About the position

The Section of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a 2 year vacant Scientist position within radioanalytical chemistry. The position could potentially be extended. The position is also linked to the CERAD Centre of Excellence for Environmental Radioactivity.

Norwegian University of Life Sciences

NMBU has a special responsibility for research and education that ensures the basis of life for future generations.

Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we provide knowledge for life.

NMBU has 1700 employees and 5200 students and is organized in seven faculties. NMBU has a campus in Ås and in Oslo. In the autumn of 2020 we are co-located on Ås.

Further information on NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.

About MINA

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) works with nature and the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, biological and geological processes.

MINA’s employees undertake teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy, and nature-based tourism.

Our vision is to be a key actor in knowledge production and dissemination, and our goal is to deliver research of high, international quality, and varied and excellent teaching. The faculty’s employees are significant participants within their respective fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally. The faculty is dominated by a vital research culture and high levels of scientific production.

The faculty has about 200 employees, 90 PhD students and 650 students.

Read more about MINA here.

The CERAD Centre of Excellence for Environmental Radioactivity is integrated in the Section for Environmental Chemistry. This Centre of Excellence was established in 2013 at NMBU in collaboration with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, the Meteorological Institute, the National Institute of Public Health and the Norwegian Institute of Water Research, and is funded until 2022 by the Research Council of Norway. CERAD has initiated long term basic research to improve the ability to accurately assess the radiological impact and risks from environmental radioactivity, also combined with other stressors. By focusing on key factors contributing to the overall uncertainties, state-of-the-art tools and methods are developed to better manage those risks.

Read more about CERAD here.

Main tasks

The work of the research scientist will include:

• Creative and independent research as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborate in method development and sample analysis as part of research projects within environmental radioactivity/radioecology, with special focus on ultra-low level concentrations, speciation and source identification.
• Develop radioanalytical methods including radiochemical protocols for extraction and purification of radionuclides such as 90Sr, 135Cs, 129I, U and Pu isotopes in samples from field work or laboratory experiments carried out by CERAD.
• Develop and conduct methods for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and potentially X-ray, gamma, alpha and beta spectrometry analyses including system operation and data analysis.
• Participate in accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) experiments at international facilities available to CERAD.
• Publish results in peer reviewed literature and present research at national and international meetings.
• The work will be performed in collaboration with other scientists within ongoing national and international science projects.

Qualifications

Required academic qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD/doctoral degree or equivalent qualifications in analytical chemistry, radiochemistry / nuclear chemistry, inorganic chemistry, environmental chemistry or geo-chemistry. Experience from work with ionizing radiation or radionuclides including radioanalytical techniques is an advantage. For candidates without competence within ionizing radiation, the Radiation protection course (KJM350) offered at NMBU will be mandatory. Experience in mass spectrometry and X-ray based analytical methods would be beneficial. Experience with programming and data analysis is an advantage.

Required personal skills

• Enthusiasm and creativity in research
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Ability to work in a result-oriented environment
• Flexibility with respect to work tasks
• Ability to create a positive working environment
• Good capabilities in English, both orally and in writing

Remuneration and information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1109 Researcher, wage framework 24. Researchers are normally placed in pay grade 61- 67 (NOK 542.400 – 605.500) on the Norwegian Government salary scale.

For more information: contact:

• Head of section Professor Lindis Skipperud, lindis.skipperud@nmbu.no or
• Director of CERAD CoE Professor Brit Salbu, mobile: +47 91 33 03 54, e-mail: brit.salbu@nmbu.no

NMBU offers:

• A constructive and research oriented academic institution with focus on professional research competence, development and dissemination
• CERAD CoE has a creative and proactive interdisciplinary and inclusive research environment that provides exciting research and development opportunities
• Daily contact with inspiring students, young scientists, and skilled colleagues from Norway and abroad
• An academic institution with focus on professional development, dissemination and competence
• Possibility to visit relevant institutions, nationally or internationally

Information to applicants

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above.

This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: September 1st 2019

Up to ten publications should be selected by the applicant, and three copies of the selected articles should be attached to the application or the selected articles should be easily available electronically.

If it is difficult to identify the contribution of the applicant in multiple-author publications, a short explanation about the applicant’s part of the work is suggested.

Printed material which cannot be sent electronically should be sent by surface mail to Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, within September 1st 2019. Please quote reference number 19/03425.

Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to present verified copies of relevant diplomas and certificates.

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