PhD Candidate in Zebrafish Neuroscience

Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme as a new employee at/

Favorable terms with SPK pension fund

Language training in Norwegian (A2)

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Biology to pursue doctoral studies while gaining research experience in neuroscience. The role is within the Jurisch-Yaksi group, focusing on brain development, glia and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, using zebrafish as an in vivo model.

The project emphasizes genetics, omics, histology, imaging, behavior, and computational analysis, with collaboration across international partners and opportunities for career development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in life science, neuroscience, or equivalent with a major independent project (min 30 ECTS).
• Admissibility to NTNU's Doctoral Programme and requirement to obtain the degree by the application deadline.
• Strong academic record with GPA comparable to NTNU's B grade or better, or demonstrable exceptional potential.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education up to and including the doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality, reproducible research within the described framework.
• Disseminate findings through publications and outreach; participate in group activities and international collaborations.

Skills

Zebrafish experience

Lab techniques

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in life science/neuroscience

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

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

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

• 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.

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.

Application deadline

16.11.26

Questions About The Position

Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi
Førsteamanuensis
[e-mail]
Alexander Skomakerstuen
HR konsulent
[e-mail]

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.

Department of Biology

We work with global challenges in natural diversity, climate, the environment, health and nutrition. Our expertise in biological processes at all levels – from molecules to ecosystems – contributes to a sustainable society. The Department educate graduates for a wide range of careers in public administration, business and academia. The Department of Biology is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.