UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

Senior Engineer

At the Department of Chemistry, a position as senior engineer (100 %) is available. The expected start date for the position is by August 2025.

About the department
Chemical knowledge, technology, and competence are essential factors to meet society's increasing needs in health, the environment, sustainable resource utilization, energy, new materials, quality assurance, and analyses, to name but a few topics that are also central to the sustainability goals of the UN. The Department of Chemistry contributes to creating, applying, and disseminating chemical knowledge through high-quality research and education and in collaboration with relevant regional, national and international players. The department offers modern and up-to-date education at bachelor's, master's and PhD levels and hosts or partners in study programs in chemistry, nanoscience, medical technology, pharmacy, energy, and teacher training and pedagogy.

We currently have about 270 students, 80 employees, including 24 associate professors and professors, and approximately 40 PhD candidates. The Department of Chemistry has invested strategically in establishing a modern research infrastructure and has just taken into use a state-of-the-art laboratory area for medicinal chemistry, energy research, and automated chemical experiments. The department will, among other things, be the host for the Norwegian Open Laboratory for High-Throughput Experimentation and Scale-up (NorHTE), a national infrastructure for automated chemical experimentation, recently funded by the Research Council of Norway.

Work tasks

About the position
The person appointed in the position will be central in the establishment and operation of the national infrastructure for automated synthetic chemistry NorHTE. The position will also include participation in externally funded research and innovation projects within inorganic and organometallic synthesis. Maintenance of and instruction on central research infrastructure, mainly within automated synthetic chemistry, use of glove boxes and other equipment will also be part of the work tasks.

Approximately 50 % of the position is aimed at establishing and operating the national infrastructure NorHTE, and 30 % of the position will, for the first six years, contribute to a large interdisciplinary research project focused on new technology for hydrogen-based energy carriers.

Work tasks
The work will include:

• establishment and operation of the NorHTE infrastructure.
• active participation in externally granted research and innovation projects.
• operation and maintenance of, and training on, instruments, glove boxes and other equipment.

The appointee will, during periods with less external funding, also contribute to other tasks. This may include the operation and maintenance of common basic instrumentation in the department, management of the department’s chemical storage in addition to preparation for, and teaching in laboratory courses.

Qualifications and personal attributes

• Applicants must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within synthetic chemistry, or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to 31.07.2025. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
  Relevant experience covering the wide range of expected qualifications and qualities can in special cases compensate for a lack of formal education. Applicants must document relevant research experience.
• Practical experience with glove box technology, Schlenk technique and relevant characterization techniques is an advantage.
• Practical experience in organometallic chemistry, homogeneous catalysis or inorganic synthesis chemistry is an advantage.
• Experience from automation of chemical experiments is an advantage.
• Applicants must have relevant digital competence and the ability to acquire new skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English are a requirement.
• A good command of the Norwegian language is an advantage as the working language in this position primarily is Norwegian.
• The appointee must be able to work independently, in a structured, targeted manner, and have good collaboration skills.
• We expect enthusiasm for, and ability to work well in, an ambitious research and education environment.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities that are important for success in a team.

The appointee must be able to communicate in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language at B2 level within three years of appointment. Arrangements will be made for the completion of Norwegian courses.

Special requirements for the position
The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. If necessary, the university will apply for an export license before an offer of employment is made. If UiB has not received a positive response to the export license application within 12 weeks, the position may be offered to another applicant.

We can offer

• Exciting and stimulating work tasks in a strong professional environment.
• Position as senior engineer (code 1181) in the state salary scale, and a gross annual salary of NOK 660 000 to NOK 710 000. For particularly qualified candidates, higher salary may be considered.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Prof. Vidar R. Jensen, Department of Chemistry, phone no. +47 55583489 / email: Vidar.Jensen@uib.no or Prof. Bengt Erik Haug, phone no. +47 55583468 / e-mail: bengt-erik.haug@uib.no.

For HR related questions contact Adviser Anna Folgerø, e-mail: anna.folgero@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.For further information about the recruitment process, click here.