UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT – Developing the High North

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus research university 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 Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences represents a newly created entity gathering almost all possible health study programs. This facilitates an unique interdisciplinarity and innovation in health education and research. We work closely with the services in the North to solve tomorrow's challenges.

Faculty of Health Sciences / Department of Medical Biology

The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Medical Biology (IMB), Faculty of Health Sciences with the Cardiovascular Research Group (CRG).

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time, within six months after receiving the offer.

The position is for a period 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 for the faculty.

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: https://uit.no/phd-en

The position's field of research

Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed in heart failure of different etiologies. As such, mitochondria are widely investigated for their role in metabolism, energy production, and in regulation of cell survival systems. This emerging field holds potential for novel therapeutic treatments for cardiovascular diseases. The present Phd position will involve determinations to assess the shape of cardiac mitochondria and how their shape affects mitochondrial function during heart failure. The successful candidate should be motivated to use advanced microscopy and imaging techniques and demonstrate competence in molecular bench skills.

Cardiovascular Research Group (CRG)

The CRG laboratory uses interdisciplinary approaches to study cardiac physiology, such as in vivo and in vitro assessment of cardiac function, high-resolution respirometry, as well as metabolic and molecular determinations to understand cardiac physiology during health and disease. At present the CRG consists of 3 professors and 2 associate professors. The non-permanent academic staff include 4 PhD fellows, and this number is growing. In addition, there are MSc and BSc, as well as medical students who are involved in various research projects.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact:

Associate Professor Neoma Boardman:

• Phone: +47 93 45 72 97
• Email: neoma.boardman@uit.no

or Head of Office Siv Rist Richardsen:

• Phone: +47 77 64 46 04
• Email: siv.r.richardsen@uit.no

We can offer

• Exciting and stimulating scientific tasks
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement

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

Qualifications of the candidate

Completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in molecular science, imaging, and/or cardiovascular/human physiology, or equivalent education is required. If you are near completion of your Master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis. You must document completion of your degree before commencement in the position.

Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is desirable. It is imperative that the candidate can communicate effectively in English, both orally and written.

Preferred selection criteria will be prior experience with:

• Advanced microscopy
• Mitochondrial metabolism
• Human biology/physiology
• Experience with animal handing/animal training course (Felasa C)

Personal characteristics:

Emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability in relation to the qualifications specified in this evaluation. In addition, we will emphasize:

• Strong, personal initiative, motivation and work ethic
• The ability to work collaboratively to accomplish common research goals
• Being solution-oriented, able to solve problems independently
• Respond to direction and research strategy

The position requires admission to the Faculty's PhD programme. Information about requirements is available here: https://uit.no/phd-en

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

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

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 or 1378 depending on qualifications. 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.

Apply for position