geophysics | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

PhD in Seismology, Uppsala University, Sweden

We are seeking a motivated candidate where a strong background in physics, engineering or geophysics with interest in better understanding “how the Earth works” as well as the interaction between natural hazards and society. Fieldwork may be necessary. Experience of programming is a merit.

The PhD position is for 4 years where financing for the first year may be by a study grant (utbildningsbidrag) and the following 3 years as an employee of the university as a PhD student. If funds are available, it is possible to extend the PhD study period to maximum 5 years by working as a teaching/research assistant (max 20%). Uppsala University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply for this position.

Scholarship Application Deadline:April 15, 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD in Seismology, Uppsala University, Sweden

Katla Volcano is one of the most active and hazardous volcanoes in Iceland as is revealed by its historical volcanic activity. Much information can be obtained about the processes in a volcano from its ongoing seismicity. The PhD project outlined here aims at approaching this inherently multidisciplinary topic building on the methods developed in seismology at Uppsala University for the analysis of microearthquakes. Real-time monitoring techniques, including relative earthquake location, systematic changes in focal mechanisms and variations in stress, and techniques such as regularized catalogue relocation, mapping of active faults, 3D and 4D tomography, and ambient-seismic-noise tomography are important for this research. The development of early-warning systems and communication of risk and threats to society is important in this project, therefore the candidate is also expected to interact with colleagues within CNDS which is a new multi-disciplinary collaboration between Earth Science and Engineering between Uppsala University, Karlstad University and the Swedish Defence College addressing Natural Disasters on a broad research front.

We are seeking a motivated candidate where a strong background in physics, engineering or geophysics with interest in better understanding “how the Earth works” as well as the interaction between natural hazards and society.  Fieldwork may be necessary. Experience of programming is a merit.

The PhD position is for 4 years where financing for the first year may be by a study grant (utbildningsbidrag) and the following 3 years as an employee of the university as a PhD student. If funds are available, it is possible to extend the PhD study period to maximum 5 years by working as a teaching/research assistant (max 20%). Uppsala University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply for this position.

For further information, contact Prof. Roland Roberts, e-mail: roland.roberts@geo.uu.se,  phone. +46-18-471 2384., or Ari Tryggvason, e-mail: ari.tryggvason@geo.uu.se, phone +46-18-471 2388, Prof. Sven Halldin, phone +46-18-471 2262, e-mail: sven.halldin@hyd.uu.se (CNDS).

2011 PhD Positions in Arctic Geophysics at University Centre in Svalbard, Norway

The Department of Arctic Geophysics of the UniversityCentre in Svalbard havevacanciesfor two PhD position forfour years each within the Space Physics group focusing on optics of airglow and aurora, respectively. UNIS provides education and carries out scientific research based in Svalbard within the high Arctic, and benefits greatlyfrom this geographical location. Approximately half of the staff and students are from abroad,
and all teaching isin English. UNIS is located in a new building in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, withvery good
access to modern laboratories and equipment. UNIS is a state owned.

Qualifications :The successful candidatesmust have a Master degree in Physics or equivalent in a field related to the above described projects. Due to logistics, the candidates need to have driver licenses.Admission to the doctoral programme at one of the Norwegian mainland universitiesis a condition of employment in the position as PhD student. The final plan for researcher education shall be approved and a contract signed with the mainland university at the latest six months after commencement. The applications will be prepared by the candidates and the supervisors. Employment Conditions for Ph.D positions :The employment contracts are of 4 years and include mandatory duties of 25% each. The successful candidatesmust live in Longyearbyen. They are expected to contribute actively to ongoing scientific activities in the department. It is also expected that the Ph.D. students take an active part in the advancement of their field of research, and they must also be willing to contribute to the development of UNIS in a more general sense.

All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government’s University salary scale. Ph.D students starts at salary step 48, which currently is a gross salary of NOK 383 900.As a resident in Svalbard an annual allowance of NOK 26 400.(Svalbardtillegg) will be added to the salary. A Social Security contribution of 2 per cent, to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on Svalbard is 8 per cent, plus 7.8 per cent toward National Insurance coverage. Selection and appointment :An expert Committee appointed by the Managing director of UNIS, will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants. The Committee will review the applications in detail, and is the basis for interviews. The final appointment will be made by the Appointment Committee.

Scholarship Application Deadline:
15 April 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application