The position

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) consists of Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NFH) and School of Business and Economics. The main task of BFE is to conduct teaching and research dissemination at a high national and international level within all relevant fields. Prioritized research areas are aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, climate, life in the arctic, marine bioprospecting, fish health, seafood products, business and macroeconomics, resources and environment, markets and management of marine resources. The interdisciplinary profile of the faculty provides good opportunity to develop research projects involving several research groups at the faculty according to its strategy.

A PhD position is available at The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics with the research group Fish vaccinology and immunology.

The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) is a part of The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) and undertakes research and research-based teaching of high national and international quality in an interdisciplinary environment. Research activity is organized into different groups. It offers scientific independence, good remuneration, great potential of growth, and fantastic work environment within the stunning landscape of Tromsø.

The position is for a period of 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 Biosciences, fisheries and economics.

The objective of the position is to complete 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 at the following address: PhD - Faculty of biosciences, fisheries and economics

The position's field of research

The Fish vaccinology and immunology group is comprised by various disciplines like fish B and T-cell immunology, diseases, vaccinology, genetic engineering etc. The current research focus of the research group are fundamental immunology, vaccinology, and defense mechanisms of fish against different pathogens. There is an emphasis on cultural integration, good work environment, and excellence through collaboration between individual group members.

The PhD project involves basic understanding and learning of host-pathogen interaction with reference to host’s natural resistance against different pathogens in Atlantic salmon preferably, salmon lice. The knowledge gained through such interaction models, will improve knowledge on immune-mediated control of infection aiming at designing preventive strategies. The project involves infection experiments and use of different molecular and immunological methods to investigate the host protection strategies and utilising it for finding important correlates of protection. The PhD fellow is expected to participate in the design of the PhD project and will later develop the project independently with proper supervision. The candidate must disseminate the work through scientific journal publications and conference participation.

The candidate will get opportunity to teach and supervise master students.

This PhD project requires a highly motivated, sincere, dedicated and goal-oriented candidate.

The candidate will be encouraged and supported to develop his/her career in line with the ambition in academic, scientific and professional field.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Jaya Kumari Swain:

- Phone: +47 776 46020 - E-mail: jaya.k.swain@uit.no

or Head of the research group Professor Jorunn Jørgensen:

- Phone: +47 776 46716 - E-mail: jorunn.jorgensen@uit.no

Qualifications

The candidate should have Master degree (or equivalent) in natural sciences, preferably in one of the following fields: Immunology; Molecular cell biology; Vaccinology; Aquaculture; Aquamedicine; Genomics.

It will be candidate’s advantage to have:

• Knowledge or experience working with fish especially Atlantic salmon and the diseases affecting the salmon farming industry
• Hands-on experience on basic immunological techniques, molecular and/or cell biology techniques, immuno-pathology, flow cytometry
• Experience with high-throughput sequencing, genomics or bioinformatics
• Good skills in programming language like R, Python.

It is expected that the candidate demonstrates:

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Self-motivation, independence, enthusiasm and critical thinking.
• Excellent work ethics and commitment to the job.
• Good common sense with good communication, writing and presentation skills

Documented knowledge of English as stated here is required and working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is desirable.

Emphasis will be put on your potential for research, motivation and personal suitability for the position.

The position requires admission to the Faculty's PhD programme. Information about requirements is available here: Regulations PhD Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics

Application

Your application must include:

• Cover letter outlining the candidate’s interest and motivation for this particular position, relevant experience, and how she/he will contribute to the successful implementation of the project (maximum 1 page).
• CV
• Diplomas, diploma supplements and transcripts
• Documentation on English proficiency. This website states how English profiency shall be documented.
• References and certificates
• Master thesis, and any other academic works
• A sketch of a potential research project on ‘basic understanding and learning of host-pathogen interaction with reference to host’s natural resistance against infection in Atlantic salmon’. (maximum 1 page).

The documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept applications sent via www.jobbnorge.no.

We offer

• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• A large degree of independence in the work
• 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!

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 abilitWe 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.

Apply for position