Senior Engineer / Chief Engineer – Microbial Bioinformatics

UiT- The Arctic University of Norway; Of; On-site; TRY 3,356,000 - 4,517,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stimulating international environment

Flexible working hours

Public service pension

Job summary

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is seeking a Senior Engineer / Chief Engineer in Microbial Bioinformatics to support the Microalgae & Microbiomes Research Group (M2RG) at the NCFS. The role focuses on scalable data infrastructure for large sequencing datasets, especially shotgun metagenomics and genome-resolved analyses.

The successful candidate will advance reproducible workflows, data management, and HPC utilization while mentoring students and collaborating on publications and grants.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Bioinformatics or related field.
• Experience with shotgun metagenomic data analysis.
• Experience in Linux/Unix environments.
• Experience with HPC systems.
• Proficiency in R and/or Python.
• Experience with genome/metagenome assembly and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain scalable data infrastructure for large sequencing datasets.
• Focus on shotgun metagenomics data analysis and MAGs.
• Develop reproducible bioinformatics workflows and pipelines.
• Manage and organize large sequencing datasets.
• Collaborate on teaching activities and mentor students.
• Lead and collaborate on publications and grants.

Skills

Shotgun metagenomics

Linux/Unix

HPC

R

Python

Genome assembly

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Bioinformatics

Job description

The position

At the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), the Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS), UiT The Arctic University of Norway, there is a permanent position available as Senior Engineer / Chief Engineer in Microbial Bioinformatics. The position is affiliated with the Microalgae & Microbiomes Research Group (M2RG).

Background

The Norwegian College of Fishery Science currently has approximately 130 employees across scientific and technical/administrative positions. Research activities are organized around two main themes: marine resource management and marine biotechnology. This includes both basic research and applied research related to marine resources, seafood science, fish health, marine biotechnology, and marine bioprospecting. Research at NCFS is conducted in close collaboration with other research groups within the faculty and university, as well as with national and international partners.

The Microalgae & Microbiomes Research Group (M2RG) focuses on understanding marine microalgae and microbial communities using multi-omics approaches, molecular ecology, and experimental systems. The group integrates genomics, microbiology, synthetic biology and bioinformatics to better understand microbial ecosystems and develop solutions related to sustainability, biotechnology, and carbon cycling.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time.

Job Description

The successful applicant will hold a permanent technical position supporting the research activities of the Microalgae & Microbiomes Research Group. The position will focus primarily on development and maintenance of scalable data infrastructure for large sequencing datasets, with particular emphasis on shotgun metagenomic sequencing data analysis and genome‑resolved metagenomics.

The successful applicant will also contribute to maintaining and further developing the group’s bioinformatics infrastructure, including workflows, data management practices, and access to computational resources. The position will emphasize reproducible research practices, version‑controlled workflows, and transparent data analysis. The position offers opportunities to develop scientific leadership within bioinformatics and to contribute to the group´s strategic development of computational and multi‑omics research capabilities.

The successful applicant will work closely with researchers and students within the group and contribute to maintaining an efficient computational research infrastructure. Responsibilities associated with the position may change as the research activities of the group evolve.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing and analysis of high‑throughput sequencing data, particularly shotgun metagenomics


• Metagenome assembly, binning, and reconstruction of metagenome‑assembled genomes (MAGs)


• Analysis of transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic datasets


• Development and maintenance of reproducible bioinformatics workflows and pipelines


• Management and organization of large sequencing datasets


• Working with local and national high‑performance computing (HPC) resources


• Supporting research projects through data interpretation, documentation, quality assurance


• Collaborating on and leading peer‑reviewed scientific publications


• Collaborating on research grants


• Collaborating on bioinformatics related teaching activities


• Mentoring researchers, MSc and PhD students with bioinformatics analyses


• Assisting/leading collaborations with other research groups (national and international)


• Contributing to method development and implementation of new computational tools


• Basic involvement in laboratory‑based microbiology or molecular biology activities when relevant

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field


• Documented experience with shotgun metagenomic data analysis


• Experience working in Linux/Unix environments


• Experience using high‑performance computing (HPC) systems


• Proficiency in programming and data analysis using R and/or Python


• Experience with genome and/or metagenome assembly and analysis

The Following Qualifications Are Considered Advantageous

• Experience with metagenome‑assembled genome (MAG) reconstruction


• Experience with metatranscriptomics or transcriptomics analysis


• Experience developing reproducible bioinformatics workflows (e.g., Nextflow, Snakemake, or similar)


• Experience managing and organizing large sequencing datasets


• Familiarity with microbiology or molecular biology laboratory techniques


• A track record of leading/assisting peer‑reviewed scientific publications

Language Requirements

The applicant must have good proficiency in both written and spoken English. The institute will facilitate the opportunity to acquire Norwegian language skills.

Candidate Profile

The assessment will emphasize the candidate's motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who have:

• Good collaboration skills


• Abilities for good communication and interaction with colleagues and students


• Abilities and desires to contribute to a good working environment

Offers

• A stimulating and international research environment


• Flexible working hours


• Good welfare and pension schemes through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Remuneration and Benefits

The position as Senior Engineer (senioringeniør) is remunerated according to salary code 1181, kr 650 000 - 750 000, and Chief Engineer (sjefsingeniør) according to salary code 1088, kr 725 000 - 875 000 on the Norwegian state salary scale. In special cases, a higher salary may be considered. Salary will be based on qualifications and experience.

There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. As a state employee, you have one of the best pension schemes available. For more information see: spk.no.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University i Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity is a strength and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

General information

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.

UiT will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability. Questions can be directed to the contact person for the position.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non‑disclosure.

UiT – Developing the High North

UiT – Developing the High North

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi‑campus research university and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT you can explore global issues from a close‑up perspective.

Faculty Overview

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) consists of Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NFH) and School of Business and Economics.

The main task of BFE is to conduct teaching and research dissemination at a high national and international level within all relevant fields. Prioritized research areas are aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, climate, life in the arctic, marine bioprospecting, fish health, seafood products, business and macroeconomics, resources and environment, markets, and management of marine resources. The interdisciplinary profile of the faculty provides good opportunity to develop research projects involving several research groups at the faculty according to its strategy.