The position

The Department of Physics and Technology announces a vacant PhD candidate position in the area of atmospheric and climate science at UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Science and Technology.

The position is available for commencement from 1 September 2019, and the appointment is for a period of four years.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT is a multi-campus research university in Norway and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT you can explore global issues from a close-up perspective.

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.

The position is entitled “Climate Sensitivity and its dependence on climate state, forcing, and region”, and is a part of the project “Ice-ocean-atmosphere interactions in the Arctic – from the past to the future” which is a joint project between three departments at the Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT: the Department of Physics and Technology (IFT) and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (IMS), and the Department of Geosciences (IG). The position will be jointly superviseby IFT and IMS.

The Department of Physics and Technology consists of five research groups: (1) Complex Systems Modelling, (2) Earth Observation, (3) Machine Learning, (4) Sustainable Energy, (5) Space Physics, and (6) Ultrasound, Microwaves and Optics. The department provides education on the Bachelor, Master, and PhD level, and comprises 22 permanent scientific positions and a technical/administrative staff of 12 persons.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has 17 permanent scientific positions and five research groups: (1) Complex Systems Modelling, (2) Algebra, (3) Differential Geometry and Mathematical Physics, and (4) Machine Learning.

This position will be associated with the Complex Systems Modelling group at the Department of Physics and Technology. This group consists of two permanent academic staffs and several postdoctoral and PhD fellows. Within this group, the position is affiliated with the disciplines polar meteorology and atmospheric and climate sciences. The position is also associated with the Complex Systems Modelling group at Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The position’s field of research and the role of the PhD Candidate

A forcing of the Earth’s climate system – for instance due to a change of the atmospheric CO2 content – will alter the Earth surface-air temperature. The magnitude of the change relative to the magnitude of the forcing may be defined as the climate sensitivity. The forcing will also alter precipitation, sea level, and various other aspects of the Earth’s climate. All these responses are strongly modified through internal feedback processes in the climate system which are activated by the responses themselves.

Some of the strongest feedback processes are those associated with change of sea ice, atmospheric humidity, and clouds. The feedbacks essentially control the Earth’s climate sensitivity and lead to polar amplification of the temperature response. Since the feedback processes are dependent on the back-ground climate and regions on the Earth, the climate sensitivity is dependent on both time and space. This site is designed to facilitate the manuscript submission and peer review process. It collects Personally Identifiable Information ("PII") such as name, e-mail address, telephone number and postal address.

Climate sensitivity has been intensively studied based on both models and observations, and the specialrole of the Arctic has been notified. However, a systematic investigation of the dependence of the Arcticclimate sensitivity on forcing and climate state, and how this dependence in the Arctic differs from that ofthe global mean have not earlier been undertaken. Based on model experiments and observationalanalyses, this PhD project is dedicated to investigate the dependence of Arctic climate sensitivity on timeand space.

Contacts

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

• Professor Rune Graversen by email rune.graversen@uit.no or telephone +47 4140 3687

Qualifications

This position requires a Norwegian Master’s degree within either atmospheric physics and meteorology, oceanography, physics or similar, or a corresponding foreign Master’s degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian Master’s degree.To gain admission to the PhD program, you must have a grade average of B or better. Further information about requirements for admission to PhD studies is available here: https://uit.no/nt/phd.

The suitable candidate must have a background within fluid dynamics and climate dynamics, and should have excellent skills in programming and English. Knowledge of atmospheric physics and climate modelling is an advantage.

Other required qualification skills include:

• Excellence in master thesis work and from grade transcripts
• Independence and self-motivation
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box
• Excellent work ethic and commitment to the job

International experience is an advantage. The assessment will emphasize motivation and personalsuitability for the position.

Application

Your application must include:

• Application and motivation letter (max 1 page)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Documentation of English language proficiency
• Three references, preferably including the Master’s thesis supervisor
• Master’s thesis, and, if applicable, other academic works, up to ten
• Diplomas and transcripts (diploma supplement) for both bachelor and master level education

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 indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must document completion of your degree before commencement in the position.All documents and letters must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Thesis and other academic works should preferably be in English or a Scandinavian language. The application must be submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project
• A fantastic work environment with nice and 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 city is surrounded by the stunning landscape of Northern Scandinavia. 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, and normally starts at salary grade 54 on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees. 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.

UiT has good welfare arrangements for employees, including beneficial arrangements for pension, insurances and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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 degree, or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

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

Generell informasjon

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 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.

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