Vacancies | University of Iceland

Two PhD positions in Electrical- and Computer Engineering

Applications are invited for two full-time PhD student positions in Electrical- and Computer Engineering. Both projects are in the field of medical image analysis. Both positions are fully funded by The Icelandic Research Fund (RANNIS) for three years and involve collaborations between the University of Iceland and extended international research teams of engineers and clinicians.

Further information

Field of work

The first project¿s main objective is the development of image processing and analysis strategies to study and characterize brain atrophy seen in patients with Parkinson plus syndromes. The PhD student will develop novel image processing methods for automatic segmentation of brain structures from magnetic resonance images (MRI), and in turn, develop a classifier for imaging biomarkers associated with Parkinson plus syndromes. The long term objective is to provide diagnostic aid for earlier diagnosis of these syndromes than is currently possible. The methods will be evaluated on extensive multi-site MRI patient data from Europe and the USA.

The second project¿s main objectives is the development of image processing strategies for hip-fracture risk assessment. Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that increases fracture risk with age, especially hip fractures. Image-based biomarkers from finite element (FE) analysis of the proximal femur offer promise for hip-fracture risk assessment; however, manual segmentation of Computed Tomography (CT) images has hindered clinical translation. The PhD student will develop novel image processing methods for a fully automated femur segmentation approach for CT images that is robust across different CT scanners. Through extensive international collaboration and validation on diverse clinical data from Europe, the USA, and Asia, we aim for a proof-of-concept for future FE analyses for different clinical applications.

Qualification requirements

MSc degree in a relevant field, including electrical- and computer engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, and physics.
A background in AI, deep learning, or machine learning is a distinct advantage.
Ability to work independently and have strong communication skills.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English.

The hiring is contingent on the candidate applying formally for the Ph.D. program at the University of Iceland at the corresponding department and that the application is approved by the faculty.

Application process

The PhD student position starts no later than the spring of 2025.

Applications should include i) a cover letter, ii) a CV (stating relevant work experience, knowledge in computer programming, and a list of publications if any), iii) copies of university diplomas (BS and MS), course listings with grade information (in English), iv) a one-page statement of research interests, v) 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 about the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications are valid in the system for 6 months after the application deadline.

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland. http://www.hi.is/haskolinn/jafnrettisaaetlun#markmid2

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy. https://www.hi.is/haskolinn/malstefna_haskola_islands

The University of Iceland is the largest teaching, research and science institute in Iceland. The University of Iceland is a growing community of knowledge and is a very dynamic and interesting workplace. Our values are academic freedom, professionalism, and equality. The University strives to provide flexibility and encourages participation in the progression of the studies and research in all fields within the realm of the University.

The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs around 400 people involved with teaching and research. The School offers an international working environment, with the number of international employees and students increasing each year. Currently about quarter of all employees and graduate students are international. The school has 2000 students and numerous graduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences is proud of its¿ diversity and reform-minded environment where knowledge acquisition and sharing is paramount.

For further information please visit the University of Iceland and Relocation Services webpages.

Application deadline

Application deadline is 06.08.2024

For further information contact

Lotta María Ellingsen

lotta@hi.is

Apply now

PhD position in Active Tectonics and Earthquake Geology at the University of Iceland

Do you want to do your PhD in Geology and research an exciting Plate boundary in the North Atlantic? We invite applications for PhD student position under the supervision of Associate Professor Gregory De Pascale. This project is a part of the Faculty of Earth Science and the Institute of Earth Sciences based in Reykjavik. The position is funded by the HI Doctoral Scholarship/Grant.

Further information

Field of work

Earthquakes are the outcome of plate tectonic motions and important geological hazards and Iceland is a world class laboratory to study these complex systems. Although abundant modern seismicity are observed, little is known about the active faults in Iceland that are responsible for these earthquakes and have an important control on eruptive centers. The HI (i.e. University of Iceland)-based PhD student that will live in Reykjavik will focus on the active faults in Iceland.

The PhD student will do desktop remote sensing mapping and digital elevation models (DEMs) will aid to define areas to collect fit-for-purpose surveys using existing HI drones for aerial photography and lidar-derived topography and development of high-resolution DEMs. The DEMs will be used for extensive field geologic mapping campaigns. They will constrain timing of prior ruptures along these faults using both on- and off- fault shaking records using a combination of Quaternary dating methods and tephrachronology to obtain critical earthquake parameters. By combining field data and geochronology data with remote sensing, and existing modelling, we will better characterise the neotectonics and the seismic and fault rupture hazard and interplay with volcanism in Iceland. Opportunities exist for TA (teaching assistant) positions during the degree. For more on the PhD program: https://english.hi.is/earth_sciences_phd

Qualification requirements

M.Sc. degree in Geology or related field.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Good cooperative and social skills.
Independence and ability to work in a team.
Experience in one or more of the following is considered an asset: structural geology, tectonics, earthquake geology, tectonic geomorphology.

The hiring is dependent on the candidate applying formally for the Ph.D. program at the University of Iceland at the corresponding department and that the application is approved by the faculty.

Application process

The position is for 1 year and starts in the fall 2024.

Please apply through the University of Iceland website, vacancies.

The application shall include

i) A cover letter describing the student`s research interests and reasons for applying (1 page maximum).

ii) CV (3 page maximum),

iii) Copies of university diplomas (BSc and MSc) and course listings with grade information (in English).

iv) Names and contact information of two potential references.

All applications will be answered and applicants will be notified of the employment decision when a decision has been made. Applications will be valid for six months from the end of the application deadline.

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland.

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy.

The University of Iceland is a growing community of knowledge and is a very dynamic and interesting workplace. Our values are academic freedom, professionalism and equality. The University strives to provide flexibility and encourages participation in the progression of studies and research in all fields within the realm of the University. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs ca. 400 people involved with teaching and research. The School offers an international working environment, with the number of international employees and students increasing each year. Currently about a quarter of all employees and graduate students are international. The school has around 2000 students and numerous graduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences is proud of its diversity and reform-minded environment where knowledge acquisition and sharing are paramount.

Application deadline

Application deadline is 04.09.2024

For further information contact

Gregory Paul De Pascale

gregoryp@hi.is

525-4626

Apply now

PhD position at the Faculty of Life- and Environmental Sciences

A full time PhD student position within the Faculty of Life- and Environmental Sciences at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the University of Iceland is open for applications. A challenging and creative project in a mixed academic and private environment. The position and research costs are funded by Benchmark Genetics Iceland for three years.

Further information

Field of work

The project title is Embyronic Development and Fertility Management in Atlantic Salmon

Sexual maturation of farmed salmon in sea cages creates a risk of genetic introgression of these non-native, selectively bred individuals with wild salmon populations. Sterile salmon will completely prevent this. The goal of this project is to apply molecular genetic techniques to understand early developmental processes in salmon, and then to apply that knowledge to the production of sterile salmon. The PhD student will participate in a research program that integrates both basic and applied research principles.

The student`s primary tasks will involve (i) determining plasticity in embryonic gene expression in response to rearing environment and (ii) designing techniques for the delivery of genetic vectors to embryos. Primary techniques are expected to be transcriptomic analyses and measures of targeted gene expression. Innovation in experimental techniques and research questions is welcomed. The student will be expected to participate in research with animal models, including adult fish.

Qualification requirements

MSc degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, or Related Field.
Experience within the field of developmental biology is an advantage.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English.

The hiring is contingent on the candidate applying formally for the Ph.D. program at the University of Iceland at the corresponding department and that the application is approved by the faculty.

Application process

The start date of the PhD position is negotiable but preferably around October 1st 2024.

Applications shall include:

A cover letter describing the student's research interests and reasons for applying (1 page maximum).
Curriculum vitae (3 page maximum).
Copies of university diplomas (BSc and MSc) and course listings with grade information (in English).
Names and contact information of two potential references.

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed about the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications are valid in the system for 6 months after the application deadline.

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland. http://www.hi.is/haskolinn/jafnrettisaaetlun#markmid2

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy. https://www.hi.is/haskolinn/malstefna_haskola_islands

The University of Iceland is a growing community of knowledge and is a very dynamic and interesting workplace. Our values are academic freedom, professionalism and equality. The University strives to provide flexibility and encourages participation in the progression of studies and research in all fields within the realm of the University. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs ca. 400 people involved with teaching and research. The School offers an international working environment, with the number of international employees and students increasing each year. Currently about a quarter of all employees and graduate students are international. The school has around 2000 students and numerous graduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences is proud of its diversity and reform-minded environment where knowledge acquisition and sharing are paramount.

Benchmark Genetics Iceland
Benchmark Genetics Iceland is an Atlantic salmon breeding and genetics company based in Iceland, producing and exporting salmon ova to all corners of the world, every week of the year. The head office is in Hafnarfjördur, outside Reykjavik and their 4 land based and bio secure production sites for brood stock and ova are based in the South-West corner of Iceland.

Application deadline

Application deadline is 06.08.2024

For further information contact

Zophonías Oddur Jónsson

zjons@hi.is

Adam Ray Smith

adamray@hi.is

Apply now

PhD student position in Physics

The Faculty of Physical Sciences seeks applicants for a PhD student position within the field of theoretical nanomagnetism and magnetic metamaterials. The position is funded for four years by the Icelandic Research Fund and the Faculty of Technology of Linnaeus University.

Further information

Field of work

Magnetic metamaterials constitute arrays of interacting magnetic entities such as artificial spin ice, coupled magnetic nano-oscillators, or various topological magnetic textures including skyrmions and beyond. These systems demonstrate interesting collective behavior that can be used in various applications, for example, to mimic the neurons in our brain. Such neural networks are highly efficient at recognition, classification and prediction tasks and could consume less energy in performing these tasks than current computing schemes. The student will be involved in the development of theoretical and computational methods for the study and control of magnetic ordering and dynamics in magnetic metamaterials. The student will explore ways to utilize collective phenomena in systems composed of magnetic islands arranged in specific patterns, exhibiting magnetic properties beyond those of their individual constituents. The work will involve analytical calculations in combination with numerical work and programming. The student will work in close collaboration with the experimental researchers at the University of Iceland.

The research group

The supervisors will be Dr. Pavel Bessarab, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iceland and Senior Lecturer at Linnaeus University Kalmar and Dr. Unnar Arnalds, Professor of Physics at the University of Iceland. The work will be carried out both at the University of Iceland and Linnaeus University and the student will receive a double degree from the two institutes. The work is part of a grant of excellence project which employs 3-4 other PhD students and postdocs.

Qualification requirements

MSc degree in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related fields.
Experience of theoretical physics and magnetism.
Experience and knowledge in programming.
Knowledge of computational and numerical methods, micromagnetic simulations and/or atomistic spin dynamics is desirable.
The applicant must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.

The hiring is contingent on the candidate applying formally for the Ph.D. program at the University of Iceland at the corresponding department and that the application is approved by the faculty.

Application process

The start date of the position is negotiable but preferably around November 1st 2024.

Applications shall include:

A cover letter describing the student's research interests and reasons for applying (1 page maximum).
Curriculum vitae (3 page maximum).
Copies of university diplomas (BSc and MSc) and course listings with grade information (in English).
Names and contact information of two potential references.

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed about the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications are valid in the system for 6 months after the application deadline.

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland. http://www.hi.is/haskolinn/jafnrettisaaetlun#markmid2

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy. https://www.hi.is/haskolinn/malstefna_haskola_islands

The University of Iceland is a growing community of knowledge and is a very dynamic and interesting workplace. Our values are academic freedom, professionalism and equality. The University strives to provide flexibility and encourages participation in the progression of studies and research in all fields within the realm of the University. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs ca. 400 people involved with teaching and research. The School offers an international working environment, with the number of international employees and students increasing each year. Currently about a quarter of all employees and graduate students are international. The school has around 2000 students and numerous graduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences is proud of its diversity and reform-minded environment where knowledge acquisition and sharing are paramount.

Application deadline

Application deadline is 09.08.2024

For further information contact

Unnar Bjarni Arnalds

uarnalds@hi.is

Pavel Bessarab

bessarab@hi.is

Apply now

PhD position in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical sciences

A PhD position is open for applications for a Ph.D. positions at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, funded by the University of Iceland` PhD Fund, under the supervision of Professor Sveinbjörn Gizurarson. The appointment is based on a grant awarded for up to three years. The grant amount is fixed and can thus affect both the employment rate and the employment period. Further information and implementation will be discussed in the recruitment process. The research group currently consists of 3 full-time faculty members from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and one from the Department of Chemistry, University of Iceland, in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Ventures (Geneva, Switzerland), End Malaria (Rwanda), Rephaiah (Malawi) and Malawi University of Science and Technology. Also, a research team from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, will participate in this project.

Further information

Field of work

The aim of the project is to understand the solubility, stability and physical chemical behavior of a rescue formulation intended to treat children under the age of 5, with severe and cerebral malaria. A significant part of the work will be plan, carry out and analyze data collected from clinical trials, that will probably be carried out in Malawi, Africa. Our research interests lead also into various factors related to treating children under 5, especially malnourished children.

Qualification requirements

Master's degree in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences
Experience in research is preferred
Background in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacology is preferred
Knowledge in mathematics is preferred
Ability to work independently and in a team

Application process

There are no teaching duty, but teaching opportunities exist. The Ph.D. position is expected to be for three year, and may extend for additional year dependent on funding. Start date is flexible, but expected to be around October/November 2024.

Please include the following documents with the application:

CV and list of publications
Cover letter describing how the applicant meets the requirements and how they could contribute to the project (max 1 page).
Certificates of bachelor and master's education
Reference letter from at three previous supervisors/teachers (including information on their relationship to the applicant).

For further details please contact Professor Sveinbjorn Gizurason at sveinbj@hi.is

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland.

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy. https://www.hi.is/haskolinn/malstefna_haskola_islands

The University of Iceland's School of Health Sciences is at the forefront of health issues in Iceland and plays a key role in the development of the Icelandic health system through the education of health workers. The nation's leading experts in health sciences are involved in the teaching and research in the field.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has an undergraduate, masters and doctoral program in pharmacy as well as in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Faculty has strong research groups, in different disciplines within the field of pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, natural products, analytics and pharmaceutical chemistry. For more information about Ph.D. studies see Faculty website

Application deadline

Application deadline is 12.08.2024

For further information contact

Sveinbjörn Gizurarson

sveinbj@hi.is