About the position

A PhD position within the field of atmospheric physics is available at the Department of Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The appointment has a projected start in June 2019, with a duration of 3 years. There is the possibility of a 4th year of support for teaching duties.

Information about the department of Physics at NTNU

The position is organized in the Department of Physics. Currently, there are 27 professors, 14 associate professors, 4 adjunct professors, 70 PhD research fellows and 16 postdoctoral positions appointed at the Department of Physics.

Our research spans a broad spectrum of natural sciences and technology, which in turn allows us to offer an education that provides a solid basis for future careers. Physics research is carried out in experimental as well as theoretical fields, often across conventional boundaries between disciplines. Research staff at the institute make a special effort to increase the awareness and understanding of the importance and impact of physics in our society.

Further information about the department is available at: http://www.ntnu.edu/physics

The position reports to:

Professor Patrick Espy (PhD supervisor from NTNU), Department of Physics: patrick.espy@ntnu.no

Dr. Sven Peter Näsholm (project principal investigator / PhD supervisor, NORSAR): peter@norsar.no

Dr. Yvan Orsolini (PhD supervisor from NILU): yvan.orsolini@nilu.no

Job description

The candidate will be hosted by the Atmospheric and Environmental Physics group at NTNU, Trondheim, and NORSAR, as well as by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) which both share a campus at Kjeller, near Oslo. You will be based at NTNU in Trondheim for approximately half the project timespan and then with NORSAR in Kjeller for the remainder.

This interdisciplinary research will involve the development of combined interpretation methods for atmospheric infrasound and meteor radar datasets.

The purpose is to use these datasets to derive the winds and temperatures in the middle atmosphere in order to constrain high-top atmospheric models; to map the middle atmospheric dynamics; and to explore the coupling between atmospheric layers. There will be special focus on extreme events such as Sudden Stratospheric Warmings, which are known to be able to influence weather patterns. A key ambition is to contribute to improved medium-range weather prediction and sub-seasonal forecasting.

The position is part of the project, Middle Atmosphere Dynamics: Exploiting Infrasound Using a Multidisciplinary Approach at High Latitudes, financed by the Research Council of Norway basic research program “FRIPRO”. This project is coordinated by NORSAR, and involves 7 institutes in Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, and France.

The position will hence provide abundant opportunities for travel and scientific collaboration with both international and Norwegian communities. You will have the experience to work in both the academic and research-institute environments, interacting with researchers at the international forefront of their respective fields. The project funds include travel and housing support to enable extended visits to Kjeller, while you are based in Trondheim, and vice versa. You will receive tuition in both observational and computational techniques and special emphasis will be placed on dissemination in scientific channels (e.g., at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly, EGU) and popular media.

Detailed information on the NTNU PhD programs is found at: http://www.ntnu.edu/nt/research/phd

Qualification requirements

The applicant must have an MSc or equivalent in the physical sciences and a documented background in either atmospheric science, space physics, acoustics and wave propagation, or similar fields. Experience with infrasound or meteor radar datasets will be considered to be an advantage.

We expect the candidates to have strong:

• data analysis, statistics, and programming skills
• experience in atmospheric characterization and simulation
• skills in medium/long range weather forecasting / probabilistic forecasting
• skills in climate modelling, or data assimilation will be an advantage
• knowledge of middle atmospheric dynamics and modelling, as well as analysis and re-analysis products will count as a merit.

For admission to PhD programs at NTNU the candidate must have a master’s degree or equivalent education with a weighted average grade of B or higher (in accordance with NTNU's grading system) in the two last years of their master's degree (equivalent to 120 ECTS).

Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/diploma-supplement_en.htm

Personal characteristics

The successful candidate should be creative, self-motivated and have good problem-solving and writing abilities. He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in learning and working in teams.

The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English skills by an approved test or during their interview. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The appointment of the PhD fellow will be made according to Norwegian guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general regulations regarding university employees.

NTNU has a personnel policy objective that the staff must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent.

The position as PhD remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale.  PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 449 400 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. Applicants must agree to participate in organized doctoral study programs within the period of the appointment and have to be qualified for the PhD-study.

The appointment has a projected start in June 2019, with a duration of 3 years. There is the possibility of a 4th year of support for teaching duties. 

A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months. Appointment takes place on the terms that apply to State employees at any time, and after the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

General information

Information about NORSAR:

NORSAR is a not-for-profit research foundation located at Kjeller outside of Oslo, Norway, and operates key seismic and infrasound arrays of the global network for monitoring compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty – CTBT.

NORSAR conducts research, development and advanced consultancy to the public sector and private customers in the fields of geophysics, seismology, seismic modelling, microseismic- and explosion monitoring, atmospheric infrasound, and earthquake engineering.

Read more at: http://www.norsar.no

Working at NTNU:

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

About the application:

Applications with a letter describing the candidate’s motivation, skills and personal qualifications for the position, together with a CV and certificates from both Bachelor and Master and the contact details for at least two referees should be submitted electronically through this page.

Submission:

Applications must be submitted electronically through this page.

Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

The reference number of the position is: 117/19

Application deadline: 22. April. 2019

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Natural Sciences is a key player in national and international research and education programmes in natural sciences and technology. Our research focuses on global challenges in the areas of energy, climate, the environment, food, water, health and welfare. The Faculty consists of eight departments as well as the Faculty Administration.

Deadline 22.04.2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent
Place of service Trondheim