Vacancies

Listen

The University of Iceland is one of the country's largest employers. We rely on a diverse team of employees to provide quality education and conduct impactful academic research. We aim to foster a vibrant community, enhancing our position as a leading educational institution.

Surveys indicate that UI employees enjoy high levels of job satisfaction, good morale and opportunities for advancement.

Benefits include professional development, social events, sabbaticals and health services such as annual flu vaccinations and UI wellbeing hub.

Wellbeing hub (for staff only).

PhD position in Physical Chemistry

A full-time PhD position in Physical Chemistry is available at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland. The project Advancing Electrolyte Chemistry for Rechargeable Calcium Batteriess is funded for three years through the University of Iceland Doctoral Grant Fund and focuses on next-generation battery technologies and specifically on the development of electrolytes for rechargeable calcium metal batteries.Calcium metal batteries are a promising beyond-lithium energy storage technology due to calcium's natural abundance, low cost, and favourable electrochemical properties. However, reversible calcium plating and stripping remain poorly understood and are highly dependent on electrolyte chemistry. This project aims to establish fundamental design principles for active calcium electrolytes by systematically linking calcium-ion solvation structure, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) composition, and deposition kinetics. The project combines electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and interfacial science to identify the key properties that determine whether an electrolyte can enable efficient and reversible calcium plating and stripping. The research will provide fundamental insights into multivalent battery chemistries and establish design principles for next-generation calcium batteries, contributing to the development of sustainable and cost-effective energy storage technologies that reduce dependence on lithium and other critical raw materials.The project is supervised by Dr. Anna B. Gunnarsdóttir, Assistant Professor in Physical Chemistry at the University of Iceland. The research group is based at the Science Institute, University of Iceland, and the PhD student will work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment alongside other PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and international collaborators. The position provides opportunities for participation in international conferences and collaborations with leading researchers in battery science.

Field of work

Develop and investigate new electrolyte systems for rechargeable calcium metal batteries.
Study the relationship between calcium-ion solvation structure, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, and electrochemical behaviour.
Perform electrochemical experiments and analyse electrochemical data.
Apply spectroscopic techniques, including Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), to investigate electrolyte structure and properties.
Analyse and interpret research results and disseminate them through publications in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

Qualification requirements

MSc in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or related fields. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Knowledge of electrochemistry and battery chemistry is an advantage.
Programming skills for scientific data analysis (e.g. Python or R) are an advantage.

Employment is contingent upon the applicant formally applying for PhD studies at the Faculty of Physical Sciences at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences and having the application approved by the faculty.

Application process

The starting date is negotiable but preferred if the applicant could start January 1st. 2027.

The application should include:

A cover letter (max. one page) describing the scientific background, research interests, and motivation for pursuing this PhD project
Grade transcripts (BSc and MSc)
Evidence of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent)
CV including list of publications (max. three pages)
Names and full contact information of two professional referees (including their relationship to the applicant).

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed of the outcome once a decision has been made. Applications may remain valid for six months after the application deadline.

In hiring for positions at the University of Iceland, the University's equality policy is taken into account. Attention is also drawn to the University of Iceland's language policy.

Since 1911, the University of Iceland has been a leading institution for business and societal progress in Iceland. It is a forward-looking research university and an active participant in international scientific collaboration.

The University of Iceland is the largest university in the country, offering nearly 400 programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Approximately 14,000 students are enrolled, including over 2,000 international students.

More than 1,800 staff members work at the University of Iceland. The university emphasizes attracting a diverse community of employees and students to an international academic environment, where academic freedom, professionalism, equality, diversity, and inclusion are prioritized.

About the University of Iceland

Schools, faculties and interdisciplinary studies

International Staff Services

Application deadline

Application deadline is 31.08.2026

For further information contact

Anna Bergljót Gunnarsdóttir

annabg@hi.is

Apply now

Ph.D. position in the project Hybrid membrane process for valuable metal recovery from geothermal water

A full-time PhD position is available at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of Iceland. The position is funded by Rannís research fund for three years for the project Hybrid membrane process for valuable metal recovery from geothermal water.

Field of work

Developing innovative adsorption materials and membrane separation processes for recovery of valuable metals (for example, rubidium, lithium) from geothermal water
Examining hybrid membrane system performance
Performing economic analysis and life cycle assessment

Qualification requirements

Master's degree in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, or related disciplines. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
Experience in membrane technology or functional materials is an advantage.
Independent work capability and good communication skills.
Good skills in written and spoken English.

Employment is contingent upon the applicant formally applying for PhD studies at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iceland and having the application approved by the faculty.

Application process

The PhD student is expected to start work no late than 1st of January 2027.

The following documents must accompany the application:

Curriculum vitae
Cover letter describing how the applicant meets the qualification requirements stated in the advertisement and what they consider they can contribute to the position
Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
Copy of TOEFL or IELTS documents
Contact information for two referees

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed of the outcome once a decision has been made. Applications may remain valid for six months after the application deadline.

In hiring for positions at the University of Iceland, the University's equality policy is taken into account. Attention is also drawn to the University of Iceland's language policy.

About the University of Iceland

Schools, faculties and interdisciplinary studies

International Staff Services

Application deadline

Application deadline is 07.09.2026

For further information contact

Bing Wu

wubing@hi.is

Apply now

Ph.D. position for the research project Water governance in low-income African countries

Applications are open for a full time Ph.D. student position for the research project Water governance in low-income African countries. The project is funded by the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs via University of Iceland Ph.D. grants fund for three years and is within the interdisciplinary programme in Environment and Natural Resources (with the option to be in the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences or the School of Social Sciences).The doctoral student will work with an interdisciplinary doctoral committee with expertise in the fields of resource management, development studies, economics, social sciences and water governance. The position provides an opportunity to participate in progressive research on the urgent issue of increasing knowledge about water governance in low-income countries in Africa, with a primary focus on those countries where Iceland has bilateral development cooperation, namely Uganda, Malawi and Sierra Leone. It is expected that the doctoral student will have working facilities at the University of Iceland but will carry out the necessary data collection in Iceland's partner countries in Africa in collaboration with the doctoral committee, with an emphasis on Uganda.Water is a natural resource that is the foundation of all life and is access to sufficient and clean water for drinking and cooking, a basic human need and a prerequisite for health and well-being. Water is also important for many industries such as fish processing and a prerequisite for agriculture.Many low-income countries in Africa struggle with various challenges regarding the development and governance of access, supply and quality of water to meet the needs of society, not least in rural areas. Water is an important focus area in Iceland's development cooperation, both as part of bilateral cooperation in partner countries; as support for multilateral cooperation and also through Icelandic NGOs in Africa. Water issues have also received much increased attention in the context of climate change.This research project focuses on advancing knowledge of water resource governance systems. African countries face a variety of challenges in building and developing sustainable, efficient and equitable rural water governance systems. However, water as a resource has many characteristics that make its governance systems different from other natural resources. It can be assumed that the results of this research will increase knowledge of water governance in low-income African countries and support governments in the countries concerned in water resources governance.

Field of work

Participate in an interdisciplinary research project related to development cooperation, which aims to understand how to strengthen water governance in low-income African countries.
Analyse, using interdisciplinary research methods, the main challenges to water governance in rural low-income countries in Africa, with a focus on drinking water for households, for schools and other institutions and for use in commercial activities, especially fish processing and agriculture.
Conduct policy analysis to assess current policies and action plans on water governance in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Conduct analysis of different water governance systems, taking into account sustainability, efficiency and equity.
Work on the publication of scientific articles and presentations of academic research.
Participate in the dissemination of results to policymakers and support informed decision-making and policy development in the context of water governance.

Qualification requirements

A Master's degree in a field related to the research topic, such as environmental and/or natural resource studies, social sciences, or development studies or another field that the applicant believes is related to the topic. The Master's degree must be completed by the time the position starts.
Independent and disciplined work style.
Good communication skills.
Good writing skills.
Knowledge of interdisciplinary research methods, especially qualitative and policy analysis, is an advantage.
Knowledge of Icelandic development cooperation in Africa is an advantage.
Experience of projects or work in rural areas in in sub Saharan Africa is an advantage.
Good English skills, both spoken and written.
Proficiency in Icelandic is an advantage.

Appointment is conditional on the applicant formally applying for an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Environmental and Natural Resources Studies at the University of Iceland and the application being approved.

Application process

The expected starting date is 01.11.2026 or by agreement.

The following documents must accompany the application in Icelandic or English:

Curriculum vitae
Cover letter describing how the applicant meets the qualification requirements stated in the advertisement and what they consider they can contribute to the position (max 2 pages)
Certified copies of diplomas (undergraduate and graduate studies)
Contact information for two referees

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed of the outcome once a decision has been made. Applications may remain valid for six months after the application deadline.

In hiring for positions at the University of Iceland, the University's equality policy is taken into account. Attention is also drawn to the University of Iceland's language policy.

About the University of Iceland

Schools, faculties and interdisciplinary studies

International Staff Services