at Trondhjem Biological Station (TBS). Teaching and research activities will be within marine sciences. The department is hosting the international study program “Master in Ocean Resources” (MSOCEAN), designed to give students a broad understanding of the complex interactions in the marine sector across fields of marine ecology and aquaculture. The employed candidate will contribute to the study program in the field of marine ecology of MSOCEAN, as well as teaching marine-related courses in the bachelor’s program in Biology.

The position is sponsored for a 5-year period by Equinor through the Academy Agreement and will thereafter be fully covered by NTNU.

The Associate Professor will report to the Head of Department.

Key responsibilities

As a new employee at IBI and member of the Marine Sciences section you will:

• Initiate research in phytoplankton ecology using remote- and in-situ observations using underwater, surface, in air or space-borne sensors, such as in the Observation Pyramid (OP).
• Take part in interdisciplinary research and education collaborations across the different sections at IBI, as well as other departments and faculties at NTNU.
• Engage in applications for external funding from e.g., the Research Council of Norway, European Research Council, educational agencies, and other available resources.
• Participate in the further development of the Department of Biology and the Marine Sciences section.
• Teach in the above-mentioned study programs, including supervision of PhD and MSc fellows.

Education, Skills and Other Requirements

Candidates will be evaluated based on documented qualifications. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of their gender identity, ability status, or cultural, ethnic, or religious background. We especially encourage upcoming early career academics and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. To develop an inclusive and vibrant departmental culture, the Department of Biology maintains a standing committee focused on diversity, equality, and inclusivity (https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Equal+Opportunities+Committee+at+IBI).

You must have the qualifications required for the position of Associate Professor in the field of marine phytoplankton ecology/biological oceanography, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts.

• Your PhD, or comparable academic work, must be within marine phytoplankton ecology, biological oceanography or related fields.
• You must have a minimum of two years of relevant research experience in addition to your PhD.
• You must have research experience related to phytoplankton ecology with focus on physical coupling (environmental variables).
• You must have hands on experience in in situ methods/observations to measure phytoplankton biomass, biodiversity, primary production and function.
• You must have a strong scientific track record according to your career stage.

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.

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 of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to attract external funding from national and/or international funding agencies related to the research area.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct internationally competitive research.
• Interest in use of statistical methods and machine learning approaches for ocean health state assessments.
• Experience with the use of new enabling sensors in marine phytoplankton ecological research.
• Hands-on field work experience, method development and/or ocean-going experience.
• Teaching experience from higher education, including supervision of MSc- and PhD-students.