PhD Research Fellow in Arctic Paleoceanography

17th May 2026
Languages
English

• English
• Norsk Nynorsk

English
PhD Research Fellow in Arctic Paleoceanography
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PhD position in Arctic Paleoceanography

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Arctic Paleoceanography at the Department of Earth Science and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research . The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with career-promoting work (e.g. teaching at the Department). The position is funded by the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks

The Arctic Ocean is changing rapidly due to the ongoing climate change. Future climate projections suggest that the Arctic Ocean is likely to become seasonally ice free by 2050. 

Atlantic Water inflow into the Arctic originates from the lower latitudes of the North Atlantic and is the main source of heat and salt to the Arctic, with significant effects on the Arctic sea ice extent, ocean stratification and the ecosystem. However, despite its critical importance, the natural variability of the Atlantic Water inflow into the Arctic during warm and warmer than present states remain poorly constrained. How do the Atlantic Water inflow strength and properties change in a warmer climate, and what are the mechanisms underlying these changes? How do current changes compare to past periods of reduced Arctic sea ice? Long-term records from marine sediment cores along the pathway of Atlantic Water inflow and its branches provide an excellent opportunity to contextualize the current changes and understand the natural variability of Atlantic Water inflow and the ongoing sea ice decline. 

As a PhD candidate your goal will be to reconstruct ocean & climate conditions to investigate changes in Atlantic Water inflow properties/strength during the past warm periods by analyzing key climate proxies. The exact methods that will be applied will be co-designed with the candidate to best match their research interests. 

The PhD position is part of the “Arctic Ocean 2050 ” – a major 10 year interdisciplinary research program that unites 18 Norwegian research institutions with the aim to understand the present and future of the Arctic Ocean. As a PhD-candidate at the Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, you will also be affiliated with the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR). BCCR is the largest climate research centre in the Nordic countries and among the leading centres in Europe. PhD students are also encouraged to enrol in “The Norwegian Research School for Climate-Informed Innovation and Decision-Making ” offering career development courses and many networking opportunities. 

Qualifications and personal qualities

• Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in Earth Science or related discipline. Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 15.06.2026.It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
• Experience with paleoclimate or paleoceanography theory and/or methods is an advantage.
• Experience with laboratory work and microscopy is an advantage. 
• Experience in geochemistry, preferably stable isotope geochemistry, is an advantage. 
• Experience with statistical analysis 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 subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD Research Fellow position

About the PhD position: The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment. If a 4th year is granted, one year of career-promoting work associated with teaching, dissemination or research infrastructure/services, will be distributed over the full employment period and thus corresponding to 25 percent of the time each year.

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 a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology 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 PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 568 700. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include

• A brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• 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 for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis 
• 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 with links)

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 Ulysses Ninnemann, Department of Earth Science. e-mail: ulysses.ninnemann@uib.no, phone: +47 55583521 or Head of Department Atle Rotevatn, e-mail: atle.rotevatn@uib.no, phone: +47 55583390.

For HR related questions contact Adviser Mathilde Høgalmen, Mathilde.hogalmen@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 .

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Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

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

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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.  

Questions about the position

Mathilde Høgalmen

HR adviser

+47 55583692

mathilde.hogalmen@uib.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

17th May 2026

Employer

University of Bergen

Municipality

Bergen

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Allegaten 41, 5006 Bergen

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