PhD Research Fellow in remote sensing of the cryosphere

About the position

We invite applications for position as PhD Research Fellow in remote sensing of the cryosphere at the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Starting date as soon as possible.

The fellowship period is three years.

A fourth year may be considered, and it will involve 25 % of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualifications of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
Place of work is department of Geosciences, Oslo.

Job description

The position is affiliated with the Department’s Section for Physical Geography and Hydrology, which has long-term experience in investigating the terrestrial cryosphere and is involved in various high-level research projects and centers. (See for instance http://www.mn.uio.no/geo/english/about/organisation/geohyd and https://www.mn.uio.no/geo/english/research/groups/remotesensing). We are a growing, lively, friendly and collaborative research environment in cold regions sciences, in particular in glaciology, remote sensing, geohazards, hydrology and geomatics. We participate in a number of international projects such that the successful candidate will have excellent opportunities to participate in international research networks. We also run an advanced drone lab on behalf of the entire faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (https://www.mn.uio.no/geo/english/research/about/infrastructure/facilities/observations/geosciences/the-drone-infrastructure-laboratory/).

The position is embedded in a network of projects that involve remote sensing of the cryosphere and related data science methods: 

• the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant SnowShifts with University of Oslo (Prof. A. Kääb), EPFL Sion and WSL/SLF (Prof. M. Lehning), and BOKU Vienna (Dr. F. Koch) as PI institutions, and GFZ Potsdam, CESBIO Toulouse and ANavS Munich as further key partners. (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101224858) 
•  the SchmidtSciences project MountAInWater (lead: F. Pelliciotti, ISTA, and W. Immerzeel, Utrecht, and further PIs from Canada, Singapore, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway and Germany.  (https://www.schmidtsciences.org/view/#modal-mountainwater-water-from-the-mountains-global-reanalysis-and-future-tipping-points) 
• various ESA projects including Glaciers_CCI, Permafrost_CCI, Karakoram Anomaly, and the forthcoming EarthExplorer 10 mission Harmony. (https://climate.esa.int/en/projects/, https://climate.esa.int/en/Cross_ECV_Projects/ , https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/ESA_selects_Harmony_as_tenth_Earth_Explorer_mission)

The candidate will develop and apply cutting-edge remote sensing or photogrammetry methods, in combination with data science approaches such as machine learning and data assimilation via cryospheric models. A main focus of this work is snow and glaciers in the mountains around the globe. Candidates with relevant prior research experience in these areas will therefore be given preference. The candidate will have ample opportunities to collaborate internationally with other world-leading research environments and space agencies, and for field work in mountain environments and the Arctic.

The exact focus of the position and its primary project affiliation will be developed together with the successful candidate. 

What skills are important in this role?

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.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in in geomatics, geosciences, computer science/data science/statistics, physics, mathematics, environmental sciences, geophysics or similar. Candidates must have submitted and defended their Master’s degree before the starting date.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Must document a strong quantitative background and interest in one or several remote sensing and data science approaches.  
• Must document scientific programming skills, specifically for data processing and analysis of large datasets.
• Evidence of creativity and capability of independent research.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

• It is an advantage if the required remote sensing or photogrammetry experience is within satellite-based observation of Earth surface processes, using optical, radar or lidar methods.
• Good knowledge about cryospheric and mountain processes.
• Previous experience with data assimilation and numerical modeling will be regarded as positive in the selection process.
• Experience in automated processing of large data volumes. 
• Experience with scientific publishing is regarded as beneficial.
• Interest and willingness for, or experience with, field work in high-mountain/cold environments is an advantage. 

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

UiO is subject to the Security Act, which governs the organisation's protection of security-sensitive objects and knowledge, in addition to other relevant legislation concerning access to and handling of sensitive information. Based on this, it is a requirement that successful applicants are security-eligible. We may use background checks as part of our recruitment process.

What are we looking for in you?

• You share our genuine enthusiasm for the cryosphere, and the technologies and methods to observe and understand its changes
• You are a person who prefers being present at work and actively contributes to the professional and social environment you are a part of
• You are able to work both independently and as part of a team
• You look forward to work in an interdisciplinary and international scientific environment

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We can offer you

• 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.
• 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.
• Career development programmes.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 - 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues, could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. 

We hope you will apply for the position with us.

How to apply

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
• List of publications and academic work 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)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for this job".
Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be 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), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.  

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