About the position

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Planetary Sciences available at Centre for Planetary Habitability, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo (UiO).

Starting date as soon as possible but no later than December 1st, 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.

Job description

The Vision of the Centre for Planetary Habitability: Earth is the only planet on which life is known to have originated. Earth has abundant surface water, a large moon, a long-lived magnetic field, and plate tectonics. Yet, which of these and other characteristics are essential for long-term habitability? How have Earth’s physical and chemical attributes, and thus our planet’s proclivity for life, evolved? How can we recognize distant worlds around other stars that have been or could be habitable? 

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. 

In this project we want to address: What is the origin of Earth’s water? What made Earth keep its water, while Mars lost lots of its water? What is the source of lunar hydration features?

A successful candidate wants to explore source, evidence and/or fate of water on terrestrial planetary objects by means of remote sensing of planetary surfaces, experiments of water-rock interaction, or based on planet-formation models. 

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 at the time of appointment.
• 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 planet formation and/or evolution and is keen on exploring the fate of water on Earth, Mars, Moon and other planets. 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) and/or
  • Knowledge of water-rock interaction processes and mineralogy or
  • Physical and/or chemical planet formation processes
• Experience with numerical modelling of the relevant processes
• Interest in exploring statistical or machine-learning algorithms
• Experience working in 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: [email protected]

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, email: [email protected]

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