Njord is a cross-disciplinary centre between the departments of Geosciences and Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. We aim to become one of the University of Oslo's main cross-disciplinary ‘drivers’ for the future development of Physical Sciences in general, and Earth-related research in particular.

Njord's logo found in the cross-section of a rock, during field work on Svalbard. The rock was found by coincidence, and after the logo was designed. Photo: Frank B. B. Guldstrand

We believe there is an obvious and considerable potential for increased synergies between physics and geoscience at UiO by integrating PoreLab, PGP and CCSE into the Njord Centre.
The Njord Centre was officially established on January 1st 2018. Njord is a merger of the 1st generation of the Norwegian Centre of Excellence (CoE) PGP (Physics of Geological Processes), and the Oslo node of the 4th generation CoE PoreLab (Porous Media Laboratory). It also includes researchers from the CoE Centre for Computing in Science Education (CCSE).
The centre is led by director François Renard. It comprises around 50 members and includes people from these three groups:
- Porelab CoE Oslo - The Oslo branch of the joint CoE between the UiO and NTNU. Porous Media Laboratory (PoreLab) is a 4th generation CoE and is running in the period 2017-2027. A major component of PoreLab's staff and activities is located at UiO coordinated by Knut Jørgen Måløy and Eirik Grude Flekkøy.
- Physics in Geological Processes (PGP) - Physics of Geological Processes (PGP) was a 1st generation CoE running in the period 2003-2013. At the end of the CoE period, PGP was 'phased into' the host departments as one section in the Department of Geosciences, and one section in the Department of Physics (Condensed Matter). The PGP section is led by Luca Menegon.
- The Centre for Computing in Science Education (CCSE) - The Centre for Computing in Science Education (CCSE) is a Center for Excellence in Education hosted by the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo, Norway. The centre is a cooperation between the University of Oslo and the University College of Southeast Norway. The goal of CCSE is to integrate computing as a natural tool in basic educations, to make the education research near, and to prepare students for an interdisciplinary workplace. Anders Malthe-Sørenssen is the director of CCSE.
Get in contact with us:
E-mail:
Visiting address:
4th floor, west wing, Physics Building
Sem Sælands vei 24
Blindern, University of Oslo
Postal address:
Njord
P.O. 1048 Blindern
0316 Oslo
Norway