Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Natural Hazards 

About the position

A 4-year position as a Postdoctoral research fellow is available at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Norway.

Starting date no later than January 1st. 2025.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of four years (20% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities). NB! Endres ved behov.

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:

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist for a 4-years PostDoc position at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo (http://www.mn.uio.no/geo/). The successful candidate is expected to pursue her or his own line of research relating to Geohazards preferably in a Nordic setting, combined with remote sensing and numerical modelling. The Postdoctoral fellow will be appointed for a period of four years with a duty component of 25%, which normally includes teaching and supervision of master and bachelor students. 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. Preferred starting date is set around 1. January 2025 or before.

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.

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree in physical geography or geology or related fields, with emphasize on natural hazards. The doctoral dissertation must at least be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• A strong background, experience, and interest in natural hazards in the Nordic region, including the Arctic and high-mountain environments.
• Demonstrate experience in quantitative methods for mapping, interpreting, modelling and understanding landscapes and how they react to climate change. The candidate is familiar with applying remote sensing tools to interpret or model ground features and how these are connected.
• Knowledge of numerical modelling and programming (Matlab, IDL, Python, or similar languages)
• Experience in conducting field work to collect data. The candidate is expected to publish papers in leading, international journals, and must therefore be able to document previous publications in top-level journals.
• Good communication skills and the willingness to manage tasks and project deliverables in an international research environment
• A good command of English is required

The following requirements are considered as advantages for the position:

• Ability to quantitatively process large amounts of Earth observation data
• Teaching and supervising experience
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language

Personal skills:

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher that

• Teamwork skills, as well as the ability to work independently
• Enthusiasm, personal drive, and ability to take initiative
• Flexibility, ability to work structured and meet deadlines

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:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• A research statement outlining possible projects for the Postdoc. period, related to relevant activity at the Department of Geosciences. We advise to contact the representatives of relevant research groups within geohazards, Quaternary geology, geomorphology, glaciology or geomatics, also with respect to available resources to carry out research projects.
• Teaching statement outlining previous experience and own teaching philosophy.
• CV (summarizing scientific publications, education, positions, pedagogical experience,)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number) (no reference letters)

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, 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:

Senior Lecturer Karianne S. Lilleøren (k.s.lilleoren@geo.uio.no),

Professor Andreas Kääb (kaeaeb@geo.uio.no)

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

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