Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Fluid Mechanics available at the Mechanics division, Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo.

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

Starting date no later than October 1, 2023.

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.

Access to fresh water is the foundation for life on Earth that poses severe restrictions and requirements for life in regions that contended with water scarcity, a problem that will increase in the future with the growing effects of climate change. Water scarcity is not longer a distant problem. In 2022 Europe has been hit by a severe drought impacting agriculture and energy production. A fog net is a low cost, efficient and simple technology for harvesting water from the atmosphere. The goal of this project is to develop a new understanding of the fundamental fluid mechanics on and through fog nets to devise new designs to optimize their water yield. The planned work is experimental, to be performed in our brand new lab facilities, and is also expected to involve theoretical models of the complex flow. Field work is planned together with a non-profit organization in Morocco to give ways to test the concepts developed in the projects and there will be opportunities to work with international collaborators.

The PhD student will:

• Develop experiments on droplet PIV measurements or investigate the droplet capillary flow in the fog net
• Participate in planning and performing field work in Morocco
• Develop independence and be self-driven to advance with their research project
• Collaborate with theoreticians to combine experiments and theory
• Work in an interdisciplinary team with expertise in mechanics, physics and biophysics
• Follow our PhD program that includes an educational component

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 mechanics, fluid mechanics, physics or applied mathematics.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (English).
• Earlier involvement in research projects or/and a strong background in fluid mechanics will also be considered positively.
• A strong theoretical educational background in mathematics and continuum mechanics.
• Good social and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment.

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2023 to complete the final exam.

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 educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• 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:

• http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
• http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 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
• Possibility to work in an interdisciplinary and diverse research team

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, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 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.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

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:

• Professor Andreas Carlson, phone: +47 22 85 72 23, e-mail: acarlson@math.uio.no, web: https://acarlson-uio.github.io

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

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