UiT The Arctic University of Norway

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) consists of Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NFH) and School of Business and Economics. The main task of BFE is to conduct teaching and research dissemination at a high national and international level within all relevant fields. Prioritized research areas are aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, climate, life in the arctic, marine bioprospecting, fish health, seafood products, business and macroeconomics, resources and environment, markets and management of marine resources.

The interdisciplinary profile of the faculty provides good opportunity to develop research projects involving several research groups at the faculty according to its strategy.

Faculty of Biosciences, Fishery and Economics

The position

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), UiT The Arctic University of Norway has a PhD position vacant in fish immunology and pathology - for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) The position is attached to The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS)

The appointment is for a period of four years.

The PhD position is for a fixed term, with the objective of completion of research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD Candidate shall participate in the faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project shall be completed during the period of employment. Information about the application process for admission to the PhD programme and regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) are available at the following address Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics PhD web pages.

The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) is a part of The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) and undertakes research and research-based teaching of high national and international quality in an interdisciplinary environment. Research activity is organized into different groups. It offers scientific independence, good remuneration, great potential of growth, and fantastic work environment within the stunning landscape of Tromsø. There is an emphasis on cultural integration, good work environment, and excellence through collaboration between individual group members.

The position's field of research

The PhD position will be a part of the interdisciplinary VirtualStain project: "Artificial intelligence solutions to virtually stain label-free cell and tissue images for studying cardiovascular diseases of fish and mammals" funded by UiT- The Arctic University of Norway. This interdisciplinary project involves modelling of fundamental processes related to disease development and progression in living cardiovascular tissue and cells through label-free imaging (photo and scanning acoustic microscopy, and label-free nanoscopy). The PhD candidate will avail an interdisciplinary collaboration platform at UiT from different fields such as artificial intelligence, photo-acoustic imaging, cardiovascular biology to study disease development and progression of cardiomyopathy syndrome in salmon through label free imaging. This will provide insight into host-pathogen interaction, causing atrophy in the heart tissue to understand the biological process undergoing changes at the cell and tissue level, for the identification of potential therapeutic targets.

The project will involve infection experiments, field sampling and use of different molecular, immunological, histological methods and microscopy techniques to investigate the host-pathogen interaction at the cellular and tissue levels.

The PhD candidate is expected to participate in the design of the PhD project and will later develop the project independently with proper supervision. The candidate must disseminate the work through scientific journal publications and conference participation.

The candidate will get opportunity to teach and supervise master students. The candidate will be encouraged and supported to develop his/her career in line with the ambition in academic, scientific and professional field.

This PhD project requires a highly motivated, sincere, dedicated and goal-oriented candidate.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact:

Associate Professor Jaya Kumari Swain:

• Phone: +47 776 46020
• E-mail: jaya.k.swain@uit.no

or Professor Roy A. Dalmo:

• Phone: +47 776 44482 / 952 66 493
• E-mail: roy.dalmo@uit.no

We offer

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

More practical information for working and living in Norway can be found here: Welcome to UiT!

Qualifications

The candidate should have:

• Master degree (or equivalent) in life sciences, preferably in one of the following fields: Immunology; Pathology; Molecular cell biology; Virology; Aquamedicine
• Experience with laboratory techniques such as histology techniques, immunohistochemistry, PCR based techniques, cell culture work, microscopy techniques.

It will be candidate’s advantage to have:

• Knowledge or experience working with fish and the diseases affecting the aquaculture farming industry
• Hands-on experience on basic immunological techniques, molecular and/or cell biology techniques, immuno-pathology, flow cytometry, in-situ hybridization techniques, primary cell culture and in-vitro infection, virus culture.

It is expected that the candidate demonstrates:

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Self-motivation, creativity, independence, strong ability to work problem oriented and enthusiasm.
• Excellent work ethics and commitment to the job.
• Good communication, writing and presentation skills

Documented knowledge of English as stated here is required, and working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is desirable.

The position requires admission to the Faculty's PhD programme. Information about requirements is available here.

Application

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

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diplomas, diploma supplements and transcripts (all degrees)
• Documentation on English proficiency. This website states how English profiency shall be documented.
• Written references
• Contact information to 1-3 references
• Master thesis, and any other academic works
• Project description

The documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language.

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.

As many 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.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.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.

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.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to Offentleglova 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.

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