PhD position in environmental DNA and DNA metabarcoding to monitor ecological condition in lakes

About the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
NINA is Norway’s largest applied ecology research institute, with 285 employees. NINA conducts research within the natural and social sciences that are related to the interactions between humans and nature. NINA seeks to conduct both basic and applied research of very high quality and of high relevance for real world application. The main office of NINA is in Trondheim, and there are research units also in Oslo, Lillehammer, Bergen and Tromsø. The PhD position will be located at NINA Trondheim, but it will have close co-operation with the units in Oslo and Tromsø and at NTNU University Museum. 

Job description
The PhD-candidate will work with development of new tools for monitoring lakes based on environmental DNA and DNA metabarcoding, which can be implemented in future ecosystem-based management. The project will test sampling and lab methods for DNA-based indices calculated from benthic invertebrate, microcrustacean and fish communities in Norwegian lakes, as well as to describe ecological status of lakes using more taxonomic groups than before. The project may also explore broader issues within freshwater ecology.

The PhD-candidate is expected to take part in both lab work and relevant field activity.

A 3–12 months scientific visit abroad might be arranged during the PhD period.

Qualifications
• The applicant should have a MSc, or equivalent, in biology, ecology, genetics or related fields with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale (https://innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Grading+scale). Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must be able to document an equally good academic foundation
• The applicant should have knowledge in statistical analysis of data, and preferable experience with the statistical software R
• The applicant should be fluent in written as well as spoken English, and being able to communicate in a Scandinavian language is an advantage

Additionally, it is and advantage if the applicant has knowledge within DNA metabarcoding, bioinformatics and/or freshwater ecology.

Terms of employment
We offer:
• Full time employment for three years
• Salary NOK 479 600-504 700 (lønnstrinn 54–57)
• Flexible working hours
• Good pension and insurance schemes
• A welcoming and inspiring working environment
• Good opportunities for professional development
 
For further information, please contact Researcher (markus.majaneva@nina.no, +47 406 45 589) or Research Director Ingeborg Palm Helland (ingeborg.helland@nina.no, +47 976 54 820).

The application should contain:
• A one-page letter where the candidate explains their motivation for applying for this PhD fellow position and a brief description of the scientific relevance of the candidate’s education, work and research experience
• A CV including a list of publications (if relevant) with bibliographical references
• Contact details (telephone and e-mail) for three references

The application must be submitted in English or Norwegian. The application should be submitted by e-mail to siri.svendsen@nina.no. A selection of the candidates will be interviewed.

NINA seeks to increase the percentage of female scientists within the institute. Women are encouraged to apply for this position. When two applicants are considered equally strong, preference will be given to the female candidate.

Application deadline is 30 August 2020. Starting date not later than November–December 2020.