Ledig stilling ved UiT Norges arktiske universitet
Tenure - Track Assosiate Professor in Microbiome research related to human microbiota
Deadline: 05.04.2019
About the position
UiT - The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) has a tenure-track position as Associate Professor available within Microbiome Research related to human microbiota, hosted by the Department of Medical Biology (IMB) and associated to Centre for new antibacterial (CANS).
Centre for new antibacterial strategies (CANS) is a new, large strategic interdisciplinary centre at UiT – the Arctic University of Norway for research, education, innovation and dissemination related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). CANS currently involves fourteen research groups located at three faculties and covers topics within marine bioprospecting – identification and characterization of new antibacterial activities, design and synthesis of new antibiotics and resistance inhibitors, the evolution and molecular epidemiology of AMR, host-microbe-drug interactions as well as antibiotic stewardship. The centre aims to strengthen current activities, but also support new basic research in novel concepts for sustainable antibacterial activities in AMR-prevention and treatment strategies through new permanent and temporary (tenure-track, postdoc and PhD) positions.
The appointment is for a period of 6 years. We offer a competitive start- up package to the successful applicant.
We are looking for a highly talented candidate with great scientific potential, to strengthen and further develop the existing research within antimicrobial resistance research at IMB and CANS. Normally, tenure-track positions are for candidates who obtained their PhD within the last five years. The workplace will be at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), campus Tromsø.
The position`s affiliation
The candidate will be affiliated to the Host-Microbe Interactions Research Group (HMI), with the possibility of establishing a new research group within Department of Medical Biology (IMB). IMB is one out of ten departments at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
IMB has approximately 180 employees, host 14 research groups involved in international collaborative projects, runs study programs at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, and provides access to state of the art core facilities within bioimaging (microscopy and preclinical-PET), proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, bioinformatics, and clinical research. The Faculty also provides access to a modern research facility for both large and small research animals.
Contacts
Further information about the position is available by contacting:
- Professor Arnfinn Sundsfjord, Director of CANS, Department of Medical Biology; Phone +47 90616118, email arnfinn.sundsfjord@uit.no
- Associate professor Gunbjørg Svineng, Head of Department of Medical Biology; Phone +47 77646757, email gunbjorg.svineng@uit.no
The field of research
The successful candidate is expected to perform independent basic research within host-microbiome interactions. The proposed research is expected to comply with the CANS agenda on novel strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. For example, research fields may include fundamental mechanistic research on how intestinal commensals provide indirect (host cell modifications) and direct (strictly inter-bacterial competition) colonization resistance.
We welcome competitive candidates’ alternative research perspectives within the outlined frame-work. All candidates must submit a statement of their vision for how they will strengthen this research.
Qualification requirements
The candidate:
- Must document a Norwegian doctoral degree or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree, or competence at a corresponding level documented by academic work of the same scope and quality.
- Must document a high international standard in the field of host-microbiome research and experience in executing independent original research. The assessment will emphasise scientific publications in internationally recognised peer review journals.
- Possess excellent verbal and written English communication skills. Non-Scandinavian applicants must be willing to learn Norwegian and pass the language exam level B2 (“Bergenstesten” or equivalent) within the tenure-track period.
- Should outline the ability to attract external funding. We expect you to secure substantial additional funding through national or international grants.
- Documented mobility and participation in international research networks is advantageous
- Documented experience with project management, student supervision, and outreach activities is advantageous.
- Must have a strong educational background in Microbiology or affiliated subjects
The assessment will emphasize scientific excellence and potential, as well as motivation and personal suitability for the position, including ability for communication and collaborative work. Special attention will be given to experienced candidates within molecular microbiology, molecular ecology, bioinformatics or allied disciplines. Commitment to the department’s standard for teaching quality, recruitment and public outreach activities is expected. You must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of the discipline, CANS and the university as a whole.
Teaching qualifications
You must be able to teach in the field of microbiology to students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, including contributing to supervision of master and doctoral thesis projects.
You can document teaching qualifications by submitting a teaching portfolio, see Result website for basic pedagogical competence.
If you lack formal teaching qualifications, you must participate in the formal pedagogical training program to qualify for a permanent position. You must develop an approved teaching portfolio before the final tenure assessment.
About the tenure track programme
The overall purpose of the review system is to ensure and maintain the high academic standards of the university’s senior faculty staff. To help meet these standards, we offer you two mentors.
In the tenure-track programme, you will be subject to two types of reviews during the tenure-track period:
- a mid-career assessment after at most 4 years
- a final tenure assessment after 6 years
Given a positive outcome of the final tenure assessment, you will be appointed to a permanent full-time position as professor. UiT assess professorial competence according to our own and national regulations. UiT follows national guidelines for professorial promotion when evaluating candidates for professorships.
To obtain a permanent position after the tenure period it will be considered as an important criterion that you have obtained external financing of your own research during the tenure period.
Moreover, in addition to the general requirements for qualification as a full professor, the following requirements are set for permanent appointment in this position:
- You should, in the tenure period, demonstrate scientific quality through publications in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals and have an increasing citation rate.
- You should, in the tenure period, demonstrate visibility through international collaboration in terms of common research projects, publications, and exchange activities.
- You should, in the tenure period, demonstrate devotion to education by developing courses and course material, and arrange seminars.
- You should, in the tenure period, demonstrate good academic leadership
- You should, in the tenure period, achieve an approved teaching portfolio
- You should, in the tenure period, obtain Norwegian language skills documented by Bergenstesten (level B2)
We offer
- A competitive start-up package (negotiable).
- A challenging and stimulating working environment.
- Mentorship and administrative support.
- Support on applications for externally funded research projects.
- Good arrangements for pension, insurance and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The remuneration for Associate Professor is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1011. A compulsory contribution of 2% to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. In addition to the salary, UiT pays approximately 12.35% directly to the Pension Fund.
The position requires participation in teaching and supervision. Taking part in teaching of the department’s regular undergraduate and graduate courses and being involved in supervision of PhD students will facilitate achievement of the required teaching experience for qualification as full professor. As a norm, we expect all employees in scientific positions to reserve 5% of their working time for administrative tasks.
More information about moving to Norway: Welcome to UiT
Application
Your application must include:
- Application letter
- A vision statement describing planned research activities within the outlined field of research (max 3 pages, in English)
- CV including list of all academic works
- Diplomas and transcripts
- References: applicants are asked to provide the names, email addresses and phone number of at least three (3) contacts to provide letters of recommendation.
- Teaching portfolio of minimum three pages, informing about your work with students. Describe and reflect on your own teaching, and present contributions to development of teaching. It will typically contain teaching philosophy, documentation of teaching activities demonstrating planning, accomplishments and assessment, evaluations of the teaching, and experiences in developing courses and curricula. Attach certificates, reports, and other relevant documents.
- Description of your academic merits, stating which works you consider most important and your contributions.
- Up to ten peer reviewed publications. The doctoral thesis counts as one work.
All documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language and submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.
Assessment
An expert committee will assess the applicants. The main emphasis will be on the submitted scientific work and your potential for excellence in research. Teaching qualifications, supervision and project management, popularisation/ dissemination of research, your experience in obtaining external research grants, and policy and administration work will also be evaluated.
We will invite the best-qualified applicants to an interview and trial lecture. The interview shall among other things aim to clarify the applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the position.
General information
We make appointments 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 wishes to increase the proportion of females in senior research positions. Female applicants get priority, in the event that two or more applicants are approximately equally qualified.
UiT 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 is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.
We process personal data 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.