Postdoctoral Research Fellow position within water isotope meteorology

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

The Geophysical Institute at University of Bergen, affiliated with the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR), is seeking candidates for a PostDoc position in water isotope meteorology with a focus on the impact of topography on precipitation processes. The aim of the project is to develop new approaches to estimate the rain and snow deposited on ground, using isotope-enabled global and regional models and distributed water samples and field observations from Scandinavia. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years and is associated with the ERC Consolidator Grant project ISLAS (Isotopic Links to Atmospheric Water’s Sources), funded by the EU-H2020 programme, and the Water4All project ISOSCAN (Isotope-aided assessment and forecasting of hydroclimatic extremes in Scandinavia through stakeholder co-design).

About the project/work tasks

About the project

A variety of weather systems brings precipitation to Scandinavia. Model predictions of precipitation along the complex topography are partially in disagreement with observations. Within the ISLAS project, a unique suite of high-resolution measurements stable water isotopes, that among other reflect cloud efficiency, has been collected along the coast of Norway on the ground, and from ships and aircraft. Integrating these new observations with advanced model diagnostics can help to identify error compensation between different parameterised processes in prediction models. The ISOSCAN project takes this approach to a larger scale. Working together with hydrologists and tourists as citizen scientists, we expand the observational database into Sweden and Finland, and study the driving factors of hydrometeorological extremes. Within the stimulating, interdisciplinary environment of these projects, one PostDoc position is available at the Geophysical Institute at University of Bergen.

As a PostDoc at the Geophysical Institute, you will be affiliated with the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR). BCCR is the largest climate research centre in the Nordic countries and among the leading centres in Europe. The working environment is highly international with around 200 scientists from 37 countries.

Work tasks

The PostDoc candidate will evaluate the atmospheric drying during flow over the mountain ranges of Scandinavia. By jointly using available water isotope measurements in vapour and precipitation and weather prediction and climate model simulations, the candidate will develop new robust estimates for cloud efficiency in different weather systems. The candidate will use novel model diagnostics, such as parameterisation tendency output, involve measurements from the ISLAS project and from citizen science, and collaborate with hydrologists. This challenging PostDoc position provides a unique combination of working with numerical models and observational data, and allows to develop deep insight into the water cycle and the inner workings of numerical models. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the ISLAS and ISOSCAN projects, will collaborate both disciplinary and interdisciplinary, and interact with citizen scientists.

Qualifications and personal qualities

• Applicants must hold a Norwegian PhD degree or an equivalent degree within meteorology, climate dynamics, physics, or other relevant disciplines, or have submitted their doctoral thesis for assessment, prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
• Experience in working with either cloud mircophysics, numerical weather prediction models, atmospheric dynamics, climate dynamics are required.
• Expertise in scientific scripting, programming, and data analysis (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, C++, FORTRAN) is required.
• Documentation of independent research and writing skills is required.
• Ability to actively communicate and co-operate within a large, interdisciplinary research team and with non-scientists is required.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English is required.
• Ability to work independently and in a structured manner is required.
• Ability to participate in field work in challenging natural environments is required.
• Knowledge of stable water isotope concepts and processes is an advantage.
• Experience with Linux clusters, running numerical models, and handling large datasets is an advantage.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position

The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow

The postdoctoral position is a fixed term position with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. If the appointee lacks teaching experience, or other relevant qualifications, the employment period may be increased up to 3 years and 6 months. Teaching and other duties will in such cases be added to the position. The position may be extended by up to one year (maximum 4 years in total) if the appointee is granted externally financed research stays abroad. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution. In accordance with the Research Council’s rules, neither can anyone be hired more than once as an NFR-financed postdoctoral research fellow.

For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work, as well as a progress plan, will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor and head of department.

It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.

We can offer

• a unique opportunity to combine field work and model-based analysis and interpretation
• to take part in challenging international field work and to become part of the stimulating research environment of the projects ISLAS and ISOSCAN, and several other related national and international projects at the Geophysical Institute and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research.
• position as postdoctoral fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 615 700 (equivalent to pay grade 63) upon appointment. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well-qualified applicant.
• enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• good welfare benefits

Your application must include

• A brief (min1, max 2 pages) statement of your research interests and how they pertain to the advertised position
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these should be the main advisor from the PhD programme.
• CV
• List of publications, including hyperlinks to publications and theses
• Transcripts and diplomas. If you have not yet completed your PhD degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the thesis has been submitted.
• Other relevant certificates

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.Please do not upload PDFs of any publications or thesis.

General information

For further details about the position, please contact: Prof. Harald Sodemann, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, harald.sodemann@uib.no.

For HR related questions contact: Maria Svåsand

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

Upon the expiry of the closing date for applications, an evaluation committee will be appointed. As an applicant, you have a right of access to the committee’s description of your formal and professional qualifications. If you wish to take advantage of this right of access, please contact the executive officer in charge after receiving information about the appointment of the evaluation committee.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Further information about our employment process can be found here.

About The University of Bergen (UiB) 

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments. 

Deadline: 2024-03-03 at 23:59
Unit: Physical sciences/Math

Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.