Norwegian Institute for Water Research

The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) is Norway's leading research institute for the aquatic environment, working across a wide range of environmental, climate and resource issues. Our high-quality research is characterised by its relevance, and its holistic and interdisciplinary approach, combining research with monitoring, assessment, problem solving and consulting. The NIVA group has approximately 500 employees and is headquartered in Oslo, with branches in Bergen, Grimstad, Hamar and Copenhagen, together with a marine research station in Drøbak, and subsidiaries in Tromsø, Chile and China.

NIVA is a private, non-profit research foundation focused on marine and freshwater research. Our work informs climate and environment policy at national and international levels. The NIVA group has approximately 340 employees, with a head office in Oslo and regional offices in Bergen, Grimstad, Hamar and Copenhagen, plus a research station at Drøbak (Oslofjord) and subsidiaries in Tromsø, Chile and China.

We are looking for applicants excited about combining life sciences and computational tools to connect and understand the exposure and effect pathways of pollutant cocktails in Arctic aquatic ecosystems, from the sources of exposure to the effects at the individual/population level.

The right candidate will be working within the activity areas of NIVAs Computational Toxicology Program (NCTP), an initiative devoted to computational and experimental research linking exposure to effects at different levels of biological organisation. This work includes chemical and non-chemical stressors that arise from urban and rural exposure sources and different routes of exposure. This is a three-year position.

Assignments

The successful candidate will contribute to establishing Next Generation Risk Assessments (NGRA) tools in the research project “In silico and experimental screening platform for characterizing environmental impact of industry development in the Arctic (EXPECT)”, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The postdoc will be involved in the development of a Source To Outcome Predictor (STOPredictor) to characterize the most relevant Arctic Source To Outcome Pathways (STOPs) and use these to perform Cumulative Risk Assessments (CRA). Development of qualitative and quantitative Aggregate Exposure Pathways (AEPs) and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) will be central to the work (see details at NCTP).

The successful candidate will be involved in the following tasks:

• Development and use of qualitative and quantitative AEPs and AOPs
• Development and evaluation of quantitative Source to Outcome Pathways
• Designing of workflows and data analysis pipelines for large exposure and effect datasets
• Development and use of mathematical and statistical models for integrated data analysis
• Publication of peer-reviewed articles in relevant high impact Journals
• Presentation of research at regional, national, and/or international conferences and workshops
• Mentoring and transferring of knowledge to colleagues

Formal qualifications and experience

• PhD in relevant field (data sciences, computational toxicology, mathematical modelling, bioinformatics or similar)
• Relevant experience in programming (python, R, C++ etc.)
• Experience in mathematical modelling (design, implementation, numerical solutions and evaluation of models, e.g. using differential equations, structural equations and multivariate analysis etc.)
• Knowledge of advanced and applied statistics (deterministic and probabilistic modelling etc.)
• Knowledge of exposure, effect and/or risk assessment is an advantage
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. Strong ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing is required.

Personal abilities

We are looking for an enthusiastic, goal-oriented colleague with great communication skills. You are independent and skilled to perform your assignments, at the same time you have a good team spirit and are keen to collaborate with your colleagues. You are pro-active and motivated to implement and find good practical solutions together with supervisors, managers, and colleagues.

NIVA offers

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a leading national water science research institute with great social significance
• An opportunity for professional and personal development in an organization where responsibility and initiative are highly valued
• Flexible working hours, good pension, welfare and insurance schemes, and competitive salary
• To be part of a network of national and international researchers
• Personal development opportunities
• A multicultural, social, and creative work environment
• A mountain cabin in Hemsedal
• Fitness room at the office in Oslo

Webcruiter ID: 4520935708

Apply for position

Contacts:

• Knut Erik Tollefsen (Chief Scientist), +47 922 18 466
  
• Samantha Martins (Researcher), +47 458 35 130