PhD Fellowship in Biological Science – One Health Perspectives on Marine Environmental Pollution
Job description The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD Fellowship in Biological Science at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering. The position is vacant from August 2026. This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree. The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology. The education includes relevant courses amounting to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website. The appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively. A career plan will be prepared that specifies the competencies that the Research Fellow will acquire. Access to career guidance will be provided throughout the doctoral education. Research topic The successful candidate will be affiliated with the newly EU funded project Hazard Assessment of Marine Mixtures and New Pollutant Synergies, HARMONY (Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2025-01), an interdisciplinary research project grounded in a One Health perspective, investigating the cumulative effects of complex mixtures of marine environmental contaminants on organisms, ecosystems, and human health, including interactions with climate-related stressors such as rising temperature and ocean acidification. The project integrates chemical analyses, biological effect studies, and laboratory experiments with the development of AI-based models to map bioaccumulation, mechanisms of toxicity, and combined risk profiles across biological levels. Through this holistic approach, the project aims to strengthen the knowledge base for risk assessment and sustainable marine management, and to contribute to the implementation of the EU Green Deal, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and international One Health strategies. Qualification requirements We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree within biosciences, chemistry, or related natural science fields (such as biology, environmental science, cell biology, or biochemistry), preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate. To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade. If you finish your education (masters degree) in the spring of 2026 you are also welcome to apply. Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales to calculate your points for admission. Emphasis is also placed on your: practical laboratory experience (e.g., biological effect studies, chemical analyses, exposure experiments, or molecular/metabolomics methods) skills in artificial intelligence interest in research related to marine environments and/or aquatic ecosystems motivation and potential for research within the field professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload having a good command of both oral and written English Requirements for competence in English A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests: TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90 IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5 Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62 The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements: Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA Applicants with a completed master’s degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country Applicants who are exempt based on HK-dir’s GSU list We offer a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure. free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment. access to Lifekeys, a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 550 800 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club at campus employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors “Hjem-jobb-hjem” discounted public transport to and from work as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced relocation programme Diversity Diversity is a resource in the working and learning environment at UiS. When we have different backgrounds and experiences, we can approach challenges from multiple perspectives and find better solutions. At UiS, we are committed to showing respect for each other’s differences and accommodating employees with disabilities. We take into consideration your needs and your situation in various life phases. If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or whether you have been out of the workforce for a period. If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups

