PhD Research Fellow in Planetary Atmospheric Chemistry utilizing Quantum Chemistry

About the position

We invite applications for a PhD Research Fellow position in Planetary Atmospheric Chemistry utilizing Quantum Chemistry, available at Department of Chemistry, theoretical chemistry section.

Starting date as soon as possible and no later than 01.03.2027 . 

The fellowship period is three years.

A fourth year maybe considered and it will involve 25 percent of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. 

Place of work is The Life Science Building at Blindern, Oslo.

Project description

A PhD position is available at the Section for Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, within the project Molecular Atmospheric Chemistry on Alien Worlds (MACAW), funded by the Research Council of Norway.

In this project we will employ quantum chemistry methods using high-performance computing (HPC) resources to study chemical reactions, photochemistry, identify spectral signatures for potential detection and elucidate condensation mechanisms for molecules in atmospheres beyond that of contemporary Earth. The project has a particular focus on Sulfur and Chlorine chemistry as well as isotopic fractionation processes.

The successful applicant will have freedom to pursue specific research topics within the relatively wide project framework, in coordination with the supervisor. The work is first and foremost computational utilizing electronic structure methods to qualitatively study photochemical and thermal reaction mechanisms, as well as quantify reaction rates, UV-Vis spectra and other molecular properties relevant to studying the role of molecules in planetary atmospheres.

The work has a high degree of international collaboration within the main project supervisors' network currently spanning four continents among seven nations. This is to ensure maximal dissemination and impact of the project results, and thus the project will likely involve more than a usual amount of both hosting international visitors and travel to visit our collaborators.

The project work is highly flexible, allowing the successful candidate to structure their own work.

This project is an excellent opportunity for a prospective PhD candidate to make original and foundational contributions to the field of planetary atmospheric chemistry, with the potential for leading to groundbreaking discoveries of new molecules or chemical processes on other planets.

What skills are important in this role?

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 chemistry, physics, nanoscience or related fields. Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Relevant experience in utilizing computational resources and code for simulations of molecular properties
• Experience with quantum chemistry calculations
• Experience with scripting or programming (e.g. Python, Bash, Matlab, Fortran), and high-performance computing
   

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in electronic structure methods, e.g. DFT, coupled cluster or multireference methods
• Background in chemical kinetics, reaction mechanisms, photochemistry, spectroscopy, transition state theory, atmospheric chemistry and/or physical chemistry
• Any insights into planetary/exoplanetary science and photochemical atmospheric modeling
   

Language requirement:

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• 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

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

For more information see:

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. 

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• A fundamental drive for scientific research, keenness/eagerness in challenging work with limited repetitiveness which requires continued learning
• A strong interest in atmospheric, planetary and/or exoplanet science
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an international, interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work precise in a structured manner and swiftly adapts to new tasks. The work is very flexible which requires discipline
• Direct communication skills and excellent collaboration
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. 
• Good welfare schemes
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 - 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund 

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues, could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. 

We hope you will apply for the position with us.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records (see below)
• Documentation of English Language requirements. The appointed candidate cannot start in the position until approved documentation of English language proficiency has been submitted.
• 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)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for this job".

Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Formal regulations

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with

Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.  

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.