About the position

A permanent research staff position as a head engineer in aquatic biology and toxicology is available at the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

The Department of Biosciences has a vacancy as a head engineer at the Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology (AQUA), headed by Prof. Alexander Eiler. The candidate for this position will work in a stimulating international research environment, studying processes from the molecular and cellular level to populations and ecosystems. This includes how organisms and ecosystems are affected by various forms of pollution and other forms of human influences.

We study a wide range of organisms, including all trophic levels from bacteria and archaea to benthic algae, phytoplankton, seagrasses, zooplankton, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Research questions are related to taxonomy, ecology, evolution, behavior, toxicology, and interactions throughout aquatic food webs. The research is performed both locally and globally, spanning habitats from the Arctic to Antarctica, including tropical waters.

The Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology (AQUA) runs two study directions in the Master Degree program at the Department of Biosciences: “Marine Biology and Limnology” and “Toxicology and Environmental Sciences”. Here the candidate is expected to assist in the supervision of Master students and contribute to field and laboratory courses.

Work tasks

Main responsibilities in connection with educational and research activities at the Department of Biosciences include:

• Daily operation (e.g. HSE) and maintenance of laboratories, equipment and field instrumentation
• Operating different cultures (such as bacteria, algae, copepods, springtails) including IBV's infrastructure NorCCA - Norwegian culture collection of algae.
• Laboratory analyzes, especially molecular biological and biochemical (including toxicological) assays
• Developing and setting up new methods
• Assisting in setting up and conducting laboratory and field experiments
• Assisting in field and cruise activities

Qualification requirements

• Higher education (minimum equivalent to a bachelor's degree with higher academic degrees being of advantage) in biology or chemistry or a similar field. Competence with relevance to the position can compensate for the educational requirement.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience reflecting the main responsibilities listed above.
• Good oral and written ability in English
• Good computer skills

Good oral and written ability in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage, as well is a driver’s license. A candidate without these language skills must have learned Norwegian (or a Scandinavian language) within three years.

Personal skills

• Able to work independently and have a great work capacity
• Have a genuine interest in research and education
• Be positive, pedagogical, and service-oriented
• Execute work tasks in a time-efficient manner
• Be solution and result-oriented
• Be highly motivated and able to learn, develop and set up new methods

We will place great emphasis on personal skills.

We offer

• Salary NOK 475 800 – 594 300 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Head Engineer, position code (1087)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter including a statement of interest, describing how your background and previous experience relate to the position in general, and how your skills fit into the research and educational framework outlined
• CV (summarizing education, positions, research experience, and other relevant activities)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).

The application with attachments must be delivered in our recruiting system.

Formal regulations

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of 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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a

balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Professor Alexander Eiler, e-mail: alexander.eiler@ibv.uio.no or
  
• Professor Josefin Titelman, email: josefin.titelman@ibv.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR adviser Nina Holtan, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

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