Ref.: (ephorte 2018/2465)

The Department of Chemistry, has a PhD position vacant for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) The position is attached to the Hylleraas Cente for Quantum Molecular Sciences, a Norwegian Centre of Excellence established in 2017 by the Research Council of Norway and shared jointly between the University of Oslo and UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

The appointment is for a period of four years.

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 here.

Further information about the position is available by contacting Prof. Bjørn Olav Brandsdal, +47 77623101, email: bjorn-olav.brandsdal@uit.no.

The position’s affiliation

The position is organized under the Department of Chemistry. The PhD candidate will be part of the Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences (http://www.hylleraas.no). The Hylleraas Centre is a Norwegian Centre of Excellence, established by the Research Council of Norway in 2017 for a period of 10 years. About 50 scientists, post-doctoral fellows and PhD students in the field of theoretical and computational chemistry are active at the centre.

The position’s field of research/field of work

The PhD candidate will be part of the research project “Evolutionary principles of biocatalysts from extreme environments”, financed by the Research Council of Norway for a five-year period 2018-2023. The research project uses both theoretical and experimental techniques to study the biophysical properties of biocatalysts adapted to extreme environments, and the successful candidate will carry out computer simulations of enzymatic reactions using a combination of theoretical techniques. The goal is to unravel the principles involved in evolutionary adaptation to extreme environments and use these to design new biocatalyst. This will be achieved in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

More information about the project can be found at: http://site.uit.no/cube/

Qualification requirements

The successful applicant must fulfil the requirements for admission to the faculty’s PhD programme, cf. Regulation for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. 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, and to meet Department of Chemistry's requirement of a score of 6.5 on each part of the IELTS test, or at least 22, 22,22 and 25 (reading, listening, speaking and writing respectively) on the TEEFL test.

This position requires a Master’s degree in computational chemistry, quantum chemistry, or biochemistry or an equivalent background. Previous experience with molecular dynamics simulations, hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics and/or quantum mechanics is required. Software development and use of free energy methods will also be considered favorably.

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:

http://en.uit.no/ansatte/organisasjon/artikkel?p_document_id=167946&p_dimension_id=88131&p_menu=28714

Working conditions

The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year will be distributed so that on average, 25% of the working hours each year are to be used for teaching or other duties for the Department of Chemistry, cf. Guidelines for the research fellow’s duties.

Remuneration of PhD positions are in salary code 1017, and normally start at salary grade 50 on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees. There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Questions concerning the organisation of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, etc. may be directed to the telephone reference in this announcement.

The University of Tromsø is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and will therefore emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

Assessment

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. During this assessment process, emphasis will be put on the applicant’s potential for conducting research at PhD level as shown by:

• Master’s thesis or equivalent
• Any other academic works
• Relevant research experience
• Academic performance

In addition, consideration may be given to work experience or other activities of significance for the implementation of the PhD studies. Teaching experience and/or qualifications will be considered an advantage. Proficiency in a Scandinavian language will be considered positively. Information and material to be considered during the assessment must be sent to the University by the stipulated deadline.

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

Application

The application must be submitted electronically via the application form available on www.jobbnorge.no and shall include:

• Letter of application.
• CV (containing a complete overview of education, professional training and work).
• Certified copies of:

– Diploma and transcripts from your Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

– Diploma and transcripts from your Master’s degree or equivalent (Applicants from foreign universities are advised to attach an explanation of the grading system).

– Diploma supplement for completed degrees.

– Documentation of English language proficiency.

• Master’s thesis or equivalent and other works (published or unpublished), which the applicant wishes to be taken into consideration during the assessment process. The list of works shall contain the following information:

– author(s), the work’s title

– for articles: the journal’s name and volume, the first and last page of the article, year of publication

– for publications: publisher, printer, year of publication, number of pages

• References (including contact information)

General

The appointment is to be made 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.

Personal data given in an application or CV will be processed in accordance with the Act relating to the processing of personal data (the Personal Data Act). In accordance with Section 25 subsection 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, the applicant may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants. However, the University may nevertheless decide that the name of the applicant will be made public. The applicant will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

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 will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

Apply for position

Søknadsfrist: 25.06.2018

Web: www.uit.no

Kontakt: Prof. Bjørn Olav Brandsdal

Telefon: +47 77623101

E-post: bjorn-olav.brandsdal@uit.no