phd positions in europe geology

• Times Higher Education
• Posted on: 22 March 2024

Phd Candidate In Structural Geology, Field Mapping, Data Integration And 3d Modelling

Job information, offer description.

About the job

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The announced PhD position is associated with an ongoing research project focusing on reconstructions of the structural architecture of long-lived zones of crustal weakness that have multiple deformation and reactivations phases in ductile and brittle structural regimes and the influence of these zones on sedimentary basins evolution and an impact on modern and ancient fluid flow.

The successful candidate will develop an individual approach to the PhD project. The overall aim is to integrate data from own field work with publicly available geological and geophysical data. The goal is to construct, a three-dimensional model of a long-lived zone of crustal weakness architecture that will allow to reconstruct and restore its structural evolution. The principal field areas are onshore and offshore in mainland Norway and Svalbard. 

Your immediate leader is Head of department.

Duties of the position

The main tasks of the PhD candidate will include:

• Field mapping and acquisition of digital outcrop models using drone photogrammetry (see e.g. www.svalbox.no ).
• Multi-scale field-based and digital mapping of individual fault systems, their cores and deformation zones with datasets of varying resolutions (from outcrop to regional scale).
• Analysis of faults expression in diverse geological and geophysical datasets (e.g. seismic, magnetic and gravity data).
• Assessment of tectonostratigraphic evolution of sedimentary basins adjacent to the studied fault zones  
• Creation of a 3D model of present fault zone architecture.
• Reconstruction/modelling of past architectures. 

The PhD candidate will be working at the IGP Department in Trondheim, Norway. Shorter scientific stay abroad and within Norway will be encouraged.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in structural geology, geological mapping and 3D modelling or tectono-stratigraphy, alternatively a background in geosciences with a strong geology background.
• You must hold a MSc in Geology (structural geology, sedimentary basin analysis, geological mapping or modelling, subsurface architecture) or a related directly relevant subject.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented by the date of appointment.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program ( https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme ).
• You must have good written and oral English language skills.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate  and  Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

Preferred selection criteria

We will evaluate the documented experience of the candidates using the following criteria: 

• A general knowledge of field and digital mapping and subsurface modelling.
• Extensive experience from field work, especially in harsh and/or polar climates.
• Working with 3D geomodelling (e.g. Petrel, Move, Leapfrog) and GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS).
• Previous experience in integrating diverse type of data, such as processing and interpretation of digital outcrop models, structural data, sedimentological data, seismic interpretation, or borehole data analysis as well as in 3D data visualization.
• Knowledge of the geological evolution of Norway and/or Svalbard or work on evolution of tectonic structures.
• Additionally, scientific writing including authorship of scientific publications and presentation at scientific conferences is beneficial. Some of the field work will rely on the candidate raising external funds through Arctic Field Grants, so previous funding acquisition success is also beneficial.

Personal characteristics

The successful applicant is a creative and curious geoscientist able to work independently, in a structured manner. She/he should demonstrate good collaborative skills and willingness to be part of a research group. Motivation and personal suitability will be emphasized. To allow assessment of this, a statement of personal and scientific interest in taking a Ph.D. degree, including an outline of a PhD project idea, must be included in the application.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities, including:

• Willingness to learn new fields in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Problem solver, with ability to use existing knowledge in new ways.
• Excellent communication skills.
• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and  inclusive work environment  with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the  Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in engineering ( https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme ) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning  State Employees and Civil Servants , and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English. The diplomas, transcripts of record or additional certificates need to be in English or Scandinavian language or uploaded with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language. The application and all appendices must be uploaded in Jobbnorge application portal. Any applications submitted by alternative means, for example via email, will not be evaluated.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• Cover letter describing why you are interested in the project and what makes you suitable for the project.
• Statement of personal and scientific interest, including an outline of a PhD project idea (1-2 pages).
• CV and certificates  (including a complete overview of education, professional training, and professional work)
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Project proposal.
• Name and contact information of three referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's or equivalent thesis.
• If you have publications or other relevant research work.
• Description and documentation of your language skills.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found  here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to  The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to  promote equality.  

The city of Trondheim  is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with  current legislation . You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Aleksandra Smyrak-Sikora, e-mail [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Anne-Lise Brekken, e-mail: [email protected] o.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 01.06.2024.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Geoscience and Petroleum

We conduct teaching and research related to management of Earth’s geological resources. Norway’s rich resources of wind, water, oil, gas and minerals have been and are essential to the country’s prosperity, and will continue to be in the future. The Department plays a key role in the development of technology and the education of graduates who enable value creation based on our natural resources.  The Department of Geoscience and Petroleum  is one of eight departments in the  Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline  1st June 2024 Employer  NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology Municipality  Trondheim Scope  Fulltime Duration Temporary Place of service  S. P. Andersens vei 15A, 7491 Trondheim

Where to apply

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