About the position

We offer a joint PhD position in Planetary Sciences at CEED/Department of Geosciences.

The successful candidate will work on aspects towards the diversity of terrestrial planet interior structure. The fellowship period is up to 4 years, with 3 years devoted to research education. The position entails a compulsory work load of 25% that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and research assistance.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2020.

Job description

During the 2026-2034 period, two European space telescopes, PLATO and ARIEL, will provide exciting new data on planets with Earth-like orbits and sizes. Until then, we will prepare for those telescope missions by using all currently available data for exoplanets and our understanding of planetary system evolution, in order to examine how likely it is that we will find a planet at similar pressure and temperature conditions and with similar composition to our Earth. Therefore, the goal of the project is to develop models of the likely interior structures of exoplanets with Earth-like mass and appearance of Earth-size in transit observations, based on information on the known range of star compositions, condensation sequences, degassing, and star-planet interactions.

This approach is challenging, because it requires a highly interdisciplinary study of circum-stellar discs, as well as planetary accretion, differentiation and further evolution. So far, such comprehensive and integrated investigations have been performed mainly for gas and ice giants. Our results will be compared to currently known Earth-like exo-planets and to new discoveries and results generated within the project period.

The successful candidate will work with a multi-disciplinary team with expertise across comparative planetology, astrophysics, geophysics, mineralogy, experimental and computational mineral physics.

Qualification requirements

The 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.

Required qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Planetary Sciences, Astrophysics, Space Physics, Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Mineral Physics or an otherwise related field
• Master’s degree have until 30 June 2020 to complete and document the final exam
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Experience in working with Exoplanet Research is an asset
• Good written and oral communication skills in English are required

Personal skills:

• We are looking for self-motivated, highly qualified candidate with solid theoretical background

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries

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:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter, including a one page statement of motivation and research interests indicating why the indicated PhD topic fits their interest and background.
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

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).

Selected candidates will be invited for interviews in person or via Skype.

Formal regulations

Please 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.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Professor Stephanie Werner: e-mail: Stephanie.Werner@geo.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, phone:+47 22854272,e-mail: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no

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