Job description

A 4-year position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Norway.

Starting date as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2020.

The topic of the fellowship is open within remote sensing of cold regions as defined in more detail below. The fellowship will be for a period of 4 years, with 25% compulsory teaching within remote sensing, geomatics or geo-informatics.No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated scientist who will pursue her or his own line of research relating to remote sensing of cold regions, i.e. specialized on observation of the Earth’s high latitudes and/or high altitudes. Applicants must show good interpersonal skills and be willing to work in close collaboration with other scientists of our Section and beyond.

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

The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

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 of being a leading research faculty. 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 PhD or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in remote sensing/geomatics, glaciology, hydrology, or related fields in Earth, environmental or engineering sciences. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English is required

The successful candidate has strong experience in the quantitative exploitation of remotely sensed satellite data such as from

• optical or hyperspectral sensors,
• thermal infrared sensors (surface temperature),
• synthetic aperture radar data,
• altimetry, or
• gravimetry

The candidate has to demonstrate experience or interest in applying satellite remote sensing to topics such as

• glacier dynamics, volume changes, or mass balance
• snow cover
• mountain or lowland permafrost
• hydrology
• geohazards related to these topics, or
• land surface data assimilation

The position requires a strong background, experience, and interest in

• remote sensing and/or photogrammetry theory and practice;
• quantitative processing of large amounts of Earth observation data;
• numerical modelling and programming (Matlab, IDL, Python, or similar languages);
• geoinformatics (ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.).

The candidate is expected to publish papers in leading, international journals, and must therefore be able to document previous publications in top-level journals.

Teaching experience is an asset.

We offer

• salary NOK 523 200 - 605 500 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 programs
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter, including a statement of interest and a preferred starting date
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications
• 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, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project 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 as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

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.

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

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Professor Andreas Kääb, e-mail: kaeaeb@geo.uio.no

For technical question regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser; Torunn Standal Guttormsen, t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no, phone:+47 22854272

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