PhD Research Fellow in Marine Genomics and 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 Marine Genomics and Coastal Ecology, affiliated to the Department of Natural Sciences, for a period of three years. For suitable candidates there is the possibility of extending the period to 4 years to include 25 % teaching duties.

The position is located at UiAs offices at Institute of Marine Research, Flødevigen, but the candidate is expected also to work at UiA, Campus Kristiansand.  The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty. 

The position is integrated into the Marine Genomics research group disentangling spatial and adaptive patterns and mechanisms of various marine organisms in coastal marine ecosystems.

The candidate will be affiliated with Centre for Coastal Research (CCR) , a research center hosted by University of Agder (UiA). CCR is a collaboration between regional research institutions with participation from Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE).

Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to study how genomic diversity and structure are influenced by ecological interactions and evolutionary processes in the marine environment. The successful candidate will apply cutting-edge genomic tools to disentangle ecological adaptation and spatiotemporal trends in marine species. 

You will analyze large-scale genomic datasets to uncover ecological and evolutionary drivers of change in fluctuating and heterogenous environments highly affected by a changing climate and other human impacts. 
The project will involve molecular biology, field- and experimental work, bioinformatics and statistical modeling. Strong analytical skills and experience in genomics and evolutionary biology are desirable. 
As a PhD candidate, you will collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team and contribute to advancing sustainable marine resource management. 
If you are passionate about marine genomics and evolutionary biology, we encourage you to apply!

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

Required qualifications

The successful candidate should hold a MSc degree in a relevant field within biology or ecology.

• Strong interest in ecological end evolutionary processes
• Considerable practical experience from molecular biology 
• Practical experience with statistical programming in R or python
• Written and spoken English proficiency. 

As a general rule, the following normally apply: 

• The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher
• The average grade for all courses (including the dissertation) in the master’s degree should be B (or equivalent) or higher
• The master's dissertation (or equivalent) should have the grade B (or equivalent) or higher

When the applicant's average grades are lower than required, the hosting research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Science must document the probability of the applicant being able to complete the PhD programme. In such an event, the Faculty of Engineering and Science may recommend extra requirements to be included in the basis for admission.

International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better: 

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paper based Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)

• IELTS – International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

• Field work experience
• Relevant competence within bioinformatics
• Experience with analyses of large datasets

• Experience from scientific data publications
• Understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems
• Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, both written and spoken.

Personal qualities

The PhD candidate will be expected to take part in an active research group, publishing in the forefront of science, that will give opportunities for personal and professional development. The appointee must have the ability to work creatively and independently. Motivation for scientific work, structured work routines, collaborative skills and ability to contribute positively to a collegial environment are also expected. 

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasized. 

We offer

• professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organization 
• 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 536 200 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. 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: 

• Cover letter describing your motivation to apply, your scientific suitability for the position, research project participation and pedagogical experience. 
• Certificates with grades
• Master’s thesis
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these
• A description of your research interests, experience and skills and their relevance for the advertised position (max. 2 pages)
• 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: 20.04.25

Contact

For questions about the position: 

• Professor Halvor Knutsen tel. 924 09 667, e- mail halvor.knutsen@hi.no
• Associate professor Marte Sodeland, tel. 975 89 188, marte.sodeland@uia.no. 

For questions about the application process:

• HR-advisor Linda H. Kristiansen, tel. 481 40 609, 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?

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