PhD student in climate data analysis and machine learning-based emulation of hydrological models

Norway | Aug. 17, 2026

Report as Closed

Company: UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN ADMINISTRASJONEN

Country: Norway

Type: Onsite

Employment: Contract

Description: UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

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Video: https://youtu.be/M5n6RnScNgAScholarship

At Geofysisk Institutt (GFI) there is a vacant position as a research fellow in climate data analysis and machine learning-based emulation of hydrological models. The position is for a fixed-term period of three years, with the possibility of a fourth year consisting of career-promoting work (e.g. teaching), linked to the strategic project DYNAMIC-AI: Dynamics of Unprecedented and Compound Extremes using AI at Bjerknes Center.

About the project/tasks

The scholarship holder will be part of The Bjerknes Centre's strategic project DYANMIC-AI. DYNAMIC-AI will combine physical modelling, dynamic understanding, machine learning and hydrological modeling into a single framework for the analysis of composite extreme events and extreme events without historical parallel. The project will analyze forest fires, droughts, heat waves, strong winds, extreme rainfall and flume. By linking scientific approaches and Bjerknes expertise, we will achieve a new understanding that surpasses that which comes from the individual scientific branches. 

The scholarship holder will analyze extreme precipitation events across Europe in the new generation of CMIP6 CORDEX downscaling of ensemble forecasts of climate, and develop a hydrological model using machine learning. The model will simulate the hydrological response to extreme rainfall. The model will be integrated into the full framework in DYNAMIC-AI, which will model the propagation of uncertainty from atmospheric dynamics down to hydrological hazards.

DYNAMIC-AI is an interdisciplinary project, and a collaboration between the University of Bergen, NORCE Research and Nansensenteret for Environment and Remote Sensing. The scholarship holder will work in a particularly international working environment as part of the Bjerknes Center for Climate Research, co-located with the Institute of Geophysics, University of Bergen. The Bjerknes Center is the largest climate research center in the Nordics and among the largest in Europe with around 300 researchers from 40 countries. 

 Qualifications and characteristics

• Applicants must have obtained a master's degree or equivalent education in computer science, atmospheric science, meteorology, hydrology or a related field, or have submitted the master's thesis for assessment before the application deadline. It is a prerequisite that the master's degree has been obtained before employment can take place.
• Experience with Python programming, good skills in the use of Unix/Linux, and handling of large climate data sets in their original format (e.g. NetCDF) is a requirement.
• Experience from at least one of the following areas is a requirement: hydrological modelling, surface processes, analysis of climate data and/or training of neural networks. Experience from several of the areas is an advantage.
• Experience with machine learning tools such as Pytorch is an advantage.
• Understanding and/or experience from analysis of extreme events is an advantage.
• Experience with statistics, quantification of uncertainty or propagation of uncertainty is an advantage.
• Knowledge of other relevant programming languages is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independent and structured and have good collaboration skills.
• Applicants must have good written and oral English skills.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also be considered in the selection of candidates.

Specific requirements for the position
UiB is subject to the regulations for export control and the regulations apply when processing applications for the position.

The following applies to the position

About the position as PhD scholar
The scholarship period is three years, with an opening for a fourth year depending on the candidate's qualifications and the department's need for teaching, and is decided by the head of department upon appointment. If a fourth year is decided, one year's work consisting of career-promoting work linked to teaching, communication and research infrastructure/services will be distributed over the total appointment period and thus correspond to 25% of the time each year.

If you have previously been appointed in a recruitment position (scholarship, scientific assistant or similar), a deduction may be made during the appointment period. 

About the research training
As a PhD scholar, you must participate in an approved education program for a PhD degree within a time frame of three years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Science and Technology is two months after taking up the position or after starting the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a prerequisite that you meet the requirements for admission to the PhD program at the University of Bergen. 1017) in accordance with the state wage regulations. This amounts to a gross annual salary of NOK. 593 700. Further promotion takes place according to seniority.

membership in the State Pension Fund

god welfare schemes

The application must contain:

• a brief (maximum one page) explanation of your research interests, how they are relevant to the position and the motivation for applying for the position
• a detailed justification of your qualifications in relation to the listed requirements, and how you fulfill each criterion. In addition, you should address the aforementioned "advantages", as these will be considered when ranking the candidates
• names and contact details of two references. One of these must be the supervisor from the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, you must provide confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted
• relevant certificates
• approved documentation that you meet the requirements for English skills (if required, cf. Requirements for English skills for admission to the PhD program) 
• any list of scientific work (list of publications)
• copy of Master's thesis

Application and attachments with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded to Jobbnorge.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained by turning to:

Førsteamanuensis Stefan Sobolowski, Department of Geophysics, University of Bergen

Sigrid Passano Hellan, NORCE Research

For HR-related questions contact Magnus Larsen, e-mail: magnus.larsen@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength and enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, outlook on life, functional impairment, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and age. 

The University of Bergen uses more discretion when appointing academic positions. Information about the applicant can be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be included on the applicant list. If the request is not accepted, the applicant must be notified of this.

We encourage applicants with a disability, immigrant background or gaps in their CV to apply. If you tick this in the application, you may receive positive special treatment. We always invite at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups to an interview. More details about the appointment process here.       

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Astrid Nybø talks about life and everyday work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo3Z63yzkKA&list=PLf8ZIYfAO0qjhROTj6SthDbSScg0lSO6G&index=5

About the employer:

The University of Bergen is a recognized educational and research institution, organized into seven faculties and around 54 institutes and academic centres. The campus is located in central parts of Bergen with university campuses at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

The Faculty of Science and Technology consists of seven institutes and a number of centres. Read more about faculty and belonging department.  

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