The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), located in 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 bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD level in Arctic biology, geology, geophysics, technology, and safety. UNIS makes use of its year-round presence in the unique Arctic environment, using the environment as a natural laboratory for research and education.
We attract around 700 students annually from all over the world. All teaching is conducted in English and roughly half of both staff and students are international. UNIS was established in 1993 and is operated as a state-owned company under the Ministry of Education and Research. The administrative language is Norwegian. UNIS' values are inclusion, transparency, engagement, reliability, and respect.
About the department
The Arctic biology department constitutes 2 professors, 6 associate professors, 5 PhD students, 8 adjunct professors and 1 technician. The department conducts research and education in Arctic terrestrial and marine biology. The department focuses on an integrated approach to High-Arctic biology, within the focal research topics (1) climate change biology, (2) seasonal ecology, and (3) biodiversity.
About the position
The department for Arctic Biology at UNIS has a vacant PhD position in Arctic pelagic ecology. The position is affiliated with the national research program Arctic Ocean 2050. The successful applicant will work with zooplankton data from the High Arctic to address knowledge gaps in life history strategies, phenology and the distribution of key zooplankton species in the Arctic Ocean. The work will contribute to improve estimates of pelagic secondary production in the central Arctic Ocean and advancing our understanding of the role of key zooplankton species in the biological carbon pump. The PhD candidate will work with existing data as well as participating on Arctic Ocean 2050 cruises to collect new material and conduct experimental work. The candidate will also have the opportunity to work with data gathered by optical and/or acoustic sensors. We are looking for a highly motivated person who will work independently and function well as part of a team. The PhD candidate will be fully integrated into the Arctic Ocean 2050 zooplankton team, working closely with colleagues from UNIS, UiT and other participating institutions.
The four-year contract includes a year of required duties. Alternatively, the candidate may choose a three-year position which excludes these duties. Duty work will include teaching assistance on bachelor and master courses in marine ecology at UNIS, assisting in supervision of bachelor and master students as well as supporting the department in data management and publication of research data. Other duties may be assigned by the head of department as required.
Required duties for the successful candidate will be described upon employment.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in marine ecology, biology, marine science or similar, or the degree must be completed by July 1, 2026 .
Admission to a doctoral program at UiT (The Arctic University in Norway) is a condition for the employment. A minimum grade in the master’s degree of “B”, or equivalent, is needed to be admitted to the PhD program at UiT.
Experience from marine fieldwork and willingness and possibility of participating in research ship expeditions to the Arctic Ocean is a requirement.
Experience with statistical data analyses including knowledge of R and/or python is required.
Experience in biodiversity and/or ecological studies.
Proficient in both written and oral English.
You will be offered the opportunity to participate in digital Norwegian language courses during your employment.
Advantageous knowledge and skills
Experience in Arctic pelagic ecology, population dynamics, and climate-related research questions.
Experience in experimental work with zooplankton and the handling of live organisms.
Experience in collating and analysing large datasets.
Work experience in marine and polar environments.
Experience with image analysis and molecular techniques, as well as taxonomic knowledge of Arctic zooplankton.
A record of peer-reviewed publications will be taken into consideration.
Driver’s license class B (valid for Svalbard).
Motivation and personal suitability will be emphasized.
Required documents
Motivational letter (max. 1 page) to state your scientific and personal interest in pursuing a PhD on the announced topic, and your motivation for conducting your PhD at UNIS.
Full academic CV.
Transcripts and diplomas showing the completion of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, alternatively an official confirmation that the master’s degree will be completed by July 1, 2026.
Contact information for two references, one of which must be your master's supervisor.
All applications must be sent through our JobbNorge system. All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the application.
Applications lacking required documents will not be considered.
We offer
UNIS offers a challenging and varied job in an exciting and international environment. As an employee you will be a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK), which provides one of the best pension schemes on the market. We also offer excellent insurance schemes, coverage of travel and relocation expenses (max NOK 10.000) upon starting the position, and staff housing in accordance with current regulations.
The position is classified under the job code “Stipendiat” (PhD position, code 1017). In addition to the base salary, a Svalbard allowance of NOK 44,640 per annum is provided. A 2% contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. The income tax rate in Svalbard is currently 8%, and a national insurance contribution of 7,6% is also deducted.
UNIS prioritises applicants who are citizens of countries with a security policy cooperation with Norway. This mainly includes countries that are members of the EU/EEA or NATO. Employees holding citizenship from countries outside EU/EEA or NATO may encounter difficulties accessing the government infrastructure that UNIS relies on to hold our courses and perform research work.
Selection and appointment
A committee appointed by the Head of Department will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants and invite the highest ranked person(s) for an interview. The appointment will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation of the committee.
Public disclosure
It is possible to request that your name/application be exempt from public disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Offentlighetsloven) § 25. The 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, Equity and Inclusion
One of the UNIS 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 irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age or other characteristics.
