Stilling:
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Earth System Modelling
Deadline 15.09.2018
Job description
A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Geosciences.The fellowship will be for a period of two years, with an expected starting date early fall 2018.
The successful candidate will work in the LATICE (“Land-ATmosphere Interactions in Cold Environments”) research group with scientists with expertise within various disciplines related to observing, analyzing and parameterization of the land surface. LATICE is recognized as a strategic research area by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, dedicated to improving our knowledge on cold environment processes and their representation in Earth System Models (ESMs). The research focuses on cold-regions exchange processes and particularly aims to advance the knowledge base concerning land-atmosphere interactions and their role in controlling climate variability and climate change at high northern latitudes. LATICE plays a key role in integrating the research and field activities of the various disciplines of the department and nationally, including the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the cryosphere. A common approach is to tightly integrate field observations in model development. For more information, see the LATICE web site: http://mn.uio.no/latice/
The postdoctoral research fellow will be part of a motivated research team with a high number of early career scientists working together in a highly interdisciplinary environment. The candidate will play an active role in the supervision of PhD students and provide integrating activity across the PhD topics. She/he will be provided leadership opportunities within LATICE.
More about the position
The strength of the coupling between the land surface and the atmosphere has large regional variations, depending on climate and land cover characteristics, including their spatial and temporal variability, e.g. in snow cover, vegetation or soil wetness. There is also large variability in the simulations of water and energy fluxes among land surface models and for different configurations. The role of the Postdoc will bet to evaluate, develop, and improve parametrization of land surface processes in earth system models. This will include:
- running models using different model set-ups
- comparing coupled versus off-line model runs
- evaluating the overall sensitivity of the parametrization scheme to changing surface conditions.
Focus will be on large-scale (regional) model development/sensitivity analyses in the boreal/arctic zone. One area of particular interest is the partitioning of sensible and latent heat (evapotranspiration) in regions with a seasonal snow cover, including snow-vegetation interactions. The work will make use of the information gained in other parts of the LATICE project, including the use of observations for validation and improved process representations (own field work is optional).
Details of the research plan will be developed based on the successful candidate’s own expertise and research ideas in close collaboration with key LATICE researchers, who will act as a multidisciplinary advisory team. The work is expected to form an integrating base for land surface modeling within the LATICE research domain and ongoing activities.
Model platforms used within the group include the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, NorESM, and several other models, including the hydrological modelling framework Shyft; models that are used to develop and test parameterizations for a variety of processes. The candidate will interact with model developers within LATICE and contribute to model testing and improvements.
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. Applications are encouraged from dedicated candidates with excellent writing skills and the ability to work in a highly team-orientated environment.
Creativity and innovation are valued, as is a demonstrated high working capacity, passion for research, and self-motivation. The candidate should expect to work in a highly collaborative team-oriented environment and participate in a wide array of activities related to land-atmosphere processes with an emphasis on land surface processes in cold environments.
The successful candidate must have a PhD or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Geosciences, or a related discipline; e.g., a PhD in Physics or Mathematics with experience in the earth sciences. Applications are encouraged from dedicated candidates with strong quantitative skills and technical expertise in computer software and programming. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in numerical modelling and preferably also statistics. Previous experience with numerical modelling is essential, in particular the parametrization of land surface processes in climate and/or distributed hydrological models.
The successful candidate should further demonstrate:
- Technical expertise in scripting (e.g. Python, R) or programming (e.g. C, FORTRAN)
- Evidence of creativity and capability of independent research
- Knowledge of large data analysis and visualization tools
- Ability and willingness to participate in interdisciplinary research
- Good English writing and communication skills
Applicants who have handed in their PhD thesis for evaluation can apply given that a date is set for their final exam (should be within 2-3 months of the application deadline). [LMT1]
The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines. Please also refer to the regulations pertaining to the conditions of employment for post-doctoral fellowship positions.
A good command of oral and written English is required.
We offer
- salary NOK XXX – XXX per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (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
- Application letter, including a statement of interest and a preferred starting date
- Project proposal for the qualifying work
- CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
- Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
- A complete list of publications
- Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
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.
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
- Professor Lena M. Tallaksen, +47 22857214, lena.tallaksen@geo.uio.no
- Professor Frode Stordal,+47 22855204, frode.stordal@geo.uio.no
For technical questions about the recruitment system, please contact HR Officer Helene Jansen, + 47 22857196, h.b.jansen@mn.uio.no