Job Description
There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Physical Oceanography at the Geophysical Institute and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with career-promoting work (e.g. teaching duties at the department). The position is part of the GYRED project (GYRE-induced Variability in North Atlantic circulation – Dynamics and impacts on overturning) funded by the Norwegian Research Council.
About the project/work tasks
The large-scale circulation in the North Atlantic Ocean plays a key role in regulating climate by facilitating the northward throughput of warm and salty waters within the extended Gulf Stream system. However, the role of variable gyre circulation in modulating the northward throughput of water, and potentially reducing meridional coherence in the large-scale overturning circulation, remains unknown.
The appointed PhD candidate will address several key questions about North Atlantic gyre circulation, overturning circulation, and the mechanisms causing variability in the two, using a range of modelling tools such as Lagrangian simulations and ocean model perturbation experiments.
As a PhD-candidate at the Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, you will also be affiliated with the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR). BCCR is the largest climate research centre in the Nordic countries and has a broad international environment. Collaboration is planned with University of Oxford, Stockholm University, and National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, and a research stay at one of these partner institutions is encouraged.
Qualifications and personal qualities
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or the equivalent in physical oceanography, climate dynamics, meteorology, physics, applied mathematics or related fields, or must have submitted his/her master’s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
- A good understanding of ocean dynamics is a requirement.
- Experience in scientific programming (e.g., Python, Matlab, Fortran) is a requirement.
- Experience in statistical analysis of ocean/climate data (model output or observations) is an advantage.
- Experience from numerical modelling 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.
Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, 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 % career-promoting 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 Science and Technology 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 540 500. 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
- a brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
- 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 that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
- 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)
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
General information
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting:
dr. Helene Asbjørnsen, Geophysical Institute, UiB (h.asbjornsen@uib.no) or Head of Department Tor Eldevik, Geophysical Institute, UiB (tor.eldevik@uib.no)
For HR related questions contact HR advisor Maria Svåsand, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiB (maria.svasand@uib.no).
Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.
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.
We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
