Research Technician MEMELAND

The position

The Arctic University of Norway (in Tromsø), has vacant position as research technician. The position is on the ERC Synergy funded project “MEMELAND – Molecular Ecology of Medieval European Landscapes”.

The successful candidate will join a team that will core lakes in north west Europe from Poland to Ireland and do metabarcoding and lithological analyses of lake-sediment cores to obtain information on past vascular plant species including crops, herbivores and other animals. These data, together with similar data from southern Europe will be used together with dating models and archaeobotanical data to reveal the nature of medieval agriculture across Europe. The full project team includes The Paris-Loudon University in Salzburg (chronology and erosion), the University of Oxford (archaeobotany and palynology), eawag Zurich (biomarkers) and Charles University Prague (modelling).

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

Job description

This position is a laboratory technician on the MEMELAND project responsible for core sampling, sedaDNA extraction, library preparation, PCR setup and running and delivery of vials to the sequencer. Other technical work may include sampling for 14C dating, qPCR, tape-station setup and the running of our Miniseq system. Full instruction will be given in all these tasks. We are also robotising the lab so the successful candidate will gain experience in robot setup and running. Together the work package should provide a valuable grounding in DNA laboratory methods and be marketable in a variety of research and commercial settings. Experience coring sites in the field may also be available.

This position is attached to the Research Group of Natural Sciences and Archaeology and the ArcEcoGEN Auroral Research Centre (https://uit.no/research/arcecogen). Natural Sciences is responsible for developing and maintaining scientific collections of objects (animals, plants, fossils and minerals) as well as public outreach, including the Tromsø Arctic Alpine Botanical Garden. Archaeology is responsible for the archaeological collections at the Arctic University Museum of Norway in Tromsø as well as cultural heritage management and research-based excavations in Northern Norway. Combined the research groups have a permanent staff of approximately 21, of which 16 are in academic positions. At the moment, 9 PhD students and 4 postdoctoral researchers are connected to Natural Sciences. The botany research group has laboratories for environmental archaeology, modern and ancient DNA analyses. These labs will be upgraded significantly in 2025 with full sample integration and robotisation of many sedaDNA processes, making them world class in this area of research. Natural Sciences currently involved in three large projects: “MEMELAND”, “IceAgent” and “Norwegian Barcode of Life”. The latter includes full genome sequencing of the entire Norwegian flora. For more information: Natural Sciences at the Arctic Museum of Norway. The Archaeology research group has 5 permanent academic research positions and a variable number of field archaeologists in technical positions. The primary focus of ongoing research is on prehistoric and historic archaeology within the region and comparative regions.

The MEMELAND project is a collaboration among staff at the University Museum, Department of Environment and Diversity, Paris-Loudon University, Salzburg, The Institute of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, Department of Surface Waters Research & Management eawag Zurich and the Laboratory of Quantitative Ecology at Charles University Prague. The project also supports several other researchers at Tromsø and at the partner institutions.

Changes in job responsibilities after the end of the project period should be expected.

Qualifications

• A Norwegian bachelors or masters degree in the subject area concerned or a corresponding foreign degree recognised as equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor or masters degree
• Familiarity with scientific lab environments
• English language skills
• A current driving license

For further permanent employment beyond the project period, it is expected that the candidate acquires and documents Norwegian language skills equivalent to level B2.

• Experience in the laboratory procedures for DNA extraction and analyses from sediments is desirable but not required as training can be given
• A natural sciences and/or molecular sciences background and be familiar with molecular laboratory practice
• Experience of the implementation of robotic systems
• Practical equipment-related skills both in the lab and field
• Willingness and interest in moving into this research field.
• German, French, Italian and Scandinavian language skills are advantages.
• Personal fit to the team and teamwork skills are important. Average physical condition is sufficient for the fieldwork.

The assessment will emphasize the candidates motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who have:

• Good collaboration skills
• Abilities for good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
• Abilities and desires to contribute to a good working environment

We offer

• A good working environment with dedicated colleagues
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund

Remuneration of the position is in salary code 1085 or 1087 on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, depending on qualifications. There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. As a state employee, you have one of the best pension schemes availiable. For more information see: spk.no.

Application

The application must be submitted electronically via www.jobbnorge.no, and shall include:

• Letter of application
• CV (containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work)
• Certified copies of diploma for completed degrees
• Documentation of English language proficiency (not needed for native English speakers, Scandinavians or people educated in EU/EFTA)
• List of referees with contact information.

All documentation that is to be evaluated must be certified and translated into English or a Scandinavian language and be submitted by the stipulated deadline.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University i Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity is a strength and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

General information

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 will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability. Questions can be directed to the contact person for the position.

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.