UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.

Department of Geosciences

The position

The Department of Geosciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø has an exciting opportunity to appoint a full-time laboratory senior/head engineer (in Norwegian: senioringeniør/overingeniør) in the planned PlasmaLab facility (Laboratory for ice, ocean, and (paleo)climate research). PlasmaLab will employ a streamlined approach, using the analysis of elemental concentrations, and isotopic ratios as a diagnostic toolkit to detect changes in biogeochemical cycles. It will also unlock new geological and archaeological archives for chemical and isotopic analysis, indicating how Earth´s climate and life evolved in the past.

The workplace will be the Department of Geosciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. The successful applicant will complement a team of currently 5 laboratory engineers and 3 cruise engineers, with access to extensive technical infrastructure within the Department.The project has funding for six years. The position is permanent.

Workplace is UiT in Tromø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the job offer.

The i2B Into The Blue project (ERC Synergy Grant)

The position is part of the European Research Council Synergy Grant “i2B – Into The Blue”, which fosters collaboration between UiT in Tromsø (Norway), NORCE Climate and Environment in Bergen (Norway), and The Alfred Wegener Institute – Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven (Germany). i2B is funded for 6 years (starting in November 2024) and aims to fill a major research gap in Arctic science by investigating processes, consequences, and impact of past “greenhouse” (warmer than present) conditions. In i2B we will retrieve new, key Arctic geological archives of past warmth and employ climate models to bring our current knowledge about a warm Arctic beyond the state-of-the-art. The major strength and aim of i2B are the expertise, knowledge, skills and planned synergies of our Arctic paleoclimate and modelling teams at UiT, NORCE and AWI.

Job description

The PlasmaLab facility will be equipped with a suite of state-of-the-art mass spectrometers (e.g., MC-ICP-MS) and will promote new lines of collaborative interdisciplinary research in the emergent field of polar paleoceanography and biogeochemistry. In doing so, it aims to attract new investment via external funding alongside a strong and consistent user base from UiT and collaborating national and international institutions. We wish to appoint a highly skilled leading laboratory senior/head engineer with a strong background in using and optimizing mass spectrometers to manage and run the PlasmaLab facility. The appointed person will lead the set up and management of this research facility (to include budget management), coordinate research tasks (including facility promotion and use by internal/external users), provide high level technical support and play an active role in funded research projects. The role holder’s work tasks and responsibilities include:

To establish and manage the PlasmaLab facility, including:

• the purchase and set up of instruments and analysis methods within the facility
• liaising with users and close collaboration with other engineers at the Department regarding optimization of existing and new infrastructure
• website set up and management
• budget management
• facility promotion (including industrial and public sector collaborators)
• training and supervision of research staff and postgraduate research students in the use of the instrumentation within the laboratory

To undertake/contribute to research activities, including:

• assisting with design, set up and support of analytical research tasks
• to deliver research-quality analysis for multinational, multidisciplinary research projects
• taking a proactive role in research projects initiated by academic staff
• contributing to reports and publications arising from research in PlasmaLab

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• A strong background in using mass spectrometers
• MSc or PhD degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geoscience/Geographical Science, Biology, Microbiology or similar(in the absence of these qualifications, long-standing experience of relevant laboratory work in a research environment will be considered)
• Experience of laboratory maintenance and paleoclimate, biogeochemical or chemical research, with familiarity with the use of some
• analytical instruments in PlasmaLab (in particular ICP-OES, MC-ICP-MS)
• Fundamental understanding of HSE in lab work (i.e., Laboratory Safety Risk assessments, chemical waste handling)
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy (e.g. for database management, lab organization)
• Ability to liaise with a range of people (academics, engineers and students)
• Ability to work on own initiative
• The candidate must have a documented good command of English (both written and oral). Applicants not being able to communicate in Norwegian will be encouraged to learn the language within three years from the time of commencement.

Desired qualifications

• Experience of boron, neodymium and strontium isotope analyses and associated sample handling protocols
• Experience of trace element analyses and associated sample preparation protocols
• A PhD in a relevant science discipline
• Past work experience in a research-oriented laboratory environment
• Some relevant project management experience
• Ability to explain technical matters to non-technical users of the information

The assessment will emphasize the candidates motivation and personal suitability for the position. 

We offer

A cross-disciplinary, supportive, and stimulating working environment with a dynamic group of researchers and engineers Good welfare arrangements for employees including beneficial arrangements for pension and insurances National and international mobility to work closely with the project partners and to present the work in conferences/workshops.

A unique hometown Tromsø combining a multicultural urban scene with nearby Arctic wilderness. More practical information for working and living in Norway can be found here.

Remuneration of the position are in salary code 1087 Head Engineer or 1181 Senior Engineer on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, depending on qualifications. 

There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. As a state employee, you have one of the best pension schemes availiable. For more information see: spk.no.

Application

The application must be submitted electronically via www.jobbnorge.no, and shall include:

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV (maximum 3 pages including a list of publications, if applicable)
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree/PhD
• Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• At least two relevant references with contact information

All documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language and translated to English or Scandinavian if necessary. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University i Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity is a strength and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

General information

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.

UiT will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability. Questions can be directed to the contact person for the position.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

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