UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT The Arctic University of Norway with its main campus located in Tromsø is the northernmost university in the world. Its focus on climate and environment is clearly dictated by the geographical location at the edge of the Arctic. The main task of the Faculty of Science and Technology is to conduct research and teaching at high national and international level. Prioritized research areas include energy, climate, environment, maritime, marine, nano-, space-, and information technology; addressing both general topics and topics relevant for the High North.

The Department of Physics and Technology announces a vacant PhD Candidate position in the area of meteorology and oceanography related to polar low events at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Science and Technology. The research will be conducted in the Centre for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operations (CIRFA).

The appointment is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is used for teaching or other duties for the department. The duties are normally distributed evenly over the four years

The Department of Physics and Technology consists of five research groups: (1) Earth Observation, (2) Energy and Climate, (3) Machine Learning, (4) Space Physics, and (5) Ultrasound, Microwaves and Optics. The department provides education on the Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels, and comprises 22 permanent scientific positions and a technical/administrative staff of 12 persons.

The successful candidate will work at CIRFA. CIRFA conducts research on integrated remote sensing for Arctic operations by developing data analysis methods and technologies for reliably characterizing and monitoring the physical environment of the Arctic. The Centre also explores methods to efficiently assimilate the derived information into models to perform improved predictions of sea ice state, meteorological and oceanographic conditions. The project is associated with WP1 and WP5; the former conducts research within remote sensing, and the latter within weather, ocean, and sea ice prediction as well as drift modelling. See more at http://cirfa.uit.no/.

Further information about the position, project details and UiT is available by contacting:

• Professor Rune Gravesen, UiT, by email rune.gravesen@uit.no,
• Dr. Kai Christensen, Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET), by email kaihc@met.no, or
• Professor Harald Johnsen, Norut and UiT, by email harald.johnsen@norut.no

The position’s field of research

Polar lows are mesoscale cyclones occurring mostly at high latitudes. They are often associated with cold-air outbreaks where cold Arctic air mases developed over the sea-ice regions flows over a warm ocean surface. They are associated with very strong winds and are therefore a threat to operations at sea, such as fishing and shipping, and to society in coastal regions at high latitudes. In addition, they are small in scale and therefore difficult to forecast. The CIRFA project is aiming at improving predictions at the high latitudes, and part of the PhD project is dedicated to evaluate improvements of the prediction systems as regard to polar-low dynamics and to suggest and perhaps implement further improvements.

Polar orbiting weather satellites are regularly used to detect and monitor polar lows by imaging the spatial structure of the associated cloud patterns. However, very little research has been done on utilizing the polar orbiting radar satellites to monitor and characterize polar lows. The radar satellites have the capabilities to measure the strength and spatial structure of ocean surface wind fields with spatial resolution of less than 1x1 km2. Part of the project is dedicated to develop methodologies to detect, track and characterize polar low based on data from polar orbiting radar satellites, and to assess the potential impact of assimilating these data into the forecast systems.

The roles and responsibilities of the Research Fellow

The PhD Fellow will be associated with the CIRFA work packages on numerical modelling (WP5) and on ocean remote sensing (WP1). The candidate will collaborate closely with researchers at MET.

The research may include:

• Polar-low detection and development: Development of automatic segmentation techniques for detection and characterization of polar lows in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical satellite scenes.
• Evaluation and development of forecast systems: Evaluating forecast systems with coupled ocean, sea ice and atmosphere components, being developed by MET, for their ability to represent polar low dynamics, and suggest and perhaps implement further improvements.
• Polar-low ocean wind vector retrieval: Establishing a geophysical model function for both co- and cross-polarization SAR data, and developing a wind retrieval algorithm for measuring polar low wind field from radar images in different polarizations.
• Assimilation of SAR wind data: Applying assimilation of SAR-generated wind data into the atmospheric component of forecast systems.

Qualification requirements and assessment

The position requires a Norwegian Master’s degree in physics, mathematics, meteorology, ocenanography or similar, or a corresponding foreign Master’s degree recognised as equivalent to a Norwegian Master’s degree.

The suitable candidate must have a background in fluid dynamics and should have excellent skills in programming. Knowledge of atmospheric physics, atmosphere or ocean modelling, image processing, SAR, and optical remote sensing is an advantage. Other required qualification skills include:

• Excellence in Master’s thesis work and from grade transcripts
• Independence and self-motivation
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box
• Excellent work ethics and commitment to the job

We are looking for an interested, active and highly motivated candidate, who likes to explore new technologies and enjoys working in a collaboration with others. Good communication skills in English are therefore necessary and documented fluency in English is required.

To gain admission to the PhD programme, you must have a grade average of C or better. Further information about requirements for admission to PhD studies is available here: https://uit.no/nt/phd

The assessment will emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position.

During this assessment process, emphasis will be put on your potential for research as shown by the Master’s thesis and any other academic works. In addition, we may consider work experience or other activities of significance for the PhD studies. International experience is also an advantage.

Application

Your application must include:

• Application and motivation letter (max 1 page)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Description of your academic production
• Diplomas and transcripts (diploma supplement)
• Documentation of English language proficiency
• Three references, preferably including the Master’s thesis supervisor
• Master’s thesis and any other academic works, up to ten

Qualification with a Master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your Master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution concerning termination of your studies.

All documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. Submit the application electronically through Jobbnorge.

We offer

• An interesting research project
• A good academic and highly innovative centre environment with dedicated colleagues
• Good career opportunities
• A large degree of independence in work
• Opportunities to travel and meet other leading scientists within the field
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund

The UiT campus is located near the centre of Tromsø, a vibrant city located in Northern Norway with approximately 75 000 inhabitants. The location also offers ample opportunities for e.g., sighting aurora, hiking and skiing.

Terms of employment

Remuneration of PhD Candidate positions are in salary code 1017. The starting salary is at a minimum 37 400 NOK/month in 2018. There is a 2 % deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. In addition, UiT pays 12 % directly to the Pension Fund on top of the salary.

You have to be qualified for and participate in our PhD study program. As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training; thus, if you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

More information about moving to Norway: http://uit.no/mobility

General

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. The university is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and we will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act. You may request to not be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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