Postdoctor Research Fellow in Quaternary geology, geomorphology, and/or remote sensing of cold regions

Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Norway.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo. Starting date as possible and normally not later than 01.10.2022.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to four years (25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities)

More about the position

The University of Oslo is Norway’s largest university with about 6000 employees and 28 000 students. The span of research and teaching at the Department of Geosciences is well illustrated by the research sections: Geography and Hydrology, Meteorology and Oceanography, Physics of Geological Processes, Geology and Geophysics, and the Centre of Excellence for Earth Evolution and Dynamics. The academic staff consists of 40 professors and approximately 80 research fellows. The present position is affiliated with the Section of Geography and Hydrology, which has long-term experience in investigating the terrestrial cryosphere (snow, glaciers, permafrost) and the landscapes it forms, the Earth’s water cycle, and geohazards, and is involved in various high-level research projects and centers.

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working scientist who will pursue her or his own line of research relating to Quaternary geology, geomorphology and/or remote sensing of cold regions. The successful candidate should be specialized on interpreting, quantifying and understanding Quaternary landscapes and landforms in cold regions, i.e. the Earth’s high latitudes and/or high altitudes. A focus on glacial and periglacial geomorphology including permafrost science is relevant. The candidate should also be able to use and develop remote sensing and GIS tools (e.g. within Geomorphometry) in this work. Applicants must show good interpersonal skills and be willing to work in close collaboration with other scientists of our section.

We offer a lively, friendly and collaborative research environment in cold regions sciences, in particular in glaciology, hydrology, geomorphology, geohazards, remote sensing, and geomatics. We participate in projects by the Norwegian Research Council, European Space Agency, EU and others, such that the successful candidate will have excellent opportunity to collaborate within national and international research networks.

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %. The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period. Postdoctoral fellows are normally allowed to apply for own subsequent funding, such as NFR’s Young talents program or ERC.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Oslo has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for the current position will be selected in accordance with this and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

The following qualifications are required:

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent in physical geography, geomorphology, glaciology, Quaternary geology, remote sensing/geomatics, or related fields in Earth and environmental sciences. The doctoral dissertation must at least be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• The successful candidate has strong background, experience and interest in glacial and periglacial geomorphology/permafrost, Quaternary geology, and/or remote sensing/geomorphometry including Geoinformatics (ArcGIS/QGIS), the last glaciation and its impact on the environment.
• The candidate can demonstrate experience in quantitative methods for mapping, interpreting, modelling and understanding landscapes and how they developed. The candidate is familiar with applying remote sensing tools to interpret or model ground features, their dynamics and how these are connected.
• The candidate has experience in conducting field work to gather data. The candidate is expected to publish papers in leading, international journals, and must therefore be able to document previous publications in top-level journals.

The following requirements are considered as advantages for the position:

• Ability to quantitatively process large amounts of Earth observation data
• knowledge of numerical modelling and programming (Matlab, Python, or similar languages)
• Experience or interest in applying satellite remote sensing to topics such as landscape changes, glacial forelands, slope processes, and/ or geohazards related to these topics.
• Teaching experience
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language

Personal skills

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

We offer

• Salary NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral 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, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• A research statement outlining possible projects for the Postdoc. period, related to relevant activity at the Department of Geosciences. We advise to contact the Head of Department or other representatives of relevant research groups within quaternary geology, geomorphology, glaciology or geomatics, also with respect to available resources to carry out research projects.
• Teaching statement outlining previous experience and own teaching philosophy, based on the principles of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
• CV (summarizing scientific publications, education, positions, pedagogical experience,)
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcript of records
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number); no reference letters at this stage

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. 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).

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of 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.

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 either:

• Head of Department Bernd Etzelmüller (bernd.etzelmüller@geo.uio.no) or
• Senior Lecturer Karianne S. Lilleøren (k.s.lilleoren@geo.uio.no) and
• Professor Andreas Kääb (kaeaeb@geo.uio.no)

For question regarding the application portal, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, ole.rustad@mn.uio.no.

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