This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

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 position

The Biopolymer NMR Group (https://folk.ntnu.no/aachmann/) is looking for a candidate to be hired for a three-year PhD position project “Structural and functional characterization of Carbohydrate-active enzymes by NMR spectroscopy” with a possibility of 1 year extension due to career promotion work. The project is strategic position funded by the NTNU. The PhD position is hosted by the Norwegian Biopolymer Laboratory (NOBIPOL) at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NTNU. NOBIPOL is a multidisciplinary research group devoted to the field Biopolymer Engineering. Based on more than 60 years of continuous research in the field, NOBIPOL possesses competence and experience in all aspects related to science and technology of marine polysaccharides, such as alginate, fucoidan and cellulose. 

About the project

The primary objective of the of the position is for the PhD candidate to successfully complete a the doctoral education programme and be awarded a doctoral degree.

The PhD position focal point will be addressing the structure and functional aspects of carbohydrate-active enzymes by NMR spectroscopy. Relevant target enzymes are lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), fucoidan active enzymes and alginate active enzymes. The tasks of the PhD candidate will include producing and purifying enzymes, and performing biochemical characterisations using mainly NMR spectroscopy, but also other relevant methods. This will include structural analysis and investigations of reactions of the enzymes and their products. The focus on these enzymes relates to both academic and applied interests within the Biopolymer NMR Group, collaboration partners (DTU, Aalborg University, University of Copenhagen, National University of Singapore, SINTEF and Station Biologique de Roscoff) as well as the larger polysaccharide modifying enzymes research community. There will be opportunities for exchange stays at relevant collaborators, as well as participation in international and national conferences. The supervisor for candidate will be Prof. Finn L. Aachmann.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will work on the following tasks:

• Molecular biology and protein production
• Structural and functional characterisation by NMR
• Biochemical protein characterization
• Manage your research project
• Experimental design and execution
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Write scientific papers and a PhD thesis

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a Master's degree in biotechnology, chemistry, biology or  equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Basic gene technology, protein expression and purification
• NMR spectroscopy
• Good analytical skills
• Documented excellent oral and written English skills

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 philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with enzyme chemistry, protein production and purification and protein science
• Experience with structural characterisation of carbohydrates and/or proteins by NMR
• Experience with characterisation of polysaccharides (e.g. NMR, SEC, SEC-MALS, HPAEC-PAD)
• Experience with biorefining and product development
• Relevant practical experience
• Competence with computer-based analytical tools
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Show motivated, creative and ambitious
• Strong ability to work problem-solution orientated both in teams and independently
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• State of the art genetics lab, NMR lab, carbohydrate characterization lab, and seaweed biorefinery lab.
• Opportunities for exchange stays at collaborators and participation in international conferences
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Good and healthy work life balance

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts. 

Diversity

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.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK  536 200,-  per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years with the possibility of 1 year extension due to career promoting work. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in biotechnology https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbiot within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

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

For the necessary academic 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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

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 received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV
• Short letter of motivation (maximum 400 words/1 page)
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 3 works)
• Name and address of up to three referees and why they have been selected (maximum 50 words).

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. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also 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 work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

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 applicant list, 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 think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Finn L. Aachmann, email: finn.l.aachmann@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Cecilie Skagfjord, e-mail: cecilie.skagfjord@ntnu.no

Application deadline: 05.06.2025

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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. 

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

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Our activities contribute to increased exploitation of existing and new ingredients for sustainable food production as well as next-generation energy solutions and medical technology. We educate graduates for a wide range of careers in industry, public administration and academia. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.