Stilling:

PhD position in Marine Biotechnology

Deadline: December 7, 2018

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.

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), UiT The Arctic University of Norway has a PhD position vacant in Marine Biotechnology - for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) The position is affiliated with the Marine Bioprospecting Research Group, headed by Prof. Klara Stensvåg.

The appointment is for a period of four years.

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 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 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 activity is provisionally organized into the groups of: Living Marine Resources, Sea Food Science, Fish Health, Marine Drug Discovery, Resource Management, Marine Management and Resource Economics.

For further information, please contact:

  • Associate Professor Tor Haug, tel. +47 776 46 071 / +47 91 35 51 12, e-mail: tor.haug@uit.no and
  • Associate Professor Hans-Matti Blencke tel. +47 77644474 / +47 91827294, e-mail: hans-matti.blencke@uit.no

Research area

The successful applicant will be integrated into the research project LEADScAMR, an interdisciplinary project consisting of 3 PhD positions (in total). The project has a multidisciplinary emphasis placed upon three work packages (WPs): WP 1) design and synthesis of novel antimicrobial compounds, WP 2) development of novel formulations of synthetic antimicrobial compounds and absorption studies, and WP 3) activity and mode-of-action studies against bacteria and resistance investigations. The announced position is associated with WP 3. The successful applicant will be involved in studies regarding activity spectrum, mode-of-action (MoA), efficiency of novel formulations, resistance development, and potential synergies and adjuvant effects of novel antibiotics. The PhD student will work in close collaborations with two other PhD students involved in the listed areas WP 1) and WP 2), including a close collaboration with partners/scientists at the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics.

Qualifications required

The successful applicant must document education and knowledge in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmacy, or equivalent at Master’s level. The applicant must be able to document theoretical knowledge and practical experience with analytical techniques used in microbial work. Emphasis is placed on thorough knowledge and practical experience with sterile techniques. The applicant must document a high level of knowledge through an enclosed Master´s degree thesis or relevant work. It is desirable with experience in molecular biological techniques like qualitative and quantitative DNA/RNA/protein analysis, work with bioactive components or isolation/characterization of such molecules. In addition, experience with microscopy, EM, fluorescence- and light microscopy is considered positive. The candidate should be motivated for scientific work and have good analytical-, writing and collaborative skills. In addition to the formal qualifications, personal suitability for the position will be emphasized, including motivation, work capacity, structured work routines, collaborative skills and ability to contribute positively to a collegial environment.

Emphasis is attached to personal suitability.

Language

The applicant must have a good command of English, both written and oral. Due to teaching obligations, proficiency in a Scandinavian language will be regarded as advantageous. How to document languages proficiency

Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment in a PhD position; cf. Section 6 of the Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The PhD programme must be approved and the contract signed no later than six week, after the starting date. In connection with this, the person who is appointed can receive a period of up to two month in which to submit a draft of their project description/reworked project description and a proposal of courses for the instruction component. In the event that the PhD contract is not completed within the stipulated deadline, the employer may annul the contract; cf. Section 1-3(8) of the Regulations relating to conditions of employment for positions of Postdoctoral Fellows, PhD Candidate, Research Assistant (only in Norwegian).

Working conditions

The normal period of employment is four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year, distributed as 25 % of each year, shall be used for teaching or other duties for the university cf. Guidelines for the PhD candidate’s duties.

The position will especially be assigned teaching duties related to marine biotechnology and microbiology.

Shorter periods of employment may be approved if the PhD Candidate has already implemented parts of the PhD programme or when the appointment is based on previous appointments in teaching positions (PhD candidate, Research Assistant or the equivalent), such that the total time of the PhD programme is three years.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Candidate is in accordance with State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Sector Pension Fund will be deducted.

Assessment

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. During this assessment process, emphasis will be attached to the applicant’s potential for research as shown by:

  • Master thesis or equivalent within the specified fields
  • Any other academic works
  • Experience and skills in laboratory work relevant for the project
  • Documented ability to work independently
  • Skills in scientific writing in English
  • Scandinavian language skills
  • Knowledge of and interest in the project’s specific topic
  • Motivation for this specific project and personal suitability

In addition, consideration may be given to work experience or other activities of significance for the implementation of the PhD studies, and to any teaching qualifications. This includes teaching education, teaching experience, from popularization and experience/education from other types of dissemination. The best qualified assessed applicants will be called to an interview. The interview shall among other things aim to clarify the applicant’s personal suitability for the position.

Applicants bring original certificates/diplomas and reference letter (work) to an interview.

Submit your application in www.jobbnorge.no.

To be assessed by the Committee it's important that enclosed documents mentioned below, attaches in Jobbnorge within the expiration of the application deadline. Documents to considered have to be translate and certified to Scandinavian or English.

Attachment to letter of application:

  • Cover letter (1-2 pages) explaining your motivation and research interests
  • CV containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work
  • Diploma and transcript from your Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Diploma and transcript from your Master’s degree or equivalent
  • Diploma supplement for completed degrees
  • Documentation of English language proficiency (equivalent to Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification or TOEFL test)
  • Reference letters
  • Name and contact information of 2-3 references, and their connection to the applicant
  • A copy of the master thesis (the thesis will upon request be treated in confidence)
  • A complete list of publications and with the applicant´s contribution to the work specified
  • Works (published or unpublished) the applicant wishes the Committee to take into consideration during the assessment process

Works - The applicant have to attach the published or unpublished work he/she wish the Committee be take into consideration during the assessment process.

Application and attachment in e-mail can not be approved.

Information

Information and guidelines referenced in our announcement are available here.

Questions concerning the organization of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, possibility for flexible working hours, part time, etc. may be directed to the telephone reference in this announcement.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and therefore encourages qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and will therefore emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

Personal data given in an application or CV will be processed in accordance with the Act relating to the processing of personal data (the Personal Data Act). In accordance with Section 25 subsection 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, the applicant may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants. However, the University may nevertheless decide that the name of the applicant will be made public. The applicant will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

We are looking forward to receiving your application.

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