PhD Candidate in Zebrafish Neuroscience

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim; Presencial; NOK 522.000 - 638.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Mentor programme

Pension benefits (SPK)

Language training (Norwegian A2)

Career guidance and support

Open and inclusive environment

Descripción de la vacante

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Zebrafish Neuroscience within the Department of Biology in Trondheim. You will work to obtain your doctorate while gaining experience for a future career in higher education and research, in an internationally oriented group led by Dr.

Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi.

Formación

• Neuroscience background required.
• Master's degree with a substantial thesis/project (≥30 ECTS).
• Good oral and written English skills.
• Experience with animals, preferably zebrafish, and solid lab technique.
• Programming experience in Matlab, Python or equivalent.

Responsabilidades

• Complete the doctoral education and obtain a PhD.
• Carry out high-quality, reproducible research as described.
• Disseminate findings via publications and outreach.
• Collaborate within the Jurisch-Yaksi group and international partners.
• Engage in international activities, workshops and conferences.
• Pursue additional career-promoting work with supervisor agreement.

Conocimientos

zebrafish experience

laboratory skills

English communication

programming Matlab/Python

Educación

Master's degree in life science or neuroscience

major independent project (≥30 ECTS)

Descripción del empleo

PhD Candidate in Zebrafish Neuroscience

The Department of Biology has a vacancy for a

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

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.

The position is in the research group led by Dr Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi, which consists of an international team of biologists and neuroscientists. The main scientific goal of our research group is to understand principles underlying brain development and function, with a strong emphasis on the role of glia, brain barriers and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. More information is available at https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/nathalie.jurisch-yaksi.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The overall goal of this project is to uncover the biological mechanisms that promote resilience to adversity. Specifically, we aim to determine how non-neuronal processes, including brain barrier systems and glial cells, regulate neural circuits that enable adaptation to a wide range of challenges, including environmental and social stressors, injuries and diseases.

You will primarily work with zebrafish as an in vivo model system and employ a broad range of cutting-edge approaches, including genetics, omics technologies, histology, advanced microscopy, behavioral analysis, and computational data analysis. This multidisciplinary project offers the opportunity to gain expertise across multiple experimental and analytical techniques in a collaborative environment while contributing to fundamental discoveries in neuroscience.

Please read our recent publications to familiarize with research questions, techniques and approaches used in our research group.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality and reproducibility within the framework described above
• Disseminate research findings through academic publications and popular science outreach
• Participate in research activities in the Jurisch-Yaksi group https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/nathalie.jurisch-yaksi
• Participate in international activities including collaborations, workshops and conferences
• A possibility of other career-promoting work can be decided together with the PhD candidate during the employment period.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have an academically relevant background within neuroscience.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme (link), see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in life science, neuroscience, or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis. The master's degree must have been obtained by the time of application deadline.
• You must have a strong and relevant 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 academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English
• The following expertise is required:
  • proven experience working with animals, preferably zebrafish
  • technical skills in laboratory work
  • skills in programming languages such as Matlab, Python or equivalent

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Certification for animal experimentation (CareIn course in Norway or FELASA equivalent)
• Proven experience working with zebrafish at various developmental stages
• Technical skills in molecular and cellular biology, immunostaining, imaging and genetics
• Prior experience in neuroscience research, including measuring animal behaviour and brain imaging
• Hands‑on experience in quantitative data analysis and data processing using programming languages.

Personal characteristics

• Work independently and in a cross‑disciplinary team
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• 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

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• 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
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

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.

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

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-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 for the doctoral work, with the possibility of up to 1 year of career promoting work.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biology within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out 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 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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

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.

Application deadline: 16.11.26

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi [e-mail]. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Alexander Skomakerstuen, e-mail: [e-mail].