About the position

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

Starting date no later than 01.10.2021.The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of two years.

Project description

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to take a leading role in the “Healthy Energy-efficient Urban Home Ventilation” project funded by the The Research Council of Norway and industrial partners. The overall goal of the project is to establish knowledge and recommendations on robust and energy-efficient ventilation strategies for urban apartments. The successful applicant will join the research group of Prof. Armin Wisthaler at the University of Oslo and conceive, implement and execute indoor air measurements in an experimental kitchen at SINTEF’s laboratories in Oslo. She/he will use a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) for the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under different pollution scenarios and with different ventilation strategies implemented. The successful applicant will also use a CHARON PTR-ToF-MS instrument for the chemical analysis of sub-micrometer particulate organic matter and a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) for the measurement of particle size distributions. The advanced chemical measurements shall be used to characterize the efficiency of different ventilation solutions and to increase the fundamental knowledge on cooking emissions and their potential impact on the indoor and outdoor atmosphere. The successful candidate is expected to publish the obtained results in both applied and basic research journals.

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.

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.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in chemistry, physics, atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• Applicants must have documented expertise in organic trace gas measurements.
• Applicants must have documented multi-year experience in the operation of PTR-ToF-MS (or related CIMS) instruments and in the analysis and interpretation of high resolution mass spectrometry data.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

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

• Previous experience with indoor air quality measurements is an advantage.
• Skills in computer programming and/or complex data analysis are highly desirable.
• A strong publication record will be considered.

Personal skills

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure (e.g., during measurement intensives)
• Ability to deliver results reliably and in time
• Strong sense of responsibility towards the research group

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per year depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral 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 with statement of the motivation related to the project, summarizing scientific work and research interest.
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• 2 letters of recommendation and names and contact details of the two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee

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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, the project description, 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 further information please contact:

• Prof. Armin Wisthaler, e-mail: armin.wisthaler@kjemi.uio.no (Only applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system can be considered for the post)

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Ørjan Pretorius e-mail: orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no.

Apply for this job