The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.
PhD Research Fellow in deep-sea microbiology
There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in deep-sea microbiology at the Department of Biological Sciences. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with career-promoting work (e.g. teaching at the Department). The position is subject to the Department’s and Faculty’s strategic focus on deep-sea research and marine bioprospecting. The position is funded by the University of Bergen. The candidate will belong to the research group Deep-Sea Biology, which is associated with the Centre for Deep Sea Research (CDeepSea, financed by the Trond Mohn Foundation).
About the project/work tasks:
Microorganisms that live in deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems are known to act as primary producers, they are adapted to live under extreme environmental conditions, influencing global biogeochemical cycles and reduce methane emissions from the seafloor. They also produce unique biomolecules that can be useful in biotechnology and green industry. Over several years, we have collected numerous samples suitable for cultivation from multiple deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridges. The goal of the planned work is to obtain pure cultures or high-quality enrichments representative of previously uncultivated microbial lineages from these locations. Major functional groups that will be focused on are methanogens, anaerobic methanotrophic archaea, and organotrophs. Their properties will be characterized to identify physiological capabilities and limits, as well as communication, interaction and adaptation strategies. The work will include cultivation, microscopy, geochemistry, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, phylogenomics and enzyme characterization.
We especially encourage candidates with a strong interest in deep-sea research to apply for the position. We are looking for someone who is positive toward participating in research cruises when the opportunity arises. We also seek a candidate who enjoys science communication, who likes teaching, and who is motivated to present their research results at international conferences.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in microbiology, molecular biology, or a related field, or must have submitted his/her master's thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
Experience or competence in one or more of the flowing areas is a requirement:
bioinformatics
genome analysis
cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms
Experience or competence in heterologous production of enzymes is an advantage
Teaching experience is an advantage.
Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
Applicants must have good written and oral English skills.
Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage, to be able to participate in teaching where this is required.
Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.Special requirements for the positionThe University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.
About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):
About the PhD Research Fellow positionThe fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the Head of department upon appointment. If a 4th year is granted, one year of career-promoting work associated with teaching, dissemination or research infrastructure/services, will be distributed over the full employment period and thus corresponding to 25 per cent of the time each year.
The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).
About the research trainingAs a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.
We can offer:
a good and professionally stimulating working environment
salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 568 700. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, explaining how you meet each criterion. Additionally, you should address the "advantages" mentioned above, as these will be taken into account when ranking the candidates.
the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
CV
transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the master's thesis has been submitted.
a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
General information:
For further details about the position, please contact Professor Ida Helene Steen, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Ida.Steen@uib.no
For HR related questions, please contact HR Advisor Magnus Skogstad, magnus.skogstad@uib.no
Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
Life as a PhD candidate at UiB
Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.
