Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics.

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

Starting date no later than 30.09.2021.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

More about the position

The faculty of the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics consists of 15 associate and full professors. The Institute employs about 16 – 17 postdoctoral and advanced research fellows. The Institute has three major research groups, one for solar physics, one for extragalactic astrophysics and one for cosmology. The solar physics group is from November 2017 the Norwegian Centre of Excellence “Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics”.

Observational material is collected from space-borne and ground-based observatories. In interaction with and parallel to the observational activity, there is a strong activity in theoretical and computational astrophysics. The Institute is actively engaged in a large number of international collaborative programs, e.g., through the Norwegian membership in ESA, Norwegian participation in the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), the Institute’s participation in the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope on La Palma and the CO Mapping Array Pathfinder experiment COMAP at Owens Valley, California. Space missions with major participation from the Institute include the Japanese Hinode satellite, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and ESA’s Solar Orbiter within solar physics, and Planck and Euclid within cosmology and extragalactic astrophysics. In theoretical and computational astrophysics, the Institute has built up strong groups within numerical modelling and within the use of modern computational statistics methods in data analysis.

This position is open for candidates within either the solar physics, the extragalactic astrophysics or the cosmology research group. In selection, weight will be given to the documented research potential of the candidates, and to how their research competences can interact with and complement the research activities of one of the three research groups. The selected candidate must be able to start in the position before the 30th of September, 2021.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has as 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.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in astronomy/astrophysics or a related discipline. Appointment is dependent on the defence of the doctoral thesis being approved, if it has not been held by the application deadline.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal skills

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and creatively, but also interest in collaborative research and team work
• Motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working

We offer

• Salary NOK 523 200 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral 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, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• Research statement, detailing possible research projects and how they will benefit from the existing research groups at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcript of records
• 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). These should send letters of reference independently to Head of Department, Professor Per B. Lilje at per.lilje@astro.uio.no

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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the Research Statement as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral 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

For further information please contact:

• Head of Department, Professor Per B. Lilje, phone: +47 228 56517, e-mail: per.lilje@astro.uio.no

For technical questions about the recruitment system, HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, email: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no

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