Postdoctoral Research Fellow in structural geology

Organisation/Company

University of Bergen

Department

Department of Earth Science

Research Field

Geosciences » Geology

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions

Postdoc Positions

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

16 Dec 2025 - 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 a EU programme

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

No

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

At the Department of Earth Science there is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position in structural geology focusing on the structural, mechanical and petrophysical effect of coal entrainment along faults and deformation bands in porous siliciclastic reservoir rocks. The position is for a fixed term of 4 years and is associated with the project DEFCOAL, funded by Aker BP and the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks:

This project will focus to investigate the effects of coal entrainment in deformation bands and faults in lithologies relevant for reservoirs (chiefly sandstones from different depositional origins), and to contribute to a better fundamental understanding of how the structure, deformation mechanisms, kinematics, porosity and permeability are affected when coal and carbonaceous material are involved. This main aim will be addressed through a series of objectives grounded in the analysis of outcrop data and samples, which include: 

• characterization of the architecture and structural expression of coal-entrained deformation bands and faults at the outcrop scale
• sample collection of coal-entrained faults, deformation bands and host rocks for comparative petrographic and microstructural analysis
• characterization of the mineralogy, coal petrography and microstructure of the studied bands and faults to elucidate kinematics and deformation mechanisms
• rock deformation experimental investigation of the microstructural, frictional and petrophysical evolution of coal-entraining sandstones
• porosity and permeability measurement of the studied bands and fault rocks
• investigation of the thermal history as well as any effects of shear heating on entrained coals through Raman spectroscopy and vitrinite reflectance (VR) analyses.

The successful candidate will be expected to take a leading role in developing research in these areas and to disseminate results, fully open access, through international, peer-reviewed channels, and through presentations at international conferences.  He/she will also be expected to participate in other activities/tasks such as mentoring masters and PhD students, and outreach.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) within structural geology or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
• Experience of field-based structural geological work is a requirement.
• Experience of microstructural characterization and analysis is a requirement.
• Experience from any of the below will be considered an advantage:
  • Deformation in porous clastic rocks.
  • Microanalytical experience on carbonaceous material.
  • Optical, SEM and Cathodoluminescence microscopy.
  • Image analysis.
  • Vitrinite Reflectance analysis.
  • Raman spectroscopy.
  • Porosity and permeability analysis.
• Relevant experience from rock deformation experimental work and/or numerical modelling is an advantage.
• Evidence of ability to present and publish the result of research at an international level in English and documented research potential is a requirement.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and have the ability to cooperate with others.
• Applicants must have good written and oral English skills. 

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research interests, 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 position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The position of postdoctoral fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed term period for this position is 4 years, of which 25 per cent of the employment period comprises required duties associated with research, teaching and dissemination. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral fellow at the same institution. 

For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work, as well as a progress plan, will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor and head of department.  

It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.  

We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.
• position as postdoctoral fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 657 000 upon appointment. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well-qualified applicant. 
• 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 from the PhD programme.
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas. If you have not yet completed your PhD degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the thesis has been submitted.
• Relevant certificates/references.
• 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:

For further details about the position, please contact Professor Atle Rotevatn, Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, e-mail: atle.rotevatn@uib.no , phone: +47 55583390 or Dr. Matteo Demurtas, Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, e-mail: matteo.demurtas@uib.no , phone: +47 92994553. 

For HR related questions contact adviser Mathilde Høgalmen, e-mail: 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. 

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. 

Further information about our employment process can be found here . 

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/290618/postdoctoral-research-fel…

Research Field

Geosciences » Geology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Department of Earth Science

Country

Norway

Geofield

City

Bergen

Website

https://www.uib.no/en/charterandcode

Street

Muséplassen 2

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