Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

Blindern og Urbygningen (Foto: Wikimedia og Colourbox)

PhD Research Fellowship in physics and/or electronics

Deadline: 31.08.2021

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

The positions as PhD Research Fellow in physics and/or electronics is available at the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems (CENSSS) at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS).

CENSSS is a Centre for researched based innovation (SFI) at the Department of Technology Systems at Kjeller. The Centre is funded by the Research Council of Norway for 5 years with a possible 3-year prolongation.

CENSSS addresses science and technology challenges and business opportunities within New Space satellites for Earth Observation and within Space Exploration “to the Moon and Mars”.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 31.12.2021.

The fellowship is for three years duration and funded by the Research Council of Norway.

Job description

Mapping instrument for in-situ resource utilization

Deep space exploration and especially settling humans on extraterrestrial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars, depend among others on the capability to utilize locally available resources, such as water, oxygen, and methane. To identify, localize and characterize the quality of these resources, different sensors, both spaceborne and on ground, such as on rovers, are required.

The PhD position shall work with the design, development and characterization of the next generation of a rover-based mapping instrument for in-situ resource utilization. The candidate can either focus on the development of a miniaturized solid state neutron detector with focus on instrument development, or on the implementation of a gamma spectrometer based on Compton reconstruction algorithms with focus on programming.

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

  • Numerical Simulation of the instrument to identify relevant detector parameters and design of the instrument
  • Adapt the design of an existing protype or design a new instrument to fit the simulated parameters and the extraterrestrial environment the instrument shall be operated in in the future
  • Gamma spectrometer only: implement and test Compton reconstruction algorithm to interpret measurement data
  • Perform field test to characterize the instrument performance
  • Dissemination through scientific publications

The candidate shall point out in which of the projects she or he is interested in.

The specific project description will be developed together with the supervisor and the partners, depending on the skillset and interest of the PhD fellow. It is expected that the PhD fellow will work closely with one or more partners at CENSSS

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is 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 experimental physics, electronics, space engineering or related fields
  • Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
  • Experience in at least two or more of the following fields: instrument or measurement setup design, electronics design, physics of radiation, numeric simulations, testing & verification, space technology
  • 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

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 and a Scandinavian language.
  • 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/

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 491 200 – 534 400 per year 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 of Bachelor and Master courses
  • 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

  • For further information please contact Anja Kohfeldt, e-mail: anja.kohfeldt@fys.uio.no

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

Apply for this job

Powered by Labrador CMS