Researcher in synthetic biology and biosynthetic gene cluster expression

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Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the Job

We have a vacancy for a full-time three year researcher at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU. The position is linked to AIMARIA – Accelerating Innovation in Marine AI-Powered Bioprospecting, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action coordinated by NTNU.

AIMARIA combines omics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, bioprocess development and sustainability assessment to accelerate the discovery and sustainable production of marine and aquatic natural products. At NTNU, a central part of the project is the development of more predictable and efficient methods for the refactoring and heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs).

The researcher will have a leading role in developing NTNUs experimental platform for BGC expression. The work will combine molecular biology, microbial strain engineering and synthetic biology with AI-supported design of regulatory DNA elements and expression constructs. The researcher will work closely with a PhD candidate recruited to the same scientific activity and with national and international partners in the AIMARIA consortium.

The position is well suited for a researcher who would like to develop and apply advanced synthetic-biology methods to challenging microbial expression systems and contribute to the production of biologically active natural products and enzymes.

Your immediate leader is Head of the department.

Duties of the position

• Develop and implement strategies for the design, refactoring and heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters.
• Design and construct expression systems, including promoters, 5′ untranslated regions and other regulatory DNA elements.
• Engineer and evaluate microbial host strains for the expression of complex biosynthetic pathways.
• Analyse and interpret molecular, expression and production data.
• Coordinate relevant NTNU activities with partners in the AIMARIA consortium.
• Contribute to project deliverables, scientific reports, presentations and peer-reviewed publications. •

Present project results at consortium meetings, scientific conferences and relevant stakeholder events.

The distribution of duties may be adjusted according to the candidate’s qualifications and the scientific development of the project.

Required selection criteria

• A completed PhD in synthetic biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, biochemical engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Documented hands-on experience in BGC refactoring, molecular cloning, DNA assembly and genetic engineering of microorganisms.
• Experience with heterologous gene expression, metabolic engineering, pathway engineering or related microbial biotechnology.
• Ability to plan, conduct, document and analyse experimental research independently.
• Experience with the analysis and interpretation of biological data.
• A scientific publication record relevant to the position.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.

The PhD degree must have been completed and documented by the application deadline.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with biosynthetic gene clusters or microbial natural-product pathways.
• Experience with Streptomyces, actinomycetes or other microbial hosts used for heterologous BGC expression.
• Experience with assembly, manipulation or expression of large DNA constructs.
• Experience with promoter engineering, regulatory-sequence design or optimisation of microbial gene expression.
• Experience with CRISPR-based genome engineering or other advanced strain-engineering methods.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics, DNA-sequence analysis or computational design tools.
• Experience with high-throughput experimental workflows, automation or design–build–test–learn cycles.
• Experience with microbial cultivation, fermentation or bioprocess development.
• Experience with metabolite analysis or interpretation of LC–MS or related analytical data.
• Experience with supervision of students or junior researchers.
• Experience from international or externally funded collaborative research projects.
• Knowledge of research-data management, open science and FAIR data principles.

Personal characteristics

• Scientifically curious and motivated to solve complex experimental problems.
• Able to work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative research environment.
• Structured, systematic and attentive to experimental documentation and data quality.
• Proactive and able to move work forward across several parallel activities.
• Able to communicate clearly with researchers from different scientific and professional backgrounds.
• Supportive and constructive in the supervision of students and junior colleagues.
• Flexible and comfortable working in a large international consortium.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

We offer

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• Experience with coordination of a large EU-funded biotechnology and bioeconomy project.
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a researcher (code 1109) you are normally renumerated depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The position is for a period of three years. The Researcher is expected to start during the autumn semester of 2026, although the precise start date can be agreed upon.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants , and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

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.

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. Applications submitted by other means will not be considerered. Please do not send separate application documents or additional information by e-mail. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

Your application must include

• CV, certificates and diplomas.
• A short application letter describing your motivation and relevant experience.
• A complete list of publications and other relevant scientific outputs.
• Copies of up to five scientific works that you consider particularly relevant to the position.
• A brief description of your contribution to the submitted scientific works.
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees.
• Documentation of the scope and quality of any education taken abroad. If you already have a statement from NOKUT/HK-dir, please attach this as well.

It is important that you both document and reflect on your competence. You are encouraged to use the NTNUs competence matrix as a guide for documentation of your competence.

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and The obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by a committee at the department. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself 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 reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Rahmi Lale, e-mail: rahmi.lale@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Cecilie Skagfjord, e-mail: cecilie.skagfjord@ntnu.no.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 09.08.2026

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.

Om arbeidsgiveren

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 Biotechnology and Food Science

Our activities contribute to increased exploitation of existing and new ingredients for sustainable food production as well as next-generation energy solutions and medical technology. We educate graduates for a wide range of careers in industry, public administration and academia. The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences .