Ph.D position in Arctic Environmental Technology at The University
Centre on Svalbard (UNIS)
For more information contact:
Associate Professor Per Johan Brandvik (per.johan.brandvik [at] unis.no)
or Director Audhild Schanche (audhild.schanche [at] unis.no)
Deadline for applications: 3 October 2003
General
The Department of Arctic Technology at the University Centre on Svalbard
(UNIS), Svalbard, Norway, invites applicants for a Ph.D position in
Arctic Environmental Technology.
UNIS is a state-owned limited company. Norway's four mainland
universities are represented on the board. UNIS is located in a modern
facility in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, well supplied with both technical
and scientific equipment and laboratories. The institution has access to
infrastructure for both marine and terrestrial field research on
Svalbard. The studies at UNIS are marketed internationally, and all
classes are offered in English. In 2003 students from 21 countries are
represented at UNIS.
Description of the Vacant Positions
The vacant position is part of the research project "Weathering of
marine oil spills under Arctic conditions" funded by the Norwegian
Research Council. The project is organised and headed by the Department
of Arctic Technology at UNIS. Three other organisations are partners in
the project; SINTEF Applied Chemistry, University of Bergen, Department
of Chemistry (UiB) and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU).
The vacant position is located at UNIS in Longyearbyen.
The objective of this project is to investigate the weathering processes
in marine oil spills under Arctic conditions. The focus will be on the
following processes: weathering of the bulk oil phase (evaporation,
w/o-emulsification and dispersion), dissolution of water-soluble
components, photo-oxidation and biodegradation processes. UNIS and the
partners offer unique facilities to perform both laboratory and in-situ
field experiments with experimental oil spills. Applicants must describe
a Ph.D-project within the scope of this project.
A successful candidate should have thorough academic background in
organic environmental- and analytical chemistry. Candidates with
knowledge within biology, and preferable microbiology will be preferred.
Candidates with field experience will also be preferred. The candidate
must have sufficient qualification to be accepted as a dr.scient-student
at a Norwegian university (UiB/UNIS).
Employment Conditions for Faculty Positions at UNIS
The employment contract is of 3 years. We also offer furnished,
reasonably priced housing.
The successful candidate is expected to contribute actively in ongoing
scientific activities at the department. He/she is also expected to take
an active part in the advancement of his/her field of research and must
also be willing to contribute to the development of UNIS in a more
general sense.
Salary
All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government's
University salary scale.
Ph.D. students are offered a gross salary of NOK 276 100. An annual
allowance of NOK 18 400 (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to staff
salaries provided that they are residents on Svalbard.
A Social Security contribution of 2 per cent, to the Norwegian Public
Service Pension Fund, will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on
Svalbard is 6 per cent, plus 7.8 per cent toward National Insurance
coverage.
Selection and appointment
An expert Committee will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants.
The Committee will review the applications in detail. The appointment
will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation from
the Committee.
Application
Inquiries about this position may be directed to:
Associate Professor Per Johan Brandvik, phone no: +47-7902 3352, e-mail:
per.johan.brandvik [at] unis.no or Director Audhild Schanche, phone no:
+47-7902 3305, e-mail: audhild.schanche [at] unis.no
Deadline for applications is 3rd of October 2003.
Applicants should submit 3 copies of:
Curriculum vitae (including a full list of publications & previously held grants)
A project description including a tentative time schedule.
To:
The University Centre on Svalbard
P.O. Box 156
N-9171 Longyearbyen
Norway