Two PhD positions in project Chipolata

Job description

Two PhD positions in Ecology and Evolution are available in the Landscape Genomics Group, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway. The positions are funded by the Ministry of Education and Research and the Research Council of Norway, and are associated with project CHIPOLATA - Climate change and harvesting impacts on the pelagic fish community of Lake Tanganyika (project number 343414). Professor Joost Raeymaekers is head of the research group. The preferred starting date of the positions is 1st of January 2025.

More about the position

The positions will be part of CHIPOLATA, an international project aiming at a better understanding of the resilience of Lake Tanganyika’s pelagic fish stocks to potential climate change and harvesting impacts over the past 30 years. We are looking for candidates with strong interest and experience in one or more of the project themes, including foodweb ecology, climate/fisheries-induced evolution, and fisheries biology. The successful candidates will study changes in feeding habits, trophic position, trophic morphology, growth trajectories and population genetic structure over time to develop indicators for the resilience of three important fisheries targets: the freshwater sardines Stolothrissa miodon and Limnothrissa tanganicae, and the latid perch Lates stappersii. This will provide crucial insight into the ecological and evolutionary stability of the pelagic fish community. The candidates will also participate in field surveys at Lake Tanganyika, in close collaboration with local scientists and the project coordinator.

The successful applicants will be part of an international team of researchers across Europe, Africa and the USA, connected by a common interest in Lake Tanganyika and enthusiasm for discussion, creativity and diversity in research. Throughout the project, we will collaborate with local researchers, fishermen and authorities to collect fish, analyze the data, and discuss how our findings can improve fisheries management in Lake Tanganyika and elsewhere.

The positions are located at campus Bodø. The positions involve a few research stays of two to four weeks with project collaborators in DR Congo, Zambia or the USA.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Planning of and participation in fieldwork
Processing samples for next-generation sequencing, metabarcoding, analysis of trophic morphology, and analysis of growth trajectories
Bioinformatic and statistical analyses
Writing of high-impact research articles
Participation in scientific conferences and outreach events

Qualification requirements

Required selection criteria:

At the time of taking up the appointment, the candidate must have an MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as molecular ecology, evolutionary biology, (aquatic) ecology or fish biology
Documented enthusiasm for ecological and evolutionary research questions
Documented experience in one of the topics linked to the project, such as foodweb ecology, the study of climate/fisheries-induced evolution or population responses to other types of anthropogenic environmental change, and fisheries biology
Documented experience in the analysis of biological samples and in some of the methods that are relevant for the project, such as in population genomics (including bioinformatics), metabarcoding, morphometrics, the analysis of diet data, or the analysis of growth trajectories
Documented experience in statistical analysis and the R language
Documented experience in biological fieldwork
Documented ability to work independently as well as in a team
Good oral and written communication skills in English

Preferred selection criteria:

Documented experience in the coordination of biological fieldwork
Documented experience of fieldwork in the tropics/Africa
Documented experience in collaborative research projects, preferably of an international nature
Good oral and written communication skills in French

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, NOK 532 200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.
Exciting tasks in a strong international academic environment
Training in a multidisciplinary research project
Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension
A welcoming university sports team
A wealth of outdoor opportunities close to Bodø

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives.

The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply for the position. Nord University practices moderate allocation according to gender quotas in accordance with the Basic Agreement for State Employees.

If applicants indicate that they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.

Contact information

For further information about the position you can contact Professor Joost Raeymaekers, joost.raeymaekers@nord.no.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the application deadline.

The electronic application must contain:

A cover letter in which you describe your motivation, relevant experience, and how you will contribute to the successful implementation of the project (maximum 2 pages). Please specify in which of the project themes you have relevant experience, if you are primarily interested in the ecological or evolutionary aspects of the project, and with which methodologies you wish to contribute
Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications and other scientific contributions
Copies of diplomas, academic degree transcripts and certificates of other relevant qualifications
Contact information for two or more referees, including principal supervisor of MSc thesis

Applicants should not attach any unsolicited documents, such as scientific publications, high school transcripts, and other documents not requested for the position.

All documentation to be considered is to be uploaded as attachments to the application.

Complete documentation in electronic form must be submitted by the application deadline.

Application process

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.

Applicants will be evaluated by an expert committee. Short-listed applicants will be called for an interview.

Application deadline: 31.07.2024

Ref.nr. 30211743 and 30211744

Nord University

Through research, education and social engagement, Nord University contributes to the creation of a sustainable future. In cooperation with society, business and industry in Northern and Central Norway, our 11,500 students and 1,350 staff promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, both locally and internationally. Nord University has four strategic focus areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security, and health, welfare and education.

The Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA) particularly focuses on promoting sustainable and innovative development to meet global challenges in environment, climate, and food production. The faculty is an international arena for education, research and knowledge dissemination, with employees and students from 31 different countries. The faculty offers a PhD in Aquatic Biosciences and has 900 students and 165 employees in Bodø and Steinkjer. The faculty members are organised into the following divisions: Aquaculture, Ecology, Genomics, Animal science, production and welfare, and Algae and microbial biotechnology.