THE NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE
is Norway's main institution for topographical and geological mapping, research, environmental
management and monitoring in the polar regions. The Institute is a Directorate within the
Ministry of the Environment and as such has co-ordination and service functions for national
and international polar research in addition to NPI activity. NPI has recently expanded its
staffing and now has 150 employees located in Tromsø (headquarters), Svalbard (in
Longyearbyen and NyÅlesund - Spitsbergen) and at the Norwegian base in Antarctica (Troll).
Terrestrial ecologist
The Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) seeks a terrestrial ecologist in NPI`s Biodiversity Research
Section. The workplace for this position will be the main office complex for NPI in Tromsø;
with the possibility for extended periods of placement at the NPI office in Longyearbyen on
Svalbard.
Qualifications
Potential candidates must have a PhD (or equivalent experience/education) with a background in
population biology and ecology. Expertise in statistical analyses, the ability to publish in highquality international scientific journals and the ability to secure research grants must be
documented. A willingness and ability to work in multidisciplinary research groups and practical
experience from field work in Polar Regions are important qualifications for this job. Experience
with mammalian systems, particularly ungulates, will be viewed positively.
Job Description
We are seeking a person that will be responsible for performing field-based research
programmes in the Arctic (and possibly also the Antarctic) that are relevant to the institute’s
mandate. The job includes: planning research programmes; writing grant applications to help
support the work financially; conducting the research in the field; analyzing the resulting data;
reporting the results to the Institute’s data-bases; and doing basic reporting and administration of
the research programme. The research activities are expected to result in an active publication
record in journals of high international quality (peer-reviewed). The successful applicant will be
responsible for conducting NPI’s reindeer monitoring programme in Svalbard and for providing
advice and performing tasks related to management of terrestrial ecosystems.
General
The salary for this research position will be paid according to the successful candidate’s
qualifications – code 1109, 1110 or 1183, salary level 52-67.
The Norwegian State strives to mirror the diversity of its population in its national institutes and
achieve a balanced mix of age, gender and ethnic backgrounds among its employees. Hence,
candidates with immigrant backgrounds and women are encouraged to apply for the position.
Further inquiries about the position may be directed to the Biodiversity Section Leader, Kit
Kovacs, e-mail: kit.kovacs@npolar.no, phone: +47 77 75 05 26 or the Research Director Kim
Holmén, e-mail: kim.holmen@npolar.no, phone: +47 77 75 05 30, of
The application deadline is 15 April. Applications must be submitted electronically on the
application form available at www.jobbnorge.no/job.aspx?jobid=73217 All personal data must
be entered directly on the electronic form. The names and contact details for two references must
be provided in the appropriate section of the form. All of your relevant qualifications and
experience should be outlined in your letter of application (directly on the electronic form). CVs,
including a complete publication list, can be sent via the electronic site as an attachment. PDFs
of your selected 5 best/most relevant papers can also be attached (Please do NOT send more than
5). If your circumstances do not permit access to the web site – you can contact Dr. Kit M.
Kovacs via email kit.kovacs@npolar.no (explain why an electronic application is not possible –
and send all required materials to her via email or the post - Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram
Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway - all materials must arrive prior to the application deadline).
All applications will be handled confidentially until the application deadline. Thereafter, a
public list of applicants will be prepared. Applicants who do not want to appear on the public list
must provide reasons for this in their application. In accordance with new public information
laws, information about an applicant can be made public even if the applicant has requested to
remain off the public list of applicants, cf. Freedom of Information Act, Section 25, 2nd
paragraph.