PhD Fellow in terrestrial Quaternary and glacial geology

The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science and Technology in terrestrial Quaternary and glacial geology with the aim of reconstructing the Late Quaternary glacial and environmental history of Svalbard using mainly terrestrial geological data. The project is within the Sedimentary Systems, Paleoclimates and Environments group.

The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties relevant for the Department of Geosciences. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

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

The position’s field of research

The configuration and dynamics of the Late Weichselian Svalbard-Barents Sea Ice Sheet (SBSIS) is relatively well understood in comparison to the SBSIS during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 (c. 71-57 kyr BP) and the subsequent interstadial in MIS 3 (c. 57-29 kyr BP). This project aims to reconstruct the glacial and environmental history of Svalbard during MIS 4 and 3 based on terrestrial geological archives. On Svalbard, key terrestrial sedimentary sequences provide an opportunity for such studies. For example, shallowing-upwards emergence sequences deposited during glacioisostatic rebound indicate large-scale glaciation during MIS 4. However, there is a scarcity of empirical field data available to constrain the extent, configuration, dynamic behavior, timing, and pattern of deglaciation of this ice sheet. Knowledge of the ice-sheet boundary conditions and geological environments in Svalbard since the MIS 4 stadial and into the MIS 3 interstadial is fragmented, and there are large uncertainties on the timing and nature of this period, advocating for new datings and improved geochronological control.

Identification and mapping of raised beaches and other sea-level related landforms above the Late Weichselian marine limit can potentially provide new knowledge about the deglaciation after MIS 4 and the subsequent glacioisostatic rebound. Several sites have been identified on Svalbard, but their age, depositional processes, and indication of relative sea level is not understood in detail. Therefore, this project aims to fill this knowledge gap, contributing with new geomorphological, sedimentological, and geochronological data from Svalbard.

The applicants must present a description outlining the academic basis of the PhD project. The project description shall not exceed 2 pages, literature references included. It must include a description of the topic, 3-5 key research question(s) and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor. 

Want to know more about the position?

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Anders Schomacker: 

• phone: +47 95523464
• email: anders.schomacker@uit.no

Qualifications

This position requires:

• A master’s degree in geology, or equivalent, focusing on terrestrial Quaternary and glacial geology and/or Quaternary paleoclimatology.
• Ability and willingness to participate in physically demanding field campaigns in Svalbard or other Arctic locations for up to several weeks each year.
• Willingness to longer visits at international and national partner institutions. The project is carried out in collaboration with The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), and the successful candidate must be able and willing to spend significant amounts of time at UNIS or elsewhere for lab analyses, data analysis, and scientific collaboration.
• Good written and oral skills in English and ability to work in an international research environment. Nordic applicants can document their English qualifications by attaching their high school diploma.
• A driver’s license that is valid in Norway (equivalent to Norwegian license class B), prior to starting the position.

If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply.

It is considered an advantage if you have:

• Knowledge about Arctic Quaternary glacial and environmental history and paleoclimatic reconstructions.
• Experience with terrestrial fieldwork in polar environments.
• Experience with teaching, scientific publication, conference presentations, and grant applications.
• Experience with GIS and/or geomorphological mapping.
• Fluency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. The project description will also be considered. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

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

• Are independent, creative, and engaged.
• Have strong problem-solving skills.
• Have excellent collaboration skills.
• Have excellent communication and interaction with colleagues and students.
• Wants to contribute to a good working environment.

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

In order to gain admission to the programme, the candidate must document sufficient potential for research. The applicant must have a grade point average of C (strong 3.0) or better for the master’s degree, which must contain an independent work. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of 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 are 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 at 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.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Opportunities to join Arctic research expeditions and fieldwork
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 550 800 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
• If you have to relocate to Tromsø then the Faculty of Science and Technology may reimburse your moving costs. Further details regarding this matter will be made available if you receive an offer from us.

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

How to apply

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests (max. 1 page)
• CV
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Official transcripts of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language (if applicable)
• 2-3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis or advanced thesis draft, and any other academic works
• Project description (not to exceed 2 pages)

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

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. 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

Assessment 

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants. 

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position.