Ledig stilling ved UiT Norges arktiske universitet

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Marine Ecosystem Modelling

Deadline: 04.03.2020

The position

A position as Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Ecosystem Modelling is available at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) within the research group Arctic Marine System Ecology. The research project will be focusing on ecosystem modelling within the national Nansen Legacy research project (http://nansenlegacy.org).

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

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.

The position is a fixed term for a period of two years.

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 staff counts 52 permanent scientists, 28 technicians, 9 administrative positions and 65 temporary employees (researchers, postdocs, PhD research fellows, technicians).

The Nansen Legacy is the Norwegian Arctic research community’s joint effort to establish a holistic understanding of the changing marine Arctic climate and ecosystem. The project provides a scientific knowledge base needed for future sustainable resource management in the northern Barents Sea and adjacent Arctic Basin. The Nansen Legacy is a collaborative project between ten Norwegian research institutions, and runs from 2018-2023. Activities in the project include national and international cooperation and cruises with the new, ice-going research vessel Kronprins Haakon. A total of 50 PhD students and post-docs work in the project team.

The position’s field of research

The principal area of research for the current postdoctoral position is to explore the plausible future dynamics of the Barents Sea ecosystem under climate and fishing pressure by using Ecopath with Ecosim and Ecospace (EwE) models, and by synthesising model findings within the Nansen Legacy project.

Within the Nansen Legacy project, the applicant will work on task 4.4 “Developing and using dynamic ecosystem models to simulate key ecosystem properties of the present and future living Barents Sea”. This implies working on the development and application of robust quantitative tools to evaluate model performance and explore plausible responses of the Barents Sea food web to climate and fisheries scenarios.

More specifically, the postdoc will: (i) improve food web resolution of the Barents Sea EwE developed by UiT and develop a spatial component (Ecospace), (ii) evaluate model performance of the Ecospace model and, (iii) run projections with the EwE model under climate and fishery scenarios. Further, the findings will be related to other modelling activities within the project to provide a synthesis on the future Barents Sea. The applicant is expected to write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

Contact

Further information about the position and UiT is available by contacting

Professor Torstein Pedersen;

  • phone +47 77644697
  • Email: Torstein.Pedersen@uit.no

or Professor Raul Primicerio;

  • phone +47 77645549
  • Email: Raul.Primicerio@uit.no

Qualification requirements

The applicant must hold a PhD degree in marine ecology, or related fields, and document solid background in ecological theory, multitrophic ecosystem modelling, applied statistics and programming experience. Skills in ecosystem modelling using the Ecopath with Ecosim and Ecospace modelling system is an advantage. Experience in data collection (sampling) and multiple forms of data input to models is an asset. Experience with multidisciplinary groups and an interest in scientific integration and synthesis of ecosystem processes is advantageous.

The applicant should have good communication skills, both orally and in writing. The application must be written in English. The candidate needs to have published in scientific peer-reviewed journals, and the publication record will be evaluated. We seek applicants who are structured, solution oriented, creative and have good cooperative skills, but who also have the ability to work independently.

It is required that the candidate attaches a short scientific motivation (max 1 page) with suggestion of relevant research questions within the frames of the project.

Application

Your application must include:

  • Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
  • Suggestion for potential post-doc project to be conducted including a progress plan (2 pages excl. references)
  • CV containing a complete overview of education, professional training and professional work
  • Diplomas and transcripts from completed degrees
  • Documentation of English language proficiency
  • Two reference letters and contact information for references
  • List of works using conventional journal citation
  • Description of key messages of published work

During the assessment, emphasis will be on your potential for research, motivation and personal suitability for the position.

The main objective of the appointment as a post-doctoral research fellow is to qualify for work in senior academic position. No one may be appointed to more than one fixed term period as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the same institution.

The documentation have to be in English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept applications sent via www.jobbnorge.no.

We offer

  • Involvement in an interesting research project
  • A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
  • A large degree of independence in work
  • Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
  • Pension scheme through the state pension fund

The appointment is for a period of 2 years.

Remuneration of Postdoctoral Fellow positions are in State salary code 1352. In addition to taxes, a further 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

If you receive a personal overseas research grant from The Research Council of Norway (NFR) it is possible to apply NFR for an extension of the fellowship period corresponding to the length of the stay abroad (minimum three months, maximum 12 months).

The working hours will be utilized for research, research-related activities and research administration.

General

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. UiT and will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability

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.

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