Nofima has appointed Finn A. Weltzien as acting director of its aquaculture division for a period from 1 November 2025 until the summer of 2026.
“I am very much looking forward to starting at Nofima and am motivated by the opportunity to focus on leadership within my own field of expertise,” said Weltzien.
Weltzien is a professor of physiology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and has held several senior leadership roles, most recently as pro-rector for research and innovation.
Nofima chief executive Bente Torstensen said the appointment would strengthen the institute’s management team during a period of change. “I am really looking forward to having Finn on board for this period, strengthening the leadership of Nofima’s aquaculture division in a time marked by change and development,” she said.
The aquaculture division conducts research in fish health, production biology, breeding and genetics, nutrition and feed technology, and operates research stations, feed technology centres and laboratories across Ås, Bergen, Sunndalsøra and Tromsø.
Weltzien’s research has focused on how the brain and hormonal systems regulate reproduction in fish. He holds a PhD in reproductive physiology from the University of Bergen and previously held research positions in Paris and at the University of Oslo before joining NMBU’s Veterinary School in 2008.
He has extensive management experience, including roles as section head, institute director, dean of research and pro-rector at NMBU.
Weltzien will take office on 3 November and will be based at Ås, taking leave from his NMBU position for the duration of his tenure.