PhD Fellowship in Subsurface Characterization within Geosciences and Reservoir Engineering

Unist; Stavanger; Hybrid; NOK 518,000 - 633,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PhD education

Free Norwegian language courses

Lifekeys mental health service

Salary according to State Salary Scale

Job summary

University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD Fellowship in Subsurface Characterization within Geosciences and Reservoir Engineering, affiliated with the NCS2030 centre. The appointment is three years with exclusive research duties, or four years with additional duties, and includes a comprehensive PhD education.

The PhD program requires strong academic background in reservoir engineering or related fields and English proficiency.

Qualifications

• Five-year master degree in reservoir engineering, subsurface geosciences, or seismic interpretation.
• Proven potential for independent and original research.
• Strong English proficiency and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Pursue PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.
• Engage in national and international research environments.
• Develop a project proposal and progress plan with supervisors.
• Contribute to research in geosciences and reservoir engineering.

Skills

Independent research ability

Teamwork and communication

Education

Five-year master degree in reservoir engineering, subsurface geosciences, or seismic interpretation

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Stavanger Research Field Engineering » Geological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 20 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo) Country Norway Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 30260492 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Stavanger invites applicantsfor aPhD Fellowship inSubsurface Characterization within Geosciences and Reservoir Engineering,at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering.

The position is affiliated with the National Centre for Sustainable Subsurface Utilization of the Norwegian Continental Shelf, (NCS2030) , and is available from January 1st 2027.

This is a trainee position that willgive promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology, specialization in energy engineering and geoscience: The education includes relevant courses to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiSon our website.

The appointment isfor three years withresearch dutiesexclusively, or four years with both research andother career-promoting work. This will be clarified in the recruitment process.

A career plan will be prepared that specifies the competencies that the Research Fellow will acquire. Access to career guidance will be provided throughout the doctoral education.

The position is funded by the NCS2030 research centre which is funded by the Norwegian Research Council, eight user industry partners and four academic and research institutions.

Research topic

The PhD Fellow will be affiliated with the following project:geosciences and reservoir engineering, for improved subsurface understanding and utilization.

This is a multidisciplinary project that aims to improve key knowledge and regional distribution of aquifers in sedimentary sequences on the Norwegian continental shelf. Aquifers can be part of the same pressure systems linking hydrocarbon producing reservoirs and CO2 storage sites, and hence they influence the planning, development and operations of offshore industrial activities on the NCS. Currently, there are two regional aquifer reservoir models available (Troll and Frigg) that will be used as a basis for case studies. Either or both datasets will also be used to constrain the distribution of fluids in sedimentary sequences, and in turn assessing fluid connectivity and fluid migration pathways.

The project will include:

• Mapping basin-scale aquifer distributions and types.
• Modelling the effects of CO2 injection on nearby producing petroleum fields.
• Establishing a synergistic approach to oil production and CO2 injection.

Project proposal

As an applicant, given the broad scope of the centre and the project topic, you must prepare a project proposal for a doctoral project, which explains the problem, relevance, theoretical, and methodological approach. Your project proposal should be included in the application assessment. The proposal should not exceed two pages.

We place great emphasis on independent and original initiatives, as well as the methodological quality of the project proposal. The project outline is expected to constitute independent and original academic work that reflects the applicant’s own assessments and ideas.

During the first three months of the employment period, the projectproposal and progress plan will be further developed in cooperation withyour supervisors andcompleted for the final plan for the PhD-project. A projectproposal template can be foundhere.

Specific Requirements

We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree withinreservoir engineering, subsurface geosciences, or seismic interpretation, preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate. Experience and competence in static and dynamic reservoir modelling will be considered an advantage.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade.

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales to calculate your points for admission.

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• motivation and potential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload
• having a good command of both oral and written English

Requirements for competence in English

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with a completed master's degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on HK-dir's GSU list

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment.
• access to Lifekeys , a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 575400 gross per year with salary developmentaccording to seniority in the position.From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally activeseniors
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave,and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced

Diversity is a resource in the working and learning environment at UiS. When we have different backgrounds and experiences, we can approach challenges from multiple perspectives and find better solutions. At UiS, we are committed to showing respect for each other's differences and accommodating employees with disabilities. We take into consideration your needs and your situation in various life phases.

Selection process

Application

To apply for this position please follow the link "Apply for this job". Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. Inyour application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas andother documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in Englishif this is required
• publicationsor other relevant research work

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge atthe application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation.

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 100 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants - see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act .If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

Additional comments

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the actsrelating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.

Your qualificationsfor the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internalexpert committee.Based on the committee's statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process onour website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger.

It is a prerequisite that you havea residence which enables you to be present at, and available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the Norwegian text takes precedence.