Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Meteorology/ Climate is available at the Department of Geosciences, Meteorology Oceanography Section, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo. The preferred starting date is on 1. July 2019 and not later than 1. October 2019.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to four years (25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities). Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

More about the position

The Postdoc position will be carried out within the Research Council of Norway Toppforsk project “VIKINGS: Volcanic Eruptions and their Impacts on Climate, Environment, and Viking Society in 500-1250 CE”. This multi-disciplinary project aims to understand the role of volcanic eruptions and climate change in shaping the early history of Europe. The period 500-1250 Common Era (CE) is characterized by natural disasters, societal unrest, Viking expansion, and large volcanic eruptions evidenced by geochemical markers in natural archives. At present, we know little about the climate variations in Europe and especially in Scandinavia during this period. The VIKINGS project seeks to reveal the climate of the early historic period, and resolve how volcanic eruptions and their environmental impacts facilitated societal changes during the Viking era.

The Postdoc will investigate climate and environmental changes of large volcanic eruptions during 500-1250 CE using a complex Earth System Climate Model. The candidate will investigate the effects of a revised volcanic forcing for this period comparing model data with new and available climate proxies such as tree ring, lake sediments, petrology and ice core proxies as well as archaeology records to gain new insights of the climate and variability during this era.

The Postdoc will have a strong focus on Earth System Climate Modelling. Experience in Climate or Earth System Modelling, atmospheric dynamics, ocean-sea sea interactions, as well as the analysis of climate model data in combination with paleo proxies (i.e., ice cores, tree rings) will be beneficial.

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
• Meteorology, Oceanography, Atmospheric Physics, Paleo Climate, and or in related fields.
• Candidates with research experience and knowledge in volcanic eruptions effects on climate, atmospheric dynamics, and/or atmosphere-ocean-sea ice interactions will be given priority.
• Technical skills in running General Circulation Models and programming as well as in graphical and statistical tools (e.g. Fortran, python, Matlab, R) are mandatory for this position.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

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

Additional qualifications:

• Experiences in earth system or climate modelling, analyses of those model data or paleo climate proxies will be advantageous for the Post-doc position.
• Experience in teaching and in a Scandinavian language will be advantageous.
• The Postdoc should be highly motivated to work in a multi-disciplinary research field and team and be willing to exchange with national and international project collaborators including potential research stays abroad.

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.

We offer

• salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• 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 with statement of the motivation related to the project, 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.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, the candidate’s 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.

No one can be appointed as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

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: Professor Kirstin Krüger, E-mail: kirstin.krueger@geo.uio.no, Phone: +47 228 55811.

For technical question regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Officer; Ørjan Pretorius, orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no

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