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Vacancies
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Applications are submitted online on the Icelandic State Recruitment (ISR) website. You can switch the language to English by clicking the flag at the top right corner. If you haven't registered yet, start by creating an account before signing in.

Assistant Professor in Economics

A full time position of Assistant Professor in economics at the Faculty of Economics is open for applications. According to the University of Iceland¿s rules, the duties of academic staff are divided into three main components: research, teaching, and administration.

Field of work

  • Conduct research in economics, its subfields, and related disciplines.
  • Teach and supervise students in economics.
  • Participate in the development of curricula in economics.
  • Contribute to administrative and service-related tasks associated with the position.

Qualification requirements

  • A PhD in economics or a related field.
  • Demonstrated research activity and capability in economics and/or related disciplines.
  • Teaching experience at the university level is desirable.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, reliability, initiative, and independence in work practices, along with the ability to effectively communicate knowledge.

Application process

The position will be filled for a term of five years, with the possibility of a permanent appointment thereafter, cf. Paragraph 3, Article 31 of the Rules of the University of Iceland No. 569/2009.
The processing of applications, evaluation of candidates¿ qualifications, and appointment to the position shall follow the provisions of Act No. 85/2008 on Public Universities and the Rules of the University of Iceland No. 569/2009.

Applicants must submit the following documents with their application:

  1. A cover letter outlining, among other things, how the applicant meets the qualification requirements
  2. Diploma(s) or, where applicable, a certificate of academic record
  3. Academic curriculum vitae (CV)
  4. List of publications
  5. A report on research work and other professional work undertaken
  6. A statement of research and teaching plans if appointed
  7. Information on potential referees who may be contacted

The application must indicate which of the applicant¿s publications, up to eight in total, are considered most significant with regard to the position in question. Applicants should submit only these publications with their application or provide information on where they are electronically accessible. If a submitted work has multiple authors, applicants must clarify their individual contribution to the work. Application materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent in two copies to the Science and Innovation Department, University of Iceland, Sæmundargata 2, 101 Reykjavík.

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¿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 04.08.2026

For further information contact

Birgir Þór Runólfsson

bthru@hi.is

5254548

Apply now

PhD position in Geophysics

A full time PhD position in Geophysics is open for application at the Institute of Earth Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland. The project will investigate the processes responsible for ground deformation episodes in the Krýsuvík volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula, SW-Iceland, by magmatic and geothermal sources. The prospective student will investigate a range of processes and gain insights into a wide variety of state-of-the-art techniques for geodetic modelling. This includes numerical Finite Element models of magmatic and hydrothermal systems as well as Bayesian inversions routinely used in volcano monitoring.   The position is part of the project TRACE: TRacking volcanic hazards Associated with Crustal deformation Events at Krýsuvík, which is funded by the Icelandic Strategic Research and Development Programme for Natural Hazards. The project as a whole will investigate the current status of the Krýsuvík volcanic system based on past and current ground deformation as well as explore scenarios for the crustal response to potential future magmatic activity. The prospective student will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment in an exciting collaborative project at the intersection of research, volcano observation and industry. The project leader and academic advisor of this project will be Dr. Sonja H. M. Greiner. Additionally, the doctoral committee will include Dr. Samuel W. Scott (University of Iceland), Dr. Michelle M. Parks (Icelandic Meteorologic Office) and Prof. Halldór Geirsson (University of Iceland), who will also be the administrative advisor. 

Field of work

The PhD student will investigate ground deformation in the Krýsuvík volcanic system using geodetic observations and modelling techniques.  

  • Analysis and interpretation of geodetic data such as GNSS and InSAR
  • Bayesian inversion of analytical deformation models
  • Finite Element deformation models of magmatic plumbing systems
  • Finite Element models of geothermal processes
  • Comparison of magmatic and hydrothermal deformation sources and their implications for hazard assessment

Qualification requirements

  • A master's degree in geophysics, geology, physics, mathematics, computer science or other fields related to the project. The applicant must have completed this degree by the time the position begins
  • Solid quantitative background, prior experience with the Finite Element method is beneficial
  • Prior experience in the computational modelling of volcano deformation or geothermal processes is beneficial
  • Basic programming skills in e.g., Matlab, Python, or a similar language.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English
  • Enthusiasm and willingness to learn new methods
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team

Employment is furthermore contingent upon the applicant formally applying for PhD studies at the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland and having the application approved by the faculty.

Application process

The applicant is expected to start 1 September 2026, or according to further agreement.

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 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 and transcripts with grades (B.S. and M.S. diplomas, or equivalent. If the MS degree is not yet completed at the time of application, the applicant should include a letter from their supervisor stating the planned date of the M.S. defense and graduation).
  • List of publications (including academic theses) with doi or other urls where applicable
  • Contact information for two references

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 04.08.2026

For further information contact

Halldór Geirsson

hgeirs@hi.is

Sonja Heidi Maria Greiner

shmgreiner@hi.is

Apply now

Ph.D. position in Civil Engineering

Applications are open for a full time Ph.D. position in Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland. The Ph.D. project is in the field of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, with focus on seismic site characterization and quantification of site effects considering the dynamic and liquefaction behavior of Icelandic basalt sand and effects on critical infrastructure. The project is funded for three years by the Doctoral Grants of the University of Iceland Research Fund.The geotechnical conditions in Iceland are unique in many respects, making it extremely difficult to directly apply research findings obtained from foreign geomaterials to local conditions. The cyclic and dynamic properties of Icelandic geomaterials have received limited research attention. The same applies to the effects of soil¿structure interaction (SSI) between foundations and the surrounding soil during earthquakes. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of these phenomena.The Ph.D. candidate will work on characterizing the dynamic and liquefaction behavior of the local sand and evaluate the seismic site effects and SSI behavior of selected structures considering the local geological and seismic setting. Advanced laboratory and model-scale testing will be used to study the microstructure and the monotonic and cyclic mechanical behavior of the volcanic basalt sand. Non-invasive and invasive geophysical and geotechnical methods will be used for local in-situ site characterization. Subsequently, validated material models and data will be employed to conduct site response simulations and study the response of prototype structures for different scenarios. Hence, the project integrates advanced element-scale, model-scale and in-situ testing with state-of-the-art numerical modelling.The project will be carried out using facilities at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland. The Ph.D. thesis work will be supervised jointly by Dr. Elin Asta Olafsdottir and Dr. Sigurdur Erlingsson.

Field of work

  • Conduct in-depth analysis of the current literature, identify and adapt appropriate methods and models.
  • Fieldwork to collect soil samples and conduct in-situ testing.
  • Investigate experimentally and numerically the microstructure, mechanical and liquefaction behavior of Icelandic basalt sand.
  • Develop, validate and implement constitutive numerical modelling methods that are suited to describe the properties of the local soils, addressing current limitations.
  • Carry out research of high quality within the framework described above.
  • Present research findings at seminars, local and international conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journal articles.
  • Contributions to M.Sc. student supervision and collaborative projects.
  • Synthesize research outcomes in a doctoral thesis.

Qualification requirements

  • A master's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
  • Competent programming skills using Python or MATLAB.
  • Experience with using numerical geotechnical modelling software (e.g., Plaxis, RS2/RS3 or OpenSees) is an advantage. 
  • Experience in geotechnical laboratory testing and/or geophysical in-situ site characterization is an advantage.
  • Ability to work independently in a structured way and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in English, both spoken and written. Knowledge of Icelandic is an advantage.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and to clearly communicate research outcomes in writing and orally.

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 expected start of the position will be in Spring 2027, or by agreement.

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (CV) stating academic background, relevant work experience and other knowledge, and a list of publications (if any).
  • A letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) stating the applicant's research interests, what the applicant has to offer in designing and executing the project and the applicant's expectations for the doctoral study.
  • Certified academic transcripts and diplomas (both for bachelor's and master's degrees), including course listings with grade information (in English or Icelandic). Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
  • Copy of the applicant's master's thesis.
  • Names and full contact information of two professional referees (including information on their relationship with the applicant).
  • Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent test results).

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 11.08.2026

For further information contact

Elín Ásta Ólafsdóttir

elinasta@hi.is

Sigurður Erlingsson

sigger@hi.is

Apply now

Doctoral Students in Public Health

Two full-time PhD positions in Public Health Sciences are available at the Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland. The positions are funded for three years by Rannís (The Icelandic Centre for Research). The projects are carried out in collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Reykjavik University.The PhD projects are part of a large research project, conducted in collaboration with an international team of scientists. The projects focus on the health of residents who experienced repeated seismic activity and threat of volcanic eruptions in Grindavík, as well as risk and resilience factors associated with mental and physical health. One PhD project will focus on children and the other on adults.

Field of work

  • Research the effects of natural disasters on health and associated risk and resilience factors
  • Participate in preparing and conducting the study, including data collection via questionnaires, population-based databases, and qualitative interviews
  • Data analysis
  • Writing scientific articles and disseminating research findings in collaboration with national and international research communities.

Qualification requirements

  • Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Psychology, or related fields. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
  • Experience in data analysis using the statistics program R or comparable programs
  • Research experience in the field is an advantage
  • Good written and spoken English skills
  • Good cooperation and communication skills
  • Demonstrates independence and initiative in carrying out work responsibilities

Employment is contingent upon the applicant formally applying for Public Health Sciences or Epidemiology, as agreed with supervisors at the University of Iceland and having the application approved by the faculty, see PhD studies - The School of Health sciences.

Application process

The positions are expected to start in September or by agreement.

Salaries are in accordance with the current collective agreement between the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Association of University Teachers.

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Cover letter (max. two pages) 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
  • Contact information for referees
  • List of publications
  • Applicants are also invited to submit a PDF version of their master's thesis (in any language), as well as other relevant publications (maximum of five documents).

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 14.08.2026

For further information contact

Edda Björk Þórðardóttir

eddat@hi.is

Þórhildur Halldórsdóttir

thorhildur@ru.is

Apply now

PhD Student in Economics

A full time PhD position at the Department of Economics is open for applications, for a fixed term of two years. The position is funded by the University of Iceland Research Fund and is carried out within a research team on compensating income variation (ConCIV - Consortium on Compensating Income Variation). Further information about the research team can be found here: https://conciv.hi.is. The project lies at the intersection of labor economics and welfare economics and uses the compensating income variation (CIV) approach to estimate the economic value of education and retirement based on their effects on the subjective well-being of individuals and their family members. The PhD student will work with longitudinal data from the Australian HILDA survey and will exploit natural experiments, including changes in compulsory schooling laws and retirement age, to identify causal effects. The project builds on the ConCIV group's previous work on the monetary valuation of non-market goods and is connected to the group's international research collaborations.The research will be supervised by the PhD student's principal supervisor, Dr. Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir, Professor of Economics. The PhD student will be part of a broader research team of domestic and international experts.

Field of work

  • Participation in research activities in collaboration with the principal supervisor and research team.
  • Analysis of quantitative data from the Australian HILDA dataset.
  • Dissemination of research findings, primarily in the form of scientific articles and a doctoral dissertation (based on at least three papers written for publication in recognized international academic journals), as well as through participation in national and international academic communities, conference presentations, and outreach to the general public.

Qualification requirements

  • A Master's degree in economics or a related field. The applicant must have completed the degree by the start of the position.
  • Strong foundation in quantitative research methods and data analysis.
  • Proficiency in English.
  • Initiative, ability to work independently, and strong organizational skills.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Application process

Terms and conditions of employment:

A reduced appointment percentage may be possible upon agreement with the principal supervisor.

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

Further information

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • A cover letter (approximately 2 pages) in English, outlining the applicant's interest in the project and what they can contribute to its development and implementation.
  • A curriculum vitae (1-2 pages) in English, including information on work experience, skills relevant to the project, and a list of publications where applicable.
  • Certified copies of degree certificates (BA/BSc and MA/MSc) and academic transcripts.
  • A copy of the Master's thesis or research articles, where applicable.
  • Inofrmation on two possible referees and information on how to contact them.

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 1,000 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 04.08.2026

For further information contact

Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir

ta@hi.is

Halldóra F Sigurgeirsdóttir

halldoraf@hi.is

Apply now

Ph.D. position at the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The University of Iceland invites applications for a 77% PhD student position in Electrical and Computer Engineering, specializing in medical image analysis. The position is funded by the PhD grants fund of the University of Iceland for three years.This project aims to use a novel contrast enhanced ultrasound-based method, called subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE), to evaluate and map pressures in the body thereby potentially leading to easier diagnosis and treatment monitoring.The student will work under the guidance of Dr. Valgerður G. Halldórsdóttir, assistant professor at the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Iceland. The research group specializes in clinical ultrasound and works closely with international research groups in the field of ultrasound in medicine and medical imaging and the application of subharmonic aided pressure estimation.

Field of work

  • Analysis and processing of ultrasound data and images 
  • Investigation of novel biomarkers 
  • International research collaboration with a leading groups in the field of ultrasound and medical imaging 
  • Dissemination of research results such as writing academic articles and presenting research findings at local and international conferences 
  • Reporting on research work in collaboration with supervisor

Qualification requirements

  • Master's degree in relevant fields, including (but not limiting to): Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science or Medical Physics. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
  • Proficiency in data analysis, programming, signal and medical image processing is preferred.
  • Experience in medical/clinical ultrasound is preferred.
  • Experience in contrast enhanced ultrasound is an advantage.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Proficiency in both written and spoken English.
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team.

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

Application process

The expected starting date is December 1st, 2026 at the latest.

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • Curriculum vitae (relevant work experience, programming skills, and a list of publications (if any))
  • Statement for research interests and strengths as well as provide a statement explaining why the candidate would like to join this project and what their contribution could be
  • Cover letter
  • Certified copies of diplomas (BSc and MSc) along with course listings with grade information (in English)
  • A digital copy of the master's thesis text (preferably in English if available) and/or any publications or previous theses that the student has written
  • Contact information for two referees and their relationship with 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 10.08.2026

For further information contact

Valgerður Guðrún Halldórsdóttir

valgud@hi.is

Apply now

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