Ledig stilling ved UiT Norges arktiske universitet
Postdoctoral Fellow in ancient sedimentary DNA
Deadline 28.03.2019
About the Position
The Arctic University Museum of Norway has a 2.5 year fixed term contract vacant at the post-doctoral level. The applicant will join the international team of researchers in the ERA-NET BiodivERsA project "Future ArcTic Ecosystems (FATE): drivers of diversity and future scenarios from ethnoecology, contemporary ecology and ancient DNA". The project will conduct a circumarctic investigation of long-term biodiversity change based on ancient DNA from lake sediment cores, with a specific focus on the role of herbivory and climate in shaping vegetation. We will use this data, in conjunction with data from contemporary ecology and indigenous and local knowledge, to develop scenarios of future biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The position of Postdoctoral Fellow is a fixed-term position for a period of 2.5 years starting on May 1st 2019. The main objective of the appointment as a post-doctoral research fellow is to qualify for work in senior academic position. No one may be appointed to more than one fixed term-period as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the same institution.
The position’s field of research
The postdoc will generate and analyse paleogenetic data on vegetation, mammals and fungi/lichens using lake sediment cores from Norway and Svalbard. The project will involve field work in both areas. He/she will also contribute to identify long-term, broad-scale drivers and develop scenarios of ecosystem change at pan-Arctic scale through literature review and data collection. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the ancient DNA labs at the Alfred-Wegener-Institute (AWI) Research Unit Potsdam, the University of California Santa Cruz and McMaster University. This position will have a special responsibility for vascular plant aDNA protocol development. The project builds strongly on interdisciplinary exchange leading to joint analyses and publications with the other international members of the BiodivERsA project.
Contact
Further information about the position is available by contacting:
- Prof. Inger Greve Alsos E-mail: inger.g.alsos@uit.no
The position’s affiliation
The University Museum is responsible for research, dissemination and collection of both natural history and cultural-historical material from Northern Norway. The position is attached to the scientific community within Natural Sciences, which has the responsibility for developing and maintaining scientific collections of objects (animals, plants, fossils and minerals) as well as public outreach, including the Tromsø Arctic Alpine Botanical Garden. The position is within the research group in taxonomy and biodiversity, which focuses on diversity, phylogeography and taxonomy of northern organisms using molecular as well as traditional methods. The University Museum has laboratories for modern and ancient DNA analyses, and it is currently involved in four large projects: ECOGEN, ERC - IceAGenT , ERC – TerrACE, and "Norwegian Barcode of Life". The latter includes full genome sequencing of the flora of Norway and the Arctic. For more information visit this site. This project will also link with research by the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology at UiT.
The successful applicant is expected to spend most of the time in Tromsø, but there will also be research stay with our project collaborators (see above) and fieldwork.
Required qualifications
A Norwegian doctoral degree in the subject area or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognised as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required. Experience in gearchaeology is most relevant, and experience in pedology, palaeoecology, geochronology and bioinformatics/biostatistics are advantages. English language skills are required. Norwegian/Scandinavian, French, and Italian language skills are advantages. Personal fit to the team and teamwork skills are important. Average physical condition is sufficient for the fieldwork.
Working conditions
The working hours will be utilised for research, research-related activities and research administration. The position may include duties in support of the research group or The Arctic University Museum of Norway of up 10 % of the position. The successful applicant must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of his/her discipline and the University as a whole.
The remuneration for this position is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1352. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted on top of tax.
Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee’s mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants’ qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants and the detailed description drawn up for the position. The applicants who are assessed as the best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview will, among other things, provide the opportunity to discuss the applicant’s personal suitability for the position.
Application
The application must be submitted electronically via the application form available on www.jobbnorge.no and should include the following:
- Letter of application
- CV (containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work)
- Certified copies of diploma for completed degrees
- Documentation of English language proficiency (not needed for native English speakers, Scandinavians or people educated in EU/EFTA)
- Complete list of works containing the following information:
- author(s), the work’s title
- for articles: the journal’s name and volume, the first and last page of the article, year of publication
- for publications: publisher, printer, year of publication, number of pages
- Up to 10 works (published or unpublished) which the applicant wishes to be taken into consideration during the assessment. The doctoral thesis is regarded in this context as one work.
- List of referees with contact information.
All documentation that is to be evaluated must be certified and translated into English or a Scandinavian language and be submitted by the stipulated deadline.
We offer
- Good welfare arrangements for employees
- Good arrangements for pension, insurance and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
More information about moving to Tromsø: uit.no/mobility
Other information
UiT’s HR policy objectives emphasises diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. UiT is an will make the necessary adaptations in order to facilitate 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.
Applicants should also refer to the Supplementary regulations for appointment to postdoktor (Postdoctoral Fellow), stipendiat (PhD) and vitenskapelig assistent (Research Assistant) positions at UiT and to the Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for posts of postdoktor (Postdoctoral Fellow), stipendiat (PhD), vitenskapelig assistent (Research Assistant) and spesialistkandidat (Resident).(In Norwegian only).