PhD Research Fellow in Computational Development for Nuclear Physics

• English

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Computational Nuclear Physics is available at the Department of Physics. The position is connected to the recently established dScience center on Computational Science and Data Science at the University of Oslo, see https://www.uio.no/dscience/english/

The position will be for a period of 3 years. If the candidate has the necessary qualifications and based on the teaching need of the Department, the candidate can apply for an additional 25% teaching duty resulting in a total length of 4 years. Some of the teaching duty will also be connected to activities at the dScience center.

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

Preferred starting date: before August 1, 2023, and no later than October 1, 2023.

In recent years, the field of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics has experienced a huge boost in both experimental and theoretical developments. Current and future experimental facilities open up new possibilities to study very unstable, exotic nuclei, which provide stringent tests of today’s state-of-the-art theoretical descriptions. New experimental methods, such as the so-called beta-Oslo method, allow for studying quantum levels and gamma-decay properties in the quasi-continuum region of neutron-rich nuclei. This method makes it possible to obtain data on astrophysical reaction rates of very exotic, neutron-rich nuclei that are needed for understanding nucleosynthesis processes creating heavy elements. With a growing set of experimental data, a reliable and robust microscopic description is called for to understand the features seen, such as the low-energy enhancement in the gamma-decay strength at high excitation energies.

The main goal of this project is to utilize and develop microscopic models to obtain a coherent description of atomic nuclei in the medium-mass region. As a starting point, the project will encompass adapting the nuclear shell-model code KSHELL for GPU compatibility to significantly speed up the calculations. Further, Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs) and/or Gaussian Processes (GPs) will be explored for the purpose of building emulators for nuclear interactions. Here, propagation of uncertainties in the derived interactions are of great importance to be able to assign uncertainties to the results obtained with the interactions. Another path to explore is the capability of calculating both electric and magnetic dipole transitions within the shell model in rather large model spaces for heavier (A>70) nuclear systems.

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 nuclear physics. Foreign completed degrees (M.Sc.- level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Solid, documented programming skills, preferably with experience in high performance computing.

Desirable qualifications:

• Applicants with documented research background within the shell-model theoretical framework will be preferred
• Candidates with experience in high-performance computing and/or machine learning will be preferred

Grade and language 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
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• For candidates who apply for a fourth year including teaching, good knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is strongly preferred.
• 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

Personal skills:

• Good social, communication and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment.

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/

• Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum 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

The application must include:

• Cover letter including a description of scientific interests and the motivation for applying for this position (max. 2 pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency if needed (please see admission criteria)
• 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)
• Applicants who are interested in teaching need to add to this application a description of their motivation for teaching.

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 will be used as part of the hiring process.

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

According to the Norwegian Freedom of 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.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds..

Prof. Ann-Cecilie Larsen, e-mail: [email protected]

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: [email protected]

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society. 

The research at the Department of Physics covers a broad range of subfields within physics and technology: From space research to medical physics. A good proportion of the research is interdisciplinary, and conducted in close cooperation with collaborators in Norway and abroad.

Education and teaching are other essential activities. We offer a broad range of courses, and the Department is involved in several study programmes at bachelor’s and master’s level. Some of the best lecturers in Norway are amongst our employees, and we are proud of our prizewinning teaching and learning environment. The Department has 200 employees, of which 50 are permanent scientific positions. On a yearly basis 20 students complete their Ph.D. and 50 finish their M.Sc. degree.

10th January 2023

University of Oslo

Oslo

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Fixed Term

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