PhD Fellow in Sea Ice Microbial Diversity and Production

at  UiT Norges Arktiske Universitet

The position
A position as PhD Fellow on the study of microbial (i.e. algae, bacteria, fungi) taxonomic diversity and productivity in the sea ice biome is available at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB), Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) affiliated with the Arctic Marine System Ecology research group and the European Research Council Starting Grant project Micro-SHIFT.
The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.
The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.
The Department of Arctic and Marine Biology
The Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) includes 6 research groups. Research and teaching at AMB has a broad span, from molecular mechanisms at cellular/subcellular levels via studies of adaptations at the organismal level, to ecological interactions in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The institute is an exciting and cutting-edge academic and research unit in biology that addresses challenges in basic research, industrial and administrative-oriented research with a strong focus on the North. The Institute has extensive national and international research collaboration including regional institutions like Framsenteret, IMR and NIBIO.
Micro-SHIFT - Microbial life of Sea ice Habitats Investigated for The Arctic
The PhD project is affiliated with the European Research Council project Micro-SHIFT – Microbial life of Sea ice Habitats Investigated for The Arctic. The project will comprehensively assess the biodiversity and productivity of microorganisms living in association with sea ice in the Arctic. It will evaluate the potential for these microbial communities to acclimate to environmental change. The project is based within the Laboratory for Sea Ice Biome Research (iSI-Bio) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Project work will include fieldwork, analyses of taxonomic and biogeochemical samples and culture-based experimental work within iSI-Bio.
The project
The PhD project will focus on characterizing the drivers of algal species selection and acclimation potential across sea ice microhabitats, including field-based work on mixed communities and iSI-Bio experiments on isolated cultures. The candidate will also assess the physical-chemical drivers of microbial (e.g. algal, bacterial and fungal) diversity more broadly and work to partition their relative contributions to production and respiration within the sea ice biome.
We are looking for a motivated person who will work independently and function well as part of a team. They will work collaboratively with other members of the Micro-SHIFT project and will be integrated into the networks of UiT and the Arctic Science Partnership. Thesis work will be part of the Micro-SHIFT project, led by Associate Professor Karley Campbell.
The applicant must present a document that summarizes their scientific interests and motivation for undertaking the PhD program. This document should not exceed 2 pages, including references. It must have an example of PhD project idea, potentially including a description of the topic, research question(s) and proposed methodology. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor upon commencement of the PhD position.
Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Karley Campbell:

• email: karley.l.campbell@uit.no

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Microbiology, Environmental Science, Marine Science or similar, from a Norwegian institution or equivalent degree programme. 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 and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.
• Experience working with microbial cultures for the purposes of experimentation
• Experience with biogeochemical analyses (e.g. carbon, nutrients & microbial production)
• Documented evidence of previous contributions to peer-reviewed literature (i.e. lead or co-authorship)
• The applicant must document fluency in English (written and oral)

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Additional technical skills in microbiology (e.g. sequencing) and data processing/statistical assessments is a strong asset. A background working with technical instrumentation (e.g. O2 and nutrient sensors) and sea ice environments is a benefit. Interest in microbiology and biogeochemistry within laboratory setting is essential to the position. Willingness to participate in complimentary field-based studies on sea ice is valuable. The candidate should also be open to building Norwegian language over the course of their programme.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have good collaboration skills
• Have good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
• Want to contribute to a good working environment

As many people 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.
Admission to the PhD programme
For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:

• A bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS and a master’s degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS.
• A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master’s degree of 120 ECTS.
• A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS.

Grade requirements applies both to the master thesis as well as courses part of the master’s degree. The minimum requirements are grade B or better on the master’s degree, and an average grade of B or better on courses that are part of the master’s degree, or the last two years in an integrated master’s degree. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.
If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position.
Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a 2-year master’s degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
Inclusion and diversity
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.
If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project
• Good career opportunities
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 536 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.
More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility
Application

Your application must include:

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diploma for bachelor’s and master’s degree
• Transcript of grades/academic record for all degrees
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 2-3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works
• Project description (max 2 pages)

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.
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 draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants.
The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position.
General information
The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.
After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.
Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted.
A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.
We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.
Eallju - Developing the High North
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus research university 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 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.
Deadline
20th February 2025
Employer
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Municipality
Tromsø - Romsa
Scope
Fulltime
Duration
Fixed Term
Place of service
Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9019 Troms

Please refer the Job description for details