At the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen there is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position in Palaeoecology and Pollen Chemistry. The position is for a fixed term of three (3) years and is associated with external financing from the Laschamps-UV project funded by the Research of Council of Norway.
About the project/work tasks:
The Laschamps Excursion is well known geomagnetic reversal event which occurred 41,000 years before present. Recent modelling evidence indicates that the weakening of the geomagnetic field strength in the lead-up to the Laschamps Excursion caused elevated levels of damaging UV-B radiation at the Earth’s surface, with potentially widespread ecological consequences (e.g. Cooper et al. 2021).
In this project we aim to quantify variations in UV-B absorbing compounds found in pollen grains across the Laschamps Excursion, to test the hypothesis that surface UV-B radiation increased during this period. Specific work tasks for the candidate include:
- Isolation and extraction of UV-B absorbing compounds from sediment cores spanning the Laschamps Geomagnetic Excursion (~41000 years before present) using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy.
- Calibration of UV-B absorbing compound reconstructions using results from experimental data.
- Statistical modelling of temporal variations in UV-B absorbing compounds.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- Applicants must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within palaeoecology or palaeoclimatology or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
- Experience in the independent management of laboratory workflows and tasks is a requirement.
- Experience in chemical analysis of biomolecules from sediment sequences is an advantage.
- Experience from or competence in sediment core processing, identification, and extraction of microfossils (e.g. pollen, tephra) is an advantage.
- Experience from or competence in using R or similar (e.g. Python, Matlab) for data analysis and in Open Science methods is an advantage.
- Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and have the ability to cooperate with others.
- Applicants must have excellent skills in oral and written English.
Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.
Special requirements for the position
The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.
About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:
The postdoctoral position is a fixed term position with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. If the appointee lacks teaching experience, or other relevant qualifications, the employment period may be increased to 3 years and 6 months. Teaching and other duties will in such cases be added to the position.
The position may be extended by up to one year (maximum 4 years in total) if the appointee is granted externally financed research stays abroad. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution. In accordance with the Research Council’s rules, neither can anyone be hired more than once as an NFR-financed postdoctoral research fellow.
It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.
We can offer:
- a good and professionally stimulating working environment
- position as postdoctoral fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 624 500 (equivalent to pay grade 64) upon appointment. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well-qualified applicant.
- enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
- a brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
- the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor from the PhD programme.
- CV, including a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
- relevant certificates/references.
- transcripts and diplomas. If you have not yet completed your PhD degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the thesis has been submitted.
General information:
For further details about the position, please contact:
Associate Professor Alistair Seddon, Department of Biological Sciences, alistair.seddon@uib.no
For HR related questions contact:
Adviser Therese Myhre Odfjell, therese.odfjell@uib.no
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. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.
Upon the expiry of the closing date for applications, an evaluation committee will be appointed. As an applicant, you have a right of access to the committee’s description of your formal and professional qualifications. If you wish to take advantage of this right of access, please contact the executive officer in charge after receiving information about the appointment of the evaluation committee.
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.
Further information about our employment process can be found here.
About The University of Bergen (UiB)
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
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