Postdoctoral Fellow in statistical modeling for genomic data

The position is part of the research project “Prediction of genetic values and adaptive potential in the wild” funded through a Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). A major goal of the project is to develop cutting-edge statistical methodology to analyse and make predictions from large-scale genomic data, which is currently generated for many wild animal populations. To this end, the project combines modern statistical methodology and builds on the current state-of-the art in animal breeding, human genomics, ecology and evolutionary biology. The post-doc will thus work with a cross-disciplinary team of researchers and can contribute towards the development of methods that will make an impact to better understand evolution and the robustness of wild anmial populations, with the ultimate goal to help preserving biodiversity.

The post-doc will work at NTNU in Trondheim, and the fellowship will be hosted by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The project is a close collaboration with evolutionary ecologists from the Department of Biology and the Gjærevoll Centre at NTNU, as well as with international researchers in the field.

The period of employment is 3 – 4 years. The project leader is Associate Professor Stefanie Muff.

• Develop and implement new efficient and accurate statistical methods for genomic prediction using genomic data from wild animal populations.
• Derive a theoretical understanding for the accuracy of the new methodology.
• Use the new methods to derive insight into evolutionary processes of the study systems of our collaborators.
• Core components of the research involve, among others, Bayesian hierarchical modelling, shrinkage methods, machine learning (ML) or dimension reduction approaches, generalized linear mixed modeling, and performing simulations using specialized statistical programming tools.
• Writing and publishing papers in international, peer-reviewed journals.
• An important part of the project is collaboration with evolutionary biologists, mostly at NTNU, but also internationally. The post-doc is therefore expected to maintain and nourish these collaborations, as well as disseminate their statistical research to a broader scientific audience.
• Mentoring PhD and Master students, helping them with their research projects, and advising on methodology and academic writing.
• The candidate is expected to show a high level of initiative, motivation and independence for research and writing.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in Statistics or a related field.
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position.
• Keen interest in ecological statistics and cross-disciplinary scientific research.
• Solid background in statistical modelling.
• Experience with the use of large datasets.
• Strong skills in computer programming and computational statistics.
• Very good oral and written skills in English.
• Strong academic background documented with publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

If you cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2 upon employment, you must complete Norwegian courses corresponding to at least 15 credits before the end of the employment period. NTNU will facilitate this.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations for the Universities and Colleges Act (university and colleges regulations) and Regulations for the degrees philosophiaedoctor (ph.d.) and philosophiaedoctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

• Knowledge and experience with statistical analysis of genomic data.
• Documented background in evolutionary ecology, genomics and/or quantitative genetics, for example from courses or the PhD.
• High level of motivation.

• Ambitions to deliver high-quality research.
• Willingness to learn new fields of research in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Drive to communicate and convey new research results to biologists.
• Excellent writing skills, capable of synthesizing and expressing complex ideas clearly.
• Self-motivated, resilient, resourceful, result-oriented, and independent.
• Curiosity and strong motivation for the subject.
• Structured work mode, able to set goals and make plans to achieve them.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

• An exciting job in a strong international academic environment, with a high impact for society and environment.
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire.
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues.
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU.
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Employee benefits.

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 594 500 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 period of employment is 3 – 4 years, depending on whether there is a need to include Norwegian courses and/or courses within educational competence.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s-, Master’s- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV.
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis.
• Academic works – published or unpublished (up to 5 items).
• Name and contact information of three 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. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

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

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).

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

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Stefanie Muff (stefanie.muff@ntnu.no).

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance 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: 04.04.2025.