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 Chemistry seeks a motivated and enthusiastic PhD fellow to join the Molecular Biosystems Research Group (MBRG) and Centre for Bioinformatics at UiT in Tromsø. The fellow will become a member of an international and interdisciplinary research team, which combines molecular labwork with bioinformatics and omics-technologies for research in molecular biosystems, biotechnology, bacterial genomics, big data analysis, and gene regulation.The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year, and consists of teaching or other duties for the department. 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 position's field of research

The PhD fellow will work on one of two optional projects, both with the aim to create new biotechnological solutions for sustainable use of marine biological resources.

First option is within the research area of recombinant expression of proteins. The project PsyXpress utilizes the cold adapted bacterium Aliivibrio wodanis for enhanced production of difficult-to-express proteins including cold-active (Arctic) enzymes. There is a need to increase the understanding of the underlying biological principles of the expression host and the genetic tools. Topics include genome modifications, explore novel fusion partners, promoters and plasmids, and production of new cold-active enzymes for industrial use. There is currently a patent pending, and findings from the PhD project will aid in a wider use of A. wodanis as production host.

Second option is to work with mixed microbial communities for conversion of marine biomass (side-stream/waste materials) into valuable compounds. The project will involve fermentation using natural microbiomes as seed cultures with the aim to (i) perform enrichment of microbes that can store lipophilic compounds (wax esters, triacylglycerols and polyhydroxyalkanoates), and (ii) run small scale production of products.

Work may include standard molecular and microbiology methods such as bacterial growth using fermenters, DNA/RNA purification, cloning, and -omics methods such as genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Applied bioinformatics and analytical methods (GC/MS, LC/MS) will also likely be used.

Contact

For further information about the position and project, contact:

• Professor Peik Haugen, phone: +47 776 45288, email: peik.haugen@uit.no

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Biotechnology, molecular biology or molecular microbiology, or equivalent. Good academic performances, and a genuine interest and motivation for performing research are essential to qualify for the position.

Relevant background in molecular work with bacteria is preferred, and experience with fermentation is an advantage. Finally, personal qualifications such as the ability to collaborate and work with others as well as being able to work independent will be emphasized.

The applicant must be able to document proficiency in English that satisfies the Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification, either as a native language, via undergraduate education in a Nordic or certain other countries, or by test scores as described here. Proficiency in a Scandinavian language an advantage due to teaching obligations.

Admission to the PhD programme

The position requires admission to the Faculty’s PhD programme. Admission requires that the applicant have at least 5 years of higher education, equivalent to 300 ECTS. The applicant must have a Master’s thesis evaluated equivalent to 30 ECTS or more, or 20 ECTS for an integrated Master’s degree. The applicant must have an average grade of C or better. Further information about requirements is available here: Regulations PhD Faculty of Sciences and Technology

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 fulfill the requirements.

Application

Your application must include:

• Cover letter explaining how you fulfil the above criteria, citing relevant skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks
• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts, including Diploma Supplement for completed degrees from EU universities (and applicants from non-EU universities are advised to attach an explanation of the grading system)
• Documentation of English language proficiency. If not otherwise exempt, documentation of English language proficiency for PhD-studies, with a recommended minimum score of 6.5 on each part of the IELTS test, or minimum scores of 22, 22, 22 and 25 (reading, listening, speaking and writing, respectively) on the TOEFL test.
• 2 references, including contact details
• A copy of your Master’s thesis (representing at least 30 study points or one full semester load), and any other academic works.

Qualification with a Master’s degree is required before commencement. For those who are near to completion of their Master’s degree, submit a draft version of the thesis and a letter from your university confirming the planned date of examination. You must have fulfilled all requirements (and passed all examinations) for the Master's degree before the planned commencement date.

Documentation may be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language. We are only able to consider applications submitted electronically through www.jobbnorge.no.

Assessment

The assessment will emphasize academic performance, motivation and personal suitability for the role. Evidence for your motivation and potential for research will be sought, especially from your Master’s thesis and any other academic works. Teaching experience and/or qualifications will be considered an advantage.

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

We offer

• The opportunity to participate in an exciting research project at the interface of chemistry, biology and medicine, with important real-life applications
• A good academic working environment with dedicated colleagues in an exotic location
• Good renumeration
• Access to welfare benefits for employees, including a beneficial pension scheme and insurance and mortgage opportunities through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

For more information about working and living in Norway, see http://uit.no/mobility.

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.

You have to be qualified for and participate in the PhD programme. 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 as 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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