Associate Professor in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

 The position

A position as Associate Professor in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry is available at the Department of Chemistry. The position is affiliated with the Theoretical Chemistry Group.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher to strengthen and consolidate our ongoing research activity in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry and the corresponding educational curriculum in computational chemistry and modelling at the Department of Chemistry. The position offers a unique opportunity to be part of an internationally recognized group and to develop collaborations with related research environments within the University, at other Norwegian institutions and internationally.

Department of Chemistry (IK), located at the Tromsø campus, is one of six departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology, and currently offers education at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral levels. The department provides access to advanced core facilities and research infrastructure, including mass spectrometry, HPLC/UPLC, NMR, X-ray crystallography, protein production, peptide synthesis, biomolecular modeling, and it has access to the national high performance computing infrastructure provided by Sigma2.

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 position’s field of research or work

The announced position involves teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.

The successful candidate will strengthen an internationally competitive and active research group in theoretical and computational chemistry, with particular attention to the emerging field of quantum technology. The candidate will engage in scientific collaborations and cultivate professional networks at national and international levels in academia and if possible, with the private sector. Emphasis will be given to method development in theoretical chemistry and computational material modeling.

We expect the position holder to develop grant applications and secure external funding to support research and educational activities.

The position holder is also expected to contribute to the education at the department. This includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses (primarily in general, physical, inorganic and theoretical chemistry), supervising students at all levels, disseminating research to the public and engagement with subject-specific pedagogical literature by participation in collegial teaching development activities.

It is expected that the participant will participate in research group collaboration and professional networks nationally and internationally, as well as in disseminating research to a wider public. It is expected that the successful candidate/position holder is willing to develop grant applications (RCN/EU).

Contact

Further information about the position and UiT is available by contacting: 

Prof. Luca Frediani, Department of Chemistry; Phone +47 47 323 585, email: luca.frediani@uit.no

Prof. Peik Haugen, Head of Department of Chemistry; Phone +47 77646474, email: peik.haugen@uit.no 

Qualifications

Applicants must have a research background in theoretical and computational chemistry covering method development in areas such as electronic structure methods, computational spectroscopy in both the time and frequency domains, relativistic methods and computational materials modelling. Applicants should have carried out independent and original research of high international standard, evidenced by their scientific results published in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at international conferences and documented funding. Applicants must present a research statement and research vision that is in line with developments in quantum technology nationally and internationally, which can be integrated with the department's existing activities, as well as promote collaboration across departments at the Faculty of Science. The ability and potential to secure external funding should be documented through previous applications and through the research plans presented. 

Applicants must:

• Document that they can conduct independent original research in one or more of the following branches of theoretical and computational chemistry: electronic structure methods, computational spectroscopy both in time and frequency domain, relativistic methods, computational materials modeling.
• Have a strong scientific track record, documented with publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at relevant scientific conferences.
• Provide a research statement detailing previous and ongoing research, and an outline of proposed future research, showing how that aligns with the research activities at the department of chemistry and contribute to collaboration outside the department.
• Demonstrate experience in project management.
• Document their funding track record showing they can further attract external funding.
• Hold a Norwegian doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign doctoral degree
• Document Pedagogical competence
• 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. 
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills
• Document their mobility, participation in international research networks, and experience with outreach activities.
• We will emphasize the applicants motivation for the position and personal suitability. We are looking for candidates who have:
  • Good collaboration skills
  • Abilities for good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
  • Abilities and desires to contribute to a good working environment

We are seeking applicants who are motivated to educate students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels through teaching courses, and supervising student research projects. Applicants should have a background enabling them to teach lower level chemistry courses, such as General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry in addition to more advanced theoretical chemistry courses (Computational Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Electronic Structure Methods, Molecular Properties and Spectroscopy, Relativistic Quantum Chemistry). Experience in developing courses and/or educational programs is advantageous.

The assessment will emphasize scientific excellence and potential, as well as motivation and personal suitability for the position. A commitment to the department’s standards for teaching quality, recruitment, and public outreach activities is expected. The successful candidate must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of the discipline and contribute to the university.

Qualification requirements for the position as Associate Professor:

• Norwegian doctoral degree in subject area concerned or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognised as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree, or competence at a corresponding level documented by academic work of the same scope and quality
• Documented pedagogical competence
• Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language

• Personal suitability

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).

UiT wishes to increase the proportion of females in academic positions. In cases where two or more applicants are found to be approximately equally qualified, female applicants will be given priority.

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 the them within two years

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)

UiT offers courses in educational competence to employees. 

We offer

• A stimulating and cooperative working environment. 
• Mentorship and administrative support. 
• Support for applications for externally funded research projects.
• Opportunity of R&D sabbatical leave 
• Good welfare arrangements for employees
• Good arrangements for pension, insurance and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• 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 The remuneration for Associate Professor is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1011, with a gross annual salary ranging from NOK 660000 to 790000 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. 
• An outline of proposed future research activities. This should include how your planned activities fit with existing infrastructure and research activities at the department.
•  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) 
  • A copy of your PhD thesis, if this has been written in English
  • 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 (International English Testing Service) (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).
  • 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.