Job description

One Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available at the Department of Physics.

The postdoc fellowship is for a period of 2 years. Starting date preferably in August or September 2023.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

More about the position

The fellowship is connected to the research project “Dust from the Stars: Radiative Neutron Capture Rates Relevant to the Intermediate and Rapid Neutron-Capture Process” financed by the Research Council of Norway. The position will also be connected to the Center for Computational Science and Data Science (dScience) at the University of Oslo.

The aim of the research project is to obtain new information on the fundamental properties of atomic nuclei in hot, astrophysical environments, and the impact of these properties on neutron-induced reaction rates that are input for large-scale network calculations of heavy-element nucleosynthesis. Neutron-induced reactions relevant to the rapid neutron-capture process and the intermediate neutron-capture process are of particular interest.

In principle, the postdoc position involves both experimental and computational work. The position involves experiments at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory (OCL), Department of Physics, University of Oslo, to investigate nuclei of interest for heavy-element nucleosynthesis. Charged-particle-gamma coincidence data using the newly commissioned, state-of-the-art LaBr3:Ce detector array OSCAR will be analyzed with the so-called Oslo method. On the computational side, nucleosynthesis network calculations to investigate the impact of improved, experimental neutron-capture rates on the abundance yields for different astrophysical scenario are envisaged.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific career in or outside 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 start 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.

Required qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in nuclear physics or nuclear astrophysics. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and defense are eligible for appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with scintillator detectors (LaBr3 and NaI), radioactive-beam experiments, coincidence measurements, the Oslo method, beta-decay experiments and simulation tools like GEANT4
• Experience with nuclear reaction network codes and knowledge of the heavy-element nucleosynthesis in astrophysical environments

Personal skills

• High working capacity
• Good collaborative skills and ability to work in a team
• Strong dedication and a high degree of self-motivation

The candidate should be willing to have some extended stays abroad for experiment runs as well as for experimental and theoretical training.

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 635 400 per annum 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
• Additional training through the international collaboration and stays abroad. The applicant will receive a strong interdisciplinary training at the interface of experimental nuclear physics, theoretical nuclear physics, and astrophysics.
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest). The candidate must clearly state why he/she is motivated for this particular position.
• CV (summarizing education, previous positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications
• 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).

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

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

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months (thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years).

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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 a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Professor Ann-Cecilie Larsen, e-mail: a.c.larsen@fys.uio.no, office phone: +47 22 85 54 86

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser: Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no, office phone: +47 22 85 71 96

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