PhD Research Fellow in Snow Processes in Mountainous Regions

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PhD position

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Snow Processes in Mountainous Regions at the Geophysical Institute and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, at the University of Bergen. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years, with the possibility of a fourth year, contingent upon career-promoting work (e.g., teaching at the Department). 

The position is affiliated with the Centre for Mountains in Transition (CMT), a new interdisciplinary research centre based at the University of Bergen, funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation (TMF) and the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks

CMT is dedicated to understanding and address the impacts of climate and environmental change in mountain regions. With a primary focus on the Scandinavian mountains, CMT brings together climate science, ecology, hydrology, geoscience, and social sciences to explore how mountain systems are changing—and how we can build resilience for the future. Mountains are sensitive to global change. Increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, shifting precipitation and snow patterns, changing biodiversity, and increasing human pressures are transforming these landscapes. CMT aims to generate cutting-edge knowledge and practical solutions to safeguard mountain ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Through four interconnected research themes—Trends, Seasonality, Extremes, and Resilience—CMT investigates long-term environmental changes, seasonal dynamics, extreme events, and strategies for sustainable mountain management. The centre collaborates closely with stakeholders, including national parks, local communities, and industry partners, ensuring that research is relevant, actionable, and impactful. The University of Bergen hosts CMT in collaboration with NORCE, NMBU, and other national and international partners.

The PhD project is focused on quantifying the role of blowing snow in driving accumulation and sublimation in mountainous conditions. The simulation of blowing snow in local and regional climate models is poorly constrained, leading to uncertainties in estimating mass loss through sublimation and snow redistribution.  The PhD candidate will develop and execute a field campaign focused on observing the role of blowing snow on sublimation and redistribution of snow across catchment and regional scale areas. The PhD candidate is expected to quantify, through a combination of in-situ and remote sensing observations, as well as climate and snow models of varying complexity, the impact of blowing snow on local and regional scales. The PhD candidate will produce mass balance simulations that support estimates of snow distribution for biodiversity and ecosystem assessments, as well as hydrological modelling and management plans for ski resorts and hydropower companies.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in Geophysics, Earth Science, or Atmospheric Science. Master’s students can apply provided they complete their final master’s exam before 01.01.2026. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
• The candidate must have good knowledge in the topic of Cryosheric Processes.
• Proficiency in scientific coding and data analysis programming languages, such as Python or MATLAB, is a requirement.
• Experience with running snowpack and/or Earth System Models is a requirement.
• Experience in field instrumentation or other demonstration of observational data curation is an advantage.
• Experience from participating in extended fieldwork or laboratory measurement campaigns is an advantage.
• Experience in participating in cold-region activities or work is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must have good 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 subject to the regulations for the export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD position :

About the PhD Research Fellow

The fellowship will be for 3 years, with the possibility of a fourth year consisting of 25% compulsory work (e.g., teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The fourth year is contingent upon the candidate’s qualifications and the department’s teaching needs and will be decided by the department head upon appointment.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g., research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally stimulating working environment 
• Salary as a PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 568 700. Further salary increases are made according to the length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• A cover letter outlining your research interest and motivation for applying for the position (2 pages max).
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the primary advisor for the master’s thesis or its equivalent. 
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master’s degree. Your master’s degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma before starting in the position.
• relevant certificates/references
• approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf English language requirements for PhD admission)
• a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)

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

General information

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: 

Professor Hans Christian Steen-Larsen (hans.christian.steen-larsen@uib.no / +47 55582608).

For HR related questions, contact adviser Maria Svåsand (maria.svasand@uib.no)

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.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

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. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

About 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.