Project title: Macroalgae immune response – cellular understanding and application for crop protection

Project Background and Scope: Kelp farming is rapidly expanding in Europe and the Americas, with Norway projected to harvest up to 20 million tons annually by 2050. As key ecosystem engineers, kelps provide habitat, improve water quality, and contribute to coastal resilience. However, large-scale cultivation faces challenges from biofouling and pathogen outbreaks, which reduce kelp health, lower commercial value, and accelerate blade decomposition, particularly under rising ocean temperatures. To counteract these threats, kelp has evolved natural defense mechanisms, including phenolic compounds, oxylipins, terpenoids, and sulfated polysaccharides. These compounds can deter fouling organisms and pathogens, and their production is often inducible, triggered by stressors through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling. Additionally, kelp-associated microbiota may play a crucial role in immunity, with beneficial microbes potentially suppressing harmful biofilm formation and enhancing resistance. Studies suggest that environmental conditions influence kelp immunity. Early deployment (late autumn) may enhance natural defenses and reduce biofouling intensity, likely due to prolonged exposure to cooler temperatures. While tank-based systems can use filter-feeding bivalves to control fouling, open-sea cultivation requires alternative strategies. Beyond biofouling control, kelp’s immune responses may contribute to broader ecological benefits. Kelp extracts have been shown to enhance immunity in herbivorous fish and play a role in phycoremediation, reducing antibiotic-resistant strains in coastal waters. Furthermore, kelp’s cellular totipotency—its ability to regenerate from damaged tissue—may be linked to immune responses, presenting opportunities for sustainable farming and restoration efforts. Understanding and harnessing kelp immunity has the potential to improve cultivation efficiency, support ecosystem health, and contribute to climate resilience in coastal environments.

Main research field: Phycology, molecular biology

Keywords: immunology, pathogens, metabolomics, pathway, defense, sustainable, kelp farming

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Alexander Jueterbock (alexander.juterbock@nord.no)

Research division: Algal and Microbial Biotechnology

Faculty: Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture

About supervisor: Since 2020, Alexander is leading the unit ‘Macroalgae Molecular Variation’ as Associate Professor within the division ‘’ at Nord University. His long-term research goal in this unit is to understand functional-trait variation at the molecular level and to apply this knowledge towards sustainable growth of algae, and towards the management of kelp forests under the impact of environmental challenges. Within this unit, he has been coordinating and supervising research focusing on kelp genetics and epigenetics, genome variation, sustainable development of the macroalgal industry, and bio-monitoring of kelp farming impact using eDNA. Several of the projects I am supervising are focusing on the analysis of Next Generation Sequencing data to understand the molecular basis of trait variation, acclimation, and adaptation. Over the past 10 years, he has secured 11 grants totalling approximately 13 Million NOK. This includes the KELPRIME project, financed by the Norwegian Research Coucil –in which he is collaborating with the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany) and the Roscoff Research Station/CNRS (France) to implement stress-priming as a bioengineering technology to enhance kelp growth and stress performance. Over the past ten years, he has supervised 6 MSc students, one of which graduated with distinction, and one BSc student that defended with an “A”. Currently, he is supervising 4 PhD students (and 3 MSc) focusing on macroalgae research, and he is co-supervise 5 PhD students focusing on marine ecology, diversity, and macroalgae.

Research infrastructure and facilities: Wetlab with kelp cultivation possibilities; drylab allowing for DNA/RNA extraction and sequencing, HPLC, high-performance computing clusters.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria: MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded for a duration of 12-30 months (12-24 months of Research + 6 months of additional placement in non-academic sector) to researchers of any nationality who:

• Are in possession of a doctoral degree.
• Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent (FTE) experience in research after their doctoral degree.
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule, i.e., have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Norway for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the call deadline.
• Have identified a supervisor at Nord University willing to host and supervise them.

If awarded, the Postdoctoral Fellowship grant covers salary, mobility allowance, family allowance (if eligible), and other allowances (if eligible) for the research fellow. The grant also covers research costs and overheads for Nord University.

How To Apply: If you are interested in this Expression of Interest (EoI), please first carefully review the eligibility criteria outlined above. If you meet these requirements, kindly submit the following documents to alexander.juterbock@nord.no, marit.v.bjorkmo@nord.no, and umair.n.mughal@nord.no:

• Eligibility Information:
  • Date of PhD degree award
  • Full-time research equivalent experience after PhD
  • Period of residence in Norway (if any)
• Research CV:
  • Comprehensive CV including a complete list of publications, projects, and relevant research expertise.
• Motivation Letter:
  • Describe your interest in collaborating with the relevant professor and research group.
  • Clearly outline your research and career goals.
  • Demonstrate how your research complements with the proposed EoI and those of the targeted research group.

How the MSCA PF Process Works: After reviewing your submitted documents, we will contact shortlisted candidates for an interview. Selected candidates will collaborate with us to prepare a full MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF) application for submission under the Horizon Europe Programme, with a deadline in September.

We will provide comprehensive support throughout this process, including:

• Assistance in refining and focusing your research topic
• Participation in the MSCA MasterClass
• Professional reviews and feedback on your application
• Other necessary guidance to ensure submission of a high-quality application

Please note that MSCA PF is highly competitive, bringing together some of the best research talent globally. While funding success is not guaranteed, participating in the application process provides valuable experience and insights into your own research and proposal writing skills, as well as fostering close collaboration with your supervisor and research group.