Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Earth and Planetary Sciences

Deadline: 10.06.2019

Job description

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.


Centre for the Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED) is a Norwegian Centre of Excellence that provides a stimulating and well-funded research environment. The main goal of the centre is to develop a model that explains how mantle processes drive plate tectonics and trigger massive volcanism and associated environmental and climate changes throughout Earth's history.


The centre explores the distribution and history of tectonic plates in time and space, and examines the driving mechanisms that steer all stages of the ‘Wilson Cycle’, and aims to establish the links between Earth's interior, crust and oceans, atmosphere and biosphere. CEED endeavors to also unravel similarities and differences of our planet with earth-like planetary bodies.

The centre was established in 2013 and consists of about 70 full time and part time professors and researchers, PhD Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Research Fellows.

Flere stillinger fra Universitetet i Oslo

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED).The position concerns modelling the interior dynamics and evolution of terrestrial and icy planetary bodies and its link to surface expressions.

Preferred starting date 01.11.2019, the position is for 2 ½ years.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

More about the position

This postdoctoral position is integrated into the project “PLATONICS - Shaping PLAnetary tecTONICS by solid-state convection incorporating damage and inheritance”, a research project with Dr. Tobias Rolf as PI, funded by the Norwegian Research Council for the period 2018-2022. The project is affiliated with several research groups at CEED, primarily with the Earth-&-Beyond- and the Earth-Modelling-Teams. The primary objective of PLATONICS is to investigate the role of history-dependent rheology in the evolution of terrestrial (Earth, Venus) and icy planetary bodies (e.g., Europa, Ganymede) and to evaluate its importance for shaping the surface tectonics of such bodies. The focus of this postdoctoral fellowship will be established with the successful candidate and possible topics include (but are not limited to):

1. Improvements in the self-consistent generation of Earth-like plate tectonics

Despite continuous improvements in recent years, dynamic models linking the Earth’s record of plate tectonics and the dynamics of the deeper interior remain fragmentary. Even the most successful of these models do not sufficiently consider the tectonic history and its inheritance in the subsequent evolution of the plate-mantle system. Investigating the impact of such complexities in global mantle convection models featuring plate-like behavior is a possible focus of the project.

2. Scenarios for Venus’ tectonic and magmatic history and its divergence from Earth’s

Venus and Earth have similar bulk properties, but from the viewpoint of present-day surface tectonics both bodies appear fundamentally different as Earth features plate tectonics, while Venus does not. Why, how and when this divergence has evolved remains enigmatic, but the vastly different surface conditions may promote different styles of rheological damage and healing, which impact the history of surface tectonics. Investigating these aspects in dynamic evolution models of both planets is a possible focus of the project.

3. Deformation of the icy shells of icy moons and Material transport across the shell

The deformation of cold ice is in many aspects similar to that of silicate rocks, so that understanding deformation in the outer shells of icy moons adds important insight into the variety of surface tectonics, which may differ substantially across the Solar System bodies. On some icy moons, the signature from subsurface oceans may have been detected, but how it may have reached the surface remains enigmatic. Modelling the deformation of icy shells and investigating possible ways of material transport from the subsurface ocean across the ice shell to the surface is a possible focus of the project.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

It will be possible to assist in the supervision of related master and/or PhD projects.

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 degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Earth and/or Planetary sciences or a closely related field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Curiosity, motivation and career ambitions to unravel the dynamics of the Earth’s interior and other planetary bodies are essential for this project.

Strong analytical thinking and experiences in numerical modelling, scientific programming and large data set analysis are a major asset. Experience in statistics and visualization are additional assets.

We offer

  • salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
  • a professionally stimulating working environment
  • vibrant international academic environment
  • postdoctoral development programs
  • attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

  • Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
  • CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
  • Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
  • 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 references (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, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project 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.

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.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

  • Dr. Tobias Rolf: tobias.rolf@geo.uio.no

For questions regarding the electronic recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no

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