Researcher position in seabird ecology

Introduction
Are you a skilled and committed ecologist with knowledge of seabirds in the marine environment and would you like to use your skills to study how offshore wind development can affect seabirds? If so, we have a position that should fit perfectly in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

About NINA
NINA is Norway's leading institute for applied ecological research, with broad expertise at gene-, species-, population-, ecosystem- and landscape levels, in terrestrial, freshwater and coastal marine environments. At present we are over 350 employees. The head office is in Trondheim, with other offices in Tromsø, Lillehammer, Bergen and Oslo.

NINA's activities include both research, environmental monitoring, consultancy and evaluation. NINA's researchers have a wide range of professional backgrounds, including biologists, geographers, geneticists, social scientists and sociologists.

NINA continuously strengthens its contribution to sustainable development, in line with the sustainability goals, by delivering relevant and research-based knowledge about biological diversity, climate change and society.

About the research group
NINA has seabird researchers in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsø. For this position, it is desirable to strengthen the group in Bergen. The seabird research in NINA is mainly linked to SEAPOP (www.seapop.no) and SEATRACK (www.seapop.no/en/seatrack). The primary goals of SEAPOP are the monitoring of populations and demographic factors in seabirds at a number of key locations from the Skagerrak in the south to Spitsbergen and Jan Mayen in the north. The research tasks are linked to seabirds' area use throughout the year, effects of anthropogenic factors and research that helps distinguish between anthropogenic factors and natural variation in seabird populations. The research carried out must be able to contribute to better management of marine environments. The research group has assignments for a wide range of clients and works with international, national, regional and locally based projects. Clients are public administration, business and international institutions. Norwegian and international research councils are an important source of funding for our research projects.

Job description
We are looking for a researcher in a permanent full-time position. Concrete examples of topics that we would like the position to cover:

• Continue and develop the program for monitoring and mapping Norwegian seabird populations (SEAPOP), in collaboration with SEAPOP researchers.
• Develop management-relevant tools and data products related to seabirds, including tools for assessing the overall load and impacts of offshore wind development on seabirds.
• Research that can answer causes and give solutions linked to negative changes in coastal ecosystems in general and declines in seabird populations in particular.
• Develop national and international interdisciplinary research projects in conservation ecology and coastal ecology.

Your skills and qualifications
• Researcher early to mid-career.
• PhD in ecology with an emphasis on applied conservation ecology, marine ecology and/or seabird ecology.
• Independent researcher with a strong publication list in relation to the period of your professional career.
• Good experience from interdisciplinary and applied environmental research.
• Good theoretical and analytical knowledge.
• The candidate should preferably demonstrate his/her experience with project management and her/his ability to develop projects and project ideas.
• It is particularly important that the candidate has good collaboration skills and can work together with other researchers to develop SEAPOP.
• It is appreciated if the candidate has a national and/or international network of collaborators.

Other desired skills
You are proactive, outgoing and enjoy working with others. You like to convey knowledge and results, and master this well both orally and in writing. You are prepared for a challenging and varied everyday life and are flexible when it comes to the various tasks that commissioned research entails. Central tasks are project development, applications, implementation and reporting of research projects. Work towards markets must be expected. Scientific publication and development of research projects nationally and internationally is an important part of the work tasks.

NINA offers:
• A permanent position in one of Europe's foremost environmental institutes.
• Salary by qualifications.
• Flexi-time scheme.
• Good pension scheme and group life insurance.
• A pleasant working environment.

For NINA, a good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or if you have been out of work for some time. If necessary, the workplace will be adapted for people with disabilities.

The working language is Norwegian, and language training is provided.

The application should contain:
• CV including a full list of publications with bibliographical references and contact details for three referees.
• Testimonials and certificates.
• The most relevant publications - published or unpublished - that have relevance to the evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications (max 10).
• A brief description of the scientific and managemental relevance of the candidate’s research.
• Other documents which the applicant would like to present.
• If relevant, a list of projects with information on funding agency, years of duration and the funds received.

Relevant candidates will be invited to an interview.

Questions related to the position should be directed to Research Director Geir Helge Systad or Research Director Svein-Håkon Lorentsen.

Application deadline 20. December 2024