Research fellow (PhD candidate) in pollen chemistry and long-term ecology

The Department of Biology (BIO) has a vacancy for a research fellow in pollen chemistry and long-term ecology. The position is for a fixed-term period of four years, affiliated with the project “Pollen Chemistry as the Next Generation Tool in Palaeoecological Research- Theory, Methods and Applications” funded by the Research Council of Norway.

About the project/work tasks:

The position is within the Ecological and Environmental Change Research Group (EECRG). The PollChem project seeks to develop a set of new analytical methods to improve taxonomic precision in sediment records. In this PhD project you will join a team of international researchers to investigate whether a combination of pollen chemistry and automatic morphological approaches can be used to improve identification of pollen grains from botanical reference material, and from sediment records in Australia. Following development, you will apply these methods to a sediment core record to improve understanding of abrupt changes in a Eucalyptus forest ecosystem in response to fire over the past 16,000 years. The project has the potential to make groundbreaking contributions to long-term ecological research, with your work at the forefront of the development of a new set of palaeoecological research techniques.

The successful candidate should play a major role in the publication of PollChem results, and also be willing to disseminate results in peer reviewed scientific literature and on the associated PollChem website.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• You must hold a master's degree or equivalent in long-term ecology or palaeoecology, quantitative ecology, botany or organic chemistry, or an equivalent field, or must have submitted your master's thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded. Training in related fields will be provided.

• You must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with PollChem’s international consortium as well as within the EECRG, and to follow through challenging ideas.

• You should be highly motivated and enjoy working to solve complex analytical problems related to past ecosystem dynamics and environmental change.

• You must be proficient in both written and oral English

About the PhD position

The duration of the PhD position is 4 years, of which 25 per cent of the time comprises obligatory duties associated with research, teaching and dissemination of results. The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a recruitment position.

About the research training

As a PhD Candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

A final plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty within three months after you have commenced in the position.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.

• Starting salary at pay grade 50 in the Civil Service pay grade table (code 1017). Further increases will be made according to length of service in the position.

• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

• A position in an inclusive workplace (IA enterprise).

• Good welfare benefits.

Your application must include:

• A brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for this position.

• The names and contact details for at least two referees. One of these must be the main supervisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis.

• CV

• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees, or official confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.

• Relevant certificates/written references.

• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).

• Any publications in your name.

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language.

Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Dr. Alistair Seddon, Department of Biology, University of Bergen (+47 98608455 / email: alistair.seddon@uib.no.

The teaching language will normally be Norwegian, but may also be English.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Closing date of applications: 3 July, 2016