The Department of Physics and Technology has an open permanent position as professor/associate professor in space physics.

The position will be part of the Space Physics research group. Space physics research at the department addresses the Earth's upper atmosphere, the ionosphere and the magnetosphere and related plasma physics; small solar system objects, mesospheric and cosmic dust and dusty plasma phenomena. For this position we are looking for a candidate who actively carries out research within the profile of the space physics group and beyond to expand it further.

For enquiries about for the position, please contact:

• Head of Department of Physics and Technology, Professor Odd Erik Garcia: odd.erik.garcia@uit.no
• Head of Space Physics research group, Professor Ingrid Mann: ingrid.b.mann@uit.no

The position’s field of research/field of work

The Space physics group uses at present radar and radio remote sensing techniques, optical observations and laboratory experiments on space plasma processes, is involved in planetary radar observations and space debris studies, carries out measurements from rockets, and is involved with satellite and space probe missions.

The experimental projects employ the facilities of the EISCAT Scientific Association near Tromsø and on Svalbard, rocket observations from Andøya Space Center, observations with lidar, radar and cameras, and plasma laboratory studies. The space physics group also collaborates with the UiT operated Tromsø Geophysical Observatory (TGO) including instrument development and space weather activities. The research at the department also includes atmospheric and plasma research and research on miniaturized sensor development with the possibility of internal collaborations. UiT plays an important role in developing the advanced incoherent scatter radar, EISCAT_3D, which will become a major part of the science infrastructure in Northern Norway.

UiT has in its vicinity one of the best conditions for optical studies of the polar atmosphere and it is surrounded by one of the best infrastructures for studies of the high-latitude upper atmosphere. Tromsø is also conveniently located for observational projects carried out from Svalbard and the successful candidate has an excellent opportunity for research with the new advanced radar system EISCAT_3D. Strengths in analysis of radar data, modeling and numerical simulations of auroral, ionospheric, magnetospheric physics and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling research or other relevant expertise that expands the research profile of the group in these fields are an advantage.

The successful applicant must participate in the teaching of basic physics and space physics courses to students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, including providing supervision of master and doctoral thesis projects. Commitment to internationally high standard for teaching quality, recruitment and public outreach activities is expected.

Participation in cooperative projects with national and international research groups is expected including research within the national space programme and supporting the establishment of the EISCAT_3D project as an integral part of the research and teaching on international level.

Qualification requirements

You must hold a PhD and document experience in executing independent original research. You should have a strong background in space physics research and should be recognized by the international space community. In assessing your qualifications and merits, special consideration is given to scientific publications in internationally recognized journals. You should be creative and be able to take on and develop own initiatives.

For a position as associate professor, you should have a good publication record in terms of papers in peer-reviewed journals and other relevant international publication channels. Documented external funding, experience with research leadership and relevant collaboration with industry will be rated positively. As an associate professor, we expect you to aim at developing yourself further to a full professor.

For a position as professor, you should demonstrate international experience and have a strong publication record in terms of papers in peer-reviewed journals and other relevant international publication channels. You should document the ability to obtain external funding from relevant sources, and be able to initiate and lead research at a high international level. We will also assess outreach, network and teaching and supervision activities.

UiT follows national guidelines for professorial promotion within Mathematics, Science and Technology disciplines when evaluating candidates for professorships.

We will emphasize personal suitability in our assessment. We expect you to actively contribute to academic culture, think beyond the core of your own research interests and have good collaboration skills necessary for joint interdisciplinary projects. You must be willing to participate actively in the ongoing development of the discipline, the department, and the university as a whole.

You must document teaching qualifications by submitting a teaching portfolio, see the website for basic pedagogical competence.

You must be fluent in oral and written English. Applicants who are not fluent in a Scandinavian language must learn Norwegian within 3 years and pass the language exam level C1 (“Bergenstesten” or equivalent).

Application

• Letter of application.
• Diplomas.
• CV including information relevant for the qualifications and a full list of publications with bibliographical references.
• Brief research plan and vision statement (1 page) for the next 3-5 years, also identifying internal and external collaboration partners.
• Documentation of external research funding raised during the career. This documentation should be clear about who had what type of roles in the projects.
• Three references with contact information.
• Up to ten top scientific publications. Your doctoral thesis is regarded as one work.
• Description of your research stating which works you consider most important and a brief description of the other listed works.
• Teaching portfolio of minimum three pages, informing about your work with students. Describe and reflect on your own teaching, and present contributions to development of teaching. It will typically contain teaching philosophy, documentation of teaching activities demonstrating planning, accomplishments and assessment, evaluations of the teaching, and experiences in developing courses and curricula. Attach certificates, reports, and other relevant documents.
• Form for teaching qualifications (if you lack a teaching portfolio - for interim appointments).

Documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. Submit applications electronically through Jobbnorge.

Interim appointment

If there are no fully qualified applicants for the position, we may make an interim appointment to qualify for a period of three years. Before the three-year period elapses, a permanent appointment is made in the event that you are suitably qualified, based on a new assessment.

In the event of an interim appointment based on lacking teaching qualifications, you must develop an approved teaching portfolio. The appointment will become permanent if you are found to be suitably qualified before the three-year period elapses.

We offer

• Allocation of resources for start-up in the position, including 1-2 doctoral fellowships
• The possibility to work in a vibrant group at the forefront of space physics research
• R&D sabbatical conditions which are considered to be some of the best in the country
• A good working environment
• Good welfare arrangements for employees
• Good arrangements for pension, insurance and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The remuneration for Professor is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1013, and Associate Professor in accordance with code 1011. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted. In addition, UiT pays 12 % directly to the Pension Fund on top of the salary.

Employees in permanent positions as professor/associate professor have the right to apply for a paid sabbatical (research and development).

In general, a professor/associate professor spend an equal amount of time on teaching and research and development work, after time spent on other duties has been deducted. As a norm, the time resources spent on administrative duties constitutes 5 % for academic staff in this category of position. The allocation of working hours is flexible and allocated on a case-by-case basis.

More information about moving to Tromsø: http://uit.no/mobility.

General

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway wishes to increase the proportion of females in senior research positions. In the event that two or more applicants are found to be approximately equally qualified, female applicants will be given priority.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. The university is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

Personal data given in an application or CV is processed in accordance with the Personal Data Act. You may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

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