PhD position on Functional Feed Additives

About the PhD fellowship:

Algae-derived bioactive compounds are increasingly recognized as functional components in feeds and represent one of the active research areas at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, supported by national and international projects. Through multidisciplinary research we investigate their bioactive properties to develop high-value products for application in aquafeeds.

The faculty seeks to recruit a PhD candidate (3 years, with possibility of an additional year) to work in this research field. The candidate will focus on examining how specific algal compounds act both at the cellular and organismal level. Using salmon as the model, the studies will employ primary cells and established cell lines to uncover the functional potential of algal compounds. This will be achieved through in-depth studies using biochemical analysis, imaging tools and transcriptomic approaches. Compounds that exhibit immunomodulatory and/or antioxidant effects will be further explored to validate their effectiveness at the organismal level. The outcomes of this research will support the development of algae-derived functional ingredients for aquaculture applications. 

This PhD position will be associated with the aquaculture division of the faculty, located at the Bodø campus. The PhD candidate will have access to the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in the new faculty building, as well as the laboratories at the Research Station in Bodø. Available research infrastructure includes different equipment for cell studies, such as imaging flow cytometer and cell sorter, high-resolution respirometer, sequencing platform and analytical equipment including LC-MS (SQ), GC-MS (TQ), and NMR. 

The position is offered for an initial period of 3 years, including a 6-month probationary period. The selected candidate is expected to start no later than September 1, 2025

Candidates must comply with Nord University’s residency requirements.

Qualification requirements

The ideal candidate for this position must possess an MSc degree in Biosciences with specialisation in Molecular Biology, Gemomics, Cell Biology, or Biotechnology. Experience in next generation sequencing including and handling of large data set as well as analysis of data using R software will be advantageous for the position. The candidate should have an excellent academic record, be highly motivated, demonstrate independent scientific thinking and creativity, and have the ability to collaborate with members of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

• A master’s degree in a relevant field of study is required
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit NOKUT approval of their master’s degree
• Grade average of B or better (or equivalent score) both for the programme in total and the master’s thesis
• The grades at the qualifying MSc examination needs to be B or better (ECTS scale from A-E) to be admitted to the PhD program.
• See admission requirements: PhD in Biosciences
• It is assumed that the person who is hired is admitted to the faculty’s doctoral program Final project outline with plan for the doctoral work must be approved and agreed upon no later than 3 months after accession. Termination may be considered if admission to the doctoral program is not available within this deadline, due to lack of annual reporting of progress and/or serious failure in progress and in duty work. For admission requirements and regulations, see our web page
• For the position, good English skills are required both written and oral. The thesis can be written in English or Norwegian (or a Scandinavian language)

Candidates who already have a PhD degree will not be considered for the position.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• Theme and perspectives from the applicant’s master’s study. Project outline with description of project idea and plan for implementation
• The applicant’s description of motivation for the doctoral work and opportunities for completion
• Relevant experience from research work
• Ability to work independently, goal-oriented and systematically
• Personal suitability

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set to NOK 536 200.

• Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension
• Creative and collegial working environment
• A workplace with progressive development
• Flexible working hours  
• Active university sports team

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. 

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

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations.

The Faculty reserve the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language, educational background or personal characteristics

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically by 13.04.2025

The application should include:

• Application letter with description of your motivation for applying for the position
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience and overview of any scientific publications)
• Copy of diploma for both bachelor and master education and relevant certificates
• Copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis as a PDF file
• Name and contact information of 1-3 references (name, your relation to the person, email and phone number)
• Other activity that is considered relevant for the position, and wishes to be taken into account in the assessment

All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

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.

Refnr. 30212756

Contact

• For further information about the position, please contact dean Mette Sørensen, mette.sorensen@nord.no tlf: +47 75 51 76 18
• For further information about the application process, please contact HR adviser Guro Giil Prestegård Aars, guro.p.aars@nord.no tlf: +4775517512