Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellowship in Condensed Matter Physics 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 position is part of the EarthFlows (http://www.mn.uio.no/geo/english/research/groups/earthflows/) strategic research initiative at UiO, which brings together researchers in the fields of Physics, Mathematics and Geosciences to study tipping point phenomena and interface dynamics in geological systems.

The general goal of this PhD project is a theoretical/computational investigation of microplasticity in single crystal and polycrystalline materials using a phase field crystal modelling approach. The focus will be on understanding collective dislocation motion, grain boundary dynamics and plastic instabilities.

Applications include comparison with experimental data on high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) subgrain boundaries of quartz. The HR-EBSD data analysis will shed light on the nature of the geometrically necessary dislocations and of their interactions in shaping intra-crystalline substructures in quartz, i.e. one of the key minerals that controls the rheology of lower crustal rocks.

The PhD student will:

• Numerically implement the phase field crystal model and study the stress boundary conditions imposed on a single or polycrystals with lattice misorientations.
• Investigate the intermittent plastic response near the onset of plastic flow through the motions of interacting dislocations.
• Study the tipping point phenomena related to the cooperative effects of interacting dislocations and apply this new knowledge to interpret the deformation of quartz-rich rocks in the lower crust.

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, with background within statistical physics, computational physics and theoretical condensed matter physics.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Good social and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment

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 and a Scandinavian language.

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

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
• Vibrant international academic environment
• 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

• Luiza Angheluta, phone: +47 228 56783, Email: luizaa@fys.uio.no
• Luca Menegon, email: luca.menegon@plymouth.ac.uk
• Francois Renard, email: francois.renard@geo.uio.no

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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