Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to drone-based (UAV) technology applied to geoscientific research

About the position

We seek a motivated and skilled person for a 4 years PostDoc position at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo (http://www.mn.uio.no/geo/). 25% of the position is reserved for teaching, supervision of students at all levels and helping to run the drone laboratory of the Departments of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, which is situated at the Department of Geosciences. 

We seek a candidate with a research focus within any geoscientific sub-discipline who is familiar with drone technology, field investigations using drones and various drone-based datasets.  Preferred starting date is set around 1. January 2025 or before.

Starting date no later than January 1st. 2025.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of four years (25% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards 2030.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Job description / Project description / Development plan:

Description of job/project. 

In cooperation with other Departments at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, The Department of Geosciences has built up a drone laboratory consisting of different UAVs (quadcopters, fixed-wing) and payloads (camera, laser altimeter, gas analyser, etc), as well as support staff. Information from these platforms are used for studying the distribution and three-dimensionality of geoscientific information (geological, geomorphological and mineralogical mapping/photogrammetry), changes of the earth surface (measurement of surface/slope movement, deformation and fluxes), cryospheric processes (snow, glaciers, permafrost), atmospheric conditions (measurements of gas fluxes and turbulence), wildlife activity, and more.

The main research work of the Post Doc. must be related and be an integrative part of at least one of the main research fields covered at the Department. The successful applicant is expected to collaborate with research groups of the Department of Geosciences and apply drone technologies to address relevant scientific questions. The Post Doc. will also help with running the collective drone and drone-related material in the drone lab at the department and will support researchers and students at the Department. 

This is an open position where the applicants will be evaluated based on:

• A research plan, where the topic must align with at least one of the research fields covered at the Department. We invite applicants to develop the research plan in collaboration with on one of the Faculty members at our Department and must relate to application of advanced drone technology. 
• A plan how to contribute to teaching and other duties at the Department, and documentation of any past teaching experience.

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.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Qualification requirements:

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. 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.

Required qualification:

• The successful candidate must have a PhD degree or the equivalent within any field of Geoscience or a related field
• Field work experience 
• Experience from data assimilation and analysis collected remotely, through images and sensing across all visible and non-visible light, microwaves, and/or other sensors mounted on unmanned vehicles. 
• Good communication skills and the willingness to manage tasks and project deliverables in an international research environment  
• A good command of English is required

Desired qualification 

• Drone pilot certification is an advantage but is not required at start of employment.
• Photogrammetry and assimilation of digital image information in visible and non-visible light, including geomatics and 3D computer tools related to photogrammetry, air-borne lidar, multispectral analyses, radar, atmospheric processes, etc,
• Use of scripting languages, such as R, MATLAB and/or Python
• Use of advanced numerical modelling tools
• Experience from research in remote and harsh areas (cold-climate, deserts, etc) is an advantage as much of our research focus is related to high-mountain and/or boreal/polar environments. 
• Experience with teaching and supervising students

We offer:

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 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 programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Application letter including a statement of research– particular weight is placed on the deployment of drones to provide novel data to research questions that cannot be answered without unmanned technology
• A teaching statement and documentation of previous teaching experience
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work, and other qualifying activity) 
• Copies of educational certificates and transcript of records 
• List of other academic works and publications and/or awards and stipends that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number), no reference letterrs

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, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. 

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations:

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years)

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 a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact persons:

For further information about the position please contact: Norbert Pirk: e-mail: norbert.pirk@geo.uio.no, 

Luc Girod, phone: e-mail:  luc.girod@geo.uio.no

Bernd Etzelmüller (Head of Department). Bernd.etzelmuller@geo.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Ørjan Prerorius,  e-mail: orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no