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

A full-time position as Associate Professor in Geohazards-Geomechanics is available at the Department of Geosciences.

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. We also highlight that our laboratory, field, and computational infrastructures are critical for successful research. 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 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, three 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 of Planetary Habitability (PHAB, Centre of Excellence), (iv) Environmental Geoscience, (v) Physical geography and hydrology (GeoHyd), and (vi) Meteorology and oceanography (MetOs). A small group working towards geo-didactics is also organised in a section as the UiO part of the Centre for excellent education “iEarth”.

Solid earth geohazards, as a research topic, span different sections at the Department. The successful candidate will be part of the section that is most relevant for the main research area of the candidate. Relevant sections are in particular Environmental Geosciences and Crustal Processes.

General information about the position

Global climate change will make extreme weather events more frequent and probably more hazardous. A harsher and wetter climate will increase several types of geohazards, posing a major societal challenge both in Norway and internationally. Also due to the increasing number of people and assets located in areas affected by geohazards, there is a strong need for related basic research and training on the geomechanics and stability of rocks and sediments, with applications on natural processes such as landslides (in rocks, debris, and clay), rockfalls, glacier instabilities, earthquakes and volcanic activity. Data on geohazards are available from various types of Earth observations (e.g., field, aircraft, drones, satellites) and laboratory experiments. However, to improve predictions there is a great demand to better understand and numerically model the triggering factors and mechanisms of geohazards, and how the interactions between water/ice and rocks/sediments affects ground stability. Strong competences in field analyses, laboratory experiments, computational modelling, and data science applied to geomechanics, slope stability and geohazards are thus important to develop for the Department of Geosciences, in synergy with existing competences.

The open position will be closely linked to the Department’s strategy (2021-2025) by contributing to "research-based knowledge with societal relevance linked to climate, environment, energy, natural hazards, and sustainable use of resources”. The position duties cover research, teaching, supervision and communication within the fields of geohazards-geomechanics. The position will be a link between our competences within climate research, hydrology/hydrogeology, structural geology, and rock mechanics for geohazards. Our aim is to advance process understanding of slow and fast rock mass movements by developing and applying advanced methods and models that will contribute to solving scientific and societal challenges related to geohazards. A special interest of our research lies in cold climatic settings, with large seasonal climate variations and low average temperatures, including regions with quick-clay and steep alpine and/or fjord landscapes exposed to instabilities and fractures. The position will also be a link at the Norwegian national level, between other higher education institutions and with the research institute sector, the consultancy industry, and public and governmental entities.

Research:

With a broad announcement we wish to attract high-quality applicants in line with the department’s strategy. The candidate must have a degree in geology or geophysics, or a related field, and a strong background in processes that affect rock stability, as well as in dynamic processes and changes in rocks and/or sediments. High competence in numerical methods and modelling, and field and experimental methods are highly beneficial. The candidate must be a dynamic person who is able to strengthen the geohazard and geomechanics fields in the Department, winning external research funds. The person must complement the existing competences at the Department. The research should also be applicable to societal problems and needs.

Current research areas and priorities in relation to geohazards-geomechanics at the Department of Geosciences are:

• Rock mechanics and/or tectono-physical processes, with the development and application of numerical methods for understanding and predicting deformation of rocks and/or stability in sediments
• Development of experiments on rocks and/or sediments
• Analysis of physical and/or chemical properties of unstable slopes in rock and/or sediment as well as fundamental processes about how these materials are affected by stress or other external factors such as climate
• Development and application of computer science methods for the analysis and understanding of geohazards, as well as the use of tools and concepts from other disciplines (e.g. computational science) into geoscience
• Development and application of advanced field and related Earth observation methods (e.g. observation by drones, geodetic/photogrammetric measurements)

The department has collaborations with several external institutions, including formalized collaboration agreements with, among others, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) and the Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR), and it is expected that the person concerned will contribute actively towards strengthening and further developing these.

Education:

The person will initially take over course responsibility for at least two courses, preferably one at bachelor's level and one at master's level. Today, possible courses are:

• GEO4131 (Geomechanics)
• BSc/MSc subjects in the direction "Geohazards", depending on needs and expertise (e.g. "Floods and landslides" or "Volcanoes and earthquakes")

The subjects may be modified depending on the background of the successful candidate. The candidate will lead and coordinate the subject area of geohazards at the Department and facilitate research and education within geohazards and geomechanics in various sections and professional groups. The person will supervise bachelor's, master's and PhD students on the topic of geohazards, which attracts currently a large number of students. The appointed person will lead the specialization in geohazards in the MSc program at the Department of Geosciences. 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 excellence, as reflected in the number and quality of peer-reviewed publications, scientific relevance, ability to attract external funding, and other evidence of impact. Scientific qualifications will play a major role, and the main emphasis will be on the candidate’s scientific performance during the last five years. We expect a scientific track record at a high international level that demonstrates the ability to write/attract external funds and lead research projects.

Required qualifications

• In terms of scientific qualification, the candidate must hold a PhD in geology/geophysics or related fields (e.g., structural geology, hydrogeology, geomorphology/quaternary geology, geomechanics, rock physics).
• Document a strong scientific background in processes that affect fast and slow movements in rock and/or sediment. The candidate must demonstrate experience in research and investigation of natural hazards and stability/basic mechanical processes in rocks and/or sediments.
• Document good understanding of the external influences and processes that impact on geohazards such as climate forcing, fluid pressure, gravitational or tectonic stresses, frictional instabilities, and how these processes affect stability and/or geohazard dynamics.
• Demonstrate competence in numerical modelling tools and/or observational methods used in the field and/or in laboratory experiments, along with experience in advanced calculation, including analysing large amounts of data (observational or simulated data).
• Demonstrate experience in field or laboratory methods and their application in geohazard-related studies.
• Offer a scientific record of accomplishment at a high international level and demonstrate the ability to attract external funding and lead research projects.
• 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 should describe her/his qualifications in view of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) framework which includes:
  • Focus on student learning
  • A clear development over time
  • A researching approach
  • A collegial attitude and practice
• The successful applicant must have fluent oral and written communication skills both in a Scandinavian language and in English.

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document sufficient teaching qualifications (minimum formal requirement is a 200 hrs 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. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, the appointee will be required to learn sufficient Norwegian within a two-year period, to be able to participate actively in all functions the position may involve.

Desirable qualifications:

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

• Field and related observation methods, to create fundamental observation-based knowledge that can be elaborated in technical studies can be considered as an advantage.
• Knowledge of 'open-access' resources (data and method).
• A track record in scientific and administrative leadership 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 activity in line with the department's strategy. The person must be a team player and have good communication skills and a desire to contribute to a good and inclusive work environment. We also emphasize 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 team work and internal cooperation as a success factor for funding application and work environment development.

We offer

• Salary from kr 636 700 to kr 746 900 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 and transcript of records.
• 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

Pursuant to section 25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be made public, even if the applicant has requested not to appear on the list of applicants.

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

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.

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.

Contactinformation

For further information please contact:

• Bernd Etzelmüller (Head of Department), phone: +47 906 31 089, e-mail: bernd.etzelmuller@geo.uio.no,
• Helge Hellevang (Head of Section, Environmental Geoscience)
• Luca Menegon (Head of Section, Crustal processes)

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, e-mail: ole.rustad@mn.uio.no

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