Research Fellow in global snow depths from remote sensing and modelling
PhD Research Fellow in global snow depths from remote
sensing and modelling
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Organization: University of
Oslo
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Deadline: 31st
October 2021
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Department: Department
of Geosciences
·
Faculty: The
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
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Languages: English
·
Location: Oslo,
Norway
About the position
A
3-year position as PhD Research Fellow in applied snow remote sensing and
modeling is available in the project SNOWDEPTH at the Department of Geosciences,
University of Oslo.
The
preferred start date for the position is January 2022. The fellowship will be
for a period of 3 years for research towards a PhD degree. Pending on a
separate application for those accepted into the PhD program, the contract
period may be extended by the equivalent of maximum 1 year to include teaching
obligations (25% per year). Candidates should indicate their interest in and
experience with teaching in their applications for this fellowship.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD
Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
SNOWDEPTH
– “Global snow depths from spaceborne remote sensing for permafrost,
high-elevation precipitation, and climate reanalyses” is a Young Researcher
project funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN). SNOWDEPTH will develop
novel methods to measure snow depth profiles from satellite data and generate
global snow depth maps using complementary data and models with data
assimilation methods. The project has a special focus on applications of
spaceborne snow depth data. Together with partners in Switzerland and Norway,
we will use the snow depth data to improve permafrost modelling, increase
understanding of high-altitude precipitation, and assess the potential to
improve climate reanalyses in data-sparse regions. The project leader and
supervisor of the PhD is Désirée Treichler (https://www.mn.uio.no/geo/english/people/aca/geohyd/desireet/)
Job Description
The
project has a data processing and an application part. During part I, the
successful candidate will work with remote sensing data from the laser
satellite ICESat-2, data from digital elevation models (DEMs) as well as
optical and microwave satellite data to retrieve global snow depth
measurements. To generate time series of snow depth maps, the candidate will
use the snow depth data together with a snow model and climate data within an
ensemble-based data assimilation scheme.
Part two of the project focuses on applications. The candidate is expected to
analyse the novel snow depth data at local and/or global scale with a
particular focus on mountainous and/or vegetated areas. The primary application
areas of the project are permafrost modelling, high-altitude precipitation, and
climate reanalyses, where snow depth measurements have a strong potential to
advance science. One particular project goal the PhD candidate may work with is
to integrate the global snow depth data into the CryoGrid permafrost model
(github.com/CryoGrid/CryoGrid).
The candidate will also take part in field work in mountainous terrain and
conduct own snow measurements to validate the satellite-derived snow depth
data. Field work focusing on permafrost and high-elevation snow precipitation
is anticipated at established snow/permafrost research sites in Norway and
Central Asia. The project has external partners at the University of
Fribourg and WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Switzerland,
and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research NILU. Excellence and independent
scientific thinking will be the main selection criteria. Scientific
publications in international journals are expected as part of the PhD thesis.
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.
·
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent
Geosciences, Geomatics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, or similar
master programs
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Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a
minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
The
successful candidate should have a strong background in handling of remote
sensing data or other large datasets. Previous experience with data
assimilation and numerical modeling will be regarded positive in the selection
process. Previous experience with one or several of the following topics is
beneficial:
1. snow remote sensing
2. snow process modelling
3. climate reanalysis
4. high-performance computing and big data analysis
Finally, experience on scientific publishing and field work in
high-mountain/permafrost environments is regarded as beneficial.
The
successful candidate must further demonstrate:
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Technical expertise and proven programming skills in
MATLAB, Python, C, julia and/or FORTRAN.
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Evidence of creativity and capability of independent
research.
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Ability and willingness to participate in field work in
Norway and Central Asia for periods of up to several weeks, in parts in rugged
high-alpine terrain
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
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the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in
the Norwegian educational system
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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/
Personal skills
Applications
are encouraged from dedicated candidates with excellent writing skills and the
ability to work in a highly team-orientated environment.
We offer
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Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 40 per annum depending
on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
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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:
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Cover letter – statement of motivation and research
interests
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CV (summarizing education, positions and academic
experience, scientific publications etc)
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Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree
diploma, transcripts of records
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Documentation of English proficiency
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List of publications and academic work that the applicant
wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
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Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name,
relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
The
Department of Geosciences offers the opportunity for financing an additional
year used for teaching duties (distributed over a 4 years period). If
interested, the candidate should also provide documentation of teaching
experience and a statement of motivation to perform teaching duties.
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).
Applicants
may be called in for an interview.
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
For
further information please contact: Désirée Treichler, phone: +47 228 57 869,
e-mail: desiree.treichler@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
