About the position

The PhD employment contract is for four years. The four-year contract includes a year of required duties. Alternatively, the candidate may choose a three-year position which excludes these duties. Applications are also open to this year's master's candidates, with the requirement that the master's degree must be completed by July 1st, 2025. The desired start date is during August, and no later than September 1st.

The project on auroral emission intensities aims to advance our understanding of what the auroral intensities can tell us about the near-Earth space connecting to the upper atmosphere. The goal is to construct a long-term and diurnal distribution of auroral intensities in human understandable units from several different optical auroral instruments over two different latitude regions in order to estimate the auroral energy deposition into the atmosphere as well as investigate the predictability of the intensities based on the solar wind measurements. The project will further study if and how the evolution of auroral structures shows correlation with the emission intensities, and therefore the energy deposition.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a field relevant for the position or the degree must be completed by July 1st, 2025
• Admission to the doctoral program at the University of Bergen is a condition for the employment
• Good knowledge of the auroral ionosphere, good data analysis and programming skills and strong motivation in solving scientific puzzles
• Good problem-solving skills, and overall positive and flexible attitude
• Must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, yet function well in a team
• Proficient in both written and oral English
• Driver’s license class B (valid for Svalbard)

• Previous image analysis experience and understanding of automatic image classification methods
• Experience in living and working in polar or alpine regions
• Experience in teaching

Motivation and personal suitability will be emphasized

We offer

UNIS offers a challenging and varied job in an exciting, pleasant, and international environment. As an employee, you will be a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK), which provides one of the best pension schemes on the market. We also offer excellent insurance schemes, coverage of travel and relocation expenses upon starting the position, and staff housing in accordance with current regulations.

The position is classified under the job code “Stipendiat” (code 1017). In addition to the base salary, a Svalbard allowance of NOK 42.840 per annum is provided. A 2 % contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. The income tax rate in Svalbard is currently 8 %, and a national insurance contribution of 7.7 % is also deducted.

Application

Professor Noora Partamies, email: noora.partamies@unis.no

Researcher Katie Herlingshaw, email: katieh@unis.no

• Motivational letter (max. 1 page) to state applicants scientific and personal interest in pursuing a Ph.D. on the announced topic and at UNIS
• Full academic CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing the completion of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, alternatively an official confirmation that the master’s degree will be completed by 1st July, 2025
• Contact information for two references, one of which must be your master's supervisor

It is possible to request that your name/application be exempt from public disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Offentlighetsloven) § 25. The request must be justified. Please note that if the request is not granted, the applicant will be contacted and given the opportunity to withdraw the application.

One of UNIS’ values is inclusion. We are committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment in the high Arctic. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

Selection and appointment
A committee appointed by the Managing director of UNIS will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants and invite the highest ranked person(s) for an interview. The appointment will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation from the committee.