LEDIG STILLING VED UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN

PhD Research Fellow in Climate Dynamics at the Department of Earth Science

Deadline: 01.04.2021

University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.


There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.

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PhD position

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Climate Dynamics at the Department of Earth Science . The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with compulsory other work (e.g. teaching duties at the Department). The position is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Innovative Training Network DEEPICE (http://deepice.cnrs.fr).

About the project/work tasks:

  • The successful candidate will be part of the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (http://www.bjerknes.uib.no) and the MCA-ITN DEEPICE.
  • The MCA-ITN DEEPICE project is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme providing an educational and training program for 15 PhDs across collaborative institutions in Europe.
  • The overall objective of DEEPICE is to equip a new generation of scientists with a solid background in ice-core related climate science with a particular focus on Antarctica, a high level of technical and communication expertise and a large collaborative network across the academic and non-academic world.
  • This PhD project is a close collaboration with Universiteit Utrecht and CNRS-Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement, where the candidate is expected to spend extended research visits under the supervision of Prof. Roderik van de Wal and Dr. Emilie Capron, respectively.
  • The PhD project will focus on investigating the dynamics of the Mid-Pleistocene Transition in a modelling framework. Existing theories for the dynamics across the MPT will be evaluated by applying numerical climate models.
  • The work will include applying a model of the ventilation of the deep ocean in conjunction with the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet. In addition, the candidate is expected to investigate and compare results with stable isotope records across the MPT from deep sea sediments and ice cores.
  • A detailed project description will be designed based on the candidate’s background during the first 2 months of the project.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

  • Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in physics, mathematics or earth science (including geology, climate, meteorology, oceanography). Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 01.07.2021. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
  • Experience within fields related to climate dynamics, ice dynamics and climate modelling is an advantage.
  • Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
  • Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position:

The applicant should not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc) in Norway for more than 12 months during the last 3 years immediately prior to his/her appointment (short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account). This is a requirement for all Marie Curie sponsored exchange scholarships.

In addition, at the date of appointment, the candidate must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience after obtaining a master’s degree) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

About the PhD position :

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25 % compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

  • a good and professionally stimulating working environment
  • salary at pay grade 54 (Code 1017/Pay range 20, alternative 10) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 482 200. Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.
  • enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

  • a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
  • the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
  • CV
  • transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master's degree. Your master's degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma, alternatively a confirmation from your institution on completed degree and your grade, by 01.07.2021)
  • relevant certificates/references
  • approved documentation of proficiency in English.
  • a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
  • any publications in your name

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact:

  • Professor Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu, Department of Earth Sciences (kerim@uib.no; +47 55 58 98 66)

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

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