About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Space Technology available at the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems at the Department of Technology Systems.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. 

Preferred starting date is 1st of February 2025.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Job description

We invite applications for a PhD position in Space Technology to help develop the first satellite mission planned at the University of Oslo. The mission will study the interactions between various space weather events with the Earth’s atmosphere. The cubesat mission will be equipped with tree instruments; a multi-needle Langmuir Probe, a Solar Particle Detector, and an optical camera. 

The PhD project will focus on:

1. characterizing and calibrating the camera 

2. developing the on-board and post-processing pipeline 

3. optimizing the observation strategy

The student will also conduct scientific analysis of measurements obtained with other space- and ground-based resources to prepare for the operations phase of the mission.

CENSSS is a center for research-based innovation at the University of Oslo, hosted by the Department of Technology Systems.

 CENSSS includes three research partners and nine user partners. Currently, CENSSS is operating the Rimfax radar on the Perseverance rover on Mars together with NASA, and the center is also developing multiple instruments for future planetary exploration. 

CENSSS has recently initiated a small satellite program, enabling students to get practical experience with satellites and observation data, and facilitate research based at UiO. For that goal, CENSSS will design, develop, launch and operate UiO’s first satellite mission.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, space engineering or similar. Candidates must have submitted and defended their Master’s degree before the starting date
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English evt. and a Scandinavian language
• Experience working with space missions
• Knowledge of space weather, atmospheric and plasma physics
• Programming experience, specifically in data processing and analysis 
• The research area for the position can include technologies or information referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations or the Norwegian National Security Act (Lov om Nasjonal Sikkerhet, a.k.a. “Sikkerhetsloven”), and the candidate must be eligible for a Norwegian security clearance

The candidate should:

• Have high motivation for space exploration
• Have knowledge of optical systems
• Have basic knowledge of spacecraft/instrument operations
• Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking, as well as problem-solving 
• Be able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, contributing ideas and integrating insights from various domains
• Have a proactive approach to conducting research, including the ability to work independently when needed
• Have strong time management and project management skills to balance multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. 

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.

For more information see here.

Personal skills

• Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary scientific environment

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement 
• 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 and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records. If Master’s degree diploma has not yet been obtained, please submit documentation stating your current enrolment in a Master’s programme, with the intended graduation date
• Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• List of publications and academic work 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.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

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

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

For further information about the position please contact: 

• Professor Torbjørn Skauli, phone: +47 22842226, e-mail: torbjorn.skauli@its.uio.no

 For technical questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact:

•  HR Adviser Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

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