PhD Research Fellow in geology

Arbeidsplassen; Oslo; On-site; NOK 550,000 - 595,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Norwegian university in Oslo is offering a PhD Research Fellow position focusing on sedimentology and petrography. The successful candidate will conduct field investigations and integrate data with seismic models, collaborating with industry partners. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field and possess strong communication skills in English. This position offers a stimulating work environment with many development opportunities.

Benefits

Good welfare schemes

Career development programmes

Membership in Statens Pensjonskasse

Family-friendly surroundings

Qualifications

• Good oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• The average grade for Bachelor’s degree must be C or better.
• The average grade for Master’s degree must be B or better.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field investigations and subsurface data analysis.
• Integrate new data with existing seismic models.
• Collaborate with industry partners and scientific teams.

Skills

Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Good communication and collaboration skills

Positive attitude and ability to handle hectic periods

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in sedimentology and petrography

Completed degree corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

Job description

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in sedimentology and petrography available at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 01.01.2026. The fellowship period is three years. A fourth year may be considered and it will involve 25 percent of other career-promoting work, which may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department. No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

The Department of Geosciences seeks a highly motivated and self-driven geoscientist who can enrich and strengthen the Department in subjects related to alluvial fan sedimentology, architecture, and petrography. The position will focus on developing new concepts in catchment–alluvial fan dynamics within a structural framework, with emphasis on sedimentology and petrography, and integration of complementary datasets, including seismic data. The main workload will involve field investigations, subsurface data analysis (core and borehole), and integration of new data and concepts with existing seismic models. The project will involve collaboration with industry partners and other scientific teams.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences aims to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this ambition and are expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Job description

The candidate will work alongside geoscientists in the BASINS section, at the Department of Geosciences, which encompasses broad expertise across relevant fields. The project will involve fieldwork in alluvial settings, subsurface data analysis, and integration of data with seismic models. The position includes collaboration with industry partners and other scientific teams.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences aims to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this ambition and are expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Qualification requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in sedimentology and petrography
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Internationally valid driver’s license
• Eligibility to obtain tourist visa into any country

Desired qualifications:

• Experience from geological fieldwork in remote areas, including planning and logistics
• Experience from laboratory work, including petrographic analysis
• Experience in structural geology
• Experience from seismic interpretation

Language requirements:

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside the EU/EEA and exemptions from the requirements: https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements:

• 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

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see: http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check against national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work precisely in a structured manner and swiftly adapt to new tasks
• Good communication and collaboration skills
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods
• Proactive and self-driven
• Flexible and open-minded

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We can offer you

• A pleasant and stimulating work environment
• Good welfare schemes
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is Norway’s best pension scheme with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Salary for the PhD Research Fellow position (code 1017) in the range NOK 550 800 – 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted for the State Pension Fund

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo aims for balanced gender representation and values applicants with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives. If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each category to an interview.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter – statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (education, positions, academic work and publications)
• Copies of original Bachelor and Master’s degree diplomas and transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• List of publications and academic works to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2–3 references

Applications with attachments must be submitted via the recruitment system Jobbnorge. When applying, retrieve education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no or upload transcripts in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. Applicant lists may be published in accordance with the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act. If you apply, your name may appear on the public applicant list unless you request otherwise with justification. Please refer to relevant regulations for UiO and PhD appointments.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees to secure rights to research results, etc.

For further information please contact: Ivar Midtkandal, Lars Riber, or Ørjan Pretorius. The University of Oslo and the Geosciences department provide information about the institution and its programs.

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest-rated institution of research and education with 26 500 students and 7 200 employees. The geosciences encompass geology, geophysics, physical geography, geomatics, hydrology, meteorology and oceanography and include multiple ERC projects.