2 POSITIONS AS 3 YEAR Ph.D. FELLOWSHIP IN PERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY (GEOCRYOLOGY) - Numerical modeling of permafrost and seasonal frost
are available at the Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

Description
We invite applications for two PhD research fellowships for spatial analysis and modelling of permafrost and seasonal frost in Scandinavia. The positions are related to the project “CRYOLINK – permafrost and seasonal frost in Southern Norway: understanding and modelling the atmosphere-ground temperature coupling” (www.geo.uio.no/cryolink).

Candidate 1 will address the heat transfer between atmosphere and ground, in dependence of snow cover, vegetation and surface sediments. This includes field installations and measurements (ground temperatures in boreholes, AWS), analysis of existing data and development of equilibrium permafrost models for Norway.
Candidate 2 will apply existing and develop new transient heat flow models to address past, present and future ground thermal changes, both locally and spatially distributed. The models will be driven by instrumental and RCM-derived data series for past and future climate conditions.

The Department of Geosciences is one of the largest Departments within geosciences in Norway, comprising stimulating internationally recognised work groups in e.g. tectonics, petroleum geology, hydrology, geomorphology/glaciology, geohazards and meteorology/ oceanography. The candidates will be part of a lively research environment in cold regions sciences, in particular in geomorphology, glaciology, remote sensing and geoinformatics (among others Professors A. Kääb, B. Etzelmüller, J.O. Hagen, and O Humlum). The positions include collaboration with Norwegian partners (University College of Gjøvik, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate) and international partners (University of Ottawa, University of Alaska, Fairbanks). There exist possibilities for a stay abroad at these institutions.

Required qualifications
Candidate 1 should have a strong background in one or several fields of cryospheric science (glacial/periglacial geomorphology, glaciology, hydrology, geocryology). The candidate must document good field experience. Good knowledge in spatial modeling techniques/geoinformatics is required, and knowledge in math-software like MATLAB or IDL is an asset.
Candidate 2 should have a strong background in quantitative physical geography or geophysics (meteorology, glaciology, geocryology, mathematical geology) and numerical modeling. We require knowledge in math-software like MATLAB or IDL, and good knowledge in spatial modeling techniques/geoinformatics is an asset.

Applicants for a research fellowship must hold a Master degree (or an equivalent level of education) relevant for a PhD-study in the above mentioned specialties with a final grade of B or better (http://www.uio.no/english/academics/academicsys/credits.html, or equivalent). Applicants who will finish their master study within early May 2008 are entitled to apply given that a date is set for their final exam.

The candidate must have good knowledge of English (oral and written), the ability to work in a team as well as independently, and be well structured and organized.

Applicants should submit:

Application letter including a statement of interest (related to research tasks above) and indicating a preferred starting date;
Curriculum vitae including one set of certified copies of certificates;
A list of published and unpublished works;
Three copies of scientific works (printed or non-printed) that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee;
Names and contact information of two references.
The purpose of the research fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. The position requires admission to the research training program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo. Application must be submitted within one month and accepted within three months after entry of position.

The University of Oslo is an equal opportunity employer and seeks in particular to increase its number of female scientists. Women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.

For more information please see:
http://www.matnat.uio.no/forskning/utdanning/english/index.html

Alternatively, for information in Norwegian:
http://www.lovdata.no/for/sf/kd/td-20060131-0102-001.html#1-3

http://www.matnat.uio.no/forskning/utdanning/index.html

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.
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For further information please contact:
Professor Bernd Etzelmüller, e-mail: bernde@geo.uio.no.

Pay grade, depending on qualifications and seniority: 43-48 (NOK 325 600 - 355 000 per year). The positions are funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

Closing data for application: 30. April 2008.

Ref. no. 2008/1193

Research fellow position code is SKO 1107

The application may be written in Norwegian or English and should be marked with the reference number (Ref. no. 2008/1193).

Applications should be marked with ref. no 2008/1193, and sent to
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
attn: Thomas Brånå
P.O. Box 1032 Blindern
NO-0315 Oslo
Norway.

E-mail: thomas.brana@matnat.uio.no.

Applicants are asked to inform also Prof. Bernd Etzelmüller (bernde@geo.uio.no) that they applied.

Application documents will not be returned with exception of original publications.