UiB – Knowledge that shapes society
Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.
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PhD position
There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Snow Processes on Coastal Ice 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 4th 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 focuses on the drivers influencing the surface mass and energy balance of coastal ice caps in Norway, utilising a combination of in situ and remote sensing observations. The PhD candidate will develop and deploy a comprehensive field observational campaign on Folgefonna, a coastal ice cap in Western Norway, to establish an Earth System Model snow intercomparison dataset. This dataset will be complemented by in situ and UAV datasets observations. Using this dataset, the PhD candidate will quantify the fidelity of Earth System and snowpack models in capturing the seasonal and inter-annual variability in the surface mass and energy balance of the ice cap and quantify the key climatic drivers relevant for the future development of the coastal ice cap.
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 in field instrumentation or other demonstration of observational data curation is a requirement.
- 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.
- Competencies in running Snowpack and/or Earth System Models are an advantage.
- Competencies in the use of microcontroller boards (such as Arduinos) are 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 interests and motivation for applying for the position (2 pages max)
- The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, or official confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted
- Relevant certificates/references
- A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
- Any publications in your name
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 SvĂĄsand (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.
