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 Geophysics department constitutes 5 professors, 3 associate professors, 3 researchers, 4 PhD students, 5 adjunct professors and 2 technicians. The department conducts research and education in 1) sea-ice-air interactions, including oceanography, cryospheric science and meteorology and 2) space physics. The department operates a world-class optical auroral observatory, the Kjell Henriksen Observatory.
About the position
The position is affiliated with the national research program Arctic Ocean 2050 . In the Arctic Ocean (AO), exchanges of heat, salt, nutrients and organisms across ridges and between shelves and deep basins, are driven by mesoscale eddies that link the warm Atlantic layer with colder shelf waters and shape the deep basins and Arctic halocline. However, mechanisms governing the eddy-driven cross-slope exchange remain poorly quantified. This PhD project will investigate the dynamical processes governing shelf–slope–basin coupling focusing on eddies and their role in cross-slope transport to better characterize lateral fluxes of physical and biological properties. Mechanisms controlling water mass transformation and dense-water formation on the Arctic shelves will also be addressed since the renewal of the halocline water or deep water in the AO depends on water mass transformation on the shelves.
The continental slope areas north of Svalbard will be used as a laboratory through both fieldwork campaigns and numerical model development. The candidate will identify hotspots of eddy generation driven by instabilities and their control on cross-slope transport. The PhD study aims to compile and analyze eddy-resolving model data, repeated AO CTD/LADCP sections together with observations from A-TWAIN, Yermak Plateau, Nansen Legacy, and Fram Strait moorings to examine short-time variability and eddy vertical structure in hydrography and currents. Using historical and new data, we will identify Topographic Rossby Wave modes, detect instability events and associated eddy structures, and link these to bathymetric variations and local forcing mechanisms (atmosphere, tides, and dense water downslope flow) to better characterize lateral fluxes.
The PhD project is connected to Task 2.1.8 in RT2 (The Changing Arctic Ocean) described in the project implementation plan but also links to other tasks in RT2 and other research topics. Activities in the project will include international cooperation, cruises with the ice-going research vessel Kronprins Haakon or other vessels, and the supervisor team will consist of researchers from Norwegian universities and institutes together with the main supervisors from UNIS, reflecting the joint Norwegian effort and teamwork.
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 and fieldwork instructor in bachelor courses at the Arctic Geophysics department.
Maintaining the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) around Svalbard (500-meter resolution).
Take part in FAIR publication of new and historic datasets.
Required duties for the successful candidate will be specified upon employment. Other duties may be assigned by the head of department as required.
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a field relevant for the position or the degree must be completed by July 1, 2026.
Admission to a doctoral program at one of the Norwegian mainland universities is a condition for the employment.
Numerical modeling skills, preferable ROMS.
Knowledge of physical processes in the ocean and good skills in mathematics and programming are required.
Experience from oceanographic field work, particularly from instrumentation used on moorings, underwater gliders and AUVs is an advantage.
Experience in analysing large environmental datasets using programming tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
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
Authorship or co-authorship in scientific publications is an advantage.
Prior work experience in an interdisciplinary research team setting is beneficial, as is teaching experience.
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.
