About the position

At the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU), we have an exciting opportunity for those passionate about Arctic climate change, glaciers and contaminants. The position is for a period of three years and focuses on understanding the rapid fragmentation of Arctic glaciers and ice caps and the environmental consequences of glacier retreat under a warming climate.

Arctic glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, contributing to sea-level rise, transforming newly exposed landscapes, and potentially releasing long-stored environmental contaminants. Although glacier inventories and glacier change datasets exist at global and regional scales, no systematic database currently quantifies glacier fragmentation, connectivity loss, or the geomorphological consequences of fragmentation across the Arctic since the Little Ice Age. This interdisciplinary PhD project combines glaciology and glacial geomorphology, remote sensing, and environmental chemistry to investigate how glacier fragmentation has evolved since the Little Ice Age and what this means for Arctic environments.

The successful candidate will develop a glacier fragmentation dataset, reconstruct changes in glacier dynamics/landscape evolution, and investigate to what extent the glacial forelands act as reservoirs for persistent “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, PFAS) and whether they are mobilized into the surrounding environment upon glacier transformation.

The project will involve geospatial analysis, geomorphological interpretation, and laboratory-based contaminant analysis. The candidate will work with researchers across cryosphere science, geomorphology, and environmental chemistry, offering a unique opportunity for candidates interested in interdisciplinary research. Opportunities for Arctic fieldwork, international collaboration, and conference participation are anticipated.

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

Develop a systematic geospatial database of Arctic glacier fragmentation and connectivity loss, from the Little Ice Age to the present, with the aim of investigating the changes in glacier behaviour following fragmentation.
Evaluate potential contaminant storage and mobilization in glacial and proglacial environments through the identification, collection and laboratory analysis of environmental samples for PFAS.
Preparation/writing of scientific manuscripts for publication in internationally renowned journals and presentations and scientific exchange at conferences

The successful candidate is expected to enroll in an approved PhD programme, and the work will be organized with the goal of completing a PhD degree during the period of employment.

Competence

To be eligible for the position, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to one of the PhD programmes at NMBU, including the supplementary rules at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA). Admission to a PhD programme requires that the applicant has a relevant academic background; a master's degree or an equivalent qualification, in accordance with the descriptions in the national qualifications framework. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken. For more detailed information about the admission criteria, PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

Required qualifications

Relevant academic education at a higher degree level from a university or college (a master's degree or an equivalent qualification). In particular, physical geography, glaciology, geomorphology, environmental science, geoscience.
Strong academic background in glaciation/glacial geomorphology
Excellent and demonstrable experience with ESRI ArcGIS (ArcPRO).
Documented competency in chemistry.

Qualifications considered an advantage

Laboratory and field experience
Knowledge of persistent organic pollutants (e.g., PFAS)
Experience with handling large datasets

Personal qualities

Excellent communication skills (English required, knowledge of a Scandinavian language would be beneficial)
Ability to adapt and learn new methods and techniques
Willingness to travel and be outside
Applicants must be able to work independently, in a structured manner, and demonstrate both initiative and good collaborative skills.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD Fellow, (NOK 550 800-660 000). PhD candidates are normally placed at salary level NOK 550.800. This is a temporary position with a duration of 3 years. Seniority promotion in the position.

Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD scholarship position.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars, and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act.

Interested in learning more about the position? We are happy to tell you more about life on campus. Contact Dr Danni M. Pearce email: danni.pearce@nmbu.no

Information for PhD applicants and Information to applicants

Application

Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application Deadline: 22nd June

Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

Motivation letter and a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, explaining how you meet each criterion. 2 pages max
CV
The names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis.
Certified copies of relevant academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with Forskrift for graden philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) ved Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet - Lovdata

Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) works with nature and the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, biological and geological processes.

MINA’s employees undertake teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, hydrology and limnology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy, and nature-based tourism.

Our vision is to be a key actor in knowledge production and dissemination, and our goal is to deliver research of high, international quality, and varied and excellent teaching. The faculty’s employees are significant participants within their respective fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally. The faculty is dominated by a vital research culture and high levels of scientific production.

The faculty has about 200 employees, 90 PhD students and 650 students.

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