PhD in Functional Vitamin D Nutrition in Atlantic salmon

The Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture offers the following PhD position:

PhD in Functional Vitamin D Nutrition in Atlantic salmon

A three-year PhD fellowship in Functional Nutrition and Health is available at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway. For the right candidate, a four-year position with 25% teaching, supervision and/or administrative duties may be considered.

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented candidate to investigate the effects of vitamin D, in particular its metabolite calcifediol, on the nutrition, health and welfare of Atlantic salmon.

This PhD project will explore the impact of vitamin D and calcifediol supplementation on mineral nutrition, welfare, bone, and skin health, particularly during the critical transfer and seawater phases when fish experienced significant stress and are more vulnerable to disease.

The project will employ a combination of nutritional trials, molecular biology techniques, histology, and biochemical analyses to elucidate the functional role of calcifediol in salmon nutrition and health. In vitro cell studies will be envisaged to better understand the mechanisms by which calcifediol affects bone and skin health.

This research, developed in collaboration with industry, will contribute to optimizing functional nutritional strategies to improve fish health and welfare, performance, and sustainability in aquaculture.

The position is available from 1. June 2025 at the Bodø campus.

Qualification requirements

The candidate should have a MSc degree (or equivalent) in Aquaculture, Applied Nutrition and Health or equivalent fields, with the grade average of B or better (or equivalent score) both for the programme in total and the master's thesis. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit NOKUT approval of their master's degree.

We expect the ideal candidate to have:

• A strong background in fish nutrition, especially micronutrient nutrition.
• Very good analytical skills.
• Practical experience in cell work.
• A good insight into omics techniques.
• A good knowledge of statistical analysis (Good command of R will be considered an advantage).

We are looking for highly motivated, creative and ambitious candidates with an excellent academic record, and the ability and willingness to work with other members of a multidisciplinary team.

For non-native speakers, proficiency in written and spoken English, documented by either the Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification or internationally recognized certificates, is essential.

The successful candidate will join the PhD program in Biosciences at Nord University and is expected to complete the study within the time frame.

The candidate should fulfil the admission requirements and participate in the training component as specified in the regulations of the PhD program. The application for admission to the program must be submitted within three months after taking up the position. Admission requirements and regulations can be found on our website.

Candidates who already have a PhD degree will not be considered for the position.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• Themes and perspectives from the applicant's master's degree will be given weight in the assessment of candidates.
• Candidates will be evaluated on the quality of the project description and the plan for implementation over the three-year period.
• Personal suitability and motivation for applying to the position, detailing the Statement of Purpose.
• The applicant's description of the motivation for the doctoral work and the opportunities for implementation.
• Relevant research experience from research work will be considered positively.

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is NOK 536 200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.

• Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension.
• Creative and collegial working environment.
• A workplace with progressive development.
• Active university sports team.

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply.

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations.

The Faculty reserve the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language, educational background or personal characteristics.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically by 10.04.2025.

The application should include:

• Cover letter outlining the candidate's motivation and suitability for the position.
• Description of the project idea, maximum 3 pages, including the theoretical basis and the proposed methodology. Applications without a project description will not be considered.
• A complete curriculum vitae (education, work experience and publications if any).
• Copies of academic degree transcripts for academic degrees (both bachelor's and master's degrees) and other relevant qualifications.
• Other activity that is considered relevant, such as list of publications and academic work.
• Names and contact details of up to 3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number) including the Master thesis supervisor.

All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application.

Refnr. 30212755

Nord University

Through research, education and social engagement, Nord University contributes to the creation of a sustainable future.

In cooperation with society, business and industry in Northern and Central Norway, our 11,500 students and 1,350 staff promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, both locally and internationally.

Nord University has four strategic focus areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security, and health, welfare and education.

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA) educates people with the aim of promoting sustainable and innovative development to meet global challenges in food production, climate and environment. The faculty is an international arena for education, research and knowledge dissemination, with employees and students from 39 different countries. The faculty offers a PhD in Biosciences. FBA has 900 students and 165 employees in Bodø and Steinkjer. The professional community is organised into the following divisions: Aquaculture, Ecology, Genomics and Animal Science, Production and Welfare and Algae and microbial biotechnology.

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