The position

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT – Developing the High North

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.

Department of Chemistry

The Dept. of Chemistry performs research into a variety of societal relevant challenges, for example, the development of sustainable chemical methodologies and the design of molecules that prevent antibiotic resistance. The Dept. hosts a national Centre of Excellence in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, the Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences, alongside the Norwegian Structural Biology Centre (NorStruct), and is partner in the Centre for Bioinformatics. The Department is also host for the National Graduate School in Biocatalysis, BioCat.

The CHOCO research team at the Department of Chemistry at UiT seeks a motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate to join our group. We are an interdisciplinary research team, working on the development of novel catalysts for converting CO2 into molecules of higher. Our team is part of the Nordic Consortium on CO2 Conversion (NordCO2), which comprises 13 Nordic research groups working on chemical CO2 conversion. The PhD fellow will be affiliated with the NordCO2 consortium, which will provide scientific courses by experts at the forefront of the field, a wide network of peers working in related research areas, and generous travel stipends for research visits to other groups. In addition, the PhD fellow will be enrolled into the local PhD school at the Department of Chemistry, which provides an international and collegial environment and support for all PhD students at the department.

The position’s field of research

The PhD fellow will employ quantum chemical methods to investigate and design catalysts for converting CO2. As of today, chemical synthesis is largely based on starting materials coming from fossil-based resources such as oil. Oil is finite and will eventually be depleted, implying that new sources of chemical starting materials are needed.

CO2 is an abundant and sustainable molecule that has the potential to be used on a large scale in chemical synthesis, but only if catalysts are developed that are able to activate CO2. The PhD fellow will computationally model organic and organometallic complexes and their ability to convert CO2 to other products. Promising systems will be tested in the laboratory by experimental chemists in the CHOCO group.

Contacts

For further information about the position and UiT contact Associate Professor Kathrin H. Hopmann:

• phone: +47 776 23109
• email: kathrin.hopmann@uit.no

Qualifications

The successful applicant must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Computational or Theoretical Chemistry or equivalent. The average grade on relevant academic courses must be equivalent to the Norwegian grade C or better. A good academic record and a genuine interest in conducting research are essential to qualify for the position. This must be demonstrated by your Master’s thesis, academic record, and other application materials (see below). Personal suitability for the position will also 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. In addition to documented fluency in English, working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is desirable due to teaching obligations. Further details about requirements for admission to PhD studies is available via links here: https://uit.no/nt/phd

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.

Assessment

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

Teaching experience and/or qualifications will be considered an advantage. In addition, we may consider work experience or other activities of significance for the PhD studies.

We offer

• A societal relevant research project on conversion of CO2
• A dedicated and supportive team of supervisors and colleagues
• Good infrastructure
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement with a good salary
• Pension schemes 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.

Remuneration of PhD positions are in state salary code 1017, normally starting in pay grade 51 (NOK 449 000 per annum). 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!

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.

General

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.

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.

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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