Nansen Professorship in Arctic Studies 2024/2025

A Visiting Professorship in Arctic studies at the University of Akureyri, Iceland

The University of Akureyri is accepting applications for the Nansen visiting professorship or Nansen Research fellowship based on a cooperation between the governments of Iceland and Norway. 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 for a twelve-month period, with the possibility of an extension up to an additional year, to a scholar working on issues that bear on the legal, economic, social, political, natural and health 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 2024/2025 tenure the selection committee seeks a candidate interested in contributing a year or two, to focus their research effort on technological, natural, health, 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, health science, resource extraction and governance in the Arctic. Successful candidates for the Nansen visiting professor will have a proven record of accomplishment 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 a specific topic in each call. A successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently on their research but also needs to have strong communicative and social/interpersonal skills to be able to work with a larger interdisciplinary group of scientists. Research experience and a record of accomplishment of participation in international Arctic research or professional networks is required.

Primary responsibilities are:

To contribute to research at the University of Akureyri,
to work closely with other researchers in furthering the northern research milieu at the University of Akureyri and contribute to the development of the University of the Arctic,
to support and facilitate continuous cooperation between the University of Akureyri and Norwegian research institutions dedicated to Arctic issues,
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 advise public officials on the topics proposed by the candidate.

The level of compensation will be in line with prevailing salaries for professors at Icelandic state universities. A special 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.

The application deadline is October 1st, 2023

The application deadline is October 1st, 2023. Formal period of employment starts in January 2024 or as jointly decided with the candidate. It is highly recommended that the Nansen Visiting professor resides in Akureyri during the fellowship, but expectations and requirements of physical presence will be tailored to the successful candidate. Applications should be sent in digital form to nansen@unak.is. A standard application form is not used.

Enclosed 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.
A 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 in November 2023. 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.

Further information

For more information about the University of Akureyri and the Nansen professorship please click here.

Akureyri - A university town

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.