Through research, education and social engagement, Nord University contributes to the creation of a sustainable future.
In cooperation with society, business and industry in Northern and Central Norway, our 11,500 students and 1,350 staff promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, both locally and internationally.
Nord University has four strategic focus areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security, and health, welfare and education.
Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA) educates people with the aim of promoting sustainable and innovative development to meet global challenges in food production, climate and environment. The faculty is an international arena for education, research and knowledge dissemination, with employees and students from 39 different countries. The faculty offers a PhD in Biosciences. FBA has 900 students and 165 employees in Bodø and Steinkjer. The professional community is organised into the following divisions: Aquaculture, Ecology, Genomics and Animal Science, Production and Welfare and Algae and microbial biotechnology.
Nord University, Faculty for Biosciences and Aquaculture is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the exciting BlowOmics project. This ambitious research aims to develop non-invasive methods to assess the health of free-swimming cetaceans using microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers extracted from exhaled breath condensates (blow). The successful candidate will work on Work Packages (WP) 1 and 2 of the project, which involve characterizing the cetacean miRNAome from non-lethal samples and identifying miRNA signatures for normal physiological states, including gender and pregnancy.
The successful candidate will be part of one of the Animal Science, Production and Welfare research division.
The contract will be for a 3-year period without teaching.
The position is to be located in Steinkjer, Norway.
Candidates are subject to Nord University’s requirement for residency at the institution.
Qualification requirements
A Master’s degree in molecular biology, marine biology, or a related fiel
Experience with RNA extraction, sequencing, and data analysis tools (e.g., DESeq2).
Strong interest in marine mammal research and molecular biomarker development.
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit NOKUT approval of their master’s degree
Grade average of B or better (or equivalent score) both for the programme in total and the master’s thesis
The grades at the qualifying MSc examination needs to be B or better (ECTS scale from A-E) to be admitted to the PhD program.
It is assumed that the person who is hired is admitted to the faculty’s doctoral program Final project outline with plan for the doctoral work must be approved and agreed upon no later than 3 months after accession. Termination may be considered if admission to the doctoral program is not available within this deadline, due to lack of annual reporting of progress and/or serious failure in progress and in duty work. For admission requirements and regulations, see our web page
For the position, good English skills are required both written and oral. The thesis can be written in English or Norwegian (or a Scandinavian language)
Candidates who already have a PhD degree will not be considered for the position.
Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:
Theme and perspectives from the applicant’s master’s study. Project outline with description of project idea and plan for implementation
The applicant’s description of motivation for the doctoral work and opportunities for completion
Relevant experience from research work
Ability to work independently, goal-oriented and systematically
Personal suitability
We offer
The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, NOK 532 200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.
Opportunities for international research stays and hands-on fieldwork.
Collaboration within a multidisciplinary and international research consortium.
Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension
Creative and collegial working environment
A workplace with progressive development
Flexible working hours
Active university sports team
General information
The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.
The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply.
If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.
Contact information
Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting :
Associate Professor Courtney Alice Waugh, e-post: courtney.waugh@nord.no, tlf: +47 74112051
Application process
Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations.
The Faculty reserve the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language, educational background or personal characteristics
Application
Applications must be submitted electronically by 28.02.2025.
The application should include:
Application letter with description of your motivation for applying for the position
Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience and overview of any scientific publications)
Copy of diploma for both bachelor and master education and relevant certificates
Copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis as a PDF file
Project description of 3-5 pages where you explain the idea for the PhD project, theoretical anchoring and methodological approach
The project outline should include a progress plan A plan for how the fellowship period is intended to be used
Name and contact information of 1-3 references (name, your relation to the person, email and phone number)
Other activity that is considered relevant for the position, and wishes to be taken into account in the assessment
All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.
After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.
