UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT is a multi-campus research university in Norway and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT you can explore global issues from a close-up perspective.

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.

The position

The Department of Technology and Safety has a PhD position vacant for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The position will be a part of the Arctic Centre of Sustainable Energy (ARC) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

The appointment is for four years. The nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is distrubuted as 25 % each year, and will consist of teaching and other duties for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The work place is Tromsø.

The PhD position is for a fixed term, with the objective of completion of research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD Candidate shall participate in the faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project shall be completed during the period of employment. Information about the application process for admission to the PhD programme, application form and regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) are available here.

The position’s affiliationThe Department of Technology and Safety is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Activities at the department take place in the technology building located at Campus Tromsø.

The department has about 80 employees and has about 500 students in our various programs at bachelor, master and PhD-level. The department offers education in the fields of nautical science, aviation, safety-/societal safety and environment and international preparedness.

The position's field of research

The position is a part of the Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy (ARC) at UiT, which is an interdisciplinary research centre focusing on Arctic challenges and conditions within renewable energy and greenhouse gas management. The centre combines expertise in physics, humanities, chemistry, social sciences, applied mathematics, marine biology, computer science, and electrical engineering, and recruit professors and PhD-candidates to strengthen the UiT research within the scope of the centre. The candidate will work within the ARC research area Transportation.

The candidate will be part of UiT’s initiative on sustainable aviation. At the University of Tromsø School of Aviation (UTSA), UiT has the only publicly financed pilot training/Bachelor programme in aviation in Norway. The new Master’s programme in aviation technology that has start-up fall 2020 has sustainable aviation as an essential part of the program. The department recently purchased two electric two-seater aircraft of the type Pipistrel Alpha Electro. These aircraft will be actively used in research in collaboration with UTSA.

The candidate will be actively involved in developing the research on sustainable aviation at UiT, with a particular focus on electric aviation. Intentionally, electric aircraft at UTSA will be used for collecting operational data, and additionally, provide vital practical experience from operating electric aircrafts in Arctic conditions. As part of ARC, the candidate will also focus on the role of sustainable aviation in the more extensive transport systems.

Depending on the scientific background of the candidate, possible research activities are listed below. However, the applicant is also encouraged to propose own research ideas.

• Data collection and analysis from electric aircraft in operation
• Investigation of necessary infrastructure at airports and development of guidelines
• Investigation and development of renewable energy systems for sustainable aviation and airports
• Spatial-temporal analysis of sustainable/electric aviation and its role in a sustainable transportation system

Contact

Further information about the position is available by contacting

• Associate professor Clara Good, +47 7764 5162/+47 413 98 515, e-mail: clara.good@uit.no
• Head of Department Yngve Birkelund +47 7766 0246/+47 993 77 377, e-mail: yngve.birkelund@uit.no.

We offer

• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund

More practical information for working and living in Norway can be found here: Welcome to UiT!

Qualifications

The successful applicant must fulfil the requirements for admission to the faculty’s PhD programme, regulation for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Also, he/she should be able to document proficiency in English equivalent to Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification, refer to the website about PhD regulations at UiT.

This position requires a Master’s degree in technology or science, such as engineering, physics, mathematics, or similar fields. The Master's degree should be recognized as equivalent to a 2-year Norwegian Master's degree.

It is preferable if the candidate has knowledge and experience within at least one of the following fields:

• Aviation or aviation technology (e.g. pilot license)
• Electric transportation
• Renewable energy
• Spatial analysis (e.g. geographical information systems)

Good communication skills in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is beneficial.

The applicant is encouraged to write a short (max 2 page) description for the PhD project, with a focus on research interest and problems to be addressed.

The institute will emphasise personal characteristics such as co-operation abilities and communicative skills in the selection process.

Application

The application must be submitted electronically via www.jobbnorge.no and shall include:

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diplomas, diploma supplements and transcripts (all degrees)
• Documentation on English proficiency. This website states how English profiency shall be documented.
• Contact information to 1-3 references
• Master thesis, and any other academic works
• Project description

The documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted.

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. UiT will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to Offentleglova information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.

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