Two positions as PhD fellows in climate dynamics

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Video: https://youtu.be/M5n6RnScNgAPhD Fellow

At Geofysisk Institutt, there are two vacancies for PhD fellows in climate dynamics. The positions are for a fixed-term period of three years, with the possibility of a fourth year consisting of career-advancing work (for example, teaching). The positions are linked to the strategic Bjerkness Centre project Global Responses and Drivers of the Tropical Pacific Zonal SST gradient Trend (GRADIENT). One position is funded by the GRADIENT project and the other is funded by the University of Bergen.

About the project/tasks:

The zonal gradient in sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific is a central component in global climate variability, but climate models are nonetheless unable to reproduce the historical development of the gradient. This discrepancy affects estimates for climate sensitivity and regional climate projections through teleconnections. As a PhD candidate in GRADIENT, you will become part of an interdisciplinary team with expertise in climate dynamics, paleoclimate, data assimilation, and climate and isotope modeling.

The PhD candidates shall investigate mechanisms that link trends in surface temperature in the tropical Pacific with external climate forcing and their impact on regional climate (e.g., the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, precipitation trends in East Africa). Tasks include analysis of model simulations and a new paleo-reanalysis utilizing modern data assimilation and an extensive archive of paleoproxy data, as well as designing and conducting targeted climate model experiments.

As a PhD candidate at Geofysisk institutt at the University of Bergen, you will also be affiliated with the Bjerknes senteret for klimaforskning (BCCR), the largest climate research center in the Nordics with a broad international environment. The candidate can also participate in the national PhD network The Norwegian Research School for Climate-Informed Innovation and Decision-making (Climate-Informed).

Qualifications and attributes:

• Applicants must have obtained a master's degree or equivalent education in climate dynamics, meteorology, oceanography, physics, mathematics, or related fields, 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
• A solid background in mathematics and physics is a requirement
• Experience with scientific programming (e.g., Matlab, Python) is a requirement
• Experience with statistical analysis of climate data (observations or model results) is an advantage
• Experience with climate dynamics 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 interpersonal qualities will be emphasized. Ambition and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

The following applies to the position:

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

About the position as a PhD fellow The fellowship 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 head of the institute upon employment. If a fourth year is decided, one year's work consisting of career-advancing work related to teaching, dissemination, and research infrastructure/services, will be distributed over the total employment period and thus correspond 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 PhD fellow, you shall participate in an approved education program for a PhD degree within a timeframe of three years. The deadline to apply for admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is two months after starting the position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a prerequisite that you meet the requirements for admission to the PhD studies at the University of Bergen.

We offer:

• a good and academically stimulating work environment
• salary as a PhD fellow (code 1017) in accordance with the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 593,700. Further progression occurs according to seniority in the position
• membership in Statens pensjonskasse
• good welfare schemes

The application shall include:

• a short statement of research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, and how you meet each criterion. Additionally, 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 should be the main supervisor from the master's thesis or equivalent.
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed the master's degree, you must provide confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• relevant certificates
• approved documentation that you meet the requirements for English proficiency (if required, cf. Krav til engelskkunnskaper ved opptak til ph.d.-programmet).
• any list of scientific work (publication list with links).

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

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Lea Svendsen, Geofysisk institutt (Lea.Svendsen@uib.no), or Head of Department Tor Eldevik, Geofysisk institutt (Tor.Eldevik@uib.no).

For HR-related questions, contact Magnus Larsen (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 increased transparency in the recruitment of 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 here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Astrid Nybø tells about life and daily work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

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

About the employer:

The University of 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.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences consists of seven institutes and a number of centers. Read more about the faculty and associated institutes.