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PhD Research Fellow in Planetary Near Surface Geophysics using Ground Penetrating Radar

Deadline: 15.07.2020

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.


The Department of Technology Systems (ITS) is a newly established department at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo. ITS has taken over the activities at UNIK from January 2017. The Institute is located in the Kjeller Research Park, which is one of the largest research and development centers in Norway.


ITS collaborates with the research institutes at Kjeller, and with industry, while it is also tightly integrated with complementary activities at UiO in Oslo. The department has two sections: section for energy systems and section for autonomous systems and sensor technologies. An important goal of ITS is to provide wider opportunities at UiO within applied technologies.

About the position

A position as PhD Research Fellow in near surface geophysics using Ground Penetrating Radar is available at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS).

The fellowship period is 3 years and funded by the Norwegian Research Council. Preferred starting date for the candidate is by 01.10.2020 and 15.12.2020 being the last possible starting date.

Job description

The PhD fellow will be part of the RIMFAX team on the NASA Perserverance rover mission also called Mars 2020. RIMFAX is a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and one of seven scientific instruments aboard the Perserverance rover. The RIMFAX instrument is developed in Norway by FFI. The RIMFAX Science team is an international team with participants from institutions in both US and Europe, see: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/spacecraft/instruments/rimfax/. The PhD research fellow position is affiliated with the Section for Autonomous Systems and Sensor Technologies (AUTOSENS) at ITS.

The main goal of the RIMFAX experiment is to study the environmental and geological history of Mars at the Perserverance landing site Jezero crater. This PhD research will particularly study how a GPR can optimally be used to look for signs of past or present water in the subsurface of Mars. This can be done by studying geological formations made by water or to find signs of ice or brines in the subsurface.

The PhD research work will include the following topics and tasks:

  • Develop models for water formed geological structures and do electromagnetic numerical simulations
  • Develop signal processing algorithms and methods for optimal image the geological structures of interest
  • Participate in fieldwork to collect GPR data in relevant Mars analog geological formations
  • Process the data collected during fieldwork
  • Dissemination through scientific publications

Qualification requirements

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

Required qualification:

  • Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in a relevant field such as Geophysics, Geology, Physics, Mathematics or similar, with a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS.
  • A Master’s degree (M.Sc.-level) that is completed in a foreign country must correspond to a minimum of a four years study programme in the Norwegian educational system
  • The PhD candidate must be eligible to obtain a “restricted” security clearance according to the Norwegian National Security Act (Lov om Nasjonal Sikkerhet, a.k.a. “Sikkerhetsloven”), i.e. preferably a citizen of Norway or a NATO country.
  • The PhD candidate must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English. For more information about the English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries, refer to:

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

Candidates without a Master’s degree must have completed their final exam before the starting date.

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

Desired qualifications:

The PhD candidate should preferably also have:

  • Good publication track record
  • Good programming skills in languages like Python, Matlab and/or similar
  • Education, training or experience with near surface geophysics
  • Work experience from fieldwork

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/

Personal skills

  • Ability to take initiative and come up with new ideas to solve theoretical and practical problems
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team
  • Good communication skills

We offer

  • Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per year depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
  • Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
  • A vibrant international academic environment
  • Career 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 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 and letters of recommendation
  • 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).

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

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.

Contact information

For further information please contact either:

  • Svein-Erik Hamran, Professor ITS, email: s.e.hamran@its.uio.no or
  • Henning Dypvik, Professor GEO, email: henning.dypvik@geo.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no

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