PhD Infection Biology of Bacteria Causing Skin Ulcer in Salmon

at  UiT Norges Arktiske Universitet

The position
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS), The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) is searching for a PhD student to study aspects infection biology in fish. The position is affiliated with the research groups in genetics (RGG).
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 related to outreach and engineering tasks relevant to the project. 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 Campus Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.
Teaching and/or other duties may be related to the thematic areas of the research group in genetics. The research groups in genetics (RGG) undertake studies the genetics and genomics of Arctic and sub-Arctic fishes, together with more functional studies on host-pathogen interaction. RGG have particular interest in elucidating the mechanisms of speciation, adaptations to the environment, and genetic and biological interactions. How climate change and biological invasions intervene with these mechanisms is also of interest. The group uses genetic and genomic methods (in the broadest sense) in combination with classical and advanced approaches in biology.
The project / The position’s field of research
The PhD position is funded by UiT, and is associated to a project funded by the Research Council of Norway.
The project involves development of an “organ-on-a-chip” approach where fish skin samples will be used to assess how bacteria impact fish epithelial layer with continuous assessment using advances microscopes.
It also involves microscopical analysis of the healing mechanisms of fish skin ulcers, especially with regard to the importance of skin epithelial cells in tissue regeneration.
Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Researcher Roy A. Dalmo:

• phone: +47 95 26 64 93
• email: roy.dalmo@uit.no

or Head of Department Petter Holm:

• phone: +47 77 64 55 48
• email: petter.holm@uit.no

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in biotechnology and advanced microscopy
• Experience to harvest cells from fish and assessment of cells using advanced microscopy (more advanced than standard laboratory microscopes)
• Experience to label cell organelles using dyes
• Good academic performances at master´s level, and a genuine interest and motivation for performing research
• Fluency in English language. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in using standard laboratory equipment such as cell incubators and equipment for sterile work
• Have basic understanding of Norwegian language or other Scandinavian language
• Interest in outreach, communication, and social media strategy
• Driver’s license (equivalent to or Norwegian class B)
  In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant’s potential to complete a research education based on the master’s thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration. Personal qualifications and suitability will be emphasised; the candidate’s personal qualifications should include excellent interpersonal and communication skills and an enthusiasm to work as a member of a collaborative research team.
  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.
UiT

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 bachelor’s and master’s degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language (if applicable)
• References with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

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.
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. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.
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
24th 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