About the position

Position as Research available at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

Starting date as soon as possible, no lather than 01.09.2025.End date: 31.03.2027The appointment is a fulltime position (100%).

Job description / Project description

A full-time researcher position is available in the group of Prof. Armin Wisthaler at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo. The position is part of the ERC Advanced Grant project "EPHEMERAL: Detection and Speciation of Gas-Phase Atmospheric Peroxy and Criegee Radicals", led by Prof. Barbara Nozière (KTH, Stockholm). Learn more about the project here.

The EPHEMERAL project aims to push the boundaries of proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) for detecting reactive radical species in the atmosphere. The appointed researcher will play a central role in customizing and enhancing an existing PTR-MS instrument, with a particular focus on reconfiguring and optimizing the inlet system for radical detection.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing, modifying, and integrating new components into a commercial PTR-ToF-MS analyzer
• Characterizing instrument performance through laboratory testing and calibration
• Participating in collaborative international lab studies and field campaigns
• Analyzing data and contributing to high-impact scientific publications

We are looking for an individual with hands-on experience in instrument development and modification, and a strong interest in analytical and atmospheric chemistry.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe's leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Analytical Chemistry, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Experimental or Applied Physics, or a closely related field.
• Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
• Applicants must have solid, hands-on experience with PTR-ToF-MS or related mass spectrometric techniques, such as chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS), ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS), or other online soft ionization methods. This experience should extend beyond routine operation and include instrument development, modification, or in-depth characterization. Relevant experience must be clearly described in the cover letter.
• Applicants must have practical experience with assembling and disassem-bling mass spectrometry components in particular, as well as vacuum systems more generally. This experience should be clearly described in the cover letter.
• Applicants must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal skills

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure (e.g., during measurement intensives)
• Ability to deliver results reliably and in time
• Strong sense of responsibility towards the research group

We offer

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• A pleasant and stimulating work environment 
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities. 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from 610 000 to 692 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

The application must include

• Cover letter, describing your motivation for the position, alignment with the project goals, and how you meet the required qualifications. 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including education history, work experience, and publication list
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcript of records 
• Names and contact details of two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. 

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language). 

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project, including commitments to project partners during the period of employment. 

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Apply for the position

Questions about the position

• Armin Wisthaler  (Professor), armin.wisthaler@kjemi.uio.no

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact Torunn Standal Guttormsen (HR Adviser), t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no