Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Theoretical 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 number of confirmed gravitational wave detections continues to increase, marking the beginning of a new era in astronomy. The next generation of observatories will not only be able to ‘see’ astrophysical systems, such as those identified so far, but represents a powerful cosmological probe even of times before the release of the cosmic microwave radiation. Not the least due to the advance of machine learning and the shear amount of high-precision data collected in optical surveys, another area in applied general relativity that has made significant progress in recent years is the analysis of strongly lensed systems. Prospects are good, for example, to measure the power spectrum of matter density fluctuations at small scales to an accuracy that is sufficient to test the cosmological concordance model, and probe potential deviations predicted in various alternative models.

The aim of this PhD project will be to study how tools from general relativity like the ones mentioned above can be used to test new physics in a way that is inaccessible by other observational means. This includes deviations from general relativity in the strong field regime, phase transitions in the early universe that would test particle physics at high energies, non-standard dark matter properties as well as possible modified cosmological expansion histories.

The PhD fellowship will be based in the Theory Section at the Department of Physics, and includes teaching activity (as a tutor) for the MSc course in general relativity. Strong bonds exist both to the experimental high-energy group in the same department, as well as to the neighbouring institute of theoretical astrophysics (ITA). These three groups are connected to the Strategic Dark Matter Initiative (SDI), an initiative combining research in astro-, astroparticle- and particle physics established by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo.

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.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in theoretical physics
• Strong background in general relativity and cosmology, ideally combined with a demonstrated interest in particle physics and astrophysical searches for dark matter.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Good collaborative and communicative abilities
• A pronounced interest in contributing to teaching relativity at the MSc level

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

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

Other desired qualifications include:

• good programming skills and/or knowledge of algebraic computer programs (like Mathematica)

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)

Apart from uploading these documents to the electronic application system, please also send them- combined in a single pdf file- directly to torsten.bringmann@fys.uio.no.

• Two recommendation letters SENT DIRECTLY to torsten.bringmann@fys.uio.no

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

• Professor Torsten Bringmann, e-mail: Torsten.Bringmann@fys.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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