4 year postdoctoral researcher position - Acoustic observation technology in marine benthic ecology

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway has a vacancy for a 4-year postdoctoral position to investigate and develop the use of acoustic observation technology in marine benthic ecology and seafloor mapping.

The candidate will work primarily with acoustic data backscattered from the seafloor and benthic fauna, although also data from laser may be used. The project will include use of platforms from ship, autonomous surface vehicles (ASV), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and bottom mounted installations, and instruments from single beam to multi beam and high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar. The research will be part of several projects exploring the use of acoustic observation technology in benthic community mapping, including CRIMAC SFI, the deep-sea program MAREANO, and kelp and seagrass ecology monitoring projects in shallow waters. 

Institute of Marine Research Institute (IMR) is a national advisory research institute employing more than 1000 persons and is Norway's largest center of marine science. Its main objective is to provide knowledge and advice to Norwegian authorities on questions related to sustainable use and management of our oceans, and the coastal environment. 

The successful candidate will be part of IMR's Ecosystem Acoustics Research Group and will be based in Bergen, but with extensive cooperation with the Benthic Communities Research Group. The work will focus on benthic ecosystems from seaweed and kelp on shallow rocky shores to coral reefs and sediment communities in deep waters. Mapping and monitoring seafloor biology provide knowledge for sustainable management of both coastal waters and our deep oceans.

This postdoc position represents an excellent career opportunity for a skilled and motivated scientist who is interested in being part of a productive research community, and who would find pleasure and inspiration in working at Norway's leading marine research institution.

The successful candidate must have the following qualifications:

• PhD in acoustics or similar. Depending on university, acoustics could be under the department of physics, applied mathematics, marine biology or similar.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Strong data science skills, including at least one of the tools/programming languages: Matlab, R, or Python.
• Excellent skills in English, both written and oral.

In addition, the following qualifications are desired and will be given weight:

• Experience with seabed biology mapping
• Experience with analyzing high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar data
• Experience with analyzing multibeam or sidescan sonar
• Experience with wide band frequency sweep for species identification
• Spatially explicit statistical models
• Cruise and field work experience.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and to work independently towards objectives.
• Strong skills in written and oral communication and high proficiency in English.
• Demonstrated ability to independently implement and publish research.
• Ability to work efficiently, be goal-oriented and perform and report project activities on schedule.
• The working language at IMR is Norwegian. A working knowledge of the Norwegian language will be advantageous, and language training will be offered if necessary.

The Institute of Marine Research value diversity. Therefore, we welcome all qualified candidates to apply for the position, regardless of age, gender, functional ability, nationality or ethnical background. We are an Inclusive Working Life Enterprise, and we aim to facilitate for applicants with disabilities.

Upon receiving applications from candidates with reduced abilities, gaps in CV or immigrant background, we will invite at least one qualified candidate from each category to an interview. In order to be considered for affirmative action, certain requirements should be met. Please read more here (https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling).

If you wish to be considered for affirmative action, please specify when submitting your application.

• A challenging, creative, and international working environment within one of Europe's leading marine research institutions that is at the forefront regarding the use of marine observations for the investigation of climate effects on marine ecosystems.
• Exciting projects in a strong scientific environment.
• Flexible working hours.
• Public pension scheme in Statens pensjonskasse.

The position as 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow is paid in accordance with the civil service pay scale.

 Please note that information about applicants may be made public even if an applicant has requested to be left off the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified about this in advance.

For more information, please visit our website, or contact Frithjof Moy (moy@hi.no, or phone 47 80 00 24) or Rolf Korneliussen (rolf.korneliussen@hi.no or mobile + 47 48 89 73 88).

Applications should be submitted electronically via the link on this page and should be accompanied by a cover letter summarizing relevant skills (in response to the qualifications listed in the position description) and your reasons for applying for the position, a complete CV, publication list, copies of maximum 5 peer reviewed publications, three references and transcripts of academic degrees.