Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at Department of Geosciences at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway. The fellowship is for a period of 36 months. Starting date is as soon as possible.

Emissions from petroleum production stands for over 25% of Norway's total CO2 emissions, and these must be significantly reduced for the country to reach its ambitions in the Paris Agreement. Powering offshore platforms by renewables is a goal but relies on large-scale energy storage options for balancing out the supply-demand mismatch. In the present project we study whether energy, in the form of hydrogen (H2), can be stored safely underground in depleted oil and gas reservoirs offshore Norway. This opens for clean platform energy supply and a renewable offshore future for the country. The project involves a multi-disciplinary team of leading experts in the fields of geochemistry, petroleum- and gas technology and reservoir modelling from SINTEF, NORCE, University of Oslo and Queen Mary University of London. Through experiments and modelling, the team will collect fundamental research results to give a first indication of whether H2 storage in depleted reservoirs is feasible in Norway.

At UiO a three-year post-doctoral research position is open aimed at providing the HYSTORM project with small scale (microfluidics) reactive transport experiments on hydrogen flow and interactions in shale, and with corresponding pore-scale and thermodynamic modelling. A microfluidics setup employing geomaterials is available at the Reaction Laboratory at UiO, and this setup will be used and modified to allow the hydrogen experiments. The modelling will build on in-house reactive transport codes and combined with predictive SAFT EoS. The framework for the thermodynamic modelling is also available at UiO.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

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 pore-scale reactive transport. 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.

We seek applicants with a good understanding of pore-scale processes in geological materials, including a solid background in thermodynamics and modelling. A main focus is microfluidics experiments, and experience with such setups is required. Demonstrated knowledge in geology/mineralogy/geochemistry will be an asset.

A good command of written and spoken English is required.

We offer

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352) NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per year, depending on qualifications and seniority
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter including a statement of research interest, briefly summarizing your scientific work and interests, and a personal assessment focusing on how you fit the description of the person we seek
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work, and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 referees (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. 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.

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

• Professor Helge Hellevang, telephone +47- 22857026, email: helge.hellevang@geo.uio.no

For further question regarding the application process please contact: HR Officer Ole Rustad: ole.rustad@mn.uio.no.

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