Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Physics is available at the Department of Physics/Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology, 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 01.02.2022. The fellowship period is 3 years and devoted to carrying out a project entitled “Solid state cooling with elastocaloric materials-an experimental study of new alloys”.

More about the position

We are seeking a curious, eager to learn, creative and highly motivated PhD research fellow with an eye for details to join our research team focusing on martensitic phase transition (MPT) materials. You will be part of the project “Solid state cooling with elastocaloric materials” (Coolem) funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN project number 325279).

The project is coordinated by SINTEF with UiO as a partner. Together we provide a cross-disciplinary working environment with close contact between theoreticians and experimentalist. In the Coolem project, we will be focusing on MPT materials with minimum thermal hysteresis. This requires crystallographic supercompatibility, i.e. that the phases coexist without atomic diffusion or interface stress. Good elastocaloric materials are typically based on off-stoichiometric NiTi alloys or intermetallic Heusler alloys. Discovery of new materials is tedious and traditionally involves synthesis and testing of a large number of different bulk samples. In the Coolem project we will be guided by our theoretical predictions and use of graded films to target promising new alloy compositions.

The PhD candidate we are seeking will focus on the characterization of the new alloys. Thermal analysis, diffraction and microscopy methods ranging from light to advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy will be central in the PhD work.

At UiO, the PhD student will have the daily working place in the Structure Physics (SP) section in Oslo Science Park. The locality is in close vicinity of the SINTEF labs in Oslo where the project collaborators are located. The SP section is part of the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), which is an interdisciplinary focal point for materials and energy research at the University of Oslo and enables access to administrative support and social activities among other things.

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. The candidate for the fellowship will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials

• The applicant must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in solid-state physics or materials science, with knowledge and experience with relevant characterization techniques
• A foreign completed degree at the M.Sc.-level must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian higher educational system
• Experience studying a relevant material system is seen as an asset
• As part of the PhD project, the candidate is expected to visit, work and collaborate with national and international partners. The successful PhD candidate should be a good team player as well as a self-driven and independent researcher with the ability to communicate with both theoreticians and experimentalist
• The position is likely to involve communication to a wider national audience and may also involve teaching or supervision of students; knowledge in one of the Scandinavian languages is as such an advantage
• The candidate must be fluent in oral and written English

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 this and this.

We offer

• Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 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

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.

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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

Applications are to be submitted online and NOT sent to contact persons below.

For information about the position, please contact:

• Assoc. Prof. Anette Eleonora Gunnæs, phone: +47 22852812, e-mail: eleonora@fys.uio.no or
  
• Ole Martin Løvvik, phone: +47 99018428, e-mail: ole.martin.lovvik@sintef.no

For question regarding our recruitment system, please contact HR Advisor Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no.

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