The University of Agder has more than 1400 employees and 13 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.
We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.
About the position
A fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Marine Biology, affiliated to the Department of Natural Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Kristiansand. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.
The marine group at the Department of Natural Sciences comprises around 20 people including professors, professors II, researchers II, postdocs and PhD fellows. The successful candidate will benefit from collaboration within the CCR (Centre for Coastal Research) which includes Grid-Arendal, NIVA, the University of Oslo, and the Institute of Marine Research. CCR is currently a Priority Research Centre at UiA.
Responsibilities
The PhD position is connected to a collaboration with the local blue growth industry and will focus on the potential use of microalgae in fish feed. Research topics for the PhD Research Fellow include, but are not limited to the following:
Characterization of fatty acid (FA) composition in select marine microalgae
Environmental influence (light, nutrient availability etc) of the FA composition of marine microalgae in situ in a seasonal perspective
Optimization of the growth and FA composition of select microalgal strains
Required qualifications
Master’s degree in marine biology or a similar/related field and documented competence in areas relevant to the position. Candidates who are in the final stage of the master’s education within the relevant field may also be considered, given that a master’s degree is to be achieved before the enrollment of this position.
Strong academic credentials
The ideal candidate will have expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Cultivation of microalgae
Experiments using plankton
Marine field work
Molecular genetic tools
GC analyses
Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.
Experience with statistical programming (for instance R) is an advantage. As the field and experimental facilities are located off Campus, a drivers licence is an advantage.
Personal qualities
The successful candidate is expected to contribute to an active research environment and should have good communication and teamwork skills as well as the ability to work independently in a goal-oriented, organized way.
Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.
We offer
Professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 482 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.
The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.
Application
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
Certificates with grades
Master’s thesis/Summary (approximately 1-2 pages) of the master's thesis; For those who are in the final stage of the Master’s education but without a Master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later.
Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution;
Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these
Summary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any);
A suggested project description with a maximum scope of 3 pages, including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material and methods within the given framework
Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date);
References
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in English or in a Scandinavian language.