PhD position in Quaternary Geology and Palaeoclimate

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PhD position

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Quaternary geology and palaeoclimate at the Department of Earth Science. The position is for a fixed-term period of 4 years. The position is funded by the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks:

The successful candidate will contribute to developing research using in situ cosmogenic-nuclide geochronology to date rock-slope failure events and investigate how landscapes shaped by repeated glaciations have evolved. The PhD project aims to quantify and characterise cosmogenic-nuclide inheritance in surface-exposure dating of rock-slope failures. Using independently dated rock-avalanche sites as natural laboratories, the candidate will combine field sampling, analysis of existing and new cosmogenic-nuclide datasets, and simple forward modelling of cosmogenic-nuclide production before and after rock-slope failure to investigate the preservation and transfer of pre-existing nuclides during the failure event. The results will contribute to making cosmogenic-nuclide surface-exposure ages more reliable and easier to interpret, and to a better understanding of the pre-failure history of sampled rock material.

The candidate will become part of an active research environment in Quaternary geology, geomorphology and geochronology. The main supervisor will be Professor Henriette Linge, manager of the UiB Cosmogenic Nuclide Preparation Facility, at the Department of Earth Science. Associate Professor Paula Snook at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal, will be co-supervisor and will contribute expertise in rock avalanches and rock-slope failure processes.

The position will provide opportunities to further develop expertise in cosmogenic-nuclide methods, laboratory geochemistry, field-based geomorphology, data analysis and forward modelling, as well as to build national and international research networks through collaboration, conference participation and relevant research stays.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in Quaternary geology, geochemistry, or a closely related field, or must have submitted their master's thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
• Solid hands-on experience with laboratory sample preparation and chemical handling is required. Applicants must be able to document experience in performing laboratory procedures safely, accurately, and independently, including careful handling of sample material.
• Experience with laboratory preparation of samples for cosmogenic-nuclide analysis or comparable geochemical or palaeoenvironmental applications is an advantage.
• Experience with mineral separation from rock samples is an advantage.
• Experience with ICP-OES analysis is an advantage.
• Experience with field work in rugged and/or steep terrain is an advantage.
• Competence in forward modelling is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must have good written and oral English skills.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position

The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD position:

About the PhD Research Fellow position

The duration of the PhD Research Fellowship is 4 years, with 25 percent of the time each year dedicated to required career-promoting work related to research, teaching, and dissemination of results.

The career-promoting work associated with the position will primarily involve laboratory work at the UiB Cosmogenic Nuclide Preparation Facility. This work will include sample preparation for both internal research projects and external assignments, involving the handling of valuable sample material and the use of hazardous chemicals. The successful candidate will receive training in the specific laboratory procedures and associated safety and emergency protocols.

About the research training

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally stimulating working environment
• Salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 593 700. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, explaining how you meet each criterion. Additionally, you should address the "advantages" mentioned above, as these will be taken into account when ranking the candidates.
• the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main supervisor for the Master's thesis or equivalent thesis
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• relevant certificates/references
• approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
• a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.