About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in tectonostratigraphic basin analysis is available at The Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo. 

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 01.01.2025.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

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.

Job description

The Department of Geosciences invite applications for a 3-year PhD position in basin analysis linking tectonic and sedimentary processes in offshore mid-Norway. The candidate will be a part of the newly established project; Integrated source-to-sink study of Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic along the Mid-Norwegian Rifted Margin: Implications for spatio-temporal evolution and paleogeographic reconstruction during continental rift initiation. The project will analyse 2D and 3D seismic data using a suite of tools such as Petrel, PaleoScan, Geoteric, and Move, and integrate seismic stratigraphy and seismic geomorphology with exploration wells, cuttings, and cores, in order to achieve new insights into source-to-sink processes during continental rift initiation. The project is anchored to the Tectonostratigraphic Research Group, which hosts a wide range of projects that study sedimentary basins across all scales, and utilizes data from modern systems, outcrops, and subsurface.

A detailed study of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic tectono-stratigraphic evolution along the Mid-Norwegian margin is designed to assess the spatio-temporal evolution and paleogeographic reconstruction during continental rift initiation. The mid-Norwegian continental margin comprises a series of sedimentary basins linked to multiphase rifting. While the Late Jurassic development has received focus due to hydrocarbon exploration, the Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic rifting phases have been poorly documented due to data limitation and quality. Existing Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic studies are mainly based on vintage 2D seismic data, exploration wells, cores, and conjugate margin outcrops.

Scopes

This study will investigate the spatio-temporal development of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic tectonics and stratigraphy as one of the earliest rifting events leading to the breakup of the Greenland-Norway conjugate margins. Goals include (1) comparative analysis of paleogeographic reconstructions based on basin-scale 3D seismic stratigraphy and geomorphology analysis, wells, cuttings, and cores, (2) integration with paleo-environmental indicators including biostratigraphy and organic geochemistry (3) develop new insights into source-to-sink reconstruction based on detailed paleogeographic maps, and finally (4) develop a comprehensive example of early rift phases.

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.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Earth Sciences with competence in integrated basin analysis covering structural geology and/or sedimentology
• Integrated analysis of seismic and well-data
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English evt. and a Scandinavian language. 

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with computer-based tools such as Petrel, PaleoScan, Geoteric, and Move
• Petrophysical well, core cuttings and any other experience with geological well-data analysis
• Geological fieldwork experience

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
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. 

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.

For more information see here.

Personal skills

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

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement 
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and 
• Letters of recommendation including contact details for referees
• 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)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). 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.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the 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.

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

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.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

•  Christophe Serie, +47 477 01 668, e-mail: christophe.serie@geo.uio.no, or 
• Ivar Midtkandal, phone: +47 22854011 e-mail: ivar.midtkandal@geo.uio.no 

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

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