NIVA is looking to expand its team of researchers within the field of plastic litter (micro and macro) in the aquatic environment. In this regard, we are looking to recruit a researcher who wants to contribute to the national and international effort to enhance knowledge and reduce the impact from plastics litter in marine and freshwater environments. Your core expertise should be project development and project management, with experience from mapping marine litter and / or inflow from rivers, monitoring and mitigation. International work and travelling must be expected, particularly to Asia. You will join NIVA’s Section for Environmental contaminants, a section of currently 19 researchers and research assistants, and will be expected also to cooperate with researchers across NIVA.

Norwegian Institute for Water Research

The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) is Norway’s leading institute for basic and applied research on marine and freshwaters. The institute’s research comprises a wide array of environmental, climatic and resource-related fields. NIVA’s world-class expertise is multidisciplinary with a broad scientific scope. We combine research, monitoring, evaluation, problem-solving and advisory services at international, national and local levels.

The NIVA group has approximately 340 employees. NIVA´s head office is in Oslo with regional offices in Bergen, Grimstad, Hamar, Copenhagen and China, a research station at Drøbak (Oslofjord), as well as subsidiaries in Tromsø and Chile.

Main tasks

• Project development and follow-up of national and international projects and project stakeholders, including authorities, private sector and NGOs.
• Development of research ideas related to plastic littering
• Secure funding by leading, and cooperating, on scientific proposals nationally (e.g. Norwegian Research Council) and internationally (e.g. JPI Ocean, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe) as well as national project acquisition (e.g. Norwegian Environment Agency) within the plastic litter field of research. This also includes leading and participating in such projects.
• Dissemination of projects, including publishing in peer reviewed scientific journals and popular science publications and presentations.
• Interacting with stakeholders. Develop and maintain national and international networks by participation in conferences, research projects etc.

Qualifications and experience

We are looking for a researcher with a PhD primarily within the natural sciences though social sciences may also be of interest. Relevant working experience for at least 5 years duration may compensate for lack of PhD. In addition, applicants will be expected to show the following;

• Proven experience and skills as project leader/coordinator. International project experience is desirable.
• Profound knowledge of the development and/or implementation of various international plastic-related strategies, policies and guidelines.
• Documented experience with funding acquisition from scientific funding bodies, industry and government actors.
• Strong cross-sectoral national and international network, experience with cooperation between nature and social sciences.
• Excellent written and spoken English are required. Scandinavian language skills are advantageous.

Personal abilities

We are seeking a social, systematic and independent person who likes to work in a dynamic working environment. The ability to inspire and communicate well with international colleagues, partners, customers and users will be emphasized. You must like to work across a range of disciplines, be open to new ideas and other perspectives, and should see differences as opportunities. Flexibility, tolerance and positive attitude, dedication and perseverance are crucial abilities, as is the ability to handle complex and challenging tasks. High professional integrity and scientific approach are very important.

NIVA offers

• Possibility to contribute in the development of science-based understanding and solutions to some of the most profound environmental challenges of the twenty-first century
• Challenging and inspiring tasks at Norway’s leading water research institute with a broad project portfolio and a comprehensive international contact network.
• Excellent development opportunities.
• Well-equipped research infrastructure and lab facilities.
• Stimulating, international work environment with highly skilled and dedicated employees.
• Head office centrally located at the Oslo Science Park near the University of Oslo.
• Competitive conditions and salaries, pension plans and insurance benefits.

Apply for position

Contacts:

• Marianne Olsen (Research leader), +47 957 22 951