PhD Candidate

The Department of Chemistry seeks a motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate to join the Centre of Bioinformatics and Molecular Biosystems Research Group (MBRG), Department of Chemistry at UiT, campus Tromsø. The candidate will become a member of an international and interdisciplinary research team, which combines informatics, bioinformatics and experimental work to develop/implement tools, pipelines and databases for microbiome research.

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’s field of research

The PhD student will be part of an on-going larger effort to survey and characterize marine microbiomes using high-throughput shotgun DNA sequencing (metagenomics). The MBRG research group has an existing collection of environmental marine samples (sediments, biota, seawater, biofilms and more) mostly from the Arctic region, and a robust computer and software infrastructure for downstream analyses. Work will include standardization of sampling and collection methods to allow in-depth comparative studies, isolation of environmental DNA, high-throughput shotgun DNA sequencing with Illumina technology, and analyses of the resulting metagenomes (taxonomic and functional profiling). The PhD student will also participate with construction of a streamlined analysis pipelines for functional analysis, including a pipeline for generation of metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs).Fyll ut

Contacts

For further information about the position and project, contact:

• Professor Nils P. Willassen, phone: +47 776 44651, email: nils.peder.willassen@uit.no

Qualifications

The candidate must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Bioinformatics or equivalent, with an average of C or better according to the Norwegian system. Good academic performances, and a genuine interest and motivation for performing research are essential to qualify for the position. Relevant background in analysis of DNA sequence data is preferred, and experience with metagenomics 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 country, or by test scores as described below.

Further details about requirements for admission to PhD studies is available via links here: https://uit.no/nt/phd. Documented fluency in English is required, and working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is desirable due to teaching obligations.

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. You must document completion of your degree before commencement in the position.

Application

Your application must include:

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV - summarizing education, positions and academic work
• Diplomas and transcripts from completed degrees
• Documentation of English language proficiency for PhD-studies, with a preferred 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.
• 2-3 references with contact details
• Master thesis, and any other academic works

Documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept applications through Jobbnorge.no

Assessment

The assessment will emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. The candidate must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of your discipline and the university as a whole.

During this assessment process, emphasis will be put on your potential for research as shown by the Master’s thesis and other academic works, relevant research experience and academic performance. In addition, we may consider work experience or other activities of significance for the PhD studies. Teaching experience and/or qualifications will be considered an advantage.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• A large degree of independence in work
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund

The appointment is for a period of 4 years, and the nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % of each year, and will consist of (teaching or other duties for the department)/three years.

Remuneration of PhD positions are in salary code 1017. In addition to taxes, a further 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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

Generell informasjon

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. The university 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. You may request to not be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

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