Associate Professor - Biomedical Engineering

Associate Professor in Biochemical Engineering

About the position

At Department of Biotechnology and Food Science there is a vacancy for a permanent position as Associate Professor in biochemical engineering with focus on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). For the first five years the position is financed by nine companies in the aquaculture industry.

The hired person will have responsibility for research and teaching in the field of RAS. Focus for the research should be related to understanding and control of processes and conversions in RAS that affects chemical and microbial water quality, and its effects on fish health and development.

The hired person will be part of division “Analysis and Control of Microbial Systems” (ACMS) (www.ntnu.edu/ibt/research/acms#/view/about). Important research topics in this group are environmental biotechnology and microbial ecology, with a particular focus on biological water treatment, microbial processes in aquaculture systems, and microbe – fish interactions.

By combining environmental biotechnology with microbial ecology, we aim at developing knowledge-based management of engineered ecosystems. For biological production systems like aquaculture, we use the same principles to study the management of host – microbe interactions. The candidate for this position should be able to contribute to and expand the ongoing research on RAS in the ACMS group and contribute to developing interdisciplinary collaborations within and outside the research group.

The Department of Biotechnology and Food science (www.ntnu.edu/ibt) has a national role and responsibility for research and teaching in biotechnology and food science and a wide range of expertise. We have a special responsibility of teaching in the disciplines of biochemistry and microbiology.

The scientific activity is organized in the four main areas of Biopolymers and Biomaterials, Food Science, Microbial Biotechnology, and Analysis and Control of Microbial Systems. The department focuses on developing integrated research and teaching divisions where researchers and lecturers within related fields can establish strong units. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science hosts the national center for biotechnology training, research and innovation: Center for Digital Life Norway (www.ntnu.edu/dln).

The employed candidate will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Responsibility for teaching and research in the field of Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS) with focus on water treatment, microbial processes, chemical and microbial water quality, and their consequences for fish health.
• A responsibility for coordination of activities related to RAS at NTNU – across departments and faculties, within the framework of the Strategic Research Areas NTNU Oceans (ntnu.edu/oceans).
• Participate in the further development of the division “Analysis and Control of Microbial Systems” (www.ntnu.edu/ibt/research/acms#/view/about).
• It is expected that the successful applicant will initiate new research programs and engage extensively in applications for external funding from e.g. the Research Council of Norway, European research and educational agencies, the industry sector, and other available resources
• Lead a dialog forum with participants from the companies financing the position and from NTNU.
• We strongly encourage candidates with ambitions to apply for ERC-SG or ERC-CG grants

Required selection criteria

The position of Associate Professor within RAS requires that you meet the criteria in the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts section 1-4.

• Your PhD, or academic work of the same scope and quality, must be within biochemical engineering, microbiology, environmental biotechnology, biology or a closely related field
• Documented experience with one or more of the following: biological water treatment, open system bioreactors/bioprocesses, experimental studies on effects of water quality on health of cultured fish
• You must have a minimum of two years of relevant research experience after your PhD
• You must document ability to attract external funding from national and/or international funding agencies
• You must document an existing research network and ability for collaboration across institutions

Candidates must document relevant basic competence for teaching and supervision at university/higher education-level, ref. Regulations. If this cannot be documented, you are required to complete an approved course in university teaching within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses.

It is a prerequisite that within three years of appointment, new employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language can demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three in the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.

Please see the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Research experience related to understanding and managing water quality in RAS, and their onsequences for fish health
• Applicants with teaching experience from higher education will be preferred
• Experience with collaboration with the industry is preferred
• A relevant collaboration network

Personal characteristics

• Ambitious
• Teamwork skills
• Interest in multidisciplinary activities
• Ability to initiate new projects

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

In a position as Associate Professor (code 1011) you will normally be remunerated according to the Basic Agreement for the Civil Service. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to 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 that you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

Application Process

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

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.

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.

The application must include

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works)
• A description of the academic/artistic works that you regard as most relevant and that you particularly want to be considered in the assessment
• Name and address of three referees
• Research plan
• Details of teaching qualifications based on "Documentation of applicant’s teaching qualifications in connection with appointment to an academic position at NTNU”

Details of the projects you have managed, with information about funding, duration and size

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

While considering the best-qualified applicants, we will pay particular attention to personal qualities, your motivation for applying for the position, and your pedagogical skills and qualifications. Our assessment 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.

NTNU is required to oblige by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA. 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 of experts. Candidates of interest will be invited to deliver a trial lecture and an interview.

General information

NTNUs personell policy emphasizes the importance of equality and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, disability, or 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.

In accordance with public law your name, age, job title, and county of residence may be made available to the public even if you have requested not to appear on the public list of applicants.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Professor Olav Vadstein, e-mail olav.vadstein@ntnu.no. If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR senior executive officer Ranveig Nerhoel, e-mail ranveig.nerhoel@ntnu.no.

The application and all attachments should be submitted electronically via jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to interview, you must bring with you notarized copies of all references and diplomas. Mark your application with reference number: NV-79/21.

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.

Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Scope Fulltime

Duration Permanent

Contact Person: If you wish to apply for this position, please specify that you saw it on AKATECH.tech