About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in in Rock Deformation Processes available at the Njord Centre, Departments of Geosciences and Physics.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date is preferably February 1, 2024, but no later than April 30, 2024.

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

We invite applications for a PhD position in Rock Deformation Processes to inves-tigate the mechanisms responsible for cyclical switches from aseismic creep to seismic slip in lower-crustal faults to better understand the origin of earthquakes in the deep crust. The PhD is part of the project “CONTINENT – Conditions for earthquake nucleation in the lower crust” funded by the Research Council of Norway, which will run as a collaboration between the Njord Centre at the University of Oslo, the University of Cambridge, the University of Leeds, and the University of Bayreuth.The project will combine numerical modelling of mineral deformation, mechanical tests with nanoindentation, and high-resolution microstructural analysis. 

Nanoindentation experiments will be performed to investigate the strength of lower-crustal mineral phases during plastic deformation at high stresses, and will inform phase field crystal modelling of collective dislocation motion during plastic deformation. Natural and experimental samples will be investigated with electron microscopy techniques. The PhD student will analyze natural samples of lower-crustal shear zones displaying mutually overprinting mylonites (produced during aseismic creep) and pseudotachylytes (produced during seismic slip) from Lofoten and the Western Gneiss Region (Norway). The Nanoindentation experiments will be performed to investigate the strength of lower-crustal mineral phases during plastic deformation at high stresses, and will inform phase field crystal modelling of collective dislocation motion during plastic deformation. Natural and experimental samples will be investigated with electron microscopy techniques.

The PhD student will analyze natural samples of lower-crustal shear zones displaying mutually overprinting mylonites (produced during aseismic creep) and pseudotachylytes (produced during seismic slip) from Lofoten and the Western Gneiss Region (Norway).

PhD student will have the op-portunity to visit the field localities and to undertake additional field work, depending on the background of the successful candidate and on the project’s progress.

All the computational, experimental, and analytical facilities are available at the host institution, where the candidate will be part of a lively research environment at the Njord Centre. The candidate will have the opportunity to interdisciplinary education and to spend research visits in Cambridge and Leeds in the course of the project.

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 or Physics with competences in at least one of the following subject areas: structural geology, metamorphic geology, computational physics, mineral physics, material sciences, statistical physics
• 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
• Interest in deformation mechanisms of Earth materials
• Experience with programming in Matlab and/or Python
• Computational skills
• Experience with electron microscopy imaging techniques, preferably of Earth materials 

Desired skills:

• Experimental rock deformation
• Geological field work and structural analysis

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 educa-tional 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
• Attention to detail
• 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 and transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• 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 about the position please contact: 

• Prof Luca Menegon, phone: +47 22 856725, e-mail: luca.menegon@geo.uio.no 

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen phone: +47 22 854272, e-mail: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no

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