Two fully funded PhD opportunities: Arctic marine biology

Our host university has two PhD vacancies open for application:

1. Arctic Marine Productivity and Lead Dynamic

2. Marine Biodiversity and Genomics in the Central Arctic Ocean

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Please note that these vacancies are with our host institution UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and not with iC3. If you are interested in future PhD and postdoc opportunities with the iC3 Polar Research Hub, please subscribe to our email updates and follow us on LinkedIn. We currently have 11 openings for MSCA postdoctoral fellows.

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Arctic Marine Productivity and Lead Dynamics

This PhD project will focus on characterizing under-ice and sea ice algal primary production associated with leads in the Arctic sea ice, and assess the environmental drivers of the primary production around them. The candidate will collect biological, biogeochemical and oceanographic datasets during fieldwork on sea ice and water near to lead features (mixing, nutrient, gas fluxes).

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic marine biogeochemist with interest in physical oceanography.

This work will take place as part of the Norwegian Research Council project DIAMOND - Sea-Ice Lead Dynamics In the new Arctic Ocean and their iMpact ON primary proDuction (DIAMOND) led by Zoe Koenig at UiT.

Deadline: 31 March. Apply here.

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Marine Biodiversity and Genomics in the Central Arctic Ocean

The PhD Fellow will work on marine biodiversity and genomics as part of the newly funded project Assess Seasonality in Pelagic Diversity and Carbon Export within the Central Arctic Ocean (SEDNA).

This study will be based on samples collected during previous scientific expeditions in the Central Arctic Ocean and as part of the first transarctic drift of the new Tara Polar Station in 2026-2027. The PhD project will focus on assessing seasonal shifts in community composition, from microorganisms to fish, and biological functions during the transition from polar night to midnight sun conditions. The research will be based on genomic analyses of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water, sea ice and sediment trap samples using metabarcoding as well as meta-genomics and -transcriptomics.

We are looking for a highly motivated person who will work independently and function well as part of a team. They will work collaboratively with other members of the Tara Polar Station project working on the pelagic, sympagic and atmospheric realms. Thesis work will be part of the SEDNA project, led by adjunct Professor Maxime Geoffroy and Professor Marit Reigstad.

Deadline: 15 April. Apply here.

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Note: The iC3 Polar Research Hub currently has 11 openings for MSCA postdoctoral fellows.

If you are interested in future PhD and postdoc opportunities with iC3, please subscribe to our email updates and follow us on LinkedIn.