The position
A PhD position is available at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology with the research group Chemical Synthesis and Analysis group.
The position is for a period of three years. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.
The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.
The position’s field of research
The research project will focus on developing the fundamental coordination chemistry of porphyrin analogues with a view to creating new products for cancer therapy and diagnostics (theranostics). The Fellow will be associated with research group of Professor Abhik Ghosh (https://en.uit.no/project/softmatter). The Ghosh group is renowned for its fundamental discoveries on corroles and is currently exploring a variety of additional porphyrin analogues. The synthesis of water-soluble corroles and corrole nanoconjugates is a topic of particular interest.
Want to know more about the position?
For further information about the position, please contact Professor Abhik Ghosh:
Qualifications
This position requires a master’s degree or equivalent with specialization in synthetic inorganic chemistry. Good academic grades and a strong motivation for performing research are key requirements. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply.
A solid background in synthetic inorganic chemistry, specifically coordination chemistry, is the key requirement. The successful candidate must document hands-on practical experience with standard synthetic and analytical methods. Experience with synthesis and characterization of porphyrins and related molecules will be considered an advantage. Soft skills, including communication skills (writing, public speaking, video-making, etc.), computer skills, and the ability to collaborate with others as well as to work independently, will also be considered important.
The applicant must be able to document proficiency in English that satisfies the Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification, either as a native language, via undergraduate education in a Nordic country, or by test scores as described below.
In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, professional experience and other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme will be taken into consideration.
We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position.
As many people 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.
Admission to the PhD programme
For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.
Admission normally requires:
- A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS.
In order to gain admission to the programme, the candidate must document sufficient potential for research. The applicant must have a grade point average of C (strong 3.0) or better for the master’s degree, which must contain an independent work. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.
If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position.
Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
How to apply
Please note that the application will only be assessed based on the information submitted by the application deadline via Jobbnorge. It is therefore important that you include all necessary documents demonstrating your qualifications for the position.
Your application must include:
- Cover letter explaining your motivation and compliance with the above criteria, citing relevant skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Official diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degree in the original language
- Official transcripts of grades/academic record for Bachelor's and Master's degree in the original language
- Official translation of diplomas and transcripts of records (ToR) to English or a Scandinavian language, if applicable
- Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
- Documentation of English proficiency
- 2 references, including contact details
- A copy of your Master’s thesis (representing at least 30 study points or one full semester load), and any other academic works
If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. Applicants are required to submit documentation of English language proficiency, in ONE of the following ways:
- Nordic applicants can document their capabilities by attaching their high school diploma
- A diploma and transcript of a completed university degree taught and examined in English, OR
- Completion of one of the following English language tests with minimum scores as specified: IELTS (min. 6.5 on every part), TOEFL iBT (min. reading 22, listening 22, speaking 22, writing 25), TOEFL PBT (min. total 550), Cambridge ESOL Examination (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency Level), European Language Certificate (telc; min. C1 level).
Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.
All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English.
Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants.
The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position.
We offer
- Involvement in an interesting research project
- Good career opportunities
- A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
- Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
- Pension scheme through the state pension fund
- PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 550 800 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
- If you have to relocate to Tromsø then the Faculty of Science and Technology may reimburse your moving costs. Further details regarding this matter will be made available if you receive an offer from us.
Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.
More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility
Inclusion and diversity
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.
If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.
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.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment.
After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.
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. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.
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.
We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act 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.
Om arbeidsgiveren:
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is an internationally leading broad-based university. Our vision is to be a driving force in the North. The Northern Sami term eallju, which means diligence, sets the tone for UiT's drive. Together with students, staff, and society at large, we will utilize our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our academic breadth, and interdisciplinary advantages to shape the future.
UiT has approximately 18,000 students, more than 4,000 employees, and is established across four main campuses and seven additional study locations in Northern Norway and on Svalbard. Our largest campuses are Tromsø, Alta, Narvik, and Harstad. UiT has seven faculties, 40 departments and centers, and leading research environments in various fields. The university offers 269 study programs and focuses on educational quality.
Academic freedom, scientific principles, and research ethics form the foundation of all UiT's activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency, and sound processes will provide the basis for making wise and forward-looking decisions. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Rooted in scientific integrity, we aim to be bold, engaged, and generous - closely connected to academia, people, and contemporary developments.
Read more about UiT's strategy towards 2030.
