Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Large igneous provinces and short term climate perturbations

Deadline: 22.04.2019

About the position

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 massivevolcanism 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 ca. 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).

Starting date: June 2019, the position is for 2 ½ years.

Job description

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are correlated with global climatic and environmental changes, including mass extinctions. The causal mechanisms are poorly understood, but research the last two decades point in the direction of significant degassing of carbon and sulphur from the LIPs. This is supported by recent work on carbon cycle and paleoclimate models.

However, the model scenarios are usually very general using averaged fluxes across large time spans, without taking into account the complexity of how the LIPs developed, including the sub-volcanic phases and changing gas sources with time.

The position is an interdisciplinary effort to explore the evolution of LIPs and the implications for the global carbon cycle. The postdoc will focus on:

(1) Develop field-based models for LIP evolution based on specific LIP cases

(2) Estimate the volumes of gases emitted during LIP evolution based on these models

(3) Construct carbon cycle models using relevant paleogeography

(4) Tune the LIP models, degassing models, and the carbon cycle models to available proxies

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 PhD in Geology, Geochemistry, Climate Science or an otherwise related field
  • Experience working with Large igneous provinces and igneous processes, contact metamorphic gas generation modelling, and carbon cycle modelling, is required for the position
  • Required qualifications also include documented experience with the LOSCAR model
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

We offer

  • Salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
  • Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
  • Professionally stimulating working environment
  • Vibrant international academic environment
  • Postdoctoral development programs
  • Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their 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, 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Skype interviews will be arranged with the short listed candidates. 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.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period 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

For further information please contact Dr. Henrik Svensen; hensven@geo.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, e-mail: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no, phone: +47 22 85 42 72.

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