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.

Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics / Department of Arctic and Marine Biology

The position

A PhD position is vacant in the field of marine microbiology and biogeochemistry at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE). The position is part of the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) and the research group Arctic Marine System Ecology (AMSE).

The position is for a fixed term of four years. The nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position in winter-spring 2022.

The project

This PhD project will focus on culture-based experiments of microalgae and bacteria to assess biogeochemical controls of O2 and CO2 fluxes in sea ice environments. The candidate will apply existing laboratory methods towards this purpose, while working to develop new approaches for partitioning influences of microbial respiration. Through this work the role of sea ice biological communities in determining sea ice biogeochemical conditions will be addressed.

The dynamics of nutrient availability and limitation on sea ice microbial communities will be a focus in laboratory and potentially field-based investigations. This work will take place as part of the Norwegian Research Council project BREATHE – Bottom-sea ice Respiration and nutrient Exchanges Assessed for THE Arctic.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact:

• Associate Professor Karley Campbell, phone: +47 77625220, email: karley.lynn.campbell@uit.no

Qualifications

A Master's degree in biology, environmental science, marine science, chemistry or similar is required. Experience working with algal and bacterial cultures for the purposes of experimentation is required. Additional technical skills in biogeochemical analyses (e.g. carbon, nutrients & microbial production) and data processing/statistical assessments is a strong asset. Previous contribution(s) to peer-reviewed publications is required. A background working with technical instrumentation (e.g. O2 sensors) and sea ice environments is a benefit. Interest in microbiology and biogeochemistry within laboratory setting is essential. Willingness to participate in complimentary field-based studies on sea ice is valuable to the position.

Previous experience working as part of a team in field or other settings is beneficial. The student will be expected to work independently in their project while also integrating into the AMSE research team. Thesis work will be part of the BREATHE project, led by Associate Professor Karley Campbell.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position.

The applicant must document fluency in English (written and oral) and should be open to building Norwegian language over the course of their programme.

Applicants with a foreign education will be evaluated on whether the educational background is equivalent to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines. Applicants from some countries will have to document additional higher education in order to fulfil the requirements.

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.

Admission to the PhD programme

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS.
• A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master's degree of 120 ECTS.
• A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS.

Grade requirements applies both to the master thesis as well as courses part of the master’s degree. The minimum requirements are grade C or better on the master’s degree, and grade C or better on courses that are part of the master’s degree. A grade lower than C in one course may be compensated by a higher grade than C in another course. If the applicant has two subjects with the grade D or lower, the applicant is not qualified for admission. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than six weeks after taking up the position.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project
• Good career opportunities
• 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.

Application 

Your application must include:

• A 1-2-page document that summarizes your scientific interests and motivation for undertaking this PhD program. An example of a PhD project idea must also be included in this document
• CV that includes description of contributions to the peer-reviewed literature
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 1-3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must document completion of your degree before commencement in the position. You must still submit your transcripts for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

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.

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.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act 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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