The Nansen Professorship in Arctic Studies at the University of Akureyri is a tribute to the famous Norwegian polar scientist and humanist Fridtjof Nansen and is awarded each year for a twelve month period to a person working on issues that bear on the legal, economic, social, political, international and natural circumstances in the Arctic.
The Nansen professor is located at the University of Akureyri and is awarded to individuals (academic or researcher) to conduct their research on Arctic issues of common interest between Iceland and Norway. For the 2017/2018 scholarship the selection committee seeks a candidate interested in contributing a year to focus their research effort on technological, legal, political or social issues related to the Arctic with special emphasis on issues that are shared between Iceland and Norway, with examples such as natural resource management, climate change, resource extraction and governance in the Arctic.
Successful candidate for the Nansen Visiting professor will have a proven track record on researching issues related to the Arctic. Candidates who have experience in working with Norwegian research institutions on Arctic matters will be given priority. A successful candidate could also be a young researcher with an exceptionally promising research proposal on the specific topic in each call. A successful candidate is able to demonstrate ability to work independently on their research but also needs to have strong communicative and social/interpersonal skills in order to be able to work with larger interdisciplinary group of scientists. Research experience and a track record of participation in international arctic research or professional networks is required.
Primary responsibilities are:
-to contribute to research, teaching and further development of relevant programs at the University of Akureyri,
-to work closely with other researchers in furthering the northern research and teaching milieu at the University of Akureyri and contribute to the development of the University of the Arctic,
-to give public lectures on Arctic issues in local, national and international fora and to participate in the contemporary debate on changes in the Arctic,
- to disseminate research findings to both governments of Iceland and Norway and
-be available to advice public officials on the topics proposed by the candidate.
The total grant including salaries, housing and travel is up to € 150.000.
(The scholarship awards salaries, housing stipend and relocation grant as well as a specific travel fund to facilitate the candidate’s participation in relevant domestic and international networks and conferences. The housing and relocation grant is available for candidates with permanent residence outside of Akureyri.)
The application deadline is January 1st, 2017. Formal period of employment starts on September 1, 2017. Applicants can apply for a full academic year or one semester, with priority given to candidates that apply for a full academic year.
Applications should be sent in digital form to nansen@unak.is. A standard application form is not used.
Accompanying documents should include:
-A detailed account of education and experience in addition to confirmed copies of diplomas.
-A detailed account of research and teaching activities.
-detailed proposal for research activities during the period, a dissemination plan as well as other planned academic activities (field work, laboratory work or surveys, as an example).
-Letters of reference.
-Publications applicants consider to be their foremost academic publications (up to ten publications), either by sending the publication documents attached to the application, or through a link to where they can be accessed in digital form.
All applications will be answered by February 15th, 2017. Insufficient applications will not be considered. The selection committee reserves the right to reject all applications. Enquiries concerning the post should be sent to nansen@unak.is
For more information about the University of Akureyri and the Nansen professorship please visit www.unak.is/nansen (www.english.unak.is/nansen).
Akureyri is the location of various Arctic institutions and initiatives such as the Stefansson Arctic Institute; the Polar Law Institute; Secretariats of the Arctic Council Working Groups PAME (Protection of Arctic Marine
Environment) and CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna); the Northern Research Forum; the University of Akureyri Research Centre; the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network