UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.

Faculty of Science and Technology

The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Physics and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology. The position is funded through the academic project HAVVIND from the international company EQUINOR and UiT – The Arctic University of Norway.

The position is for a period of three years – the nominal length of a PhD programme in Norway. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree.

The Department of Physics and Technology consists of six research groups: Complex Systems Modelling, Earth Observation, Renewable Energy, Machine Learning, Space Physics, and Ultrasound, Microwaves and Optics. The department provides education at Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels; and hosts 35 permanent academic staff, and a technical/administrative staff of 15 persons.

The position is affiliated with the Renewable Energy group, but intensive collaboration with different groups within UiT is desired (Complex Systems Modelling group, Arctic Research Center, Center for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operation), as well as with other project partners (Bergen Offshore Wind Center, Norwegian Polar Institute, and Norwegian Meteorological Institute).

Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The position’s field of research

Wind modeling is important for sustainable development of extensive wind energy resources in Norway, Europe, and globally. Renewable energy is the core for successful sustainable development, decarbonization, and ultimately for achieving better environmental and life quality. Its importance is reflected in the United Nations sustainable development goals SDG-7 (Energy), SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG-13 (Climate Action), and others. Today, we have a good understanding and adequate modeling tools to work with wind energy resources on large (regional) scales. Wind modeling on local spatial scales is still rudimentary and highly idealized. More realistic wind models resolving turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer are therefore required for economically successful and environmentally responsible development of renewable energy projects. Even greater importance is attached to offshore wind modeling in remote regions where observational data are scarce.

The successful candidate will improve the PALM modeling system, which is a promising large-eddy simulation model to serve as a high-resolution component of the integrated wind forecasting service. The candidate will investigate the turbulent structure of the marine atmospheric boundary layer, develop PALM coupling to other models and data sources, and attempt to advance the theory of multi-scale wind modeling and forecasting. To be considered for this position, a candidate must be able to work with the model code. This work will: (1) improve wind modeling and forecasting on spatial scales down to 1 m and time scales of 10 sec.; (2) demonstrate a novel integrated technology for local-scale wind resource assessment; (3) contribute to atmospheric boundary layer theory.

The proposed research will include the following main tasks:

• Setup and operate PALM model system coupled with the WRF model and other meteorological models.
• Organize and maintain working simulation environment on the Norwegian e-infrastructure for Research and Education and on the other facilities if necessary.
• Develop a set of Python packages for automated fetching, quality control, statistical analysis, and assessment of wind modeling data from PALM and other renewable energy resources.
• Study the atmospheric turbulence and its role in the air-sea interactions

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact:

Professor Igor Ezau:, 

• email: igor.ezau@uit.no
• phone: +47 47 39 96 90

or Professor Yngve Birkelund:

• email: yngve.birkelund@uit.no
• phone: +47 77 66 02 46/+47 99 377 377

Qualifications

The position requires the equivalent of a Norwegian Master of Science (MSc) degree, or similar degrees (at the MSc-level) from recognized universities. The degree must be within meteorology, oceanography, or physical climate science. We will also consider more general degrees within computational fluid dynamics, environmental modeling, computational geography, and remote sensing.

The successful candidate must be familiar with (1) the PALM or/and WRF modeling systems and (2) the Python scripting with pandas, numpy, netcdf, scipy-learn, cartopy packages. Familiarity with other atmospheric and/or wind models and broader experience with Python and R scripting will be positively evaluated. Candidates without these key qualifications will not be considered. 

A good knowledge and experience in two or more of the following fields is expected:

• Atmospheric physics, weather prediction 
• Geo-information systems and data analysis with python
• Numerical modeling for computational fluid dynamics
• Familiarity with high performance parallel computing and LINUX

Applicants must document fluency of in English and be able to work in an international environment. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma. Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is also beneficial.

The candidate must submit a one-page project proposal within the given directions. The proposal should include justification of the proposed research outlining the proposed methodology, research question(s) and expected scientific contribution – all centered on the use of PALM modeling system. The final project description will be developed by the supervisor.

The assessment for the position will emphasize the candidate's potential for research, motivation, and personal suitability for this position. Candidates called for interview will have their modeling experience and knowledge examined through a set of written tasks. The project description will also be considered. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree, or an integrated master's degree

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

In order to gain admission to the programme, the applicant must have a grade point average of C or better for the master’s degree and for relevant subjects of the bachelor’s degree. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 532 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here.

Application 

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests (max. 1 page). The letter must clearly document your familiarity with the PALM modeling system, LINUX, and Python scripting.
• CV (max 1 page)
• PDF scans of documents confirming Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• PDF scans of transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Contact information for 3 reference persons to be asked for recommendation letters.
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works
• PDF file with the MSc thesis in English. If the thesis gives less than 30 ECTS or shorter than 10.000 words other academic works (peer-review publications, conference proceedings, etc.) must be provided.
• Project description (1 page) within the given directions mentioned above.

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

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