The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), locatedin Longyearbyen at 78°N, is the world’s northernmost institution for higher education. UNIS specializes in Arctic studies and offers field- and research-based courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels in Arctic biology, geology, geophysics, technology, and safety.
UNIS takes advantage of its year-round presence in the unique Arctic environment, using it as a natural laboratory for research and education. Each year, we attract around 700 students from all over the world. All teaching is conducted in English, and approximately halfof both staff and students are international.
UNIS was establishedin 1993 and is a state-owned company under the Ministry of Education and Research. The administrative language is Norwegian. UNIS’s core values are inclusion, transparency, engagement, reliability, and respect.
The department of Arctic Geology
he department of Arctic Geology seeks candidates for a permanent, full-time position as Associate Professor inArcticpermafrost science. The remit is relatively broad, but applicants with interests in process and palaeo-geomorphology, biogeochemistry and hydrology will be preferred. Currently the department constitutes of 3professors, 3 associate professors, 4PhDs and 7adjunct professors.
Collectively we conduct ourresearch and education across a broad range of topics linked to Arctic marine and terrestrial geology. Weprovide 18 courses at bachelor, MScand PhD levels. A strong emphasis is placed upon the importance of field studies and of the integration of research intoteaching is stressed at all levels.
The department focuses on the Arctic system from a modern geoscience perspective and hascurrent research projects based both onshore and offshore. These examinecryosphericprocesses, biogeochemistry, fluid migration (especially methane and groundwater), landscape dynamics, Quaternary and deep time paleoclimate, basin geology, digital geologyand field teachingdevelopment.
The environment around the University offers unprecedented, almost immediate access to permafrost and periglacial landforms that includepingos, ice wedge polygons and other patterned ground, ice-rich sediment infills, rock glaciers, raised beaches and talus.Collaboration across the department providesunique insights into the sub-surface environment through permafrost, ice and lake coring, bore hole monitoring, surface geophysical survey (GPR, ERT and TEM) and ongoing monitoring of active layer, groundwaterand surface water hydrology.
About the position and qualifications
We seek motivated candidates with a strong research background and teaching experience that may be applied directly to Arctic permafrost and periglacial science.
Essential Criteria (research)
Experience in permafrost science evidencedby high profile publications in international journals
Ability to develop and sustain your own research agenda by working on the permafrost environment of Svalbard
Interest in interdisciplinary research interaction with other staff at UNIS
Ability to design and implement research-led teaching in permafrost science at bachelor, MScand PhD levels
A PhD or equivalent qualification in a geoscience-relevant discipline
Desirable Criteria (research)
Experience with field studies, especiallyhydrological, (bio)geochemical and geomorphological processes in permafrost environments
Experience with Norwegian/Nordic education and funding systems
Fieldworkleadership experience
Teaching Experience
UNIS is a Norwegian institution and all the education we offer is to be compliant with Norwegian universities. Knowledge and experience from the Norwegian university sector is therefore an advantage. Non-native Scandinavians must pass an approved Norwegian language test at B2 level on the Council of Europe Level Scale for Languages (CEFR) within two years.
For a position as an associate professor, basic competence in teaching and supervision at university and university college level is required. This include basic skills in planning, implementation, evaluation and development of teaching and supervision and can be achieved through having completed:
1) A pedagogical training course at minimum 200 hours with the aim of qualifying for all aspects of the basic competence or
2) Relevant courses in combination with own teaching which the institution considers to be equivalent to a pedagogical training course of at least 200 hours.
Teaching competence must be documented through a teaching portfolio. This shall include an overview of practical teaching experience and competence, documentation of this and a brief reflection note. The reflection note shall primarily be linked to one's own teaching philosophy and evaluation of one's own teaching in relation to knowledge about students' learning in higher education.
Applicants that do not meet the requirements above may for particularly compelling reasons be employed, provided that the requirements are being met within two years.
Experience with educational development, (field) teaching qualityandEDI in teaching and learning is also considered advantageous.
The candidate must demonstrateevidence of high-quality research and teaching and will be further evaluated based on their research plan and the likelihood it createssynergies in and across departments. Applicants for the position must document their qualifications as associate professor. The minimumrequirement for Associate Professor is a PhD degree.
Vi tilbyr
UNIS offers a challenging and varied job in an exciting, friendly, and international environment. As an employee, you become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which provides one of the best retirement pension schemes on the market. We also offer excellent insurance arrangements, coverage of travel and relocation expenses upon starting the position, and staff housing in accordance withcurrent regulations.
The position is classified under the job code “Associate Professor” (code1011). In addition to the base salary, a Svalbard allowance of currently NOK 42,840 per year is provided. A 2% contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. The current income tax rate in Svalbard is 8%, and a national insurance contribution of 7.7% is also deducted.
Questions about the position
Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:
Maria Jensen, department leader – Arctic Geology mariaj@unis.no
Application deadline: 16.11.2025
Applications must be submittedvia our recruitment system Jobbnorge. Diplomas/certificates must be attached to the application.
It is possible to request that your name/application be exempt from public disclosure in accordance with Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act. Such a request must be justified. Please note that if the request is not granted, the applicant will be contacted and given the opportunity to withdraw the application.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion
One of UNIS’s core values is inclusion. We are committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment in the High Arctic. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardlessofgender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, age, or other characteristics.
