PhD Candidate in Dark Taxon Science

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the job

The NTNU University Museum is currently in search of an enthusiastic and well qualified PhD candidate to specialise in the integrative study of a dark taxon. Dark taxa are hyperdiverse groups (>1000 species) that are poorly known (<10% described). They are often organisms with small body size and great taxonomic complexity. This project will employ advanced methodologies to the systematic investigation of a designated target dark taxon. The primary focus will be on refining our understanding of the target taxon's systematics and ecology while contributing to the broader methodologies of Dark Taxon Science. We are seeking a candidate with a strong academic background and a keen interest in employing cutting-edge methodologies to explore the intricacies of their chosen group.

In the context of the Anthropocene and escalating climate changes, the study of Dark Taxa has become vital for biodiversity preservation, as they may hold key insights into ecosystem resilience amidst human-induced environmental shifts. By understanding their diversity and distributions, researchers gain essential knowledge to inform conservation strategies. Understanding Dark Taxa dynamics is crucial in navigating the challenges posed by the Anthropocene, offering unique perspectives on species interactions and adaptations in the face of evolving environmental conditions.

The project will centre on a multifaceted specialisation in a designated Dark Taxon. In addition to morphological, molecular, and ecological techniques, the research may include the option to incorporate elements from robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. This complementary focus on a target taxon and advanced methodologies seeks to enhance our understanding of Dark Taxa through innovative approaches, fostering a holistic investigation that combines classical taxonomic methods with the potential for breakthroughs offered by modern technologies.

The successful candidate will be employed at the NTNU University Museum’s Department of Natural History. The Department of Natural History conducts research in biogeography, biosystematics, and ecology, with an emphasis on conservation biology. Associate Professor Emily Hartop will be the main supervisor. The candidate will use the NTNU University Museum’s natural history collection, molecular laboratory facilities and computational resources.

For a position as a PhD candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to obtaining a doctoral degree. Publication of the project results in peer-reviewed journals is expected.

Your immediate leader is the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

The work of the PhD candidate will consist of engaging in a multifaceted exploration of a Dark Taxon. Integral to this research is the pursuit of integrative taxonomy, wherein the candidate will employ a combination of morphological, molecular, and ecological analyses. This approach transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, positioning the candidate as a skilled investigator unravelling the complexities of a challenging taxon. The successful candidate will:

• Based on the selected taxon, assemble an appropriate sampling of specimens from museum and collaborators, supplemented with targeted fieldwork (if/as required).
• Using ONT MinION, produce molecular data.
• Employ integrative practices in new species discovery and delimitation.
• Leverage modern molecular analyses to explore the phylogenetic relationships within the chosen group.
• Develop and employ innovative and multidisciplinary techniques to the study of species at scale. Creativity in approach will be a hallmark of the successful candidate. Novel approaches could include the use of robotics, artificial intelligence or machine learning, integration of novel data sources for species delimitation, or revolutionary approaches to species description.
• Disseminate results in scientific literature, to relevant stakeholders and the public.

Required selection criteria

• Master's degree in biology (or equivalent) with specialisation in taxonomy, systematics, molecular ecology, evolutionary biology, or closely related fields.
• Experience at the master’s level with analyses of molecular data to answer evolutionary questions.
• Strong interest in pursuing the study of a Dark Taxon using multidisciplinary approaches. The target taxon will be based upon agreement with the project supervisor as it will need to be appropriate to Dark Taxon Science.
• Education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, with 120 credits obtained at master’s level.
• Average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis.
• Meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program.
• Good written and oral English language skills.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with ONT MinION lab work and data analyses
• Modern statistical and visualisation techniques using relevant scripting languages (R, Python)
• Previous work on species discovery/delimitation
• Previous work on species description, especially including non-traditional approaches
• Interest in working on Nordic taxa
• Passion for communicating science to a range of audiences

Personal characteristics

The ideal PhD candidate should demonstrate enthusiasm, self-motivation, and a proactive, innovative orientation towards goals and solutions. Strong cooperative skills and a willingness to collaborate with individuals possessing diverse research interests are indispensable.

Emphasis will be given to both personal qualities and interpersonal skills in the selection process.

We offer

• a strong international research environment highly relevant for career development in both basic and applied research and public sector
• scientific and technical support provided by large research groups with long-term experience in integrative taxonomy, phylogenetics, and ecology
• exciting and stimulating tasks, customizable research projects based on applicant’s skills and own research goals in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The position is available from August 2024, thus master students graduating before this date can apply. The period of employment is four years, with 25% of the time allocated to collection work, teaching and public outreach.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Biology within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organised PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• A letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) stating specifically why you believe you meet the selection criteria
• CV, certified copies of certificates and diplomas
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Publications or other scientific work if you have such
• Contact information for two referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Emily Hartop, email emily.hartop@ntnu.no If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Senior Consultant HR Anne Karin Henning, e-mail: anne.karin.henning@ntnu.no

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 01.06.2024

DIVERSE INFO

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