PhD Fellow in Biology/Marin Ecology

31st December 2023
Languages
English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English
Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics
PhD Fellow in Biology/Marin Ecology
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The position

A PhD position in biology/marine ecology is available at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB), Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) with the research group Arctic Marine System Ecology (AMSE). The PhD position focuses on multi-stressor modulated species interactions in coastal ecosystems. The outlined research project aims to increase our understanding of high-latitude coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems are expected to be considerably challenged by ongoing and future climate change.

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.

Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB)

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.

The project

The main objectives of this PhD-project are (i) to disentangle effects of freshwater and desiccation stress on dogwhelk-mussel-(canopy-forming) seaweed interactions, (ii) assess whether and, if applicable, estimate by how much intertidal benthic community structure and functioning is modified as well as (iii) disclosure of the underlying mechanisms. Planned field work includes observational studies on species distributions across stress gradients and implementation of manipulative experiments. A 100-tank facility is available, which allows setting up controlled lab experiments to assess variation of predator-prey interaction strength. Morphological and physiological parameters of predators and prey shall be quantified to estimate magnitude of stress responses and type of expressed defensive traits. The project includes collaboration with the Melzner lab (GEOMAR , Kiel, Germany).

The successful candidate is expected to actively contribute to the development of this PhD project. Topics may include but are not limited to observational and experimental assessment of spatial variability of biota abundances and interaction strengths as well as quantification of variation in physiological traits to environmental stressors. The position will include teaching duties, which are especially assigned to ecology courses at UiT.

The applicants must present a description outlining the academic basis of the PhD project. The project outline shall not exceed 2 pages, literature references included. It must include a description of the topic, research question(s) and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact professor Markus Molis:

• phone: +47 77 66 02 93
• e-mail: [email protected]

Jon Terje Hellren Hansen, Marius Fiskum via Unsplash Jon Terje Hellren Hansen, Marius Fiskum
Qualifications

You must:

• Have a Master of Science degree in Biology, Ecology, Marine Biology, Marine Science, Environmental Science or a related area.
• Have experience in the use of the R-program.
• Be willing to conduct research visits in Germany and field work in Northern Norway.
• Have documented good knowledge of English. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma. 
• Have good knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language, or the willingness to learn Norwegian within 2 years. UiT offers its employees Norwegian language courses at no charge.
• Have drivers licence class B.

It's beneficial if you in addition have:

• A background in marine biology, animal physiology and/or benthic ecology as well as experience with designing and setting up field and/or lab experiments.
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis of multifactorial study designs and experience in using the R-program.
• Peer-reviewed publication of your previous research activities.

We are looking for an open, highly motivated individual who can work independently yet acts as a team player in research and teaching settings. The selection committee will pay special attention towards the candidates’ personal qualifications as the successful candidate will work in close collaboration with members of working groups at UiT and in Germany. Study and/or work experience abroad as well as contributing to project development is considered advantageous.

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.

Assessment

During this assessment process, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s potential for research as shown by:

• master's thesis or equivalent
• any other academic works
• project description
• reported experience regarding use of the R-program.

Additional consideration concerns work experience and other activities of significance for the implementation of the PhD studies as well as to any teaching qualifications, such as teaching education, teaching experience, popularization, outreach, and experience or education in other types of dissemination.

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. 

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Grade requirements applies both to the master thesis as well as courses part of the master’s degree. The minimum requirements are grade C or better on the master’s degree, and grade C or better on courses that are part of the master’s degree. A grade lower than C in one course may be compensated by a higher grade than C in another course. If the applicant has two subjects with the grade D or lower, the applicant is not qualified for admission. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here .

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 NOKUT . 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. 

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 six weeks after taking up the position. 

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.

Jon Terje Hellren Hansen, Ola Røe via Unsplash Jon Terje Hellren Hansen, Ola Røe
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 532 200 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: 

• letter of application addressing required and beneficial qualifications
• CV (containing a complete overview of education, professional training and work)
• diploma and transcript of your Bachelor`s degree or equivalent
• diploma and transcript of your Master`s degree or equivalent
• explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• PDF of master's thesis
• description of your experience of using the R-program (max. 0,5 page)
• project outline: outline your ideas on possible project development (max. 2 pages)
• copy of a valid driver’s license, minimum class B
• documentation of English proficiency
• contact information of two references
• list of disseminated research, including information abouto peer-reviewed articles: author(s), year, publication title, journal (name & volume), first & last page of articleo other: author(s), year, publication title, publisher, publication, page number.

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. You may still apply if you are in the final stages of the master’s degree, but the master’s thesis must be submitted for evaluation within the application deadline. You must submit the thesis and transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

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. 

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.

 

Apply for this job
Deadline

31st December 2023

Employer

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Municipality

Tromsø - Romsa

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9019 Tromsø

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