UNIS is the world's northernmost educational institution, located in Longyearbyen. UNIS has technical and scientific equipment, laboratories and infrastructure well suited for teaching and research in Arctic natural science and technology for sea, land and atmosphere. The disciplines include Arctic Biology, - Geophysics, - Geology and - Technology.
All courses are taught in English, and about half of the staff and students are from abroad. UNIS is a state-owned corporation. The administrative language at UNIS is Norwegian.
The University Centre in Svalbard
General
The Arctic Geology Department is looking for a highly motivated, independent geo-scientist for a full-time four-year PhD student position in mapping and modelling evolution of long-lived lineaments and associated sedimentary basins.
The Arctic Geology Department consists of six full time Associate Professors and Professors and four UNIS-based PhD students. In addition, Adjunct Professors and external PhD students contribute to the research and teaching at the department.
Description of the vacant position
The Svalbard archipelago exposes geological outcrops spanning from the Precambrian to the Paleogene. The rocks record a dynamic tectonic setting resulting in extensional, contractional and strike-slip movements along large long-lived lineaments. The evolution of long-lived lineaments begins with the Caledonian orogeny, followed by Late Devonian deformation, Late Carboniferous rifting, mild reactivation phases in late Permian and Mesozoic, up to transgressional deformation in Paleogene and recent uplift. The deformation related to multi-phase activity along the faults also affects the evolution and internal architecture of associated sedimentary basins.
The overall research question for the announced position is: What was the evolution of fault zone architecture? Furthermore, what is/was the influence of older deformation patterns on the development of the younger fault zone architecture, its sedimentary basins evolution and inversion?
The main tasks of the PhD candidate will include:
Multi-scale mapping of individual fault systems, their cores and deformation zones, in the field and digital outcrop models as well as 2D seismic lines.
Assessment of tectonostratigraphic evolution of sedimentary basins adjacent to the studied fault zones.
Acquisition of digital outcrop models using drone photogrammetry (see www.svalbox.no).
Creation of a 3D model of current fault zone architecture.
Reconstruction/ modelling of past architectures.
Moreover, the impact of a modern fault zone architecture on present-day fluid flow expressed as fluid seepage both onshore and offshore will be evaluated. This will be done in collaboration with ongoing research activities at UNIS. The results will help to establish modern and ancient fluid flow systems, which is also valid for understanding the sealing properties of the faults and how fluids bearing ore- minerals circulated in the past.
The PhD candidate will live in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. She/He will be involved in teaching geology courses at UNIS, with 25% of the position delegated to duties for the Arctic Geology department. The successful student is expected to spend 7 months on mainland Norway, likely at NTNU in Trondheim. Shorter scientific stay abroad will be encouraged (UiO, NTNU).
Qualifications and personal qualities
Applicants must have a strong academic background and hold a MSc in Geology (structural geology, sedimentary basin analysis, geological mapping) or a related directly relevant subject. Candidates in the final phase of their master thesis work may be considered if they can document that they are particularly suitable for this position. Knowledge of geological evolution of the Arctic, Svalbard, in particular, is an advantage as well as a general knowledge of field and digital mapping and subsurface modelling.
Experience of field work, especially in polar climates, and working with 3D modelling (Petrel, Move) and GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS) is consider a strong advantage. Some of the field work will rely on the candidate raising external funds through Arctic Field Grants, so previous funding acquisition success is also beneficial.
Applicants must be able to work independently, in a structured manner, and demonstrate good collaborative skills. The applicant must be proficient in both written and spoken English.
Motivation and personal suitability will be emphasised. To allow assessment of this, a statement of personal and scientific interest in taking a Ph.D. degree, including an outline of a PhD project idea, must be included in the application submitted via JobbNorge.
Employment conditions
The total duration of the Ph.D. position is four years, ideally starting from 1 August 2023. The PhD candidate will be based in the Arctic Geology Department at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), and she/he must live in Longyearbyen. Shorter scientific stays (7-12 months in total) on mainland Norway and or abroad will be encouraged.
All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government's University salary scale. PhD candidates start with a gross salary of NOK 531 800,-. As a resident in Svalbard an annual allowance of NOK 38 520,- (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to the salary. A Social Security contribution of 2 %, to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on Svalbard is 8 %, plus 7,9 % toward National Insurance coverage.
Application
Inquiries about this position may be directed to:
Assoc. Prof. Aleksandra Smyrak-Sikora (UNIS), email: aleksandras@unis.no, phone +47 96 72 69 05, or
Assoc. Prof. Kim Senger, email: kims@unis.no, phone +47 95 29 15 92
The application, submitted electronically in www.jobbnorge.no, must include:
- why and how you wish to complete the project, including research questions, research methods and hypothesised results
- what makes you suitable for the project
CV (including a complete overview of education, professional training and professional work)
Name and contact information for two or more references. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's or equivalent thesis
Description of your language skills
Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees, or official confirmation that the master's thesis is in its final phase
Relevant certificates
A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
Any peer review publications in your name
A copy of the master thesis
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded in Jobbnorge. Any applications submitted by alternative means, for example via email, will not be evaluated.
You can request to have your application kept from public access cf. the open files act § 25. The request must be explained. UNIS will determine if the application will be kept from public access or not, based on the explanation and the regulations from the open files act. If the application will not be accepted, the candidate will be contacted.
About the research training
The candidate must satisfy the enrolment requirements for the doctoral degree program at NTNU.
To be accepted to a PhD-programme at NTNU, the candidate must have completed at least five years of higher education that includes a master's degree or other equivalent degree (equivalent to 120 credits) and a strong academic record with a weighted average for the last two years of your master's degree equivalent to a B or higher in NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a Ph.D. degree. A plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty at NTNU. The candidate is expected to complete relevant courses as part of the formal Ph.D. training.
Selection and appointment
A committee appointed by the Director of UNIS 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 from the committee.
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is located in Svalbard, in the midst of a varied and beautiful Arctic nature with good opportunities for outdoor activities.
Longyearbyen is a modern town with approx. 2500 inhabitants from many nationalities and has a good service offering including kindergartens, swimming / sports hall and a varied association, sports and cultural life.
