A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available at the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science and Technology in Arctic terrestrial microbiology. The position is a part of the research project “Methanotrophic communities in ice” (METHANICE) funded by The Research Council of Norway.
The position is a fixed term position for a duration of 3 years. Appointment to the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow is mainly intended to provide qualification for work in top academic positions. It is a prerequisite that the applicant can carry out the project over the full course of the employment period. No person may hold more than one fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the same institution.
The workplace is at Ui T in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The position is a part of the research project “Methanotrophic communities in ice” (METHANICE) funded by The Research Council of Norway. METHANICE is an international project with collaborators from world-leading institutions in Arctic environmental sciences. This includes The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), NASA and La Rochelle University, France.
The project aims to identify the role of sulfur oxidizing microorganisms associated with terrestrial seasonal ice. This ice forms on top of sub-permafrost groundwater springs during winter, trapping hydrogen sulfide, methane and carbon dioxide bellow a thick ice layer surrounding massive, pressurized aquifers that are oversaturated with these greenhouse gases (GHG). While the aquifers are full of microorganisms, a large proportion of these organisms use sulfur as electron donor, their ecology is overlooked during winter.
The candidate’s objective is to enrich and possibly cultivate the ice associated microbial community to understand their energy and carbon source. The appointed candidate will get access to the new Polar MAGIC labobartory at the Department of Geosciences, Ui T. Polar MAGIC is designed for experimental work on microbial ecosystems at low temperatures (-0.9 – 10 °C) in combination with molecular and analytical tools.
You must submit a project proposal that describes how you scientifically can contribute to described field of research. The proposal must include a progress plan.

For further information about the position, please contact researcher Dimitri Kalenitchenko:

• email: dimitri.kalenitchenko@uit.no

or head of department Matthias Forwick:

• email: matthias.forwick@uit.no

This position requires:

• A doctoral degree in microbiology from a Norwegian university or an equivalent foreign doctoral degree
• Documented experience in environmental microorganisms cultivation in anaerobic conditions
• Experience of working in clean laboratories and using anaerobic bench
• Ability and willingness to work under extreme/harsh (polar) climatic conditions in different seasons
• Bioinformatic or informatic documented skills
• Fluency in English

Applicants must document fluency of in English and be able to work in an international environment. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma. Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is also beneficial. It is expected that the successful candidate is willing to learn Norwegian within two years.
It is considered an advantage if you have:

• Experience of working with sulfur or methane associated microorganisms
• Terrestrial fieldwork experiences
• Experience of working in a team
• A national and/or international research network that you can refer to
• Publications and/or reports
• Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language

In the assessment the main emphasis will be attached to the submitted works and the project proposal for the qualifying work. Emphasis shall also be attached to experience from popularization/dissemination and academic policy and administrative activity.
During the assessment emphasis will be put on the candidate’s motivation, potential for research, 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
• Wants to contribute to a good working environment

At Ui T we put emphasis on the quality, relevance and significance of the research work and not on where the work is published, in accordance with the principles of The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Ui T The Arctic University i 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 is 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 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.

• 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

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 for working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Your application must include:

• Application letter
• Project proposal (max 3 pages)
• CV
• Diplomas and transcripts (all degrees)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Norwegian (or a Scandinavian language) if applicable
• Contact information to 2-3 references
• A list of your academic production
• Description of your academic production, stating which works you consider most important
• Academic works, up to ten. The doctoral thesis is regarded as one work.

If you’re at the final stages of your Ph D, you may still apply if you have submitted your Ph D thesis for doctoral degree evaluation within the application deadline. You must submit the thesis with your application. Documentation of your completed Ph D degree must be submitted before commencement.
All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

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.
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. A trial lecture may also be held.

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at Ui T. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.
The remuneration for Postdoctoral research fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1352. 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.
The successful candidate must be willing to get involved in the ongoing development of their department and the university as a whole.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment.
After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

Ui T The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at Ui T. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.
Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites Ui T across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all Ui T’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.
We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.

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