Head of Department, Department of Oceanography and Maritime Meteorology

About the position

Meteorologisk institutt is seeking a new Head of Department for the Department of Oceanography and Maritime Meteorology (OM) under the Ocean Division in Bergen.

Meteorologisk institutt forecasts the weather, monitors the climate, and conducts research. Since the institute was established in 1866, Norwegian meteorologists have played a central role in the development of the field. Meteorologisk institutt is today a leading international competence environment. When we can communicate information about weather and climate to different user groups, it is a result of the work of various professional groups at the institute. Collection of weather data and the handling and efficient analysis of large amounts of data are crucial to performing these tasks. It also makes the understanding of how we can present this to users so that they can make use of the information crucial. Meteorologisk institutt develops and delivers a long range of useful services. We conduct extensive research and deliver climate data that, among other things, can be used to dimension society for future climate. We have a free and open data policy, which means that anyone can use our material freely and for the benefit of society. Common to all our work is the goal of contributing to securing lives and values.

At OM in Bergen, safety at sea is a paramount theme and guides the activities of the 14 researchers. We are responsible for the development of wave forecasting services and for the operational preparedness models that calculate the operation of oil, ships, and search and rescue objects. In recent years, we have used many resources to develop the new climate archive NORA3. We have a responsibility to make meteorological and oceanographic data available to public agencies as well as the offshore industry and the offshore wind industry. These analyses consist of extractions of historical climate data of wind, waves, and sometimes ocean currents, and aim to provide a picture of average conditions and extreme values for a given position or for a larger geographic area.

We are looking for an experienced researcher with documented experience in project management and with a long track record in operational oceanography. Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and leadership experience. Collaboration with state agencies and institutes is an important part of the area of responsibility for the heads of department in the Ocean Division, and knowledge of Norwegian administration is important.

Work area

The position offers exciting challenges in a good environment with a high tempo and collaboration with professional environments internally, nationally, and internationally. In this position, there are special requirements for Norwegian language skills as there will be much contact with user groups in state institutions and Norwegian industry.

Qualifications

• PhD in oceanography, meteorology, energy, physics, computer science, or related fields is a prerequisite
• Experience with leadership and project coordination is a prerequisite.
• Knowledge of operational oceanography and how we distribute and assist public users is a clear advantage
• Knowledge of distribution of model data through THREDDS and OPeNDAP will be an advantage
• Meteorologisk institutt has an international working environment where both Norwegian and English are working languages. Good written and oral
• skills in English are a requirement, and foreign applicants must be willing to learn Norwegian
• Ability to work independently, and good collaborative skills are important and will be emphasized
• Personal suitability will be emphasized

We offer

• Professional challenges in a modern, technological environment
• A pleasant working environment
• Membership in Statens pensjonskasse (SPK) with good schemes for pension, insurance, and home loans (read more here: https://www.spk.no/medlemskap-i-spk/)
• Salary as Deputy Director 1059, NOK 950,000 - 1,050,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Higher salary will be considered for particularly well-qualified candidates.

Diversity

We believe that diversity is a strength, and we desire employees with different competencies, combinations of expertise, work experience, gender, life experience, and perspectives. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for a job with us regardless of ethnic background, age, or disability.

We practice positive action, and will call in at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups for an interview: applicants with disabilities, immigrant background, or gaps in their CV. To be considered in one or more of these categories, you must mark the correct category in the application.

The checkboxes can be used for anonymized statistics or reporting purposes.

Application

The application with CV and other attachments shall be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. Attach certificates and all pages of diplomas. Documents must be in Norwegian, a Scandinavian language, or English. Translations must be authorized. Before any employment, we will check the documents. For foreign education, we ask that you attach an explanation of the grading system.

The publication of the applicant list for positions in the public sector is an important principle to ensure openness. If you wish for your name to be excluded from the applicant list, you must request it yourself and provide a justification. To be able to be excluded from the public applicant list, your justification must carry more weight than the consideration of access to the list. If we do not comply with your request, you will have the opportunity to withdraw your application.

About the employer:

Meteorologisk Institutt forecasts the weather, monitors climate, and conducts society-critical research. We have delivered critical, meteorological services to Norwegian society for over 150 years. We ensure that rescue helicopters arrive safely, and that preparedness agencies are prepared for extreme weather and other dangerous weather. Our special services are used in air pollution, oil spills, volcanic eruptions, and nuclear accidents. Common to all our work is the main goal of securing lives and values. Every day, Yr is also part of the planning for people domestically and abroad.

Modern meteorology requires handling and analysis of enormous amounts of data, and offers great and exciting professional challenges.

We also have a research environment with around 180 researchers within weather, ocean, air quality, and societal safety. We are today a leading international competence environment within forecasting and climate research with headquarters located in Oslo, and offices in Tromsø and Bergen. Among our partners, you will find, among others, Statens vegvesen, NTB, Avinor, BaneNor, Miljødirektoratet, Folkehelseinstituttet, Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB), Forsvaret, Luftfartstilsynet, and many more. You can read more about what we do at strategi.met.no