PhD position in Computational Geosciences

Applications are invited for a PhD position in Computational Geosciences at Simula Research Laboratory based in Oslo, Norway. The position will be funded through the Simula School of Research and Innovation, a school designed to facilitate collaboration between Simula, other research institutions and industry. Candidates will be allocated to one of the two research areas outlined below depending on interest and ability. The successful applicant will be part of a dynamic and highly competent team that produces state-of-the-art research outcomes and software in Geodynamics.    

About the positions

The position will be part Simula's contingent in a collaboration between internationally leading research groups in geodynamics. This research collaboration is based on a geoscientific software technology developed by the Simula Computational Geosciences team since 2005.

The final degree will be awarded by one of our university partners in Europe or the US. Applicants must be willing to spend parts of their time at this collaborating university. The PhD period is 3 years, preceded by a period of 6-12 months as a Research Trainee.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Masters degree or equivalent in the Geosciences. Applicants must have strong oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of programming languages and numerical methods is highly desirable.

Research Topics 

1. Extensional Modelling: Rifting evolution and mass transport affected by deeper processes? This project involves the study of the influence of the mantle on the rifting process, in particular how the mantle flow affects the evolution of topography and sediment flux in a rifting basin. This work will investigate the connection between the mantle and models of rifting by examining regimes of rifting and how the presence of vertical stresses can influence the outcome of these models. The principle questions will be: Under which conditions does dynamic topography become important in models of rifting? How does dynamic topography affect the sediment flux into a rift basin? The research will include the use of numerical models of rifting with close reference to geological observations.
2. Depositional systems and Palaeogeography. Diffusion-based models of stratigraphy rely on the definition of transport coefficients, but these coefficients are poorly defined as they are affected by changes in climate, geography, grain-size, subaerial and submarine processes. A key outcome of this research project will be to build up a library of distributions of transport coefficients for each of these conditions. Numerical stratigraphic models will be used to verify the library of transport coefficients with data from particular regions with given conditions.

About Simula

Simula has a focus on high quality research in a supportive and flexible environment and offers competitive salaries and conditions. The Computational Geosciences Project at Simula collaborates closely with StatoilHydro to undertake fundamental research and software development. This partnership is aimed at meeting the knowledge and technology requirements of the company in the competitive oil industry.

Inquiries and Further Information

Please direct any questions regarding these positions to Professor Are Magnus Bruaset.

To apply for the position, email a short application letter, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts and grades, and a publication list to jobs@simula.no. The subject of the email must contain 0920 Computational Geosciences. We are interested in how you first came to learn about this position - please let us know in your email.

Applications will be processed successively.