Postdoctoral Research Fellow position within coupled geodynamic-glacial erosion modelling

1st November 2026
Languages
English

• English
• Norsk Nynorsk

English
Postdoctoral Research Fellow position within coupled geodynamic-glacial erosion modelling
Apply for this job
See advertisement
UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.

...

(Video unable to load from YouTube. Accept cookie and refresh page to watch video, or click here to open video)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

At the Department of Earth Science  there is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position within tectonics-glacial erosion interaction. The position is for a fixed term of 3 years and is associated with the project “ICICLE”, funded by the Trond Mohn Research Foundation.

About the project/work tasks:

The main aim of this project is to understand how climate, glacial(-fluvial) erosion, and tectonic deformation interact over geological timescales to shape mountain belts forming in ocean-continent subduction systems, with a specific focus on the evolution of the Andes. This will be approached with the help of novel coupled 2D and 3D geodynamic-glacial erosion models. The research will involve:

• Using 2D coupled geodynamic-glacial(-fluvial) erosion models to quantify the evolution of ocean-continent subduction orogens and comparing first order model results with mountain belts on Earth.
• Investigating how the combination of tectonics and climate-driven surface processes shape the Southern part of the Andes, using 2D coupled models.
• Investigating the tectonic versus erosional controls of along-strike variability in the Southern part of the Andes with the help of 3D coupled geodynamic-glacial(-fluvial) erosion models.
• Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Presentation of results at international conferences.

The work will be carried out at the University of Bergen, with potential research stays at the University of Aarhus (Denmark), and at GFZ Potsdam (Germany).

The position is affiliated with the project “ICICLE”, an interdisciplinary project aiming to quantify how tectonic deformation, glacial-fluvial erosion, and climate interact to shape mountain belts on Earth, by integrating novel coupled geodynamics-glacial erosion models with selected natural laboratories. The project is funded by the Trond Mohn Research Foundation and led by Dr Sebastian Wolf, in collaboration with Prof Ritske Huismans, Prof Ann Rowan, Prof Kerim Nisancioglu (all U Bergen, Norway), Prof Vivi Pedersen (U Aarhus, Denmark), Prof Jean Braun (GFZ & U Potsdam, Germany), Dr Guillaume Cordonnier (INRIA, U Côte d'Azur, France), Prof Dave May (Scripps, UCSD, USA), and Dr Sean Eaves (U Wellington, NZ).

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) within Geodynamics, Tectonics or Geomorphology, or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded. 
• Background and research interest in quantitative tectonic or surface process modelling, and quantitative earth science is a requirement.
• Background and research interest in geodynamics and long-term tectonics is a requirement.
• Evidence of the ability to present and publish the result of research at an international level and documented research potential through published research work and a clear research statement is a requirement. 
• Experience with thermo-mechanical modelling or surface processes modelling is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with others.
• Applicants must have excellent written and oral English skills.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position 

The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The postdoctoral position is a fixed term position with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions.Candidates who lack teaching experience and/or other qualifying competencies will be given the opportunity to undertake qualifying work, either during the fixed-term appointment period or through a possible extension of the appointment period (up to a maximum of four years in total). The position may be extended by up to one year (maximum 4 years in total) if the appointee is granted externally financed research stays abroad. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.

For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work, as well as a progress plan, will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor and head of department. 

It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment. 

We can offer:

• a good and professionally stimulating working environment.
• position as postdoctoral fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 685 900 upon appointment. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well-qualified applicant.
• enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• good welfare benefits .

Your application must include:

• a brief account of the applicant's motivation for applying for the position.
• a research statement outlining the candidate’s research interests and future research directions. 
• a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, explaining how you meet each criterion. Additionally, you should address the "advantages" mentioned above, as these will be taken into account when ranking the candidates.  
• the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor from the PhD programme. 
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas. If you have not yet completed your PhD degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the thesis has been submitted. 
• relevant certificates/references
• list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Dr Sebastian Wolf, Department of Earth Science, [email protected]

For HR related questions contact adviser Mathilde Høgalmen, [email protected]

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. 

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Further information about our employment process can be found here .

via Unsplash
via Unsplash
About The University of Bergen (UiB) 

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Science and Technology. Read more about the faculty  and departments.  

Questions about the position

Sebastian Wolf

Forsker

[email protected]

Apply for this job
Deadline

1st November 2026

Employer

University of Bergen

Municipality

Bergen

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen

Loading...