Researcher in Earthquake Geology and Physics

About the position

Position as Researcher in Earthquake Geology and Physics available at the Njord Centre. 

We are hiring 1-2 researchers.

The position is for a period of 2 years.

Starting date no later than 01.11.2025.

Project description

The selected candidate will work within the team of BREAK scientists (European Research Council‐funded project “Break-Through Rocks”) to develop a better understanding of the rock deformation processes that occur before and during earthquakes. The primary mission will be to develop an independent research project related to one of the two main goals of the project BREAK that include 1) the development of rock deformation experiments to study brittle and ductile deformation mechanisms in dry and wet rocks; 2) the study of microstructures of deformation in faults and shear zones.

The project is carried out at the Njord Centre, the cross-disciplinary Centre for Studies of the Physics of the Earth at the University of Oslo, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to perform field work to study fossil earthquakes and shear zones and7or experimental campaigns in large imaging facilities (e.g., synchrotron source).

What skills are important in this role?

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.

Qualification requirements:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Earth Sciences or equivalent with a strong focus on fault and shear zone mechanics and/or rock physics. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
• Applicants must document knowledge of a programming language for data analysis such as Python or R.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English is required.
   

At least two of the following qualifications are also desired.

• Experience in petrography and analysis of rocks (SEM, EPMA, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy).
• Experience with image analysis techniques, including X-ray or SEM images.
• Field work competences to map and sample rocks and faults in mid- to lower-crustal environments.
• Experience with rock physics experiments (e.g., triaxial rig, shock apparatus, acoustics).

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

Personal skills

• Ability to work precise in a structured manner
• Good communication and collaboration skills
• Teamwork skills, as well as the ability to work independently
• Enthusiasm, personal drive, and ability to take initiative
• Flexibility, ability to meet deadlines
• Attention to detail

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

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.
• Committed colleagues in a good working 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 579 700 - 670 000, 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. 

How to apply 

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• 1-page research proposal on earthquake processes, preferably in line with one or several objectives of the ERC project BREAK
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and a list up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

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 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 cannot, you will hear from us.

Please refer to  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.