The Natural History Museum (NHM) at the University of Oslo is seeking a motivated researcher for a 3-year PhD position (SKO 1017) in the field of applied mineralogy and petrology. This position will be based in the Department of Research and Collections, specifically within the Norwegian Centre for Mineralogy Research Group, which is responsible for curating minerals, gems, rocks, and meteorites. The PhD project, which is industry-related, aims to develop a cost-effective and time-efficient analytical workflow for the mineralogical and chemical characterization of phosphate raw materials. This workflow will inform the processing setup for fertilizer production.
The project is part of the industrial innovation initiative “Flexible Inputs for Nitrophosphate Fertilizers Production in Future Scenarios – FINFuture,” funded by the Norwegian Research Council and YARA International ASA. The analytical workflow developed through this project will be designed for application in other industrial contexts, while also contributing to a scientific understanding of the genesis of phosphate deposits, which are critical raw materials for fertilizer production. The PhD candidate will gain substantial expertise in the industrial applications of mineralogy, potentially leading to opportunities in the mineral industry or further research in the field.
Project description
Yara International ASA is among the world’s largest producers of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizers. Due to changing sources of raw materials, the nitrophosphate process for producing NPK fertilizers needs to be adaptable to accommodate a wider variety of phosphate rocks. The primary motivation of this project is to enhance the flexibility of the nitrophosphate process, ensuring a consistent fertilizer supply for food production and societal needs. A prerequisite for increasing process flexibility is the development of a comprehensive workflow for the mineralogical and chemical characterization of phosphate rocks. This workflow will integrate various microscopy, spectroscopic, X-ray, and in-situ techniques. Ultimately, the workflow’s outcomes will be incorporated into the production process. The insights gained from the FINFuture project can be applied to future international phosphate concentrate procurement initiatives.
Naturhistorisk museum
Qualification requirements
• Masters degree or equivalent in mineralogy or petrology
• Proven ability to work with a scanning electron microscope
• Good written and oral proficiency in English
Fluent oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language are an advantage
Grade requirements
The norm is as follows:
- The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.
For more information see:
http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/
Personal skills
- High working capacity
- Ability finishing complex tasks timely
- Ability to cooperate and communicate well with team members and project partners
- Strong dedication and self-motivating
- Excellent logistic skills
Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.
Jarli & Jordan / UiO
We offer
- Salary in position as Doctoral Research Fellow (position code 1017) in salary range NOK from 532 200 – 576 000.
- Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
- Good welfare schemes.
- Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse (State Pension Fund)
- Oslo´s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO/NHM
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
We hope that you will apply for the position.
More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.
How to apply
The application must include:
– Cover letter – statement of motivation and research interests
– CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work – scientific publications)
– Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
– Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
– List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
– Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.
Formal Regulations
Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can’t, you will hear from us.
Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.
The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.
Contact information
For futher information about the position please contact:
Professor Axel Bernd Müller, e-mail: a.b.muller@nhm.uio.no
For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Thomas Brånå, e-mail: thomas.brana@nhm.uio.no
University of Oslo and the Natural History Museum
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Natural History Museum at the University of Oslo is Norway’s most comprehensive natural history collection. For almost 200 years, specimens of animals, fungi, plants, rocks, minerals and fossils have been collected, studied and preserved here. The museum is located at Økern and in the beautiful Botanical Garden, which is not only popular for recreation, but is a scientific collection in itself.