PhD position in Smart Ocean Observations and Drift Modelling for Marine Applications

About the position

The work will include:

• Development of small directional buoys with telemetry for coastal applications in areas of intense wave-current interaction.
• Develop the drift modelling framework, OpenDrift, to integrate observational data into drift simulations using Machine Learning (ML) techniques
• Extending buoys with acoustic sensors
• Field work at sea and along the coast
• Contributing to the integration of developed tools and datasets into the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EDITO) platform
• Supporting the development of visualization tools and open-access datasets
• Collaborating with international partners and stakeholders to improve ocean monitoring and prediction systems

Qualifications and expected skills

• The applicant must have obtained an MSc or similar in data science, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, oceanography, meteorology, or a similar field.
• The applicant must satisfy the requirements for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Bergen, Norway (average grade: C or better).
• The candidate must be able to work effectively in English and demonstrate fluency, both written and oral. The working language at MET Norway is Norwegian. Foreign candidates must be willing to learn basic Norwegian.
• Experience with programming in Python is required.
• Experience with machine learning is an advantage.
• Experience in embedded-systems programming and electrical engineering or similar is an advantage.
• Experience with signal processing, Fourier analysis and acoustic modeling and analysis is an advantage.
• Experience in field work or similar work is an advantage.
• Experience with git version control is an advantage.
• The applicant should be independent and enjoy teaming up to reach common goals.

Personal characteristics will be of importance, as well as ambition level and potential. The candidate must expect some traveling to present results at conferences, meetings, and research visits abroad of up to six months. Employment is contingent on the candidate meeting the academic requirements of the University of Bergen for enrolment in their PhD programme. The successful applicant will be enrolled at the Geophysical Institute at the University of Bergen and will be situated on the university campus.

We offer

• Salary as a PhD research fellow (code 1017). This constitutes a gross annual salary span from NOK 575 000,- to NOK 650 000,-. Further salary increases are made according to length of service in the position.
• Flexible working hours with summer time.
• Possibility of one hour of training during working hours per week.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse (SPK) with good schemes for pensions, insurances and mortgages (read more here: https://www.spk.no/Medlemskap-i-SPK/). A 2% statutory contribution to the Statens Pensjonskasse is deducted from the salary.
• Insurance and mortgage through SPK.
• A pleasant working environment in a dynamic and enthusiastic group.
• The first six months are a mutual trial period.

Diversity and positive action

We believe that diversity is a strength, and want employees with different skills, subject combinations, work experience, gender, life experience and perspectives. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for a job with us regardless of ethnic background, age or ability.

MET practice positive action, and will call at least one qualified applicant in each of these groups for an interview: applicants with a disability, immigrant background or gaps in the CV. To be considered in one or more of these categories, you must mark the appropriate category in your application.

Functional impairment: applicants who need accommodation in the workplace or in the working relationship.

Immigrant background: applicants who have themselves immigrated to Norway. Or who was born in Norway with two parents who both immigrated to Norway.

Gaps in CV: applicants who have had a break from work, education or training for a total of at least two years in the last five years due to e.g. physical or mental illness or injury, intoxication or punishment.

The ticks can be used for anonymised statistics or reporting purposes.

Publication of applicant lists for public sector positions is an important principle to ensure transparency. If you want your name to be excluded from the applicant list, you must ask for it yourself, and give us a reason. In order to be exempted from the public applicant list, your justification for exemption must outweigh the consideration of transparency in the applicant list. If your request is not accepted, you will have the opportunity to withdraw your application.