Researcher in Plant Mechanobiology

Organisation/Company

NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Department

The Faculty of Natural Sciences

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile

Established Researcher (R3)

Positions

Other Positions

Application Deadline

5 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Country

Norway

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the Job

One Researcher position, funded for six years, is available in the Hamann research group in the STRAWBERRYWALLS project funded by the research council of Norway at the Department of Biology in Trondheim (tentative starting date: 04/2026). The project involves research groups at NTNU (Hamann, Vandegehuchte and Stokke ) and the University of Tromsø (Krause ). The project will investigate the role of mechanical properties of cells and tissues in the interactions between host plants (Arabidopsis, Strawberry) and parasites (the parasitic plant Cuscuta and the nematode Meloidogyne). This work will involve standard biochemical and molecular research methods as well as microscopy methods such as Brillouin microscopy, molecular rotors and custom biosensors. Further information about the research activities of the Hamann group can be found in the following publications: Bacete et al., PNAS 2021; Vaahtera et al., Nature Plants 2019. 

The newly hired Researcher will join an international research group with members coming from seven different countries on three continents. The Hamann research group is part of the organismal biology section, which consists of six research groups. Research in the section addresses topics in toxicology, animal and plant physiology as well as molecular biology. 

Your immediate leader is the Head of Department. 

Duties of the position

• Use microscopy techniques such as Brillouin, laser confocal and atomic force microscopy to investigate cellular processes active during plant drought stress response
• Improve existing and develop novel methods for research in plant mechano-biology
• Perform functional analyses of candidate genes using molecular and biochemical methods
• Supervise PhD and MSc students undertaking research projects in the scientific area
• Attend international conferences, workshops and courses
• Contribute to academic publishing
• Participate in academic outreach activities

Required selection criteria

• PhD degree in Biology or Physics
• Expert knowledge in Brillouin microscopy
• Expert skills in biophysical and molecular research methods
• Very good written and oral English language skills
• Extensive knowledge in analysis of Brillouin microscopy derived data
• Good bioinformatics skills
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals directly relevant to the project topic

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience from previous postdoctoral research work
• Knowledge about plant molecular, cell and/or stress biology in model and/or crop plants
• Experience from supervision of MSc and PhD student research projects

Personal characteristics

• Reliable
• Proactive and problem-solving attitude
• Eager to collaborate within and across sections and contribute to joint projects
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Organized and structured 

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The gross salary for the position of Researcher (code 1109) is remunerated depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The period of employment is six years. 

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.

The position is subject to external funding.  

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. 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

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 . If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• Overview of previous academic teaching and outreach activities
• One page summary describing a research project you would like to do if you have an unlimited research budget available
• List of peer-reviewed publications (including a description of your contributions to the manuscripts in question if not obvious) or other relevant outputs (code, patents etc.)
• Names and contact information for three relevant references

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

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. 

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

As an employee at NTNU, you must continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

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.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given expert evaluations of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and are stipulated by rules of confidentiality. 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Thorsten Hamann, email Thorsten.hamann@ntnu.no  If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Alexander Skomakerstuen, e-mail: hr@bio.ntnu.no .

Application deadline: 05.02.25

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.

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.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Natural Sciences is a key player in national and international research and education programmes in natural sciences and technology. Our research focuses on global challenges in the areas of energy, climate, the environment, food, water, health and welfare. The Faculty consists of eight departments as well as the Faculty Administration.

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/294013/researcher-in-plant-mecha…

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

The Faculty of Natural Sciences

Country

Norway

City

Trondheim

Postal Code

7491

Street

Høgskoleringen 1

Geofield

City

Trondheim

Website

http://www.ntnu.no

Street

Høgskoleringen 1

Postal Code

7491

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