LEDIG STILLING VED UIT NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITET
PhD position in fishing gear technology
Deadline: 15.11.2020
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
The position
The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), UiT The Arctic University of Norway has a PhD position vacant in fishing gear technology - for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The position is attached to the research group Harvest (Gear technology of marine fisheries) at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS).
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 workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time, within 6 months after receiving the offer.
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 program is a prerequisite for employment, and the programperiod 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 program and regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) are available at the following address Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics PhD web pages.
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) undertakes research and research-based teaching of high national and international quality in an interdisciplinary environment. Research activities are provisionally organized into the groups of Living Marine Resources, Food science, Fish Health, Marine Drug Discovery, Marine Resource Management and Development, Environmental and Resource Economics, and Harvest technology.
The research group Harvest (Gear technology of marine fisheries) carries out research within the following main areas: selectivity and bycatch issues (with focus on the Arctic fisheries), assessment of fishing efficiency, development of environmentally friendly fishing gears, experimental designs (on board research and commercial vessels); developing new models and data analyses (i.e. novelty in statistics); testing of modified and new designs of fishing gears.
The project/ The position's field of research
The PhD project will focus on improving catch patterns in the gadoid bottom trawl fishery in Barents Sea by improving size and species selectivity. The PhD will be connected to the project "Improving selectivity in fish trawls", a project funded by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund. The objective of the project is to improve size selectivity in the Barents Sea bottom trawl fishery for gadoids. Current size selective devices both catch too many juvenile fish, which are important for future stock recruitment, while simultaneously also releasing too many fish above the minimum reference size, which subsequently contributes to increased environmental impact due to increased emissions of fossil fuel, and negative impact on the seabed, amongst others.
The PhD project could also have the opportunity to collaborate with Centre for research-based innovation "Biodegradable plastics for marine applications" funded by the Research Council of Norway. This is a multi-disciplinary project concentrated around the development and introduction of biodegradable plastics in fisheries. Testing of different biodegradable materials in trawl nets regarding durability and selectivity will be relevant for the objective of the PhD project.
The PhD candidate is expected to collect own data on board fishing vessels, prepare and analysis of data, and publish scientific results in international peer-reviewed journals. The candidate is expected to participate in science communication events (i.e. conferences and workshops).
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
Master in fishing gear technology,
Experience with experimental design and research methodology.
Experience with field work and collection of data (onboard vessels)
Experience with analysis of data and general statistics including software Selnet and R or equivalent.
Experience with scientific publishing within the relevant discipline is an advantage.
In addition, consideration may be given to work experience or other activities of significance for the implementation of the PhD.
Emphasis is attached to personal suitability.
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 the candidates 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.
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.
Written references
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.
