PhD Research Fellow in Climate Risk and Energy Systems

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Climate Risk and Energy Systems available at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS) at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Preferred starting date is no later than 01.07.2025.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Knowledge development in a changing world – Science and technology towards 2030.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4wvWQEhDEs

Job description

Increasing renewable energy generation from wind turbines and solar panels is a central component of climate change mitigation strategies around the globe. But power generation from those technologies, as well as demand for heating and cooling, are vulnerable to climate change because they depend on near-surface weather. We therefore need to better understand how winds and surface solar radiation may evolve over the 21st century to ensure the feasibility of net-zero strategies such as the EU’s Green Deal.

In this PhD project, you will have substantial freedom and flexibility to perform research at the energy-climate interface. We therefore look for an open-minded, self-organized critical thinker who wants to improve our understanding of climate risks in the energy transition. We provide support and regular feedback.

While the exact research will be designed and executed in collaboration with the supervisor, we provide example projects below that could be tackled in this PhD.

Example 1: What are the sources of changes in winds and solar radiation according to single forcing experiments from the Large Ensemble Single Forcing Model Intercomparison Project (LESFMIP) database? LESFMIP provides climate model simulations in which individual climate forcers (e.g., greenhouse gases, aerosols, land-use change) or a subgroup of them are modified while the others are kept unchanged. By comparing the respective effects of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and land-use change, you will advance our understanding of the relevant processes that impact, for example, wind and solar energy potentials and investigate potentially compensating effects.

Example 2: What are the main risks for energy system adequacy according to the Pan European Climate Database (PECD) v4.1? The PECD is an official database that is used in resource adequacy assessments by the European Network of Transmission System Operators. The updated PECD includes, for the first time, information about the effects of climate change on wind and solar energy generation following standard scenarios from the IPCC. Your work will help to understand the strengths and limitations of this database in the context of scenario uncertainty.

This project is funded via the Academic Agreement between Equinor and UiO.  

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.

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Climate Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Environmental Science or equivalent. Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Programming skills in Python, R or similar
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. 

Candidates must complete their final exams before starting the position.

Desired qualifications:

• Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner
• Experience with using climate data and/or energy system applications
• Interest in reproducible science
   

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
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8 

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/

The position's subject area may require licensing under the Norwegian Export Control Act. In order to be considered for the position, it is a prerequisite that UiO must be able to be granted such license.

Personal skills

•    Analytical and problem-solving skills
•    A motivation to contribute to research with real-world relevance 
•    Eagerness to learn and improve
•    Ability to work independently

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per year depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• 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:

• Cover letter – statement of motivation and research interests describing why you are keen to pursue a PhD and why you apply for this particular research fellowship position
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work including scientific publications if you have any
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
• Written work of yours (e.g. Master thesis, Seminar paper) and optional an example of code you wrote (link to Github if you have)
• Documentation of English proficiency 
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Letters of recommendation are optional

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.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will most likely take place in February 2025.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

For further information about the position please contact Jan Wohland, Associate Professor, Department of Technology Systems, e-mail: jan.wohland@its.uio.no 

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no 

DIVERSE INFO

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https://arbeidsplassen.nav.no/stillinger/stilling/b7b57884-2d8b-40b0-b1bc-4da6bb53cd81
IMPORTAPI
https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/272255