PhD fellowship (three years) within animal nutrition and physiology
Deadline: 15.02.2022
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Nord University
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 25 different countries. The faculty offers a PhD in Aquatic Biosciences. FBA has 900 students and 160 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.
Read more: www.nord.no/en/fba
About the position
A PhD fellowship is available at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University (Steinkjer, Norway) within areas of sustainable animal nutrition and physiology. The position is for three years and will be available from March 2022.
For the right candidate, a four-year position, which also includes 25% teaching, supervision and/or administrative duties, may be possible. With a rise in the global human population and growing competition between humans and farm animals for nutrient sources, the identification and efficient utilization of alternative feeding resources are essential to establish a sustainable livestock sector in the future. Recently, insects have been characterized as a potential nutrient source for animals. This PhD project aims to evaluate the impacts of insect-based feed on gut health and animal performance.
Qualification requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, and ambitious applicant with an excellent academic record and the ability to collaborate with other members of a multidisciplinary team during the PhD. The MSc examination grade of the candidate must be B or better (ECTS scale from A-E) to be admitted to the program as the faculty prioritizes highly qualified candidates with top grades.
When taking up the appointment, the successful candidate should have completed an MSc degree in a relevant field, mainly within areas of Animal nutrition and physiology, Gut health and microbiome, and Molecular biology. The candidate should have prior experience on basic laboratory tools related to molecular biology and nutritional biochemistry and should be able to conduct in vivo trials in a laboratory and production animals (FELASA certificate or equivalent is preferred). The candidate must have good knowledge in statistics, preferably expertise in the application of bioinformatic tools, and experiences with microbiome data analysis. The candidate should have an excellent command of English. The proficiency in oral and written English must be documented either by the Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification or internationally recognized certificates, such as TOEFL, IELTS, or similar. Skills in a Scandinavian language are an advantage for the position. The candidate should preferably have a driver’s license.
The candidate should have good collaborative skills and will get an opportunity to interact and collaborate with other national and international partners. The successful candidate will join the PhD program in Biosciences at Nord University and complete a doctorate within the three-year project period. The candidate should fulfill the admission requirements of this PhD program at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture and participate in the training components stipulated in regulations of the PhD program. Application for admission to the program must be submitted within three months after taking up the position. For admission requirements and regulations, see our web page.
We offer
The annual salary for PhD candidates is set at wage level 54, NOK 491.200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale. As an employee at Nord University, the Fellow will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund and get access to other social benefits. A statutory amount to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will automatically be deducted from the salary.
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. Nord University practices moderate allocation according to gender quotas in accordance with the Basic Agreement for State Employees.
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:
For scientific questions: Associate Professor Prabhat Khanal, e-mail: prabhat.khanal@nord.no, telephone: +47 74 11 21 29
For other questions: Office Manager Irene Stork, e-mail: irene.stork@nord.no, telephone: +47 75 51 74 42
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 15th February 2022.
The application should include:
Cover letter outlining the candidate’s suitability for this position (one page) and a project outline based on the theme “Impacts of insect-based feeds on gut health and animal performance” (two pages). The non-submission of these documents will lead to the rejection of an otherwise qualified candidate.
Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (maximum three pages)
Certified copies of academic degree transcripts and any other relevant qualifications
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.
