Job description

A full time position as Associate Professor is available at the Department of Geoscience.

About the Department and what they are looking for in this position

The Department of Geosciences (GEO) at the University of Oslo (UiO) is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MATNAT) and is a leading research unit in Europe. The Department covers a wide breadth of topics, from mantle and lithosphere dynamics on Earth and other planets, via surface processes in the boundary layers between Earth’s surface and atmosphere, to the dynamics and interactions in the Earth's crust, soils, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The Department of Geosciences has defined a strategy that focuses on four main topics that are transversal to the Department: (i): Dynamics of the solid Earth and planets, (ii) Climate change and the coupled Earth system, (iii) Environmental geosciences, and (iv) Geoscience in the Arctic. The Department aims to contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goals and hosts important contributors to IPCC (UN’s Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change). 

The staff consists of c. 40 professors and associate professors, in addition to postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, researchers, technical and administrative staff. In total, the Department hosts today around 200 employees, one Centre of Excellence and, at present, five grants from the European Research Council, along with numerous other grants from public and private institutions. The Department is organised in six sections: (i) Basin Studies, (ii) Crustal Processes (iii) Centre for Planetary Habitability [Centre of Excellence], (iv) Environmental Geoscience, (v) Physical Geography and Hydrology, and (vi) Meteorology and Oceanography, and a group on geo-didactics. The Department offers two bachelor study programs (“Geology and Geography” and “Geophysics and Climate”) and on MSc-programme in “Geosciences”. 

This position is primarily associated with the Basin Studies section that mostly works with basin formation, basin evolution, energy resources/storages, and tectonic and environmental changes through Earth’s history. 

General information about the position

We are looking for a candidate with a broad experience in geophysical methods, modelling and analysis whose expertise will strengthen our mission to deliver excellent research and education. Applicants must document academic qualifications in their field, equivalent to a Associate professor position. The successful applicant must be able to teach at all levels and to supervise Master and PhD students. The successful candidate must be familar with various geophysical methods, data processing and modelling tools, visualisation and interpretation (both qualitative and quantitative. It is expected that the candidate will contribute to research that will strengthen the integration of geology and geophysics in the Department. Research topics may include Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), H2 storage, environmental geology/geohazards, tectonic and geothermal processes and groundwater. Academic excellence relevance to the Department’s strategy, and the documented ability to attract external funds (e.g. EU pilar 1 and 2) in line with the Department's guidelines are central for a successful application.

Research: Current research areas considered to be relevant for this position are: (1) Method development in the processing of geophysical data, with a focus on underground imaging and monitoring with application on sedimentary basin studies, tectonics, and/or near-surface characterisation within e.g. geohazards, (2) Modern techniques (including machine learning) for analysing subsurface geophysical data, or (3) new seismological techniques such as ambient noise imaging, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and other techniques involving massive data analysis for understanding geological processes in the subsurface. The candidate is expected to continue developing solid-Earth geophysics competence at the Department and facilitate collaboration in research and education within geophysics in various sections and research groups of the department

Education: The successful candidate will take over responsibility for a maximum of two courses, preferably one at bachelor's and one at master's level. Course contents will be influenced by the competence of the selected candidate. Today, there is a need for teaching duties within geophysics-related subjects such as “Solid Earth geophysics” at the bachelor level and various topics at the master level related to seismic interpretation, near-surface geophysical investigations, sub-surface characterisation of geophysical monitoring and seismology. The successful applicant may furthermore be required to take on other teaching duties and administrative tasks, by request from the Department or the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Qualification requirements

Assessment of candidates will be based on scientific and educational excellence, as for example reflected in the quality of peer-reviewed publications, scientific relevance, ability to attract external funding, and other evidence of impact. The main emphasis will be on the candidate’s performance during the last five years. We expect the candidate having a scientific track record at a high international level that demonstrates the ability to fund and lead research projects.

Required qualifications

• In terms of scientific qualification, the candidate must have a PhD in geophysics, physics, or a related field but with insight into geology. 

The successful candidate must have 

• a professional profile with a solid background in geophysical methods and an interest in using geophysics to address questions related to fundamental processes in geosciences. 
• an expertise in geophysical data processing and interpretation with insight in numerical modelling and and preferably expertise in machine learning
• must document development and application of new, innovative methods for data acquisition, analysis, modelling and interpration. 

In terms of pedagogical qualifications, teaching and supervision experience at all levels will be an important factor in the evaluation process and must be well documented in a teaching portfolio.

The applicant must describe her/his qualifications in view of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) framework which includes:

• Focus on student learning
• clear development over time
• A researching approach
• A collegial attitude and practice

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document sufficient teaching qualifications (minimum formal requirement is a 200 hours pedagogical programme) will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period.

The successful candidate must demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages, in order to be able to teach and otherwise be able to participate in all functions the position may involve. If the successful candidate does not have sufficient mastery of a Scandinavian language, the candidate will be required to learn sufficient Norwegian within a two-year period.

Desired qualifications:

The following additional qualifications are desirable and may be evaluated as an advantage: 

• Geophysical data acquisition/sampling in field.
• Experience in applying machine learning techniques
• Knowledge of 'open-access' resources (data and method). 
• Candidates should be able to establish, lead and conduct research projects, also as a collaborator. A track record in scientific and administrative management is an advantage.
• International network, outreach activities, collegiality, and the ability to create a good working environment will be part of the evaluation.
• The person appointed will be requested to take on some administrative duties. Hence such experience will be an advantage.

Personal qualities

The candidate must be creative and innovative in his/her research and able to initiate new activities in line with the department's strategy. The person must be a team player and have good communication skills, and desire to contribute to a good and inclusive work environment. Emphasis is also on good written and oral presentation skills, the ability to communicate new and complex information effectively and to engage the target groups. Finally, the candidate should be able to cooperate and communicate well with other members of staff. We highlight teamwork and internal cooperation as important factors for work environment development and successful applications.

The successful candidate should have an international profile with respect to the above criteria. The work tasks are related to research, teaching, supervision at all levels (BSc, MSc and PhD levels), innovation, and outreach within geosciences. Academic excellence, academic relevance, and the ability to attract external funds in line with the institute's guidelines and strategy are central. The candidate for this position will be selected based on excellence and fit with the section’s research profile.

We offer:

• Salary NOK 692400 – 870900 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Associate Professor (position code 1011).
• A professionally stimulating work environment.
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage only pertains to employment as Associate Professor.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter.
• A research statement (1–4 pages) describing the applicant’s vision and scientific ambitions for the nearest future.
• A detailed CV, including a complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities.
• Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma, transcript of records and letters of recommendation.
• A complete list of publications and academic merits and awards (if not included in the CV).
• A list of up to 10 selected scientific publications (only the references) the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation, along with a documentation of the importance, interrelation, and relevance of the selected papers for this position. 
• Educational portfolio of 3–6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own teaching practice and view of learning is anchored in the SoTL framework (focus on student learning, development over time, a researching approach and a collegial attitude and practice).
• List of reference persons who may be contacted by the Department of Geosciences: 2–3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number).

The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system; please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language. A selection committee will invite a limited number of candidates (“short list”) to submit a portfolio of academic work (i.e. up to 10 publications) that are particularly relevant for the position. Academic texts should therefore not be enclosed with the application. 

Formal regulations

As a general rule an interview will be used in the appointment process, usually supplemented with a trial teaching session. The basis for assessment will be the scientific production of the applicant, the teaching portfolio, pedagogical and educational qualifications, the applicant’s qualifications within leadership and administration, other qualifications as well as general personal suitability for the position. In ranking the competent applicants, the full range of qualifications will be considered and explicitly assessed.

Rules for appointments to associate professorships. 

Rules for the assessment and weighting of pedagogical competence for appointments to permanent academic posts which include teaching duties: 

Guide for applicants for Professor and Associate professor positions - University of Oslo

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova), information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds. Women are encouraged to apply.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results, see here.

In addition, the University of Oslo aims for its employees to reflect the diversity of the population to the greatest degree possible. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities or gaps in their CV to apply for the position. The University of Oslo will adapt the workplace to suit employees with disabilities. Applicants who indicate that they have disabilities or gaps in their CV are made aware that this information may be used for statistical purposes. 

Contact information

For further information please contact:

•  Bernd Etzelmüller, e-mail: bernd.etzelmuller@geo.uio.noor Alvar Braathen, email: alvar.braathen@geo.uio.no

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Ørjan Pretorius, e-mail: orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no

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