Researcher in volcanology and carbonation in sedimentary basins

About the position / About the job

Position as Researcher available at the VICCO Centre, Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo.

The position is for a period of 3 years. Starting date no later than 01.06.2025.

Job description / Project description

The VISTA Centre for CO2 Storage in Volcanic-Sedimentary Systems (VICCO) is funded by VISTA and the MN Faculty at the University of Oslo, from 2025 to 2030. The Centre will target research that will further understand carbon capture and storage in a context of climate change, and the overarching goal of VICCO is to explore the potential for large-scale permanent CO2 storage in volcanic-sedimentary systems on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Centre will specifically investigate carbonate-forming reactions – the process by which CO2 is trapped in solid minerals– in igneous rocks. Such carbonation may enhance seal integrity in the storage medium and reduce reservoir leakage risks in mixed volcanic-sedimentary systems. Carbonation processes can ensure permanent storage of CO2 by reducing the risk of reservoir leakage in the volcanic-sedimentary systems beneath the seabed.

The VICCO Centre is cross-disciplinary between geosciences and physics, and is hosted by the Department for Geosciences. The Researcher position will be part of a dynamic and inspiring team of students and researchers, where CCS is one of several core research activities.

The available Researcher position will thematically be related to further understanding the geological conditions required to carbonate volcanic rocks, with an emphasis on volcanic stratigraphy in sedimentary sequences. The project will include detailed fieldwork, core studies, and large scale synthesis of carbonate formation in relevant lithologies. VICCO has a range of international collaborators who will be part of the working group around the position. 
 

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.

Required qualifications:

• PhD degree in volcanology and volcanic stratigraphy, or volcanic petrology/geochemistry including experience with carbonate mineralogy
• Research experience with outcrop studies of sedimentary and volcanic systems (logging, mapping) and/or core and seismic studies (lithological/volcanological logging, petrology) at PhD level
• Research experience with carbon isotopes and interpretations

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in integrated basin studies, including seismic, borehole, and outcrop interpretation
• Postdoc experience with relevant systems, including active volcanic systems
• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in geology/petrology/volcanology/volcanic stratigraphy). Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment. 
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English eventuelt and a Scandinavian language
   

Personal skills 

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• A driver license is required
• Teamwork skills, as well as the ability to work independently in larger groups
• Enthusiasm, personal drive, and ability to take initiative
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility, ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines

We offer / We can offer you / Why should you choose us?

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. A pleasant and stimulating work environment.
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities. 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from 579 000 - 700 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

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.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• Eventuelt: Project description
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity) 
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
   

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 moti-vation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.