About the position

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture at Nord University  invites applications from outstanding candidates for a PhD position focused on advancing the circular bioeconomy through the innovative valorisation of fish sludge.

The project aims to fractionate fish sludge into its primary chemical constituents—fats, proteins, and carbohydrates—and convert these into high-value products and chemicals. By doing so, it will enhance resource utilisation and reduce waste within the aquaculture sector. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in sustainable bioprocessing, resource recovery, and industrial applications, contributing to innovative solutions for a more sustainable aquaculture industry.

The contract is for a 3-year period without teaching duties. The planned start date is set for February/March 2026, though this is flexible

The position is based in Steinkjer, Norway.

Candidates must meet Nord University’s residency requirements.

Qualification requirements

• A completed master’s degree (or equivalent) that meets the admission requirements for the Ph.D. programme in Biosciences at Nord University. Relevant academic backgrounds include chemistry, chemical engineering, or other closely related disciplines.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Research experience in waste valorisation
• Knowledge of fish sludge material
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

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

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• Theme and perspectives from the applicant’s master’s study. 
• The applicant’s description of motivation for the doctoral work and opportunities for completion
• Relevant experience from research work
• Ability to work independently, goal-oriented and systematically
• Personal suitability

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, NOK 550 800,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.

• Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for loans, insurance and pension
• Creative and collegial working environment
• A workplace with progressive development
• Flexible working hours  
• 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.

Nord University is subject to the Security Act, which imposes requirements for handling protected and sensitive information. To enhance the security of the hiring process, Nord may conduct background checks on potential candidates.

Please note that all our candidates may be asked questions necessary in this context. This includes questions about any connections to countries that the PST has assessed as high-risk in its open threat assessment. The state workforce should, to the greatest extent possible, reflect the diversity of the population. Therefore, Nord University encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds, and other diverse life experiences to apply. Information about disabilities or gaps in the CV may be used for anonymized registration purposes.

For this position, Nord University is cautious about hiring individuals with connections to high-risk countries.

Contact information

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting :

• Professor Ravindra Kumar, e-mail: ravindra.kumar@nord.no, tlf +47 741 12 007

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 15.10.2025

The application should include:

• Application letter with description of your motivation for applying for the position
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience and overview of any scientific publications)
• Copy of diploma for both bachelor and master education and relevant certificates
• Copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis as a PDF file
• Project description of 3-5 pages where you explain the idea for the PhD project, theoretical anchoring and methodological approach
• The project outline should include a progress plan for how the fellowship period is intended to be used
• Name and contact information of 1-3 references (name, your relation to the person, email and phone number)
• Other activity that is considered relevant for the position, and wishes to be taken into account in the assessment

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. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.

Refnr. 30239518