Faculty Position in Systems Neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology

he Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim represents academic eminence in technology and the natural sciences as well as in other academic disciplines ranging from the social sciences, the arts, medicine, teacher education, architecture to fine art. Cross-disciplinary cooperation results in innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions with far-reaching social and economic impact.

The Faculty of Medicine
Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience

Open Rank Faculty Position in Systems Neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a permanent faculty position in systems neuroscience.

This is a 100% post and is part of NTNU’s strategic effort in the field of neuroscience.

The position is advertised as an open-rank faculty position to enable recruitment of talented researchers irrespective of level of experience. The position can be at Associate, or Full Professor level.

The successful applicant will be working at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neurosciencehttp://www.ntnu.edu/kavli/.

Subject area and description of the area of responsibility for the post

The successful applicant will together with the department’s other academic staff be responsible for teaching and research in neuroscience, with emphasis on understanding neural systems and circuits (systems neuroscience). Systems neuroscience aims to understand complex brain functions by examining relationships between cellular mechanisms, network operations, and behaviour. The focus of research at the Kavli Institute is on the normal brain.

Specific requirements/responsibilities

The candidate will teach in accordance with relevant curricula and take an active part in the further development of the Master’s Degree Programme in Neuroscience (http://www.ntnu.edu/studies/msneur). The candidate will supervise PhD candidates and other research fellows within his/her discipline. In addition, the candidate will participate in administrative work related to the research and teaching agenda.

Qualifications

For appointment as a professor, an academic level conforming to established international or national standards is required. Further requirements are documentation of practical teaching competence based on education or on teaching and supervision, documentation of dissemination of knowledge and research, and documentation of education and experience in administration and management.

A requirement for appointment as an associate professor is a doctoral degree in the subject area concerned or competence at a corresponding level documented by academic work of the same scope and quality. A further requirement is documentation of relevant practical competence in teaching based on education or on teaching and supervision.

For appointment as professor or associate professor, the ability to initiate and lead research and teaching will be emphasized, in addition to supervision at PhD level. Importance will also be attached to teaching skills. The evaluation will be based on documented material related to teaching, including qualifications in educational theory and practice, presentation skills in academic work, teaching experience, and other pedagogical background. Quality and breadth will be evaluated. Emphasis will also be placed on personal aptitude.

The successful candidate must be able to document extensive professional qualifications as well as scientific expertise in one or more aspects of the discipline for which this post is responsible.

Applicants who are not qualified for a professorship may be appointed to the post of associate professor. In accordance with the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts of 9 February 2006, issued by the Ministry of Education and Research, a person who is appointed as an associate professor may apply for personal promotion to a professorship.

Specific requirements (qualification requirements)

We are interested in candidates with competence across a wide spectrum of neural functions in a variety of species and model systems but the successful applicant must be able to demonstrate abilities to bridge analytical levels and address fundamental mechanistic questions.

The position requires a relevant PhD-degree or equivalent. The applicant must document substantial research experience in neuroscience, as proven by publications of outstanding quality. Production quality will be given more weight than quantity. Potential for future excellence will be considered for young applicants. Documented ability to initiate and supervise research is considered an asset. Ability to obtain funding will be considered

Personal suitability and level of motivation to become an active member of and collaborative colleague in the Institute will be important elements of the selection procedure. It is important that applicants have good collaborative skills, leadership experience and ability to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

General information about the post

The person holding the post is obliged to participate in implementation of the teaching programme according to the curricula in effect and in further development of the subject areas and teaching programmes, including continuing and further education.

The person appointed must comply with the decisions about changes due to developments in the subject area, and the organizational changes resulting from decisions regarding the university's activities.

The appointment is subject to the conditions in effect at any time for employees in the public sector.

We offer:

• Challenging and stimulating work
• A good work environment
• Good pension, insurance and loan schemes in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• The annual salary for the position of professor in code 1013 is in salary grade 68-101 in the Norwegian State salary scale, from NOK 578 500 – 1 228 500 before tax. The normal salary for professors at the Faculty is in the range 68-90, which is currently NOK 578 500 – 996 700 before tax. The salary for the position of associate professor in code 1011 is in salary grade 57-77, from NOK 473 100 – 696 300 before tax. The normal salary for associate professors at the Faculty is in the range 60–77, which is currently NOK 498 900 – 696 300 before tax.

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. If necessary, we will adapt the workplace for people with disabilities. Increasing the number of women in academic positions is an important priority for the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. We offer start-up packages for women who are appointed to a permanent position in a male-dominated academic environment. NTNU also offers qualification fellowships and a mentor programme for female researchers.

Employees who do not have formal qualifications in teaching at university level and who cannot provide documentation of equivalent qualifications must complete an approved course in teaching at university level within three years of appointment. The University offers such courses.

Within three years of appointment, new employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language must demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to Level 3 in the course in Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the University.

The application must include a concise summary of the applicant's education, qualifications, previous experience, and motivation for the position. Applicants are also requested to specify their teaching qualifications as described in the list of factors available at the website:http://www.ntnu.edu/vacancies/pedagogical-qualifications

The following documents must be enclosed as PDF files with the application:

• CV, diplomas and certificates, and contact information for at least two references
• Up to 15 academic works – published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals – that the applicant wishes to be taken into account in the assessment of the application (the academic works should be enclosed as pdf files as well).
• Description of the academic works that the applicant regards as most relevant and that the applicant particularly wants to be taken into account in the assessment
• A list of all the applicants academic works with information on where they have been published.

Joint works will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify the applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

The most suitable applicants will normally be invited for interview and testing of their teaching skills.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Professor Edvard Moser, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience / Centre for Neural Computation Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): Edvard.Moser@ntnu.no   

For further information about the application process, please contact:

HR Executive Officer Marta Lang, Human Resources Division, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) marta.lang@ntnu.no

Applications are asked to apply for the position through www.jobbnorge.no by 8. January 2014. Please mark the application ID.No. DMF 125-13.

Please note that applications will be assessed based on the information submitted at this page. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all relevant attachments are submitted by the deadline.

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