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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Paleogeography and Climate Modelling

Deadline: 05.01.2023

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.


Centre for the Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED) is a Norwegian Centre of Excellence that provides a stimulating and well-funded research environment. The main goal of the centre is to develop a model that explains how mantle processes drive plate tectonics and trigger massive volcanism and associated environmental and climate changes throughout Earth's history.


The centre explores the distribution and history of tectonic plates in time and space, and examines the driving mechanisms that steer all stages of the ‘Wilson Cycle’, and aims to establish the links between Earth's interior, crust and oceans, atmosphere and biosphere. CEED endeavors to also unravel similarities and differences of our planet with earth-like planetary bodies. The centre was established in 2013 and consists of ca. 70 full time and part time professors and researchers, PhD Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Research Fellows.

Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Department of Geosciences at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway

Starting date on 01.03.2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The appointment is a fulltime research position and is for a period of three years.

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

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position in paleogeography and climate modelling at the Center of Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED), but from July 2023, the postdoctoral researcher will become part of a new Center for Planetary Habitability (PHAB). PHAB will explore the formation and evolution of star-planet systems with the Solar System and the Earth-Moon couple as reference and focus. Research activities comprise three interrelated research themes: (1) Planets and Early Earth, (2) Modern Earth and (3) Exo-Earths.

The postdoctoral position is mainly linked to the Modern Earth theme, which addresses the most recent 750 million years, starting from the initial dispersal of the Rodinia supercontinent, and accompanied by dramatic cooling events (Snowball Earths). Earth has been in a greenhouse state during most of its history, interrupted by a dozen icehouse periods and three Snowball Earths, and the main task for the postdoctoral worker is to identify the drivers for greenhouse versus icehouse conditions.

We seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher who will work together with the international CEED/PHAB team to conduct long-term climate modelling based on plate tectonic reconstructions and estimates of CO2 sources and sinks since the early Proterozoic. A specific project plan will be discussed in collaboration with the successful candidate, who will be expected to take a role in further developing it during the course of the position. 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.

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.

  • Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Geoscience (Geology or Geophysics). Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
  • Applicants must have solid experience in long-term carbon/climate modeling.
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Experience with any of the following is desirable:

  • Long-term climate changes, and their associated proxies
  • Biogeochemical cycles (Carbon, Oxygen, Sulphur)
  • Carbon-cycle modelling experience (GEOCARBSULF, COPSE and/or GEO-CLIM) and deep knowledge of their input parameters
  • Plate reconstructions and the GPlates software
  • Plate tectonics and proxy models for CO2 sources and sinks
  • Development of global sea level curves and hypsometric constraints
  • Programming experience (MATLAB and/or R)

Personal skills

  • The candidate will work as part of a team and needs good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to conduct high-quality independent and collaborative research.

We offer

  • Salary NOK 544 400 – 626 300 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
  • Budget for travel and research assistance
  • 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)
  • CV (summarizing education, positions, research experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
  • Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works 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. 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 assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

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.

No one can be appointed twice as a Postdoctoral fellow financed with funds from The Research Council of Norway (NFR).

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.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employ-ment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years).

Contact information

For further information please contact:

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, e-mail: ole.rustad@mn.uio.no

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