Associate Professor in Population Genetics and Plant Breeding

About the position

Be part of the future with NMBU!

The Department of Plant Sciences (IPV), Faculty of Biosciences, at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacancy for a permanent 100% position as Associate Professor in Population Genetics and Plant Breeding.

We are looking for an ambitious researcher and dedicated educator to strengthen NMBU's internationally recognized research and education in plant genetics, population genetics, and plant breeding with a focus on forage crops. This position represents a strategic investment in one of the department's core academic disciplines and will play a key role in educating the next generation of plant breeders and geneticists while advancing research that contributes to sustainable agriculture and future food security.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an internationally competitive research group within population genetics and plant breeding, with particular emphasis on quantitative genetics, breeding methodologies, genomics, genetic diversity, and the breeding of outcrossing crops. As part of our academic team, you will teach and supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students, contribute to attracting competitive national and international research funding, and strengthen collaborations with breeding companies, research institutes, and universities in Norway and abroad. 

You will play a leading role in further developing our educational portfolio within genetics and plant breeding and contribute to innovative teaching methods and student-active learning.

The successful candidate will become part of a highly interdisciplinary research environment with close collaboration across the Department of Plant Sciences, the Faculty of Biosciences, and other faculties at NMBU. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives in population genetics, genomics, breeding methodologies, and climate-resilient agriculture, supporting both plant and animal science communities.

We are proud to educate highly skilled graduates and to conduct research with a strong societal impact. We are looking for candidates who combine scientific excellence with a passion for teaching, collaboration, and innovation. We look forward to welcoming a new colleague who will help shape the future of genetics and plant breeding at NMBU.

Main tasks

The successful candidate is expected to

• Conduct research of the highest international standard and strengthen research in population genetics, genomics, genomic selection, breeding methodologies, and climate-resilient crop development.
• Publish regularly in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Contribute to both basic and applied research.
• Secure external funding from national and international funding agencies, including Horizon Europe and the Research Council of Norway.
• Supervise PhD, MSc and BSc students.
• Contribute to innovation and collaboration with industry and breeding organization. 
• Network and collaborate within and outside NMBU and actively participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives across NMBU.
• Contribute to the strategic development of plant genetics and breeding activities at the department.
• Develop and deliver high-quality teaching in population genetics, plant breeding, quantitative genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics for plant breeding across Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programmes.
• Contribute to educational excellence through student supervision, curriculum development, pedagogical innovation, and the implementation of research-based teaching and modern digital learning approaches.
• Conduct administrative tasks and other joint tasks at the faculty in collaboration with colleagues and students.

Competence

All qualifications below are required for the position, unless it is specified that they are considered an advantage. 

Academic qualifications:

• A PhD in Plant Breeding, Population Genetics, Plant Science, or other fields related to the described position.
• Ability to develop and lead internationally recognized research within the subject area.
• Competence and experience with genetic research on forage crops.
• Experience in planning and conducting field experiments.
• Documented research output / publication record such as international peer-reviewed publications in relevant scientific journals, books, and research reports within population genetics and plant breeding.
• Experience with research relevant to Nordic agricultural conditions is considered an advantage
• Experience with research leadership is considered as an advantage

Educational qualifications (documented):

• Pedagogical education completed separate program at minimum 200 hours*.
• Teaching experience from higher education.
• Supervision experience.
• Basic teaching skills in planning, implementing, evaluating and development of own teaching and supervision.
• Experience with educational leadership is considered an advantage.
  
  *Those who do not meet the educational qualification at the time of employment shall be required to meet them within two years of employment.

Applied knowledge, among others

• Experience with dissemination is considered an advantage.
• Experience with industry collaboration is considered as an advantage.

Management, committees and boards and administration, among others

• Experience with management, committees and boards and administration is considered an advantage.

Special qualifications, among others

• Good written and oral communication skills in a Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language) and English is a prerequisite for performing the duties of the position.

Personal qualities, among others

• Outstanding collaborative and communicative skills both to the scientific community and to a broader community.
• Strong, professional commitment to excellence in teaching.
• Ability to realize scientific synergies between individual researchers and research groups.
• Strong potential for independent thinking displaying initiative and careful creative thought.
• Experience with building and maintaining a productive and energized research group.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in position code 1011 Associate Professor (NOK 720 000 – 1 100 000) depending on qualifications. For particularly well-qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered. Seniority promotion in the position. 

Interested in learning more about the position? We are happy to tell you more about life on campus. Contact Section leader and researcher Sahameh Shafiee, tel:  +4767232769, (e-mail: [email protected]). 

General information for applicants

Application

Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. 

Application Deadline: : November 6, 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 in the Public Administration Act §15.

The following must be included in the application:

• Short application text about your motivation
• Reflective statement (3–6 pages) addressing your reflections on the requirements of the position (see the job advertisement).
• Academic CV, diplomas and certificates
• Completed template for documentation of competence, link to template here.
• List of publications. Attach up to 15 scientific works that, according to assessment, are central to the production. If it is difficult to identify personal efforts in joint work, a brief account of your part of the work must be attached.

NMBU has developed a matrix for assessing qualifications, which provides examples of results/competence, documentation, and reflection for all areas of the competence profile. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the matrix and use it when applying for the position. See this page for more information on how to document your qualifications and write a reflection note.

Documents that cannot be sent electronically are sent in triplicate by ordinary mail marked still.nr. 26/09329 to NMBU, Faculty of Biosciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, within 06.11.2026.

Please note that the report from the expert committee will be sent to all applicants.

About The Faculty of Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million. 

BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.

BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor’s and master’s programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master’s programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor’s and master’s students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.