The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is offering a permanent researcher position within the research group Benthic Communities on seafloor mapping and habitat modelling.
You will be part of the Mareano team working with visual seafloor mapping, vulnerable marine ecosystems, habitat ecology, and predictive biotope modelling, both in the deep oceans and in coastal areas.
We are searching for a marine biologist with extensive experience in seabed mapping that can take responsible for sample collection, data analysis and results presentation, including use of new technology, machine learning, and mapping according to the Norwegian classification system “Nature in Norway”. Participation in cruises and field work is anticipated. Both versatile experience and a broad ecological understanding will be needed in the position.
About our research group and our work
The Benthic Communities group focuses on research, mapping and monitoring of benthic ecosystems, from seagrass and kelp in coastal waters to coral reefs and soft bottom communities in deep waters. Research and monitoring will support our national advisory task on ecosystem-based management of our seas and coastal areas, where both climate and human activities are important factors. Marine ecological research is rapidly developing and collaboration with leading developers on new technology is central to our work. The research group currently has 35 employees with workplaces in Bergen, Tromsø and Flødevigen. This position is preferably in Flødevigen or Bergen.
Responsibilities and tasks
- Lead and participate in national and international projects and grant proposals, administrative project management, and contribute to international network building
- Lead and participate in compilation and analyses of benthic species data from video and images
- Lead and contribute to predictive modelling of spatial distribution of benthic fauna, habitats, biotopes, NiN-types and OSPAR habitats
- Contribute to ecological understanding including processes, ecological functions, and spatial distribution
- Contribute to the development and use of new methods and technology in benthic community mapping and monitoring
- Outreach including publications in peer review journals, conference presentations and reports
- Lead and participate in research cruises and field works
Qualifications
- PhD in preferably marine biology or ecology
- Skills in seafloor habitat mapping including collecting, analysing and output
- Knowledge in numerical and statistical analyses and spatial modelling
- Published relevant records in international peer-reviewed journals
We will emphasize
- Deep sea mapping experience
- State-of–the-art techniques for mapping, monitoring and video/image analyses
- Skills in analytical software like R, GAM, GIS, Maxent, Primer, Cluster, Matlab
- Experience with the NiN-system (Natur in Norway)
- Spatial ecology knowledge, including connectivity analyses
- Experience from research and mapping cruises
- Good written and oral skills in Norwegian and English.
The working language at IMR is Norwegian and good communication skills in Norwegian will be beneficial for both the applicant and IMR. The candidate should have a working knowledge of the Norwegian language (B1 level or similar documented level of fluency), or willingness to develop this proficiency during the employment period. Language training will be offered to candidates without documented B1 level.
Personal competencies
At the IMR we believe that personality affects how we work, communicate and thrive in the workplace. For this position we are interested in candidates who:
- Thrives well in collaboration with others and at the same time works independently
- Have good communication and collaboration skills
- Work structured, solution-oriented and deliver with high quality
- Are concerned about a good working environment
- Likes to participate in cruises and field work
We offer
- Work at one of Europe’s leading marine research institutions with great social impact
- A challenging, creative, and international working environment
- Flexible working hours, good pensions and welfare schemes
- Good pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
Additional information
The Institute of Marine Research offers a government-regulated salary as 1109/1110 researcher, an excellent pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, and other welfare benefits (click here for more information).
Applications should be submitted electronically via the link on this page and should be accompanied by a cover letter summarizing relevant skills and reasons why they are applying for the position, a complete CV, publication list, copies of maximum 5 peer reviewed publications, three references and transcripts of academic degrees.
Please note that information about applicants may be made public even if an applicant has requested to be exempted from the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified about this in advance.
The Institute of Marine Research value diversity. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, functional ability, nationality or ethnical background. We are an Including Working Life Enterprise, and we aim to facilitate for applicants with reduced abilities.
As part of the interview process, the candidate in question must be prepared to appear for a face-to-face interview.
Deadline to apply: October 18th
