PhD Fellow in climate data analysis and machine learning-based emulation of hydrological models

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At Geofysisk Institutt (GFI), there is a vacancy for a position as a PhD fellow in climate data analysis and machine learning-based emulation of hydrological models. The position is for a period of three years, with the possibility of a fourth year consisting of career-advancing work (e.g., teaching), linked to the strategic project DYNAMIC-AI: Dynamics of Unprecedented and Compound Extremes using AI at Bjerknessenteret.

About the project/tasks

The PhD fellow will be part of Bjerknessenteret's strategic project DYNAMIC-AI. DYNAMIC-AI will combine physical modeling, understanding of dynamics, machine learning, and hydrological modeling into a unified framework for the analysis of compound extreme events and unprecedented extreme events. The project will analyze wildfires, drought, heatwaves, strong wind, extreme precipitation, and floods. By linking scientific approaches and Bjerknes expertise, we will achieve a new understanding that exceeds that which comes from the individual scientific branches.

The PhD fellow will analyze extreme precipitation events across Europe in the new generation of CMIP6 CORDEX downscaling of ensemble climate forecasts, and develop a hydrological model using machine learning. The model shall mimic the hydrological response to extreme precipitation. The model will be integrated into the full framework of DYNAMIC-AI, which will model the propagation of uncertainty from atmospheric dynamics down to hydrological hazards.

DYNAMIC-AI is an interdisciplinary project, and a collaboration between the University of Bergen, NORCE Research, and the Nansensenteret for miljø og fjernmåling. The PhD fellow will work in a highly international working environment as part of Bjerknessenteret for klimaforskning, co-located with Geofysisk institutt, Universitetet i Bergen. Bjerknessenteret is the largest climate research center in the Nordics and among the largest in Europe with around 300 researchers from 40 countries.

Qualifications and attributes

• Applicants must have obtained a master's degree or equivalent education in data science, atmospheric science, meteorology, hydrology, or a related field, or have submitted the master's thesis for evaluation before the application deadline. It is a prerequisite that the master's degree is obtained before employment can take place.
• Experience with Python programming, good skills in using Unix/Linux, and handling large climate datasets in their original format (e.g., NetCDF) is a requirement.
• Experience from at least one of the following areas is a requirement: hydrological modeling, surface processes, analysis of climate data, and/or training of neural networks. Experience from several of the areas is an advantage.
• Experience with machine learning tools such as Pytorch is an advantage.
• Understanding of and/or experience from the analysis of extreme events is an advantage.
• Experience with statistics, quantification of uncertainty, or propagation of uncertainty is an advantage.
• Knowledge of other relevant programming languages is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and structured and have good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must have good written and oral English skills.

Personal and relational attributes will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions, and potential will also be assessed in the selection of candidates.

Specific requirements for the position UiB is subject to export control regulations, and these regulations apply when processing applications for the position.

The following apply to the position

About the position as a ph.d.-stipendiat The stipend period is three years, with the possibility of a fourth year depending on the candidate's qualifications and the institute's need for teaching, and is decided by the institute head upon employment. If a fourth year is decided, one year's worth of work consisting of career-advancing work related to teaching, dissemination, and research infrastructure/services, will be distributed over the total employment period and thus corresponds to 25% of the time each year.

If you have previously been employed in a recruitment position (PhD fellow, research assistant, or similar), a deduction may be made from the employment period.

About the research education As a ph.d.-stipendiat, you shall participate in an approved education program for a ph.d. degree within a timeframe of three years. The deadline to apply for admission to the ph.d. program at Fakultet for naturvitenskap og teknologi is two months after commencement of the position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the ph.d. degree. It is a prerequisite that you fyller krava for opptak til ph.d.- studiet at Universitetet i Bergen.

We can offer

• a good and academically stimulating working environment
• salary as a stipendiat (code 1017) in accordance with the state salary regulations. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 593,700. Further advancement occurs according to seniority in the position.
• membership in Statens pensjonskasse
• gode velferdsordninger

The application shall include:

• a short (maximum one page) statement about your research interests, how they are relevant to the position, and the motivation for applying for the position
• a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, and how you meet each criterion. In addition, you should address the mentioned "advantages", as these will be assessed during the ranking of candidates
• name and contact information for two references. One of these must be the main supervisor from the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted
• relevant certificates
• approved documentation that you meet the requirements for English skills (if required, cf. Krav til engelskkunnskaper ved opptak til ph.d.-programmet)
• any list of scientific work (publication list)
• copy of master's thesis

Application and attachments with certified translations to English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded in Jobbnorge.

General information:

More detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

Førsteamanuensis Stefan Sobolowski, Geofysisk institutt, Universitetet i Bergen

Sigrid Passano Hellan, NORCE Research

For HR-related questions, contact Magnus Larsen, e-mail: magnus.larsen@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength and enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen utilizes more transparency during recruitment for scientific positions. Information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the applicant list. If the request is not honored, the applicant shall be notified of this.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. If you check this box in the application, you may receive positive special treatment. We always invite at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups to an interview. More about the recruitment process her.

Life as a ph.d.-kandidat at UiB

Astrid Nybø tells about life and the daily working life as a ph.d.-kandidat at UiB.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo3Z63yzkKA&list=PLf8ZIYfAO0qjhROTj6SthDbSScg0lSO6G&index=5

About the employer:

Universitetet i Bergen is a recognized educational and research institution, organized into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centers. The campus is located in central parts of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien, and Årstad.

Fakultet for naturvitenskap og teknologi consists of seven institutes and a number of centers. Les meir om fakultet and tilhøyrande institutt.