The Norwegian Veterinary Institute The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a research institute in the areas of animal health, fish health and food and feed safety, whose primary function is supply of research-based knowledge support to the authorities.

NVI have a free and independent position in all academic questions. As the authorities' main advisor in topics related to prevention, handling and elimination of zoonosis and serious infectious diseases in fish and land animals, NVI performs an important task to the Norwegian society. NVI also assists in the prevention and management of crises caused by hazardous compounds and contaminants in feed and food.

We provide services and advice to the industry, professionals and pet owners. The institute’s headquarters are located in Ås, but NVI is present throughout Norway with 5 regional laboratories in Sandnes, Bergen, Trondheim, Harstad and Tromsø.

To further strengthen our capacity in the field of aquatic epidemiology, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, section for epidemiology is looking for a researcher for a permanent full-time position.

Veterinary epidemiology will be of increasing importance in Norway to secure sustainable livestock and aquaculture production both economically, environmentally and with regard to human and animal health in the future. Section for epidemiology currently has about 30 employed researchers within the fields of epidemiology, disease spread modelling, risk assessment, biostatistics and bioinformatics and the section has a large project portfolio. 

We are looking for a researcher to work on modelling the spread and control of salmon lice and other diseases in aquaculture. The research is performed in close collaboration with other researchers of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and other national and international institutions or partners. The main tool for statistics and programming in the research group is R. We utilize a wide variety of the opportunities in R, such as data handling and manipulation and basic and advanced statistics and modelling. The group works closely together to maintain and extend our existing source code as well as develop new scripts and workflows. The duties will also include tasks on behalf of the government and public sector as well as for the aquaculture industry. This includes disease contingency tasks and epidemiological and statistical disease outbreak support to the authorities.

We believe that inclusion and diversity are strengths. We are committed to hiring employees with a variety of skills, educational backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives, as we believe this contributes to better problem-solving. We will accommodate employees who may require adjustments in the workplace. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Main tasks and responsibilities

A primary focus is to further develop and implement statistical and mathematical models to support control of disease in aquaculture by the government and Norwegian aquaculture industry. This includes development of tools for data processing and presentation of data and contributing in tasks in epidemiology and statistics. The tasks may also include initiating, planning and leading research projects in aquaculture disease epidemiology.

Contribute to scientific dissemination to stakeholders such as the Ministry of Fisheries, the Food Safety authority and the Norwegian aquaculture industry.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements (must have):

• PhD in epidemiology, quantitative ecology or another relevant field.
• Experience with applied statistical data analysis or mathematical modeling of biological, ecological, population, or animal production data is required.
• Extensive programming experience, preferably in R, is required.
• Good oral and written skills in English.

In addition, we will emphasise:

• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language is valued due to contact with authorities and other public stakeholders.
• A strong understanding of population dynamics, epidemiology and experience with state-space statistical modelling is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the aquaculture and animal primary production in Norway is valuable.
• A good publication record and experience of scientific leadership will be valued.
• Experience of acquisition of national and international projects (i.e EU projects) is valuable.

Personal qualities

We are seeking a candidate with a solution-oriented approach, capable of developing and implementing effective solutions. Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a team are essential, as well as the ability to work independently. Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of personal responsibility and ownership of their tasks within a project. 

Dedication to research in the area of fish health will be highly valued.

We offer

• A permanent position with varied tasks in an attractive field
• A work environment that values high competence, professional challenges, and diversity.
• A flexible and inclusive workplace.
• Favorable agreements for loans and pension savings in the State Pension Fund, with a 2 % deduction from salary for this contribution.
• The position is remunerated according to the Government's salary regulations. Depending on the experience of the candidate they will be placed in position code 1109, code 1110 or code 1183. 

If you find the above of interest, we look very much forward to receiving your application. Please register your application and CV in WebCruiter.

 Diplomas, certificates, and other relevant documents must be uploaded electronically through the application tool in WebCruiter.

Webcruiter-ID: 4853975506

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Contact information

• Leif Christian Stige (Seniorforsker, Epidemiologi), +47 93698406
• Malin Jonsson (Seksjonsleder/Head of Section), +47 93086902