Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Remote Sensing of the Polar Regions

Organisation/Company

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Department

Financial and Organization Division

Research Field

Physics » Other
Computer science » Systems design
Mathematics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

24 May 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

The Department of Physics and Technology  announces a vacant position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in satellite remote sensing of the polar regions at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Science and Technology.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The position is a fixed term position for a duration of three years and four months. The position can additionally be assigned to teaching and related work for UiT in an amount equivalent to a maximum 25 % of a full-time employment. Appointment to the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow is mainly intended to provide qualification for work in top academic positions. It is a prerequisite that the applicant can carry out the project over the full course of the employment period. No person may hold more than one fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the same institution.

The position is supported by follow-on funding from the Centre for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operations (CIRFA ). CIRFA is a centre for research-based innovation (SFI) specializing in remote sensing for detecting, analysing, and predicting of ocean surface conditions such as sea ice, icebergs, ocean surface currents, sea surface temperature, wind, and marine pollution. The centre is organized into seven work packages focused on: Ocean currents and wind; Sea ice and icebergs; Sea surface slicks; Drones in the Arctic; Numerical modelling and forecasting; Fieldwork; and Product development. The position will be based in the UiT Earth Observation Group.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway with its main campus located in Tromsø is the northernmost university in the world. Its focus on climate and environment is clearly dictated by the geographical location at the edge of the Arctic. The main task of the Faculty of Science and Technology is to conduct research and teaching at high national and international level. Prioritized research areas include energy, climate, environment, maritime, marine, nano-, space-, and information technology, addressing both general topics and topics relevant for the High North.

The Department of Physics and Technology consists of six research groups: Earth Observation, Renewable energy, Machine Learning, Complex Systems Modelling, Space Physics, and Ultrasound, Microwaves and Optics. The department provides education at the Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels.

This postdoctoral position has an open remit. Candidates are asked to provide a three-year research plan/project plan on polar remote sensing that is complimentary to ongoing research within the EO Group and CIRFA. This could be using SAR, altimetry, optical, or airborne/drone-based datasets, multimodal approaches, microwave scattering models, and/or the exploitation of remote sensing observations in numerical models. They should take a physics-based approach to their research which suits the department.

The candidate should carefully review the EO Group’s activities (see the list of projects below) and propose a research plan that builds on existing expertise within the group. They should demonstrate how their ideas challenge the state of the art within their field of polar remote sensing and the exciting results they expect to achieve. The project must also be feasible within the 40-month timeframe of the position. Finally, it should be clear how the candidate expects to collaborate with existing staff members and projects in the group.

For further information about the position, please contact:

• EO Group Leader and Professor Anthony P. Doulgeris by email Anthony.P.Doulgeris@uit.no
• CIRFA Leader and Professor Torbjørn Eltoft by email torbjorn.eltoft@uit.no
• Associate Professor Jack Landy by email jack.c.landy@uit.no
• Associate Professor Malin Johansson by email malin.johansson@uit.no
• Associate Professor Andrea Marinoni by email andrea.marinoni@uit.no

The position will be 100 % devoted to research and development tasks. The candidate will be expected to take on a senior role within the EO Group, working with other scientific staff and CIRFA partners, participating in group meetings, and communicating and disseminating their research. They will be encouraged to take an active role in developing new collaborative funding proposals within the group and wider polar research community in Tromsø (MET Norway, Norwegian Polar Institute, KSAT, the Institute of Marine Research, and others).

The position is in satellite remote sensing of the polar regions. However, the exact field of research is open to the candidate.

Ongoing research projects within the UiT EO Group are:

• Centre for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operations (CIRFA)
• Sea Ice Deformation and Snow for an Arctic in Transition (SIDRIFT)  
• Sea Ice Retrievals and data Assimilation in Norway (SIRANO)
• INTERactions transforming Atlantic Arctic Climate (INTERAAC) 
• Sustainable Development of the Arctic Ocean (SUDARCO)   
• Dynamic information management approach for the implementation of climate resilient adaptation packages in European regions (IMPETUS) 
• ESA CryoTEMPO  
• The Nansen Legacy 

UiT The Arctic University i Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity is a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.  

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics. 

This position requires a Norwegian doctoral degree within a field relevant for the research theme of the position (i.e., remote sensing, physics, signal processing, mathematics, or computer science), or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognised as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree. 

Qualification with a PhD is required before commencement in the position. If you’re at the final stages of your PhD, you may still apply if you have submitted your PhD thesis for doctoral degree evaluation within the application deadline. You must submit the thesis with your application. You must have dissertated before the start-up date of the position.

We are looking for a strongly motivated person, who has an excellent academic record and potential, with analytical and problem-solving skills. The assessment will emphasise scientific publications in internationally recognised peer review journals. The suitable candidate should be an expert in satellite remote sensing with experience developing innovative research methods for applications in the polar regions. The candidate should have a strong background in computer science, and good programming skills, to suit the EO Group at UiT. The Arctic University of Norway It is preferred that the candidate has experience with Python and/or MATLAB programming languages to collaborate on our developing code base. Prior experience with Unix-based HPC (high performance computing) environments is also beneficial.

Other required qualification skills include:

• Independence and self-motivation
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box
• Excellent work ethic and commitment to the job
• Good command of English orally and in writing
• International experience is an advantage

Emphasis is also given to personal suitability.

At UiT we put emphasis on the quality, relevance and significance of the research work and not on where the work is published, in accordance with the principles of The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA ).

We offer the chance to work with a leading European remote sensing research group, opportunities to travel, independence in work, a fantastic work environment with nice colleagues, competitive salary, and a cosy hometown of Tromsø surrounded by the stunning landscape of Northern Scandinavia.

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund  

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme  which also include health care services .

More practical information for working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility  

Your application must include:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• Introduction and motivation letter (max 1 page)
• Description of your proposed 3-year research project, including background, goals, and the steps you will take to implement it (max 2 pages)
• Description of your academic production (track record) including highlights of the three works you consider most relevant to the advertised position (max 1 page)
• List of academic works, up to ten. The doctoral thesis is regarded as one work and must be included
• List of funded research proposals, as principal or co-investigator, and fellowships (max 1 page)
• Diplomas and transcripts
• Two references, preferably including a PhD supervisor

Documentation of English proficiency. This can be documented in the following ways: 

• Diploma from a Norwegian upper secondary school with both spoken and written English (140 hours) 
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 
• IELTS (International English Testing Service) 
• Completed university degree in the field of English language or literature 
• One year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA, for which English was the language of instructions. 

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position.

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position. A trial lecture may also be held.

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants . 

The remuneration for Postdoctoral research fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1352. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no .

The successful candidate must be willing to get involved in the ongoing development of their department and the university as a whole.

UiT wishes to increase the proportion of females in academic positions. In cases where two or more applicants are found to be approximately equally qualified, female applicants will be given priority. 

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. 

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.

Research Field

Computer science

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Number of offers available

2

Company/Institute

Department of Physics and Technology

Country

Norway

Geofield

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/244103/postdoctoral-research-fel…

City

Tromsø

Website

http://en.uit.no/om/art?p_document_id=343547&dim=179040

Street

N-9037 Tromsø, Norway

Postal Code

9037