Associate Professor in Arctic Basin Geology

About UNIS

UNIS is the world's northernmost educational institution, located in Longyearbyen. UNIS has technical and scientific equipment, laboratories and infrastructure for teaching and research in Arctic natural science and technology for sea, land and atmosphere. The disciplines include Arctic Biology, - Geophysics, - Geology and - Technology.

All teaching is in English, and about half of the staff and students are from abroad. UNIS is a state-owned corporation, promoting strategic collaboration in research and education with the ten Norwegian universities. The administrative language is Norwegian.

The department of Arctic Geology

The department of Arctic Geology seeks candidates for a permanent, full-time position as Associate Professor in Basin geology. Currently the department constitutes of 2 professors, 3 associate professors, 2 temporary associate professors/researchers, 4 PhDs and 9 adjunct professors. The department conducts research and education in Arctic marine and terrestrial geology, and currently provides 18 courses at bachelor, MSc and PhD levels. The importance of field studies and integration between research and teaching is stressed at all levels throughout the teaching programs.

The department focuses on the Arctic earth system and have current research projects onshore and offshore on the cryosphere, landscape dynamics, Quaternary and deep time paleoclimate, basin geology, digital geology and field teaching. The geological record of Svalbard comprises sedimentary basins from Palaeozoic to Palaeogene age, formed under both extensional and compressional regimes, where glacially eroded fjords and valleys provide world-class outcrops. In addition drill-cores and geophysical data exist from a number of basins providing field-based research and teaching laboratories in basin geology. In addition, we have field-based laboratories surface sediment dynamics and implications for high latitude sedimentary systems. More information about the department can be found at

Description of the vacant position and qualifications

We seek motivated candidates with a research background in Arctic basin geology.

Applicants must have:

Research background in basin geology for example, source-to-sink studies, tectono-stratigraphy, deep-time palaeoclimate.
Ability to create a strong independent field-based research program in Svalbard
A research agenda and skills complementary to current staff in the department
Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration across the Arctic Geology department and more broadly with other UNIS scientific staff.
Teaching experience and interest in developing high quality education at BSc, MSc and PhD levels.
Ability to teach broadly across the geology courses offered and contribute to interdisciplinary courses
Experience with Arctic/ high latitude or remote fieldwork
Driver´s license

Advantageous attributes

Experience with quantitative methods in basin geology
Experience with geoscience modeling
Experience with educational development/(field) teaching quality/ EDI in teaching and learning
Experience with Norwegian/Nordic education and funding systems
Field leadership experience

UNIS is a Norwegian institution and all the education we offer is to be compliant with Norwegian universities. Knowledge and experience from the Norwegian university sector is an advantage. Non-native Scandinavians must pass an approved Norwegian language test at B2 level on the Council of Europe Level Scale for Languages (CEFR) within two years.

For a position as an associate professor, basic competence in teaching and supervision at university and university college level is required. This include basic skills in planning, implementation, evaluation and development of teaching and supervision and can be achieved through having completed.

1) A pedagogical training course at minimum 200 hours with the aim of qualifying for all aspects of the basic competence or

2) Relevant courses in combination with own teaching which the institution considers to be equivalent to a pedagogical training course of at least 200 hours.

Teaching competence must be documented through a teaching portfolio. This shall include an overview of practical teaching experience and competence, documentation of this and a brief reflection note. The reflection note shall primarily be linked to one's own teaching philosophy and evaluation of one's own teaching in relation to knowledge about students' learning in higher education.

Applicants that do not meet the requirements above may for particularly compelling reasons be employed, provided that the requirements are being met within two years.

The candidate must demonstrate evidence of high-quality research and teaching and will be evaluated based on research plan and the possibility to create synergies in the department. Fieldwork at UNIS is performed year-round in both teaching and research. Experience from fieldwork in remote/Arctic areas and demonstrated experience with field leadership is an advantage. Applicants for the position must document their qualifications as associate professor. The minimum requirement for Associate Professor is a PhD degree.

Employment conditions for faculty positions at UNIS

Sixty per cent of the working time of full-time faculty at UNIS is reserved for research and professional development. In addition, staff are required to be involved in teaching and administration, and to be willing to contribute to the development of UNIS in a more general sense.

UNIS offers:

free arrival passage for you and your family, and relocation expenses associated with initiation of the engagement
annual holiday travel grant, in accordance with current regulations
Membership in the Norwegian Public Pension Fund
favorable conditions for sabbatical leave

Salary

All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government’s University salary scale, associate professor code 1011. The salaries depend on experience/seniority. As a resident in Svalbard, an annual allowance of NOK 40 460 (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to the salary. A social security contribution of 2% to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on Svalbard is 8%, plus 7,8% toward National Insurance coverage.

Selection and appointment

A scientific committee will evaluate the applications. Based on the report, an appointment committee will invite the top ranked person(s) for a trial lecture and an interview. The appointment will be made based on the recommendation from the scientific and the appointment committee. Applications from applicants qualified as associate professor will be assessed as two independent groups and by separate criteria.

Application and further information

Inquiries about the position may be directed to Head of Department, Prof. Maria Jensen,

e-mail: mariaj@unis.no, mobile (+47) 41 32 84 37

Deadline for applications is May 15th.

Please apply online at

At the end of the form, please attach:

Covering letter explaining motivation and suitability for the position
CV including full list of publications and previously held grants
Education and teaching certificates
Teaching portfolio or similar, outlining a teaching and learning philosophy, teaching experience and own development in teaching and learning*
Five-year research plan (max two pages) demonstrating how the research field and experience of the applicant can contribute to the strategy of the Department of Arctic Geology
Up to five publications (authored or co-authored by the applicant) that are relevant for the position
Name and contact details for three references

The committee could ask for further documentation or copies of parts or the complete scientific production described by the applicants.

*Details about the teaching portfolio:

The teaching portfolio should describe and document pedagogical qualifications divided into the following areas;

1. Teaching philosophy, 2. Pedagogical or other relevant teaching courses and education, 3. Teaching activities, 4) Pedagogical research and development work, 5. Sharing experience, dissemination and outreach related to teaching activities and/or educational development

The following attachments may be relevant in the teaching portfolio:

Pedagogical and teaching training certificates
Evaluation reports of the applicants teaching
Overview of masters and doctoral degree supervision and results
Teaching merits and other awards
Educational publications
Teaching compendiums and materials
Reports that shows participation in projects related to the development of teaching, such as students active learning, digital learning methods, supervision or/and learning environment

You can request to have your application kept from public access cf. the open files act § 25. The request must be explained. UNIS will determine if the application will be kept from public access or not, based on the explanation and the regulations from the open files act. If the application will not be accepted, the candidate will be contacted.

Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen is located in Svalbard, in the midst of a varied and beautiful Arctic nature with good opportunities for outdoor activities. Longyearbyen is a modern town with approx. 2500 inhabitants and has a good service offering including kindergartens, swimming / sports hall and a varied association, sports and cultural life.