PhD position in plant biology at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology
Application deadline: 15.11.2016
Applications shall be marked: 2016/3213
The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), UiT The Arctic University of Norway has a PhD position vacant in Plant biology for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The position is attached to the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology(AMB) and the research group of Microorganisms and Plants. The working place will be at Biological Climate Laboratory, Holt.
The appointment is for a period of four years
The PhD position is for a fixed term, with the objective of completion of research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD Candidate shall participate in the faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project shall be completed during the period of employment. Information about the application process for admission to the PhD programme and regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) are available at the following address Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics. PhD web pages.
The Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) includes eight 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 staff counts 52 permanent scientists, 23 technicians, 7 administrative positions and 60 temporary employees (researchers, postdocs, PhD research fellows, technicians).
Climate laboratory Holt is jointly maintained by UiT The Arctic University of Norway and Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO). The Climate laboratory offers excellent, newly renovated facilities for the temperature controlled experiments with 6 day light and 4 dark/artificial light phytotrons for experimental use. In addition, relative humidity, light intensity, quality and photoperiod can be adjusted. Climate laboratory also has S3 rooms for growing GMO plants, additional greenhouse for growing and maintaining research plants, the facilities for sample preparation, storage and basic equipment for the analytical and molecular biological laboratory work. The most important research topics at the climate laboratory are the effect of climate factors on growth and quality of plants, adaptation of plants to different climate conditions and climate change.
For further information, please contact: Associate professor Laura Jaakola, laura.jaakola@uit.no or phone +4777644899
Research area
The PhD position is focused on regulation of production of bioactive compounds in wild berries. The research work will include setting up controlled experiments with wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) clones, and perform metabolite, transcript, functional, genetic and epigenetic analyses and related bioinformatics.
Qualifications required
The successful applicant holds a M.Sc. degree in plant molecular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology or equivalent. Good knowledge in molecular biology and analytical methods and in bioinformatics are an asset. The candidate should should have a strong willingness to learn new methods and perform studious research work.
Applicants must have a good command of English, both written and verbal. Read more about how to document your language skills.
Working conditions
The normal period of employment is four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year, distributed as 25 % of each year, shall be used for teaching or other duties for the university cf. Guidelines for the PhD candidate’s duties.
The position will especially be assigned teaching duties in the plant biology courses at AMB.
Shorter periods of employment may be approved if the PhD Candidate has already implemented parts of the PhD programme or when the appointment is based on previous appointments in teaching positions (PhD candidate, Research Assistant or the equivalent), such that the total time of the PhD programme is three years.
Remuneration for the position of PhD Candidate is in accordance with State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Sector Pension Fund will be deducted from the gross salary.
Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. During this assessment process, emphasis will be attached to the applicant’s potential for research as shown by:
Master’s thesis or equivalent
any other academic works
In addition, consideration may be given to work experience or other activities of significance for the completion of the PhD studies, and to any teaching qualifications. This includes teaching education, teaching experience, from popularization and experience/education from other types of dissemination. The applicants, who assessed as the best qualified, will be called to an interview.
The interview shall among other things aim to clarify the applicant’s personal suitability for the position.
The application – submitted electronically in www.jobbnorge.no and must include:
Letter of application
CV (containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work)
diploma and transcript from your Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
diploma and transcript from your Master’s degree or equivalent
diploma supplement for completed degrees
Documentation of English language proficiency
reference letter and contact information
List of works and description of these
The list of works shall contain the following information:
author(s), the work’s title
for articles: the journal’s name and volume, the first and last page of the article, year of publication
for publications: publisher, printer, year of publication, number of pages
Works- The applicant have to attach the published or unpublished work he/she wish the Committee be take into consideration during the assessment process
All documentation must be certified and translated into English or a Scandinavian language.
It is required that the documents mentioned above are enclosed in Jobbnorge before the specified deadline.
Applicants invited for an interview should bring original certificates and diplomas.
General information
Applicants shall also refer to the Supplementary regulations for appointment to postdoktor (Postdoctoral Fellow), stipendiat (PhD) and vitenskapelig assistent (Research Assistant) positions at UiT and to the Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of postdoktor (post-doctoral research fellow), stipendiat (research fellow), vitenskapelig assistent (research assistant) and spesialistkandidat (resident).
Questions concerning the organisation of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, possibility for flexible working hours, part time, etc. may be directed to the telephone reference in this announcement.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and therefore encourages qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and will therefore emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.
Personal data given in an application or CV will be processed in accordance with the Act relating to the processing of personal data (the Personal Data Act). In accordance with Section 25 subsection 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, the applicant may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants. However, the University may nevertheless decide that the name of the applicant will be made public. The applicant will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.
In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.
We look forward to receiving your application!
UIT THE ARCTIC UNIVERSITY OF NORWAY
NO– 9037 TROMSØ