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Job description
The theme of the PhD position is thermal biology (physiology, behaviour and evolution) of fish.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim Norway is seeking a new graduate student (PhD studentship) to research thermal biology in fish. The position starts early 2016.
As climate change is making aquatic habitats warmer, fish can respond by migration, acclimatization or adaptation, but most often combinations of these strategies. This project will investigate both the acclimatization and adaptation potential of fish to thermal challenges. The PhD project aims to fill major knowledge gaps in the field of thermal biology. The main questions that will be addressed are: Which physiological mechanisms limit thermal performance and tolerance? How adaptable are these mechanisms? What are the connections between thermal physiology and behaviour? Which physiological and behavioural traits are most important for ecological fitness in a warming world?
To answer these questions the PhD student will use various physiological and behavioural measurements. The techniques will likely include in-vivo animal experiments, thermal exposures, multi-generation experiments, exercise respirometry, electrophysiology, automated behavioural analysis and more. The work will mainly be done at the well-equipped labs at NTNU, but research abroad is also likely.
Detailed in-formation on our PhD programs is found at: http://www.ntnu.edu/nt/research/phd
Information about the department
The strategy of the Department of Biology is to understand biological processes of life for sustainable use and conservation of the environment. The Department has an interdisciplinary approach to education and research that is deeply rooted in environmental and evolutionary biology as important links between the different sub-disciplines (cell- and molecular biology, systems biology, physiology, ethology, ecology, population genetics, marine biology, aquaculture, biodiversity and environmental toxicology). The Department of Biology is the host of the Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), which is a National Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway and NTNU. For more information about the department go to: http://www.ntnu.edu/biology.
Ecophysiology and the study of anthropogenic stressors, including the effects of climate change, is a priority research area at the Department of Biology. The zoophysiology research group has broad national and international research collaborations and the permanent scientific staffs are recognized as international leaders and researchers in their respective disciplines. The Jutfelt lab conducts ecophysiological research on fish at NTNU, but also abroad at locations such as Kristineberg Marine Station in Sweden, Lizard Island Research Station in Australia and Polar Regions. Further information is available at: http://bioenv.gu.se/english/staff/jutfelt_fredrik
Qualifications
The applicant must have an MSc (or equivalent) in biology or related subjects. Experience from fish handling and fish physiology will be considered an advantage. However, students from all fields of biology are encouraged to apply, as it is considered more important to be ambitious, thorough and a fast learner than to have perfectly matching courses on your CV.
The regulations for PhD programmes at NTNU state that a Master degree or equivalent with at least 5 years of studies and an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best) for the two last years of the MSc is required and C or higher of the BSc. Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/diploma-supplement_en.htm
The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language.
Terms of employment
The appointment of the PhD fellows will be made according to Norwegian guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general regulations regarding university employees. Applicants must agree to participate in organized doctoral study programs within the period of the appointment and have to be qualified for the PhD-study.
NTNU has a personnel policy objective that the staff must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent.
The appointment will be made according to the general regulations regarding university employees. PhD research positions are remunerated according to Norwegian Government pay scale. Normally at start wage level 50, gross NOK 430 200 per year before tax. There is a 2% deduction for superannuation contribution.
Further information can be obtained from Associate Professor Fredrik Jutfelt, Department of Biology, NTNU, fredrik.jutfelt@ntnu.no
Further information about the Department can be found at: https://www.ntnu.edu/biology
The application
Applications with a short motivation text, CV, copies of transcripts, certificates from both Bachelor and Master, possible publications and other scientific works, Master thesis, and reference letters should be submitted. List contact details to three references that you have worked with.
Applications must be submitted electronically through this page.
Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. The reference number of the position is: NT- 68/15
Application deadline: 30 November 2015