Monday, March 19, 2012

Norway : PhD Research Fellow in Marine Ecology


The University of Agder invites applications for a full-time fixed-term position as Research Fellow in marine ecology for a period of three years at the Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science. The position is currently located in Kristiansand, but it may be pertinent for the candidate to stay at the Institute of Marine Research, Flødevigen or at the University of Oslo for part of the period. The starting date is to be negotiated with the Faculty.
The Department of Natural Sciences presently has research groups in functional ecology and biomedicine. The groups include four Professors, four Associate Professors, one researcher and two Post-doctoral Fellows. There are 3 Research Fellows at the department.
The position as research fellow is a part of the department’s goal for developing marine ecology in cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research, Flødevigen Marine Research Station, and the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) at the University of Oslo. The group at Flødevigen includes 15 researchers, 15 technicians, two post doctors and several master students.
The title of the project is:”Spatial scale of evolutionary processes in the coastal zone: sexual selection, natural selection and fisheries-induced selection in relation to marine protected areas”. The project will focus on evolutionary (genetic) questions linked to the establishment of marine protected areas. Key study species will be the Atlantic cod and the European lobster. The work on lobster will mainly focus on sexual selection and mating systems, contrasting marine protected areas and areas open to fishing. The work on cod will focus on fisheries-induced selection on growth and behavior, also contrasting marine protected areas and areas open to fishing. The aim is to quantify selection using a combination of mark-recapture data and genetic tools. Suggestions from the PhD candidate are also welcome.
The project will have access to data series generated by IMR Flødevigen over many years. New data will also be collected during the PhD period, linked to other ongoing projects. Personal suggestions for research activities will also be considered.
The PhD Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate.
The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work. Relevant practical experience, personal suitability and good teamwork skills will also be emphasised.
The successful applicant must have a master’s degree in marine ecology/population genetics, or equivalent academic/professional background. Experience with conducting genetic parentage analyses is an advantage.
A high level of proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
The following requirements must be met:
Applicants from certain countries must document their English skills through one of the following tests, with the results stated below or better:
  • TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, with a minimum score of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT) or 80 on the Internet based Test (iBT).
  • IELTS – International English Language Testing System, with a result of 6.0.
The list of countries to which this pertains can be found at: http://nokut.no/Documents/NOKUT/Artikkelbibliotek/Utenlandsk_utdanning/GSUlista/GSU-listen_ENG_130111.pdf.
Possible categories of applicants from particular countries may be exempted, see http://nokut.no/Documents/NOKUT/Artikkelbibliotek/Utenlandsk_utdanning/GSUlista/Language_requirements_GSU.pdf. Please note that the English test requirement applies to applicants from most countries according to the list mentioned above. No other English tests will be approved, and certifications/statements cannot replace an English test.
The applicant is expected to have qualifications for admittance to the doctoral programme, which require a minimum of grade B on master degree (for both thesis and courses) and average C on lower degree. Further provisions relating to the position as PhD Research Fellow 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, laid down by the Ministry of Education and Research 31 January 2006, pursuant to section 6-4, paragraph six, of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges. The regulations can be downloaded from www.uia.no/vacancies.
For further information on the regulations and admission requirements, please see the University’s web pages at: http://www.uia.no/en/portals/about_the_university/engineering_and_science/phd/phd and www.uia.no/en/portals/research/phd_programmes/documents. We also refer to criterias for admission to UiO’s Pd.D programs.
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/doctoral-degree-and-career/phd-programme/application/index.html
The position is for a period of three years. The PhD Research Fellow is expected to complete a doctoral dissertation within the period of employment.
The Norwegian public service is committed to reflecting the diversity of society in its work force, and the personnel policy of the University of Agder aims to achieve a balanced workforce. All qualified persons are therefore encouraged to apply for the position, irrespective of cultural background, gender, age or disability.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews. With the applicant's permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment.
Appointment is made by the University of Agder's Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the Civil Service.
The position is remunerated within the State salary scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1017, salary grade 48 (NOK 391.300). A 2 % compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. For information on Norwegian salary grades, see: http://bit.ly/mjBtZt
Applicants must submit their application and CV online. Please click on the link “Send application” at [URL Easycruit]. The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment with the online application:
  • Copies of certificates and/or grades for all post-secondary education, up to and including the bachelor's level, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree.
  • Copy of your master's degree or equivalent, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree.
  • Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach a description of the relevant grading system used at the issuing institution.
  • Summary (approximately 1–2 pages) of the master’s thesis (or “hovedoppgave”) (in special cases the university will ask for the complete master’s thesis).
  • A project description (preliminary).
  • The application is expected to include an outline of the applicant’s research interests and background for the proposed project.
  • Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date) or attach documentation that will give basis for exemption from the English test requirements according to the language requirements list mentioned above.
  • A list of publications (if any) or summary of publications that the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation.


Upon arrival successful candidates must present original documents to the UiA. They will also be asked to ensure that the issuing university submits documents in a sealed envelope directly to UiA, or provide that their documents are accessed online, which allows UiA to verify the authenticity of these electronic documents via a secure website hosted at the issuing university (contact person at UiA will be provided later for certain candidates).
All documentation of education must be in the original language and in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish (if the original language is not one of these), and the translation should preferably be from the issuing university. Additional documentation must also be in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
The applicants are fully responsible for submitting complete documentation before the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Pleas note that all documents must be uploaded electronically in UiAs electronic application system.
In accordance with §25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the name of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University's intention to exercise this right.
Closing date: 30.04. 2012.
For further information please contact Head of Department, Professor Dag Olav Andersen, tel. (+47) 3814 10 64, e-mail: dag.o.andersen@uia.no.
The full text of this announcement is available online at www.uia.no/vacancies. For more information on working at UiA, see www.uia.no/work.
In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.