Job description

A two-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Ecology and Evolution is available in the Landscape Genomics Group, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway. The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the 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 position is 1st of August 2024.

More about the position

The position will be part of CHIPOLATA, an international project aiming at a better understanding of the resilience of Lake Tanganyika’s pelagic fish stocks to climate change and harvesting. We are looking for candidates with strong interest and experience in foodweb ecology and stable isotope analysis. The successful candidate will study changes in trophic position and feeding habitats in four members of the pelagic fish community over the past 30 years, using a combination of stable isotope and diet information. This will provide crucial insight into the structure and stability of the pelagic foodweb in the light of potential climate change and harvesting impacts. Depending on qualifications and interest, the candidate can also join the study of climate/fisheries-induced evolution and changes in growth trajectories in these fish stocks.

The candidate will also have a general responsibility in the project with contributions to project management and supervision. Specifically, the candidate will be involved in the planning and coordination of the field surveys at Lake Tanganyika, in close collaboration with local scientists and the project coordinator.

The successful applicant 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 position provides an opportunity for a candidate with prior postdoc experience to extend their skills in project management and student mentoring and move towards scientific independence.

The position is located at campus Bodø. The position involves a number of 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
Co-supervision of a PhD student
Processing samples for stable isotope analysis and diet analysis
Biological data analysis
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 a PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as aquatic ecology, evolutionary ecology or fish biology
A strong academic record and documented enthusiasm for ecological and evolutionary research questions
Documented experience in one or more of the project themes, including foodweb ecology, climate/fisheries-induced evolution, and changes in growth trajectories.
Documented experience in statistical analysis and the R language
Documented experience in project organisation, including the coordination of biological fieldwork
Documented ability to work independently as well as in team
Good oral and written communication skills in English

Preferred selection criteria:

Documented experience in the collection and analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data from biological samples
Documented experience in other methods that are relevant for the project, such as metabarcoding, the analysis of diet data, the analysis of fish growth trajectories, or the analysis of population genetic data
Documented experience of fieldwork in the tropics/Africa
Some postdoctoral experience
Documented experience in the supervision and guidance of students
Documented experience in collaborative research projects, preferably of an international nature
Good oral and written communication skills in French

We offer

The position is compensated according to government regulations, code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow. Salary by agreement (575 400 - 584 500 NOK).

Exciting tasks in a strong international academic environment
A welcoming university sports team
A wealth of outdoor opportunities close to Bodø
Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension
Creative and collegial working environment
A workplace with steady progressive development
Flexible working hours

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

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.

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.

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)
Curriculum Vitae, including information on supervision experience and 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 PhD 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.

Refnr: 30211321

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.

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA) educates people with the aim of promoting sustainable and innovative development to meet global challenges in food production, climate and environment. 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. FBA has 900 students and 165 employees in Bodø and Steinkjer. The professional community is organised into the following divisions: Aquaculture, Ecology, Genomics and Animal Science, Production and Welfare and Algae and microbial biotechnology.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecology and Evolution