A PhD Research Fellow position is available at the Department of Geosciences at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway. The applicant will become part of the new centre for Planetary Habitability (PHAB).
Starting date on 01.07.2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The fellowship period is 3 years.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
Applications are invited for a PhD candidate to contribute to the Norwegian Research Council-funded project ‘PANDA' (A 100 Myr paleomagnetic data gap: Investigating anomalous behaviour of Earthʼs magnetic field in the middle Paleozoic) dedicated to understanding the nature of the middle Paleozoic magnetic field through a combination of fieldwork and paleomagnetic analyses.
The middle Paleozoic (~440-340 million years ago) was a key interval in which land-plant cover expanded to form extensive forests, the first seed plants developed, as well as the first terrestrial tetrapods. The middle Paleozoic has long been a problematic period for paleomagnetism, data are generally difficult to interpret and have complex partial or full overprints– problems that arise in data obtained from both sedimentary and igneous rocks. There is a striking scarcity of high-quality, unambiguous paleomagnetic data that hinders our understanding of the deep interior of our planet. Importantly, the absence of high quality paleomagnetic data in this time prevents the understanding of the behaviour of Earthʼs magnetic field in this key interval for Earth evolution, and hampers the use of paleomagnetism as a tool for dating and correlation. A recurring observation in middle Paleozoic paleomagnetism is that magnetisations are often below sensitivity limits of traditional magnetometers, making them effectively unmeasurable with standard techniques.
The PANDA PhD student will investigate promising sedimentary and igneous rocks from the late Silurian to early Carboniferous with new high precision techniques, and constrain changes in the direction and intensity of the magnetic field, and reversal rates of the magnetic poles. The results from PANDA will be used to constrain fundamental behaviour and strength of Earth's magnetic field.
We seek a motivated PhD candidate who will conduct fieldwork and experimental analyses of middle Paleozoic rock samples to unravel the nature of their complex paleomagnetic records. The analytical work will involve a variety of paleomagnetic, rock-magnetic and paleointensity experiments and the candidate will also conduct advanced rock-magnetic analyses abroad in collaboration with PANDA project partners.
Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards2030
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Qualification requirementsThe Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe's leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Desired qualifications:
Prior experience with geologic fieldwork, paleomagnetism and laboratory measurements will be an asset.
Personal skills:
The candidate will work as part of a team and needs good communication and interpersonal skills.
Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:
https: // www. mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:
The application must include
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.
Formal regulationsPlease see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
Contact informationFor further information please contact: Annique van der Boon, e-mail: [email protected]
For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, e-mail: [email protected]
About the University of OsloThe University of Oslo is Norway's oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The geosciences are the studies of the planet Earth and its comparative planetology; the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and cryosphere, the Earth's surface and its interior. The Department of Geosciences conducts research and teaching in most of the domains of geoscience; geology, geophysics, physical geography, geomatics, hydrology, meteorology and oceanography. The Department is the broadest geoscience research and education environment in Norway. The Department encompasses five sections; Meteorology and Oceanography, Geography and Hydrology, Study of sedimentary basins, Environmental geosciences and Crustal Processes. We also hosts one Centre of Excellence CEED - Centre of Earth Evolution and Dynamics.
The Department aims to contribute to the new and important UN Sustainability Development Goals, and are important contributors to IPCC (UN's Inter- governmental Panel on Climate Change). The staff consists of 40 professors and associate professors, in addition to postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, researchers, technical- and administrative staff. The Department has more than 200 employees.
Deadline7th April 2023
EmployerUniversity of Oslo
MunicipalityOslo
ScopeFulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)
DurationTemporary
Place of service