Two positions as PhD fellows in climate dynamics

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally known for high quality in research and education. As a social institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place of study and work.

Video: https://youtu.be/M5n6RnScNgA

PhD fellow

At the Geofysisk Institutt, there are two vacant positions as ph.d.-stipendiat in climate dynamics. The positions are for a 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 Bjerknessenter-project Global Responses and Drivers of the Tropical Pacific Zonal SST gradient Trend (GRADIENT). One position is financed by the GRADIENT-project and the other is financed by the Universitetet i 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 ph.d.-candidate in GRADIENT, you will become part of an interdisciplinary team with expertise in climate dynamics, paleoclimate, data-assimilering, and climate and isotope modeling.

The ph.d.-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). The tasks include analysis of model simulations and a new paleo-reanalysis that utilizes modern data-assimilering and an extensive archive of paleoproxy data, as well as designing and conducting targeted climate model experiments.

As a ph.d.-candidate at Geofysisk institutt at Universitetet i Bergen, you will also be affiliated with Bjerknessenteret for klimaforsking (BCCR), the largest climate research center in the Nordics with a broad international environment. The candidate can also participate in the national ph.d.-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.

• 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 when assessing the candidates.

Regarding 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 ph.d.-stipendiat

The scholarship 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 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 (stipendiat, vitskapleg assistent, or similar), a deduction may be made from the employment period.

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 starting 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 Universitetet i Bergen.

We offer:

• a good and academically stimulating work environment
• salary as stipendiat (code 1017) in accordance with the state salary regulations. 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 must include:

• a short statement about 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. In addition, you should address the mentioned "advantages," as these will be considered 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 submit confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• relevant certificates
• approved documentation that you meet the requirements for English proficiency (if required, cf. Requirements for English proficiency for admission to the ph.d.-program).
• 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 JobNorge.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Lea Svendsen, Geofysisk institutt ( Lea.Svendsen@uib.no ), or Institute Head 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 Universitetet i Bergen utilizes increased 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 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