Employment opportunity: Scientific Director

06.04.2010

GenØk – Centre for Biosafety seeks to appoint a new Scientific Director.

GenØk was founded in 1998 and is a non-commercial, independent research foundation located at the University of Tromsø and Forskningsparken (the Science Park). GenØk is engaged in research, training and international capacity building related to the use of genetic resources and the consequences of “modern biotechnologies”, which includes recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology. GenØk is committed to a broad dissemination of its research and performs advisory activities within its field of expertise. In 2007, GenØk was given the status as national competence centre in biosafety.

The centre has approximately 40 employees. The cross-disciplinary field of gene ecology represents our researchers’ shared scientific platform. This is reflected in their scientific backgrounds, which cover genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, ecology, ethics and societal aspects of modern biotechnologies.

GenØk is part of a national and international cooperative network that encompasses Norwegian research institutions, as well as internationally recognized research environments and independent NGOs. Our closest co-operating partners are the Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafety (New Zealand), GenØk-West at University of California, Berkeley (USA), Third World Network (Malaysia) and the University of Tromsø (Norway). GenØk currently has active and collaborative research projects in Brazil, India, China, South-Africa and USA, and is also the headquarters of the Gateways Institutes, an international network of independent biosafety research institutes.

The ideal candidate would have:

• High scientific qualifications, at least comparable to Norwegian professor-level
• Preferably a background in the natural sciences
• Documented experience in research project management, preferably in cross-disciplinary projects
• Management experience that demonstrates an ability to inspire, motivate and contribute to an excellent professional and social working environment
• Good knowledge of the Norwegian political decision-making processes relevant to GenØk’s core themes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian and English.

Our Scientific Director will represent the centre and its field of research both nationally and internationally. For candidates with particular scientific qualifications, it will be encouraged that an adjunct professor position at a university or a university college is held.

GenØk has a shared management structure between the Managing Director and Scientific Director. The Scientific Director is accountable for, and has discretion over GenØk’s research resources.

Salary and pension scheme by agreement. The place of work is Tromsø. Women are encouraged to apply.

For further information, please contact:

Scientific Director: Terje Traavik, tel. +47 45 50 74 71 / terjet@genok.org
Managing Director: Trond Skotvold, tel. +47 91 88 40 35 / trond.skotvold@genok.org
Chair, Board of Directors: Aina Bartmann, tel. +47 91 35 00 74 / anb@landbruk.no

Interested candidates should send a complete CV along with a cover letter including a description of their research and administrative experience by e-mail to jobs@genok.org by 18 May 2010.

Download announcement as pdf.