Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Plasma and Space Physics, with the focus on numerical simulations of plasma phenomena in the polar ionosphere, is available at the Department of Physics.

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years.

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

Starting date no later than 01.09.2022.

More about the position

The position is funded through the ERC Consolidator Grant entitled: “4DSpace: integrated study for space weather at high latitudes”, which combines in-situ experiments by sounding rockets, ground-based measurements, numerical modeling, and satellite data. It aims to determine the role of the auroral particle precipitation at different geomagnetic conditions in forming plasma density irregularities at various altitudes, by accounting also for collisions with neutral background. It will also establish foundations for the physically based forecasting of scintillations of trans-ionospheric radio waves in the polar regions.

Within the scope of the project for this position, the successful PhD candidate will work with large scale numerical simulations with numerical particle-in-cell codes to study the evolution of plasma instabilities and onset of turbulence at kinetic levels, accounting also for auroral particle precipitation and weakly collisional plasmas.

The candidate will also relate this work to results from in-situ sounding rocket experiments in the ionosphere. Another task will also be to address rocket payload-plasma interactions in order to understand the measurement conditions. Strong collaboration with other participants in the project is required.

The successful candidate will be the member of the 4DSpace Strategic Research Initiative, as well as the Section for Plasma and Space Physics at the Department of Physics. 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 (all-sky-imagers, EISCAT, SuperDARN), advanced numerical models, and instruments on board spacecraft and sounding rockets. For more information, see: http://www.mn.uio.no/4dspace/

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.

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in physics or related discipline. Foreign completed degrees (M.Sc.-level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Good background in plasma physics
• Good experience in numerical modeling and code development

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2022 to complete the final exam.

Desired qualifications:

• Previous experience in large scale particle-in-cell simulations
• Experience in working with data from in-situ plasma measurements, such as from satellites or sounding rockets.
• Experience in ionospheric plasma physics at high latitudes and dynamic phenomena related to solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.

Grade and language 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
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are required

English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements.

Personal skills:

• Good social and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment.

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:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 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 including a description of scientific interests and the motivation for applying for the position (max. 2 pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 1-2 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 will be used as part of the hiring process.

Formal regulations

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

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 etc.

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

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

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