Head engineer - data management

UNIS is seeking candidates for a full-time, permanent position in data management (head engineer). The successful candidate will work closely with scientists at UNIS to develop data management solutions tailored to their needs as well as the needs of the research project ?The Nansen Legacy". This involves data structuring, documentation and standardization, database development, and metadata management. Facilitation of data exchange and data access through external systems will be an important task.

The candidate will be working closely with SIOS (Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System), which is a regional and multinational observing system for long-term measurements in and around Svalbard addressing Earth System Science questions. SIOS integrates the existing distributed observational infrastructure and generates added value for all partners beyond what their individual capacities can provide. SIOS brings observations together into a coherent and integrated observational programme that will be sustained over a long period. Within SIOS, researchers can cooperate to access instruments, acquire data and address questions that would not be practical or cost effective for a single institution or nation alone. 

The position is affiliated with the research project ?The Nansen Legacy" (http://nansenlegacy.org). The Nansen Legacy is the Norwegian Arctic research community's joint effort to establish a holistic understanding of a changing marine Arctic climate and ecosystem. The project will provide a scientific knowledgebase needed for future sustainable resource management in the transitional Barents Sea and the adjacent Arctic Basin. It is a collaborative project between 10 Norwegian research institutions, and will run from 2018 to 2023. Activities in the project will include international cooperation, and several cruises with the new, ice-going research vessel Kronprins Haakon.

The position will be organized within the UNIS department of Arctic Biology. Currently the department consists of three professors, four associate professors, eight adjunct professors, five PhDs and two affiliated technical/administrative staff. The department conducts research and education in Arctic marine and terrestrial biology, and currently provides 22 courses on bachelor, master and PhD level. Additional information about the department can be found at www.unis.no.

• Experience in documentation, publication and management of scientific data
• Experience in scientific programming
• Higher education or equivalent in the technical or natural sciences
• Excellent skills in oral and written English
• The following experiences/knowledge will be considered an advantage:
  • working with scientific file formats
  • handling of large biological datasets

The appointed person must have the ability to work independently, have a positive attitude and be flexible. Collaborative skills and personal attributes of the successful candidate are essential.

The vacant position is full-time, permanent position as head engineer.

Free arrival passage for you and your family, and relocation expenses associated with initiation of the engagement.

A holiday travel grant in accordance with current rules.

Membership in the Norwegian Public Pension Fund.

All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian Government's University salary scale. Head engineers are offered a gross salary within the scale starting with 458 700. Normally salaries are set between NOK 474 300 - 568 600 depending on experience/seniority. As a resident of Svalbard, an annual allowance of NOK 32 000 (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to staff salaries.

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 8.2 % toward National Insurance coverage.

A committee will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants and invite the top ranked person(s) for an interview. The appointment will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation from the committee.

Inquiries about this position may be directed to:
Tove M. Gabrielsen, PI of ?The Nansen Legacy" Data Management work package, phone: + 47 7902 3342, e-mail: toveg@unis.no, and to Head of Department Børge Damsgård, phone +47 7902 3345, email: borge.damsgard@unis.no.

Deadline for application is January 12th 2018

Please apply online through this page

In the end of the form, please attach your curriculum vitae and education certificates. The committee may ask for further documentation on the education history and former work experience described by the applicants.

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.