PhD Fellow in the field of Salmonid Biology

9 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Department

Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB)

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology
Biological sciences » Zoology
Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science
Biological sciences » Biodiversity

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

7 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
The position

A PhD position is available at the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics . The position will be affiliated to the Arctic chronobiology and physiology research group  (ACP) in the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology  (AMB), with a supervisory team involving collaborators in the fish immunology and vaccinology  (FIV) research group in The Norwegian College of Fishery Sciences and the fish production biology group  at NOFIMA.

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 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 at 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 6 months after receiving the offer.

The project's field of research

The PhD project will focus on the process of smoltification in farmed Atlantic salmon. Smoltification is the process of transformation from a freshwater resident juvenile fish to a migratory form capable of surviving and growing in seawater. Successful completion of this process is a key aspect of Atlantic salmon farming, crucial for animal welfare and economic productivity. The PhD project is linked to a four year NFR funded project "Hubsmolt" which will explore the importance of genetics for completion of smoltification in an aquaculture setting, focusing on newly identified genetic variants that potentially enhance this process. The PhD project will focus on the impact of genetic variation on immunological development and anti-viral performance, and on the underlying physiological mechanisms.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Professor David Hazlerigg:

• phone: +47 77 64 48 71
• email: [email protected]

Qualifications

In the assessment, 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.

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.

The successful applicant should have:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant biological discipline (e.g. immunology, fish health, cellular & molecular biology, endocrinology, neurobiology), with a grading equivalent to Norwegian grade C or better.*
• A good command of basic molecular biology.
• A record of strong academic performances, and a genuine interest and motivation for performing research.
• Strong verbal and written comminication skills in English.

Desirable attributes include: 

• Knowledge of organisms relevant for the project (e.g. salmon or other fish species and viruses affecting the salmon farming industry)
• Previous experience with working with fish biology, fish health, or a background in physiology and genomics.
• Proficiency in Norwegian or other Scandinavian language

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. The successful candidate will:

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

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.

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: 

• Cover letter clearly describing research motivation, relevant training background and personal suitability 
• 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
• Contact information for 3 references
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

Evaluation of all applications will place emphasis on training background, research motivation and personal suitability for the position.

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 transcripts 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.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences » Zoology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biodiversity

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Country

Norway

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/257068/phd-fellow-in-the-field-o…

Contact

City

Tromsø

Website

http://en.uit.no/om/art?p_document_id=343547&dim=179040

Street

Hansine Hansens veg 18

Postal Code

N-9019

STATUS: EXPIRED