Marit Reigstad

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Biology/Biological Oceanography, with a focus on carbon export and pelagic diversity in the Arctic. The position is part of the newly funded SEDNA project, which aims to assess seasonality in pelagic diversity and carbon export within the Central Arctic Ocean. The research will utilize sediment trap samples, imagery from Underwater Vision Profilers, and acoustic data collected during previous scientific expeditions and the upcoming Tara Polar Station transarctic drift (2026-2027). The successful candidate will analyze and interpret data on marine pelagic communities, vertical export, and regulation mechanisms, collaborating with scientists across disciplines and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. The role also involves logistical support for scientific expeditions and potential participation in field work. The project is led by adjunct Professor Maxime Geoffroy and Professor Marit Reigstad at UiT. Applicants should hold a PhD in marine biology, biological oceanography, or a related field, and have experience with sediment trap samples, imagery, and acoustic data. Strong analytical, teamwork, and communication skills are essential. The position is fully funded, with details available in the official job posting. The application deadline is 30 March 2026, and the opportunity is open to all nationalities. For more information and to apply, visit the official job portal at JobbNorge. This opportunity is not affiliated with the iC3 Polar Research Hub, but is shared to support the polar science community in Tromsø.

This PhD position at UiT The Arctic University of Norway offers a unique opportunity to join Norway’s largest Arctic research programme, Arctic Ocean 2050, within the Arctic Marine Systems Ecology (AMSE) group. The project focuses on marine zooplankton diversity and carbon fluxes in the Central Arctic Ocean, specifically investigating the coupling between zooplankton and the biological carbon pump across the mesopelagic layers. The research is affiliated with the national Arctic Ocean 2050 programme, a ten-year interdisciplinary collaboration involving 18 Norwegian research institutions, aiming to strengthen knowledge and strategic capacity in a rapidly changing Arctic Ocean. The PhD fellow will study biodiversity and function of the mesopelagic layer (200–600 m depth), linking mesozooplankton taxonomic and functional diversity with quantifications of marine snow and vertical export flux. The project utilizes samples and datasets from previous Arctic expeditions, supplemented with new data collected during the PhD. Vertical carbon export will be investigated using long-term sediment traps at various depths, while mesozooplankton and marine snow distributions are assessed with nets and an underwater vision profiler (UVP6). The research environment is ambitious, multidisciplinary, and highly relevant to societal challenges, offering extensive opportunities for professional development and international collaboration. The position is based at UiT in Tromsø and is for four years, with the fourth year dedicated to teaching and career development activities. The objective is to complete research training to the doctoral level. Applicants must be able to start within a reasonable time after receiving the offer. The project description will be developed with supervisors upon commencement and aligned with programme activities. Applicants must have a master’s degree or equivalent in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Marine Science, or similar, with a minimum grade of B. Required skills include statistical data analysis (R and/or python), experience in aquatic biodiversity/ecological studies, biogeochemical or plankton-related analysis, and willingness to participate in Arctic fieldwork. English fluency (written and oral) must be documented. Health requirements for fieldwork on research vessels must be met. Additional desirable qualifications include experience with zooplankton, optical sampling, sediment traps, marine and polar environments, system-based approaches, peer-reviewed publications, and marine fieldwork. Applicants must not already hold a PhD or equivalent competence. PhD Fellows receive a salary of 565,000 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase, membership in the state pension fund, and access to the National Insurance Scheme, including health care services. UiT promotes equality, gender balance, and diversity, and offers flexible working hours, a good academic environment, and career opportunities. Applications must be submitted via Jobbnorge by the deadline, including all required documents: cover letter, CV, diplomas, transcripts, English proficiency documentation, references, master’s thesis, and project description. Only applications submitted through Jobbnorge will be considered. For further information, contact Professors Sünnje Basedow, Marit Reigstad, or Camilla Svensen. More practical information about working and living in Norway is available at uit.no/staffmobility . The position is located at Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9019 Tromsø.