Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Planetary Sciences
About the position
Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Planetary Sciences available at Centre for Planetary Habitability at the Department of Geosciences at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Starting date as soon as possible but no later than October 1, 2024.
The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of three years (10% 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
Deciphering the planetary rock record to derive planetary evolution is the goal of this project. Water is defined as a crucial ingredient for habitable environments because it is a solvent and facilitates geological processes, chemical reactions and it could modulate climate conditions. On Earth it is present ubiquitously on the surface, while Mars shows clear morphological and mineralogical evidence that once liquid surface water existed. Even for the Earth’s moon recent observations indicate the presence of hydration and water features. What made Earth keep its water, why did Mars lose lots of its water and turned into an icy desert and what is the source of lunar hydration features? What could be the role of water in the surface-interior interactions, do we expect complex deep volatile cycles for Mars? Changes in the Earth’s atmosphere and climate are stored in the terrestrial rock record and the diversification and distribution of igneous and aqueous minerals on other planetary bodies similarly could document the evolution of environmental conditions on these objects.
A successful candidate wants to explore evidence and fate of water on terrestrial planetary objects from the surface mineralogy and morphology. This requires remote sensing using multi-wavelength spectral methods, identification of relevant analogue settings among terrestrial rocks and potentially numerical and/or physical experiments on weathering and water-rock interactions.
The candidate will work closely with Stephanie C. WernerAgata M. Krzesinska and other PHAB scientists.
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 degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Planetary Sciences, Remote Sensing, Geosciences, Physics or other related quantitative disciplines.
- 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.
We seek a candidate who has a background in studying the mineralogy of planetary surfaces mainly by means of remote sensing. This is a project that requires thinking outside the box and navigate multiple sub-disciplines while collaborating with Earth and other planets specialists.
Desired qualifications:
- Proficiency with remote sensing spectral analysis of surface mineralogy (e.g., NIR, TES, GRNS)
- Knowledge of water-rock interaction processes and mineralogy
- Experience with numerical modelling of or performing experiments on weathering and other water-rock interactions would be an asset
- Interest in exploring statistical or machine-learning algorithms
- Experience with interdisciplinary research projects
Personal skills:
- Independent thinking, creativity, leadership, and mentoring abilities
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills
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 (max 1 page statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
- CV (summarizing education, positions, curatorial and databasing experience, administrative experience, other qualifying activity, and career breaks if relevant)
- A research plan related to the above described research focus (up to 2 pages)
- A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
- Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records, including a copy of the PhD diploma or an official statement on the certified date of the successful defence (not award) of the PhD
- Names and contact details of 2-3 professional 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, 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: Stephanie C. Werner, e-mail: stephanie.werner@geo.uio.no
For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, e-mail: ole.rustad@mn.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
Centre for Planetary Habitability (PHAB) is a Norwegian Centre of Excellence that provides a stimulating and well-funded research environment. PHAB’s main goal, based on detailed studies of Earth and our solar system, is to develop predictive models to identify habitable planets around other stars. PHAB research activities comprise three interrelated research themes: (1) Planets and Early Earth, (2) Modern Earth and (3) Exo-Earths. The centre was established in 2023 and will consist of approximately 70 full time and part time professors and researchers, PhD Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Research Fellows.
Deadline: 2024-02-29 at 23:59
Unit: Physical sciences/Math
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.