A position as PhD Research Fellow is available at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS) in the field of renewable energy,
A position as PhD Research Fellow is available at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS) in the field of renewable energy, specifically monitoring and maintenance of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems. The fellowship is part of the project HydroSun, managed by the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and comprising many partners from the Norwegian electricity sector. HydroSun is financed by the Research Council of Norway (RCN).
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to completion of a PhD degree. The period of employment is 3 years.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
Solar power systems floating on water bodies, such as lakes and reservoirs, have many potential advantages. The opportunities and potential problems of this new technology are not well understood, and are being addressed by the HydroSun project.
The fellow will carry out research related to floating PV systems, including:
- analysis of production data and sensor data to monitor system health
- field and laboratory testing and characterization of PV modules (solar panels)
- development of methods for efficient monitoring of floating PV systems
- experimental studies of floating PV system monitoring and maintenance
The fellow will work within a close collaboration between the Department for Technology Systems at the University of Oslo and the Department for Solar Power Systems at IFE, both located at Kjeller just outside Oslo.
Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Required qualifications:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, mechanical/electrical engineering, energy technology, or similar
- Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
- Programming skills, preferably in Python
- Experience with experimental work
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
Preferred qualifications:
- Interest in, or experience with, theoretical work
- Experience with data analysis and time series analysis is desirable
- Experience with PV or other energy systems is a strong advantage
- Understanding of Norwegian language is preferable, but no prerequisite
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: https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8
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/ or http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/.
Personal skills
For this position, we are looking for a candidate with the following qualities:
- ability to take initiatives and come up with new ideas
- analytical, systematic, and thorough
- practical
- ability to work independently as well as in a team
- good communication skills
We offer
- Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
- Vibrant international academic environment with strong links to industry
- Career development programmes
- Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include
- Cover letter with a statement of motivation and research interests
- Copies of the original Bachelor and Master degree diplomas, and transcripts of records
- CV summarizing education and employment history, as well as academic work and publications
- Copies of any publications that the applicant would like the evaluation committee to consider
- Documentation of English proficiency, if applicable
- Names and contact details of 2-3 reference persons (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).
Applicants may be called in for an interview.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.
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.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please, contact:
Professor II Erik Stensrud Marstein, e-mail: erik.stensrud.marstein@ife.no
Professor Torbjørn Skauli, phone: +4722842226, e-mail: torbjorn.skauli@its.uio.no
For technical questions regarding recruitment system, please, contact:
HR Advisor, Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The Department of Technology Systems (ITS) is a newly established department at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo. ITS has taken over the activities at UNIK from January 2017.
The Institute is located in the Kjeller Research Park, which is one of the largest research and development centers in Norway. ITS collaborates with the research institutes at Kjeller, and with industry, while it is also tightly integrated with complementary activities at UiO in Oslo. The department has two sections: section for energy systems and section for autonomous systems and sensor technologies. An important goal of ITS is to provide wider opportunities at UiO within applied technologies.Apply for this job