A PhD position is available within the Solid Earth Research Group at the Department of Geosciences. The appointment is for a period of 4 years, and the nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % of each year, and will consist of teaching or other duties for the department.

The PhD position is for a fixed term, with the objective of completion of research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD candidate shall participate in the faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project shall be completed during the period of employment. Information about the application process for admission to the PhD programme, application form and regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) are available at the following address: NT-Faculty.

The position’s field of research

The research project covers multidisciplinary fields of Precambrian tectonics, geochemistry and geochronology. The main goal of the project is to provide better knowledge of the formation of Precambrian basement rocks in Western Troms and Finnmark, northern Norway, and their potential correlation with the Fennoscandian (Kola, Finland, Sweden) and Laurentian basins, tested in light of geodynamic models. A favored research approach will be to compare and correlate the high-grade metamorphic volcanic, sedimentary and carbonate-containing rocks of different Precambrian areas, but also to understand the magmatic/intrusive and metamorphic history as well as the structural evolution of the volcano-sedimentary units.

Preferable correlation methods may include:

1) tectonic-structural, stratigraphical and sedimentological(facies, provenance) studies of sedimentary and volcanic rocks,

2) geochemical study including a trace element study on whole rock analyses and heavy minerals by laser ablation ICP-MS and C-isotope study on clastic carbonate rocks,

3) radiometric dating of igneous and metamorphic events in the Precambrian rocks.

The project will include extensive fieldwork in northern Norway and laboratory work in Norway and abroad. The research fellow should also sample and analyze sedimentary rocks, carbonates and mafic volcanic rocks for further analysis by using a wide spectrum of analytical methods (XRD, SEM/EBSD, SEM/EDS+WDS, LA-ICP-MS), and radiometric dating (zircons, chromite and magnetite).

Further information about the position and UiT is available by contacting:

• Associate Professor Melanie Forien (melanie.forien@uit.no +47 77646914)
• Professor Steffen G. Bergh, (steffen.bergh@uit.no +47 77644464)
• Head of department Matthias Forwick (matthias.forwick@uit.no +47 77644453)

Qualifications

It is required for the successful candidate to have a Master degree or equivalent in hard rock geology with a strong background in tectonics, geochemistry, geochronology and/or petrology, and must have documented fieldwork and laboratory work experience associated with his/her master project. Hands-on experience with isotope or/and trace elements in heavy minerals and with statistical analysis using software tools (Excel, Matlab or R) will be beneficial.

To gain admission to the PhD programme, applicants must have a grade average of C or better and fulfil the requirements for admission to the faculty’s PhD program cf. Regulation for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway. Further information about requirements for admission to PhD studies are available here: https://uit.no/nt/phd.

In addition, he/she must be able to document proficiency in English equivalent to Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification, refer to the website about PhD regulations at UiT.

The research work will be performed in collaboration with national and international partners with a long-term expertise in studies of Precambrian continental shield areas and with access to necessary analytical equipment to achieve the geochemical and dating objectives. Progress and results are expected to be presented at international conferences/workshops, as well as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Therefore, a good command in English, both written and oral is required. Documented scientific abstracts, presentations at international conference, and/or publications will be beneficial for the applicant. Applicants not able to communicate in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language are required to learn Norwegian within a reasonable amount of time.

The project involves extensive fieldwork in northern Norway. It is expected that the successful candidate is able and willing to participate in physically demanding field and teaching campaigns of up to several weeks each year.

Willingness to do longer visits to international and national partner institutions is expected. The project is carried out in collaboration with researchers in the US, Russia, and Canada, and the successful candidate must be able and willing to spend significant amounts of time for lab analyses, data analysis, and scientific collaboration, including comparable field work abroad. The Faculty of Science and Technology encourages and supports stays abroad for PhD students. Experience with teaching, scientific publication, conference presentations, and grant applications will be regarded as positive.

Emphasis shall also be attached to personal suitability. We value positive attitude, flexibility, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

During the assessment process, emphasis will be put on your potential for research as shown by the Master’s thesis, the project description, and any other academic works. In addition, we may consider work experience, teaching qualifications or other activities of significance for the PhD studies.

Application

Your application must include:

• Application letter
• CV containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work
• Master thesis
• Project description
• References - names and full contact information of three references
• Diploma and transcript from your Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Diploma and transcript from your Master’s degree or equivalent
• Diploma supplement for completed degrees

The project description should be a 1-page text explaining how applicant may contribute to resJobbnorgeolve the goals of the PhD-project with their academic background.

All documentation have to be in English or a Scandinavian language. Submit applications electronically through .

Assessment

An expert committee will assess the applicants. During this assessment process, emphasis will be attached to the applicant’s potential for research as shown by:

• Master’s thesis or equivalent
• any other academic works
• professional references

In addition, the committee will consider work experience or other activities of significance for the implementation of the PhD studies, and to any teaching qualifications. This includes teaching education, teaching experience, experience from popularization and other types of dissemination. Information and material must be submitted by the stipulated deadline to be considered during the assessment.

The applicants who are assessed as the best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview shall among other things aim to clarify the applicant’s personal suitability for the position.

Information for applicants for positions at UiT, supplementary regulations for appointment to PhD and regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for posts of PhD is found at the university’s website.

Terms of employment

Remuneration of PhD positions are in salary code 1017. There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

You have to be qualified for and participate in our PhD study program. As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

More information about moving to Norway: http://uit.no/mobility

General

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. The university is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and we will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act. You may request to not be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

Apply for position

Søknadsfrist: 22.07.2018

Web: www.uit.no

Kontakt: Associate Professor Melanie Forien

Telefon: +47 77646914

E-post: melanie.forien@uit.no

Kontakt 2: Professor Steffen G. Bergh

Telefon: +47 77644464

E-post: steffen.bergh@uit.no