VACANCY NORSAR

Position: Research Scientist / Senior Research Scientist -  Detection seismology and Machine Learning
Location: Kjeller, Norway
Type: Permanent

Help advance world-leading detection science and international verification

NORSAR is an internationally recognised research foundation in seismic monitoring and verification. The Seismology and Verification Department forms part of the Norwegian National Data Centre (NDC) for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Our work combines scientific development with operational responsibility, contributing directly to international monitoring and treaty verification.

NORSAR operates world-leading seismic array facilities that have helped define best practice in array processing for decades. We are also developing and operating world-class Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) infrastructure, creating new opportunities for detection and monitoring research.

We are looking for a researcher in detection seismology with experience in machine learning, signal processing, or related quantitative methods to strengthen our work across seismic array processing and DAS. This is an opportunity to contribute to scientifically important and societally relevant work at the intersection of research, monitoring, and verification.

We welcome applications from both early-career researchers with strong potential and more established scientists with an international track record.

The role

You will contribute to the development of advanced methods for seismic detection, classification, and analysis, working with high-quality seismic array and DAS datasets. You will also contribute to the rigorous and timely analysis of seismic events of interest within a verification context. The work has direct relevance for operational monitoring and international verification, and successful methods will contribute to real monitoring capabilities used in treaty verification contexts.

Depending on your background and career stage, the role may include a combination of:

• developing and applying new methods for detection and classification in seismic or DAS data
• exploring machine learning and modern time-series approaches for observational data
• contributing to signal processing, event characterisation, and event location
• helping develop promising research methods into robust, well-tested software tools
• contributing to the analysis of seismic events relevant to monitoring and verification
• publishing high-quality research in international journals
• contributing to collaborative research projects and, for more senior candidates, helping to shape new proposals and research directions

This role will suit someone who enjoys solving scientifically challenging problems and working closely with data, methods, and real monitoring applications.

What we are looking for

We are interested in candidates with many of the following strengths and experiences:

• a PhD in seismology, geophysics, or a related discipline
• experience in detection seismology, signal analysis, or a closely related area
• experience developing, training, and applying machine-learning or other advanced quantitative methods to seismic or time-series data
• strong programming skills, for example in Python, C/C++, or similar
• the ability to work carefully and rigorously with observational datasets
• strong written and oral communication skills
• an interest in monitoring, verification, and scientifically grounded operational applications

Experience in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable, but is not required for all candidates:

• seismic arrays
• Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS)
• advanced signal processing
• event location or source characterisation
• collaborative software development, testing, and reproducible workflows
• monitoring systems or near-operational scientific software
• forensic seismology, event discrimination, or verification-related applications

We do not expect early-career applicants to bring deep experience in every area. We are particularly interested in people with strong analytical ability, sound scientific judgement, and clear potential to grow.

For early-career candidates

You might be a good fit if you have:

• evidence of high-quality research relative to career stage
• experience applying quantitative methods or machine learning to seismic or related time-series data
• good programming skills and the ability to work collaboratively
• enthusiasm for developing your expertise in monitoring and verification applications

For senior candidates

In addition to the above, senior candidates are likely to bring some combination of:

• an established publication record in recognised international journals
• strong expertise in detection seismology or a closely related field
• experience leading or co-leading research projects
• experience securing or contributing to competitive research funding
• the ability to mentor colleagues and help shape research direction

Working at NORSAR

NORSAR offers:

• A research environment built on expertise, independence, and collaboration
• Direct involvement in the Norwegian National Data Centre for the CTBT
• Access to world-leading seismic array facilities and data
• Access to state-of-the-art DAS infrastructure and large-scale fibre datasets
• International partnerships and visibility
• Competitive salary and benefits, with flexible working arrangements

We value scientific rigour, constructive collaboration, intellectual curiosity and accountability. We are also committed to maintaining a welcoming and collegiate workplace, where colleagues enjoy working together, sharing ideas, and supporting one another’s development. We are looking for colleagues who want to do excellent science and contribute to capabilities that matter in practice.

Applications from candidates worldwide are welcome. Assistance with relocation and immigration procedures will be provided where required. English is the primary working language of the department.

Applications will be reviewed from 15 May 2026, and the position will remain open until filled. Early applications are encouraged.

For informal enquires about NORSAR and the position, please contact Ben Dando on +47 46813190 / ben@norsar.no, and visit www.norsar.no for more information.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to careers@norsar.no