Job description

Applicants are invited for a 2 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in glaciology available at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo.

Preferred starting date no later than 01.Sep.2021.

The JOSTICE project (Natural and societal consequences of climate-forced changes of Jostedalsbreen Ice Cap) focuses on assessing the present and future changes in mass balance, runoff, ice volume and local climate of Jostedalsbreen, and determine the societal impact of these changes on hydropower production, tourism and agriculture. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway (2020-2024) and unites partners from research, industry, administration and public outreach.

The successful candidate will conduct glacier dynamical modeling to assess the future evolution of Jostdalsbreen and develop ice volume evolution scenarios in close collaboration with other project partners.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of 2 years (10% of which includes duties other than research, usually in the form of teaching activities).

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

The successful candidate will join a lively, international research group focused on cryospheric sciences, hydrology, remote sensing, geohazards and geomatics.

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 are expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Geosciences, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or Computer Science (or a related field), with a strong record in glaciology and numerical modeling. Doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation latest by the closing date of this position. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• The candidate must have a strong background in glaciology with emphasis on numerical modeling of ice dynamics for assessing the long-term evolution of complex ice geometries such as Jostedalsbreen.
• Extensive experience in programing (Python/Matlab or other) is required.
• Experience in numerical modeling of glacier evolution and handling of large datasets are desirable.
• The candidate’s publication record must show evidence of creativity and capability of independent research.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are necessary

We offer

• salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other relevant activities)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications
• list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be submitted through 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, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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 question regardring the postion, please contact:

• Professor Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, e-mail: t.v.schuler@geo.uio.no or
• Professor Regine Hock, e-mail: regine.hock@geo.uio.no

For question regarding the recruitment system, please contact Senior Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no.

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