PhD Research Fellow in Coastal Ecology

About the position

A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Coastal Ecology, affiliated to the Department of Natural Sciences, for a period of three years, or four years with 25% work related to data management. The position is located at Campus Kristiansand.

The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty. 

Responsibilities

The position is integrated into the research group of Prof. Tove M. Gabrielsen and will study the coastal ecosystems of SE Norway focusing on the pelagic system and its short-term and long-term influences from environmental change. In particular, the successful candidate will utilize data from newly established coastal observatories, time-series data and new collections of plankton and watermass samples and data from the Agder coastline. Relevant questions are related to the changes in plankton communities related to different environmental drivers of change. Candidates with relevant skills and work experience in data management and publishing of oceanographic or biological data may be offered a contract of 4 years with 25% work related to management and publishing of data related to the time series and coastal observatories.

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Scineces. 

Required qualifications

• Finished master degree in Marine Biology, Limnology or similar
• Background in plankton or microbial ecology
• Proficiency using data visualization/analysis tools such as R

The working language at the University of Agder is Norwegian, and good knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage. The successful candidate must be proficient in English, both written and oral.

Criteria for positions as PhD Research Fellow (in Norwegian).

Desired qualifications

• Experience from metabarcoding studies including relevant bioinformatic analyses
• Molecular tools such as DNA/RNA extraction and PCR
• Field work experience
• Experience from experimental work
• Management of oceanographic or biological data
• Work towards scientific data publications

Personal qualities

• Structured work routines
• Good collaborative skills
• Motivation for independent, scientific work

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 
• membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 550 800 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. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.

A background check may be carried out to verify information stated in the CV and available documents. Background checks are not conducted without the applicant's consent, and relevant applicants will receive further information about this. You can find more information about background checks at UiA here (in Norwegian): Ansvarlighet i internasjonale ansettelser og mottak av gjesteforskere - For ansatte

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
• References
• Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these
• Project description with a maximum scope of 2 pages, including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, a progress plan, and methods within the given framework
• Any other relevant documentation

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English. 

Application deadline: 23.02.26

Contact

For questions about the position: 

Professor Tove Margrethe Gabrielsen, tel. 90 14 14 98, e-mail tove.m.gabrielsen@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

HR-Advisor, Linda H. Kristiansen, tel. +47 38 14 11 88, e-mail: linda.h.kristiansen@uia.no

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMM-5UKuldA