Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Experimental Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Astrophysics is available at the Department of Physics.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. If the successful candidate has a good knowledge of one Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish), the fellowship will be for a period of 4 years, with 25 % compulsory work (teaching at the Department of Physics). Otherwise, the fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with no compulsory work.

Starting date no later than 01.10.2019

More about the position

The aim of the PhD 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.

The successful candidate will perform experiments at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory (OCL), Department of Physics, University of Oslo, to investigate moderately neutron-rich nuclei populated with the (alpha,p) reaction. 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. The results will provide experimental constraints on neutron-capture rates away from the valley of stability by using them as input in nuclear reaction codes. The novel results’ impact on yield predictions for the r- and i-process nucleosynthesis networks and galactic chemical evolution models may also be studied. Moreover, depending on the candidate’s background and interest, theoretical/numerical work within nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics using high-performance computer clusters can also be implemented in the PhD project.

The candidate will also participate in nuclear-physics experiments abroad, for example at the Accelerator Laboratory, University of Jyväskylä, the Argonne National Laboratory, and at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Michigan State University. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to take a leading role throughout the project, including preparation and being responsible for performing the experiments at OCL, data analysis and interpretation, and publishing the results in peer-reviewed journals.

The PhD project is part of the collaboration “Cosmos and Atomic Nuclei” between the nuclear-physics group at the Department of Physics and the research group of Prof. Sijing Shen at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics. The Department of Physics and the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics are also associate organizations of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics – Center for the Evolution of the Elements. The nuclear-physics group and the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory are also members of the European research network Chemical Elements as Traces of the Evolution of the Cosmos (ChETEC COST Action). This PhD project is part of the joint collaborations within these two research networks.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. 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 Master’s degree or equivalent in physics (or similar). Specialization in nuclear physics or nuclear astrophysics is beneficial.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2019 to complete the final exam.

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• fluent oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish) due to teaching responsibilities.

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

Other desired qualifications include:

• The applicant will be responsible for analyzing data sets, and should preferably be familiar with data analysis techniques.
• Experience with C/C++ programming and the ROOT data analysis framework.
• Experience with scintillator detectors, particle spectroscopy with silicon detectors, and digital data acquisition.
• Good knowledge of nuclear reactions and familiarity with reaction codes such as TALYS.

Personal skills

• High working capacity
• Excellent collaborative skills, ability to work in a team, and also with independent work skills.
• Strong dedication and a high degree of self-motivation

We offer

• Salary NOK 449 400 – 505 800 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• A top-notch training environment at the Department of Physics
• 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.
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter including a description of scientific interests and the motivation for applying for the position (max. 2 pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if needed (please see admission criteria)
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• 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).

Applicants will normally be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD program must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

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 etc.

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity. The University of Oslo has a goal of recruiting more women in academic positions. Women are encouraged to apply.

Contact information

• Dr. Ann-Cecilie Larsen, email a.c.larsen@fys.uio.no, phone +47 22 85 54 86
• Prof. Sunniva Siem, email sunniva.siem@fys.uio.no, phone + 47 22 85 64 06
• Prof. Sijing Shen, email sijing.shen@astro.uio.no, phone +47 22 85 65 47

For technical questions regarding the application system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, +47 22 85 71 96, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no

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