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PhD position
There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow within Water Isotope Research at the Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years and is associated with the research project Isotopic Transfer Rates During Water Phase Changes funded by the Research Council of Norway. The position is at the Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, with an affiliation at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research.
About the project/work tasks
The project “Isotopic Transfer Rates during Water Phase Changes – iTRANSFER” consists of an experimental and modeling component that will establish an accurate basis for the use of water isotopic composition in studies of the terrestrial and extraterrestrial hydrological cycle. The iTRANSFER project will use new precise water isotopologue spectroscopy analyzers in experimental laboratory setups to measure the isotopologue transfer rates. Water isotopologue spectroscopy analyzers allow developing new experimental setups utilizing the possibility for continuous measurements of the water vapor isotopologue composition and the need for only very small sample volumes. The iTRANSFER project will furthermore use climate models equipped with water isotopologues together with networks of in-situ atmospheric water vapor isotopologue measurements to evaluate the effect of the new and more accurate fractionation factors.
The task of the successful research fellow will carry out world class research with the focus on quantifying equilibrium fractionation factors for water isotopologues during phase change between vapor and solid at temperatures between 0°C and -60°C, between vapor and super cooled liquid at temperatures between 0°C and – 20°C, and during phase change between liquid and ice. In addition, the successful research fellow will quantify molecular diffusivity for the water isotopologues in air at different temperatures and quantify influence of wind speed on the structure of the diffusion dominated sub-layer in contact with the interphase of the water surface.
The PhD research fellow will join a dynamic international team supported through European Research Council, Horizon2020, European Space Agency, World Climate Research Program, and the Research Council of Norway.
Qualifications and personal qualities
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in within geophysics, geosciences, physics, or geochemistry. Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 01.09.2023. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
- Keen interested in one (or more) of the disciplines (paleo-) climate sciences, atmospheric sciences, isogeochemistry, or related disciplines to the research project is a requirement.
- Experience from laboratory research and experiments is a requirement.
- Experience from either mass spectrometry or laser spectrometry is an advantage.
- Expertise in programming-scripting (e.g., C++, Python, Matlab) is a requirement
- Experience from stable isotope research is an advantage.
- Knowledge of 3D printing, CNC-machining, soldering, and/or electrical wiring is an advantage.
- Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
- Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English.
It is expected that the PhD Research Fellow is innovative and has the ability to adapt to issues and collaboration related to the research tasks, and take leadership of the development of the laboratory experiments. We specifically welcome candidates, who are creative and see opportunities from the resources around them. It is further expected that the research fellow will actively integrate in the research group and participate in development of future research ideas.
Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. 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 PhD position
The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25 % compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment.
The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).
About the research training
As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.
We can offer
- a good and professionally stimulating working environment
- salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 532 200 (equivalent to pay grade 54). Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
- enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- good welfare benefits
Your application must include
- an account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
- an account of how the applicant fulfil the requirements for the position and the applicant´s alignment with the listed advantages.
- the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master’s degree. Your master’s degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma, alternatively a confirmation from your institution on completed degree and your grade, by 01.09.2023.
- relevant certificates/references
- approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
- a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
- any publications in your name
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
General information
For further details about the position, please contact Associate Professor Hans Christian Steen-Larsen, University of Bergen, Hans.Christian.Steen-Larsen@uib.no
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. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.
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.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
About 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.
