About the position

Open position as PhD Research Fellow in Geosciences available at the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

Starting date no later than October 1st 2025.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Job description

This is an open position in Geosciences where the applicants will strictly be evaluated based on:

• Grades on Bachelor and Master courses and the Master’s thesis
• A research plan, where the topic must align with one or more of the research fields covered at the Department, and aligned with the Departments major strategic directions (see https://www.mn.uio.no/geo/om/strategi/planer-rapporter/engelsk-strategi-ig-2021-25.pdf, chapter 2. Geoscience for the future”). The research plan can be developed in collaboration with academic members of our Department (https://www.mn.uio.no/geo/english/people/).
• If applicable, a plan how to contribute to teaching at the Department, and documentation of any past teaching experience. In case two or more top-ranked candidates are else equally qualified, needs for teaching support at the department will be used as an additional selection criterion.

Qualifications 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.

We seek a highly motivated candidate for a PhD-project in all relevant fields of Geosciences, which include geology/geophysics, geomorphology/geomatics and meteorology/oceanography/glaciology/hydrology.

Required qualifications

• A formal MSc degree within natural sciences with relation to Geosciences, with well-above average grades. 
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.

Desired qualifications

• Excellent computational and mathematical skills will be regarded positive. 
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international journals is an advantage.
• Field experience and ability to plan fieldwork is an advantage.
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage when considering a 4th year including teaching duties.

Language requirement

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements

Grade requirements

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2025 to complete the final exam.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see here.

Personal skills

• Teamwork skills, as well as the ability to work independently in larger groups
• Enthusiasm, personal drive, and ability to take initiative
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility, ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines

We offer

• Vibrant international academic environment
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Good welfare schemes.
• Career development programmes
• 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 Doctoral Research Fellow, position code 1017, in salary range NOK from 536 200 - 575 400, 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. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

Application

The application must be submitted as a single PDF and include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• A research plan (see job description above), maximum 5 pages
• A teaching statement if applicable. 
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and 
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 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. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be 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), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

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

• For further information please contact Bernd Etzelmüller (Head of Department), +47 90631089, bernde@uio.no
• Carmen Gaina (Research and PhD programme coordinator), +47 90266258, carmen.gaina@geo.uio.no
• For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Ørjan Pretorius, orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no