Job description

A position as Researcher in Space Electronics, with the focus on development of a new probe-based plasma measurement system for ionospheric studies aboard satellites, is available at the Department of Physics.

The position is for a period of two years and one month.

Starting date: as soon as possible within January 16th – April 11th, 2023.

More about the position

The position is aimed at the development of advanced electronics for plasma measurement aboard small satellites. This type of measurement is carried out using electrical probes that are biased to attract and collect the free electrons of the surrounding plasma. In this project, we will introduce fast-sweeping voltage biasing and cancellation of capacitive effects from both the cabling and the plasma, followed by high-speed sampling of the collected, small currents and their time-derivatives. Today’s state-of-the-art systems for laboratory usage rely on analog electronics for much of this function, but one of the objectives for the successful candidate will be to also analyze the possibility of implementing parts of the front-end digitally.

The successful candidate will design and simulate electrical circuits, from topology to printed circuit board (PCB) level. The candidate will perform test and characterization of the finished PCBs and integrate them with commercial instruments for waveform generation and sampling. The resulting prototype system will then be tested in our laboratory space plasma chamber.

The successful candidate will be a part of the Section for Plasma and Space Physics at the Department of Physics as well as the 4DSpace Strategic Research Initiative. The main focus of these groups is to advance our understanding of processes in the high-latitude ionosphere, including plasma irregularities, turbulence and space weather effects in the polar regions. The main tools used for this research are ground-based instruments, including radar and optical systems (EISCAT, SuperDARN, all-sky-imagers), advanced numerical models, and instruments on board spacecraft and sounding rockets. For more information, see here.

The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway through the collaboration project “SPACEPROBE: Small-satellite Positioned ACcurate non-Equilibrium Plasma Resolving methodOlogy for particle-Bombarding Environments” together with SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organisations.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these positions will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

The following qualifications are required:

• Ph.D. degree or equivalent in electronics or a similar field.
• Strong background in analog circuit design.
• Strong background in experimental/laboratory work.
• A good command of English.
• Good social and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment.

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in digital circuit design and software/firmware development.
• Knowledge of plasma physics.
• Experience in writing publications for scientific journals.

We offer

• Salary NOK 544 400 – 604 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• 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 (statement of motivation, summary of scientific work and research interests)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (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). Applications with documents missing will not be considered further.

An expert committee will evaluate the applications. Applicants of interest will be called in for interview.

Formal regulations

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 University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Professor Wojciech Miloch, w.j.miloch@fys.uio.no, tel. +47 22856014
• Professor Ketil Røed, ketil.roed@fys.uio.no, tel. +47 22858632
• Dr. Anders Eklund, anders.eklund@sintef.no, tel. +47 45397143

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no.

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