PhD Research Fellow in ML-assisted reservoir characterization/modelling for CO2 storage

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in ML-assisted reservoir characterization/modelling for CO2 storage in volcano-sedimentary systems available at Department of Geosciences

Starting date 15.02.2026.

The fellowship period is three years.

A fourth year maybe considered and it will involve 25 percent of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification 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.

Job description

The VISTA Centre “VICCO” at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo (UiO) seeks a highly motivated candidate for a PhD research fellowship aimed at de-risking CO2 storage in volcano-sedimentary systems offshore Norway. The PhD research project targets ML-assisted quantitative interpretation and geomechanical modeling by integrating seismic, well log, lab and literature data to de-risk potential CO2 storage sites associated with volcaniclastic lithologies offshore Norway. The research outcomes will lead to better understanding of the geological heterogeneity of reservoir, seal and overburden rocks that may impact seal integrity, fluid injectivity, storage performance, plume evolution, and pressure-build ups in potential multi-site storage licenses. The research will help to suggest best practices for machine learning integration in de-risking CO2 storage sites. We seek a candidate with a strong background in one or more of the fields of rock physics, petrophysics, seismic attribute analysis, seismic inversion (both pre- and post-stack inversions), and machine learning with geoscience knowledge, preferably in seal/reservoir/overburden heterogeneities, static and dynamic reservoir modelling, and flow simulation. The candidate will work in a team of geologists, geophysicists, geochemists and staff with strong machine learning and numerical modelling background to add knowledge on the impact of geological heterogeneity and subsurface environments (e.g., depth, exhumation, temperature, pressure) to de-risk CO2 storage possibilities in volcano sedimentary systems, offshore Norway. There will be a close collaboration between UiO and other research institutes and industries participating in the VISTA centre “VICCO”. The study areas will be selected based on the VICCO centre's focus and guidance from industry partners.

Project description

The PhD will be part of the new VISTA centre “VICCO”. The centre will advance Norway’s expertise in CCS in volcano-sedimentary systems, as well as support the global implementation of CCS at a large scale. The key focus of the project is to characterize CO2 storage possibilities in sedimentary systems containing variable  amounts of volcaniclastic sediments (such as airfall ash), and their potential role in promoting mineral carbonation in the Norwegian North Sea. Due to heterogeneity and anisotropic behaviors, these potential reservoir rocks pose challenges related to injectivity, mineralization, fluid migration, plume evolution and pressure build up. The goal is to gain quantitative understanding of reservoir and sealing / overburden units by integrating petrophysics, rock physics, geophysics, geomechanics and machine learning. A detailed project plan will be developed in collaboration with the successful candidate at the start of PhD.

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 geophysics, petrophysics, formation evaluation, reservoir engineering, or similar
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Candidates without a Master’s degree must submit their thesis within the application deadline December 31, 2025 and present a date for the final exam.

• Insight into rock physics, petrophysics, reservoir geology, reservoir geophysics, geomechanics and quantitative seismic interpretation
• Insight into geological CO2 sequestration
• Skills in industry-standard geoscientific software of Petrel, HampsonRussell, RokDoc, Interactive Petrophysics, PowerLog, Jason, and Visage
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, MatLab, R)
• Publications related to the field of the PhD research topic

• 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

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

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.

What are we looking for in you?

• Being motivated and enthusiastic to perform the research tasks
• To be able to work independently and in a team and have good communication and interpersonal skills
• Being focused and at the same time be able to deliver tasks within deadlines

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

• 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
• Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• 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 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 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.