Job description

Applicants are invited for two 3-year PhD Research Fellowships in aerosol-cloud-climate interactions, available at the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

PhD Research Fellowship 1 will focus on aerosol-cloud-climate interactions at high northern latitudes. The project involves analysis of satellite remote sensing data sets. The preferred starting date for the position is no later than 1st of October 2022.

PhD Research Fellowship 2 will focus on mixed-phase cloud processes in three distinct cloud regimes (the Arctic, the Tropics and the Southern Ocean), and will involve a combination of aircraft-based field measurements and laboratory experiments. The preferred starting date for the position is no later than 1st of March 2023.

The positions have no teaching duties, but additional teaching time and corresponding extension of the positions of up to 4 years in total can be applied for at a later point.

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

The Department of Geosciences also has one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in aerosol-cloud-climate interactions available within the same research group, see link here for other position:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in aerosol-cloud-climate interactions

More about the positions:

PhD 1 will use a multitude of active and passive remote sensing datasets (satellite, airborne) to study the microphysical processes within mixed-phase clouds in the Arctic, their interactions with the surface (land, ocean, sea ice), and implications for their radiative properties and climate impact.

PhD 2 will be actively involved in field measurements linking the concentration of ice-nucleating particles to in-cloud ice crystal concentrations using, a drop freezing technique and holographic cloud probe data. The combination of these measurements will be used to assess the heterogeneity of mixed-phase clouds and the role of secondary ice on mixed-phase cloud microphysics. The field campaigns will occur in Arctic Norway and the Tropics.

We envisage close collaboration between the Postdoc and the two PhD positions announced. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in ground-based and airborne observations during field campaigns in the Arctic and the Tropics.

Candidates with relevant prior research experience will be given preference. A detailed project plan will be developed together with the successful candidates.

The Department of Geosciences is Norway’s widest ranging academic geoscience research environment, encompassing four sections (Meteorology and Oceanography, Geography and Hydrology, Geology and Geophysics, Physics of Geological Processes) and one Centre of Excellence (Centre of Earth Evolution and Dynamics). In addition, we participate in other centers and hold several ERC grants. The staff consists of 40 professors and associate professors, in addition to postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, researchers, technical staff and administrative personnel, to a total number of approximately 240.

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 Master’s degree in atmospheric/climate science or a related field.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Applicants must demonstrate a strong background and interest in atmospheric aerosol, cloud and/or climate processes.
• Applicants should ideally have prior experience with the relevant research tools for the position(s) in question. This includes experience with programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Linux environment).
• Experience using remote sensing data (for PhD position 1), conducting field measurements or working in the laboratory (for PhD position 2) are desirable. Additionally, experience with machine learning is beneficial.

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 year depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• A highly dynamic and motivated team of international researchers
• Career development programmes, professional courses and workshops
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

Please indicate in your application which PhD position(s) you are applying for.

The application must include

• Cover letter (statement of motivation and research interests)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates and transcripts
• 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. 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, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. 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 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

For further information please contact:

• Trude Storelvmo, e-mail trude.storelvmo@geo.uio.no
• Tim Carlsen, e-mail tim.carlsen@geo.uio.no
• Rob David, e-mail r.o.david@geo.uio.no

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

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