The Ministers for Foreign Affairs in Iceland and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Akureyri, Iceland, which includes several aspects of cooperation in the field of Arctic scientific research, including the establishment of a Nansen Professorship in Arctic Studies at the University of Akureyri.
In tribute to the famous Norwegian polar scientist and humanist - Fridtjof Nansen - the Professorship is referred to as the Nansen Professorship in Arctic Studies. The position is awarded each year for a twelve-month period to a leading scientist working with issues that bear on the legal, economic, social and natural circumstances in the Arctic.
The University seeks candidates interested in contributing a year to focus their research effort on issues in the Arctic. A successful candidate should currently hold an academic position (assistant, associate or full professor) and have a strong academic background in studies relevant to sustainable human development in the Arctic regions and/or climate change issues in the Arctic. The candidate should be experienced in working across disciplines with complex human-environmental-social issues and should have strong communicative and social/interpersonal skills. Research experience relating to the Arctic and a track of participation in international research networks will be necessary.
The application deadline is July 1, 2015. Formal period of employment starts on September 1, 2015; exact timing is subject to negotiations. Applicants can apply for a full academic year or one semester.
Primary responsibilities will be the following:
(I) To contribute to research, teaching and further development of relevant programmes at the University of Akureyri, (II) 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, (III) 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.
The level of compensation will be in line with prevailing salaries for professors at Icelandic state universities. A special travel fund will be available to facilitate the candidate's participation in relevant domestic and international networks and conferences. A housing and relocation grant will also be available for candidates with permanent residence outside Akureyri.
Further and more detailed information about the position is available in the following link http://www.unak.is/static/files/Atvinnuauglysingar/2015/atvinnuauglysing_nansen_professorship_a4.pdf
and on the University's website About UNAK›Staff›Available positions