UNIS is the world's northernmost educational institution, located in Longyearbyen. UNIS has technical and scientific equipment, laboratories and infrastructure for teaching and research in Arctic natural science and technology for sea, land and atmosphere. The disciplines include Arctic Biology, - Geophysics, - Geology and - Technology. 

All teaching is in English, and about half of the staff and students is from abroad. UNIS is a state-owned corporation, promoting strategic collaboration in research and education with the ten Norwegian universities. The administrative language is Norwegian.

The department of Arctic Geology 

The department of Arctic Geology seeks candidates for a permanent, full-time position as Professor or Associate Professor in Arctic Palaeoclimatology.

Currently the department constitutes of 3 professors, 2 associate professors, 2 temporary associate professors/researchers, 4 PhDs and 9 adjunct professors. The department conducts research and education in Arctic marine and terrestrial geology, and currently provides 18 courses at bachelor, MSc and PhD levels. The importance of field studies and integration between research and teaching is stressed at all levels throughout the teaching programs. The department focuses on the Arctic earth.

Instrumental records show that the Arctic is presently warming 3-4 times faster than the global average, with consequences for polar environments, ecosystems, and communities. To adequately put current environmental changes into perspective, define driving forces, , and help generate robust forecasting tools and adaptation strategies we need to better understand the Earth's natural climate variability beyond the limited observational period. Such a long-term Arctic perspective is provided by geological archives such as marine and lacustrine records. Svalbard is ideally placed to study high latitude climate histories, being located in a climatic system and have current research projects onshore and offshore on the cryosphere, landscape dynamics, Quaternary and deep time paleoclimate, basin geology, digital geology and field teaching. More information about the department can be found at this link.

Instrumental records show that the Arctic is presently warming 3-4 times faster than the global average, with consequences for polar environments, ecosystems, and communities To adequately put current environmental changes into perspective, define driving forces, , and help generate robust forecasting tools and adaptation strategies we need to better understand the Earth's natural climate variability beyond the limited observational period. Such a long-term Arctic perspective is provided by geological archives such as marine and lacustrine records. Svalbard is ideally placed to study high latitude climate histories, being located in a climatic "hotspot" at the gateway between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. Its geological archives are well suited and easily accessible to study climate change at a range of varying spatial and temporal scales in different, but frequently linked, marine and terrestrial environments. 

We seek to complement and advance our existing research and teaching profile at UNIS with expertise in multi-proxy paleoclimate reconstructions in both marine and terrestrial environments, bridging different spatial and temporal scales from modern environmental change in Svalbard to geological time-scale climate changes at pan-Arctic and global scales. 

Description of the vacant position and qualifications

We seek motivated candidates with strong teaching and research backgrounds in the application and interpretation of micropalaeontological, isotope geochemical, and biogeochemical (biomarker-based) methods to reconstruct high latitude climate change in both marine and terrestrial environments. Experience in using multiple proxy methods in an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, coupled with geochronological methods for improving age models for Arctic sedimentary successions, is required. We seek an ambitious candidate who can build a strong research programme in their field with interdisciplinary collaborative research links across UNIS and beyond.

Applicants must have: 

• A PhD degree in palaeoclimatology, geology, micropalaeontology, palaeoceanography or related field
• Experience in using multiple proxy methods in an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, coupled with geochronological methods for improving age models
• A track record of successfully capturing external research funding
• A track record of academic excellence in both field and classroom teaching at the undergraduate as well as graduate level
• A valid driver's license approved in Norway with minimum class B
• Motivation and vision to develop research within the Arctic Geology department as well as across UNIS departments 

Advantageous attributes: 

• A well established international research network across the circumpolar North 
• Experience of fieldwork in remote/Arctic areas and demonstrated experience with field leadership
• Experience in the scholarship of teaching and learning, geoscience pedagogics, and the development of teaching practices, especially with a focus on field education.
• Knowledge of Norwegian university education and funding systems. 

Since the appointee is expected to build an outstanding research profile in their field that integrates with the broader research in the Department of Arctic Geology and other departments within UNIS, opportunities and ability for collaboration with other staff members will be emphasized during the recruitment process. The ability to work independently as well as in teams and having a positive attitude and flexibility are considered important. The research field and expertise of applicants will be evaluated in relation to the research profile and strategic plans for the Department of Arctic Geology. 

The appointed person will be responsible for both undergraduate and graduate level teaching courses and for supervising students at BSc, MSc and PhD levels. The position will be responsible for anew undergraduate course in Arctic Palaeoclimate and Environmental Change. They are also expected to contribute to teaching relevant graduate courses and supervising students at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. The candidate is expected to develop teaching practices in their field of competence, teach collaboratively with other UNIS departments with a focus on interdisciplinarity, and contribute to the improvement of educational quality in geosciences at UNIS. The candidates should document teaching experience at different academia levels and formal pedagogic training (see below). 

Teaching Competence

For a position as an Professor or Associate Professor, competence in teaching and supervision at university level is required. This includes basic skills in planning, implementation, evaluation and development of teaching and supervision and can be achieved through having completed:

1) A training course at minimum 200 hours with the aim of qualifying for all aspects of the basic pedagogical 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 a documented overview of practical teaching competence and experience, and a brief note reflecting on the goals of one's own teaching philosophy and achievements in improving students' learning.

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.

The candidate must document high-quality research and teaching competence. The applicants will be evaluated based on their submitted research plan and the ability to create teaching and research synergies within the department and across UNIS. Fieldwork at UNIS is performed year-round for both teaching and research. Applicants for the position must document their qualifications as Associate Professor. The minimum requirement for Associate Professor is a PhD degree. Professor's qualifications must be documented from a university in Norway, as UNIS does not evaluate applicants for professorships. Associate professors having a permanent position (at least 50% position) at UNIS, can apply for promotion to full professor position based on qualifications and expertise once a year.

Norwegian/Scandinavian language requirements

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 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.

Employment conditions for faculty positions at UNIS 

Sixty per cent of the working time of full-time faculty at UNIS is reserved for research and professional development. In addition, staff are required to be involved in teaching and administration, and to be willing to contribute to the development of UNIS in a more general sense. 

UNIS offers: 

• free arrival passage for you and your family, and relocation expenses associated with initiation of the engagement 
• annual holiday travel grant, in accordance with current regulations 
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Pension Fund 
• favorable conditions for sabbatical leave 

Salary 

All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government’s University salary scale, associate professor code 1011/professor code 1013. The salaries depend on experience/seniority. As a resident in Svalbard, an annual allowance of NOK 40 460 (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to the salary. A social security contribution of 2% to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on Svalbard is 8%, plus 7,8% toward National Insurance coverage. 

Application and further information 

Inquiries about the position may be directed to Head of Department, Prof. Maria Jensen, e-mail: mariaj@unis.no, mobile (+47) 41 32 84 37

At the end of the form, please attach: 

• Covering letter explaining motivation and suitability for the position 
• CV including full list of publications and previously held grants 
• Education and teaching certificatesTeaching portfolio* 
• Five-year research plan (max two pages) demonstrating how the research field and experience of the applicant can contribute to Arctic Palaeoclimate research at UNIS
• Up to five publications (authored or co-authored by the applicant) that are relevant for the position
• Name and contact details for three references 

The committee could ask for further documentation or copies of parts or the complete scientific production described by the applicants. 

*Details about the teaching portfolio: 

The teaching portfolio should describe, and document pedagogical qualifications divided into the following areas: 

1) Teaching philosophy

2) Pedagogical or other relevant teaching courses and education

3) Teaching activities 

4) Pedagogical research and development work5) Sharing experience, dissemination and outreach related to teaching activities and/or educational development. 

The following attachments may be relevant in the teaching portfolio: 

• Pedagogical and teaching training certificates
• Evaluation reports of the applicants teaching
• Overview of masters and doctoral degree supervision and results
• Teaching merits and other awards
• Educational publications
• Teaching compendiums and materials

• Reports that show participation in projects related to the development of teaching, such as students active learning, digital learning methods, supervision or/and learning environment 

You can request to have your application kept from public access cf. the open files act § 25. The request must be explained. UNIS will determine if the application will be kept from public access or not, based on the explanation and the regulations from the open files act. If the application will not be accepted, the candidate will be contacted. 

Selection and appointment 

A scientific committee will evaluate the applications. Based on the report, an appointment committee will invite the top ranked person(s) for a trial lecture and an interview. The appointment will be made based on the recommendation from the scientific and the appointment committee. Applications from applicants qualified as full or associate professor will be assessed as two independent groups and by separate criteria. 

Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen is located in Svalbard, in the midst of a varied and beautiful Arctic nature with good opportunities for outdoor activities. Longyearbyen is a modern town with approx. 2400 inhabitants and has a good service offering, swimming / sports hall and a varied association, sports and cultural life.

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