Associate Professor (100%) three years in snow science/snow avalanches

Tromsø is a vibrant Arctic city surrounded by dramatic mountains, fjords and accessible wilderness — an exceptional living laboratory for snow and mountain research. The region offers year-round opportunities for fieldwork, easy access to skiing and mountaineering, and outstanding nature experiences (midnight sun in summer, northern lights in winter). We value work-life balance and outdoor culture here, which many researchers find inspiring for both research and personal life.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position in Tromsø within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The department

The Department of Geosciences has currently 16 permanent scientific staff positions, 21 post-doctoral fellows and researchers, 24 PhD students and 15 technical/administrative positions. The Department includes three scientific groups: (1) Solid Earth Science, Mineral Resources and Geohazards group, (2) Sedimentary Systems, Paleoclimates and Environments group, and (3) Geophysics, Glaciology and Oceanography group. It also hosts the Centre of Excellence iC3: Centre for ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate. The Department is also a member of iEarth - Centre for Integrated Earth Science Education. We offer courses at all levels from bachelor to PhD studies and hosts approximately 150 students.

Over the last decade, the department has strategically built up expertise and research and education activities in geohazards. Geohazards is now a key focus area for the department, with established networks, ongoing projects and ambitions to further expand capabilities in snow science, avalanches and related processes. Earlier work has focused on rock slopes, slush flows, wet snow avalanches, climate adaptation and hazard/runout modelling. We would like to develop this research direction. The position benefits from active connections to the Department of Physics and Technology, Department of Technology and Safety and the Center for Avalanche Research and Education (CARE), and interdisciplinary research is encouraged to strengthen UiT’s position as a driver of Arctic knowledge, such as incorporating elements of psychology, preparedness and climate research.

The position’s field of research/field of work

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Conduct high-quality research that strengthens UiT’s snow science portfolio within the snow science and geohazards thematic area. Research may also be interdisciplinary, and a connection with CARE and other UiT institutes is encouraged.
• Teach undergraduate and advanced graduate courses, as well as participate in teaching of the field courses organized by the scientific group. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfil basic pedagogical competence within two years.
• Supervise students at all levels, including MSc and PhD students.
• Build external networks and represent the department at meetings, conferences and community outreach events.
• Respond to media enquiries within your field.
• Collaborate with colleagues to secure external funding and contribute to establishing permanent snow science capability at UiT.

It is expected that the participant will participate in disseminating research to a wider public.

Contact

Further information about the position and UiT is available by contacting

Associate Professor Louise Daines-Vick, phone + 47 90 47 30 83, email: louise.m.vick@uit.no

Professor/Head of Department (interim) Anders Schomacker, phone + 47 95 52 34 64, email: anders.schomacker@uit.no

Qualifications

For this three-year fixed-term position as Associate Professor with a focus on snow science the applicants

• must have a PhD in geosciences, physics, mathematics or a closely related field and a documented publication record in snow science and/or related geohazards.
• must have experience in, and a strong dedication to, field-based research and navigating snowy terrain. A track record or commitment to acquisition of external funding is desired. The research should complement the existing research strengths within the fields of the Solid Earth Science, Mineral Resources and Geohazards scientific group, which includes the field of geohazards.
• must have an ability to communicate effectively in English.
• documented pedagogical competence. All applicants for teaching and research positions shall document their pedagogical competence. You must have acquired basic competence for teaching and supervision at higher education level. This includes basic skills in planning, conducting, evaluating and developing teaching and guidance. Those who do not meet the requirements for pedagogical competence upon employment will be required to meet them within two years.
• Norwegian language skills: The position requires proficiency in a Scandinavian language equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). New employees who do not fulfill the language criteria by appointment are required, within three years, to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language. Arrangements will be made to facilitate the completion of Norwegian courses.
• personal suitability: Our working culture is important to us. We will emphasize the applicants motivation for the position and personal suitability. We are looking for candidates who display the following:
  • Collegial team player, ability to cooperate and communicate well with other members of staff and contribute to a good working environment.
  • Strong networking skills, ability to collaborate and conduct scientific leadership
  • Interest in strategy and strategic development of the department.
  • Good communication skills and ability to engage with academic, stakeholder and public audiences.

The applicants should have expertise in one or several aspects of snow avalanches and geohazards. Research approaches may include, for example, remote sensing, numerical and physical modelling, laboratory experiments, and field measurements on snow, slush, debris, or mixed materials.

At UiT we put emphasis on the quality, relevance and significance of the research work and not on where the work is published, in accordance with the principles of The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Pedagogical competence

All applicants for teaching and research positions must document their educational competence in their application.

Those who do not meet the requirements for pedagogical competence upon employment will be required to meet them within two years. UiT offers courses in educational competence to employees.

You must have acquired basic competence for teaching and supervision at university and college level. This entails basic skills in planning, implementing, evaluating and developing teaching and supervision.

See how to document educational competence: About the pedagogical portfolio - Result (English guide at the bottom of the page)

We offer

• A stimulating international research environment within the geohazards theme and opportunities for collaboration across UiT.
• Support for career development, supervision of students and external funding applications
• Access to university research infrastructure, administrative and technical support, and professional development (mentoring, courses and workshops)
• You will join a thriving geosciences environment with active projects, a strong student cohort and close interdisciplinary collaboration. You will have access to relevant laboratory and field equipment, opportunities to participate in and lead field campaigns, and support for outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Allocated funds to support your research, travel and equipment needs
• Good welfare arrangements for employees
• Good arrangements for pension, insurance and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Access to the department cabin Heiahytta for a reasonable rental fee
• 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.

Work- and salary conditions

The successful candidate must be willing to get involved in the ongoing development of their department and the university as a whole.

The allocation of working hours is flexible and allocated on a case-by-case basis. In general, Associate Professors will spend an equal amount of time on teaching and research and development work after time spent on other duties has been deducted. As a norm, the time resources spent on administrative duties constitutes 5 % for academic staff.

The remuneration for Associate Professor is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1011, with a gross annual salary ranging from NOK 700000,- to 900000,- in a 100 % position. In special cases, a higher salary may be considered.

As a state employee, you have one of the best pension schemes available. For more information see: spk.no.

Application

The application must include:

• Cover letter including a short description of interests and reasons for applying for the position
• CV containing a complete overview of education, experience and professional work
• Diplomas, diploma supplements and transcripts (all degrees, in original language and translated)
• Letter(s) of recommendation if applicable
• Two references with contact details
• Documented pedagogical competence. Brief description of teaching philosophy/documentation of educational competence in the form of a pedagogical map or course certificate of completed university pedagogical basic competence such as UNIPED 100 at UiT or equivalent from other universities
• A list of your academic production
• Description of your academic production, stating which works you consider most important
• Academic works, up to ten. The doctoral thesis is regarded as one work.
• Documentation of English proficiency.

Proficiency in the English language can be documented in the following ways:

• Diploma from a Norwegian upper secondary school with both spoken and written English (140 hours)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• IELTS (International English Testing Service)
• Completed university degree in the field of English language or literature
• One year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA, for which English was the language of instructions.

Documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. The application and submitted documents must be sent electronically via www.jobbnorge.no;

Assessment

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications on the basis of the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description drawn up for the position.

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview shall among other things, aim to clarify the applicants personal suitability for the position and motivations. A trial lecture may also be held.

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.

More information about moving to Norway and working at UiT: http://uit.no/mobility

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.

Eallju - Developing the High North

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

See: UiTs strategi mot 2030