About the position
The Protein Engineering and proteomics (PEP) group at the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year Postdoctoral researcher position within the SalmoPro project. The goal of this project is to identify the protein-degrading and carbohydrate-degrading enzymes in the salmon digestive system that are involved in breaking down different feed ingredients. It will also determine natural microbes or enzymes that are especially good at depolymerizing specific ingredients, with the aim of developing microbial or enzyme mixtures that improve feed use and support fish health. Possible biotechnological applications of the enzymes will be explored, in collaboration with other projects. We will use (meta)omics techniques to identify the enzymes, as well as protein purification and recombinant protein expression to get hold of the enzymes.
The successful candidate will be part of the large and international PEP group (https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm/research/groups/pep), with high professional competence and a pleasant working and social environment. Currently, the group has about 40 members, including 15 PhD students; members of the group come from more than 15 countries. The group has access to in-house state-of the art (meta)genomics, (meta)proteomics and enzymology facilities. The group publishes highly cited, multidisciplinary research in the fields of biomass processing, bacterial pathogenicity, microbial ecology and vaccine development. The Postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with a PhD student in the project, and there will be synergies with several adjacent projects related to biotechnology, applied microbiology, bioinformatics, fermentation and fish nutrition.
Main tasks
- Sample preparation (proteins) from salmon gut contents.
- Mapping enzymes in the salmon gut, with focus on known and unknown digestive enzymes, using quantitative proteomics/metaproteomics.
- Production of recombinant enzymes in bacteria or yeast.
- In-depth characterization of individual enzymes, with focus on their biotechnological applicability.
- Isolation of bacteria from the salmon gut and cultivation on selected substrates.
- Writing scientific publications.
- Participate as co-supervisor in M.Sc.’s projects.
The main purpose of the post-doctoral position is to qualify for work in high-level scientific positions. A PhD degree is required.
Competence
Required qualifications
- A Norwegian doctoral degree in a relevant field, or a foreign doctoral degree approved as equivalent.
- Specialized expertise in biotechnology, biochemistry or microbiology.
- Training and research experience in protein biochemistry, including fundamental gene technology, protein expression and purification, and basic enzymology.
- Experience with relevant analytical methods, such as HPLC and/or LC-MS.
- Practical experience with bacterial cultivation.
- Good presentation skills, written and oral, in English (candidates will be required to give a research presentation in English as part of the recruitment process).
Qualifications considered an advantage
- Experience in working with carbohydrate-active enzymes and/or proteases.
- Experience in (meta)proteomics.
- Bioinformatics skills for handling large-scale omics data.
- Proficiency in at least one programming language (preferably Python or R).
- Experience in statistical data analysis and visualization.
Personal qualities
- Hard-working, ambitious, and accurate.
- Positive and solution-oriented.
- Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for academic research and writing.
- Creative and independent, but capable of collaborating in a team.
- Good social and collaborative skills documented, e.g., by successful international collaboration.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in position code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow (NOK 604 900 – 796 600) depending on qualifications. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.
Interested in learning more about the position? We are happy to tell you more about life on campus. Contact Associate Professor Sabina Leanti La Rosa, phone: +47 67232985, (e-mail: sabina.leantilarosa@nmbu.no
General Information to applicants
Application
Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application Deadline: 23.06.2026
Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.
The following must be included in the application:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page). Please note that applications that lack a motivation letter clearly stating why the candidate is qualified and motivated for this particular project will be disregarded.
- CV
- Copies of diplomas and other relevant certificates. Please note that applications must include sufficient documentation (such as a grading scale or diploma supplement) for NMBU to evaluate your international qualifications. Applications lacking this clarity will be discarded.
- Up to ten publications selected by the applicant as most relevant must be attached to the application. If it is difficult to identify the contribution of the applicant in multiple-author publications, a short explanation about the applicant’s part of the work is suggested.
- Names and contact details for two references.
Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to present verified copies of diplomas and certificates.
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) has about 180 employees, 80 PhD students and 500 BSc and MSc students. The faculty has 11 research groups within chemistry and biochemistry, microbiology and microbial gene technology, bioinformatics and data analysis, food science and nutrition. The Faculty has a state-of-the-art infrastructure for research and education: A biorefinery lab, proteomics platform, fermentation lab, a murine facility, platform for studies of microbial regulation of GHG release and a small-scale pilot plant for processing of food, incl. a microbrewery. Additionally, KBM has a strong competence in enzymology, fermentation and biorefining. KBM aims at a strong research position and collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally.
For further information please follow this link: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm