PhD Fellow in Climate Dynamics

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PhD Fellow

At the Geophysical Institute (GFI), University of Bergen, a position is vacant for a ph.d. fellow in climate dynamics. The position is for a fixed-term period of three years, with the possibility of a fourth year consisting of career-advancing work, such as teaching, depending on the needs of the institute. The person appointed will be part of NorCPMNext, a strategic project at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR) that aims to further develop sub-seasonal to seasonal forecasts for regional climate and extreme events using hybrid physics-AI models.

About the project/tasks

There is an increasing need for sub-seasonal to seasonal forecasts (S2S; 2 weeks to 12 months) for regional climate-related hazards and extreme events such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, and extreme sea-ice conditions, due to the significant environmental, societal, and economic consequences these can have. Physics-based Earth system models and climate forecasting systems form the basis of modern climate forecasting, but it is computationally expensive to run them at resolutions relevant for impact analyses. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to overcome this limitation. At the same time, the weaknesses of purely data-driven methods, especially for longer forecast horizons, show a need to combine AI with physics-based models. Hybrid physics-AI modeling is therefore becoming a promising path toward accurate, physically consistent, and efficient climate forecasts.

This ph.d. project will focus on AI-based downscaling of coarse-resolution climate model results to provide actionable climate information at regional and local levels. The resulting high-resolution forecasts will be used in user-oriented case studies assessing risks related to extreme events in Norway. In this way, the project will demonstrate the potential of next-generation hybrid physics-AI systems for climate forecasting.

The work will be carried out in close collaboration with scientific partners in NorCPMNext, a strategic project involving the University of Bergen, NERSC (Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre), and NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre). The University of Bergen offers an international working environment through BCCR, the largest climate research center in the Nordics and one of the leading centers in Europe, with approximately 200 researchers from 37 countries.

Qualifications and attributes

Applicants must have obtained a master's degree or equivalent education in atmospheric science, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or related fields. Master's students may apply if they complete their final master's examination before 31.12.2026. It is a prerequisite that the master's degree is obtained before employment can take place.

Experience from or competence in atmospheric dynamics is a requirement. Such experience may be acquired through university courses, research projects, or professional experience.

Experience with scientific programming using Python, R, Matlab, Julia, C/C++, or equivalent is a requirement.

Experience from or competence in machine learning, analysis of climate or high-resolution model results, climate forecasts/projections, or environmental risk assessment 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. Research experience, ambitions, and potential will also count when assessing candidates.

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

For the position applies the following

About the position as a ph.d. 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 appointment. If a fourth year is decided, one man-year 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 (fellow, research assistant, or similar), deductions may be made from the employment period.

About the doctoral education

As a ph.d. fellow, you will participate in an approved educational program for a ph.d. degree within a timeframe of three years. The deadline to apply for admission to the ph.d. program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is two months after commencing the position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the ph.d. degree. It is a prerequisite that you meet the requirements for admission to ph.d. studies at the University of Bergen.

We can offer

• a good and academically stimulating working environment
• salary as a 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 (max. 1 page) on research interests 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. Additionally, you should address the mentioned "advantages," as these will be considered during the ranking of candidates.
• a short statement (max. 1 page) where you identify a scientific challenge related to the proposed project, and explain, using at least one concrete example from your own research, academic, or professional experience, how you would have proceeded to meet this challenge. The main emphasis should be on how your previous experience enables you to contribute to this project.
• names 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 your master's degree, you must submit a confirmation from the institution of the expected date for obtaining the master's degree. The master's degree must be documented with a transcript and/or diploma by the time of employment.
• relevant certificates
• approved documentation that you meet the requirements for English language proficiency (if required, cf. requirements for English proficiency for admission to the ph.d. program)
• any list of scientific work (publication list with links)

Applicants are welcome to contact the project supervisors to discuss their application.

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

General information:

More detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting Dr. Francine Schevenhoven ( francine.schevenhoven@uib.no ) and Professor Camille Li ( camille.li@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, economic background, religion, belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen utilizes increased transparency in the appointment 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 ph.d. candidate at UiB

Astrid Nybø tells about life and the daily work routine as a ph.d. candidate at UiB.

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