Job description

A Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS) at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics (ITA).

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

Starting date upon agreement but preferably not later than Oct 1st, 2023.

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 postdoctoral fellowship is connected to the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the University of Oslo from November 1st, 2017. The primary goal of RoCS 10-year effort lies in understanding the workings of the energetic Sun. To attack this goal a concerted effort of numerical modelling, both fluid (extended MHD) and particle oriented, will be combined with high quality observations taken at ground based and space-based observatories to produce models of the active Sun. The Solar group at the ITA is presently led by Mats Carlsson, who is also the leader of RoCS. The group has an internationally leading competence in radiative transfer and radiative hydrodynamics. Observationally, the group has access to the Swedish 1-meter Solar Telescope on La Palma, to ALMA, to several space-based satellites such as NASA’s IRIS and SDO, JAXA’s Hinode and ESA’s Solar Orbiter. The group makes extensive use of local and national High-Performance Computing facilities. With the RoCS centre of excellence, the Solar group is expanding significantly.

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 a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. 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 field. Appointment is dependent on the defense of the doctoral thesis being approved, if it has not been held by the application deadline.
• We seek a candidate with a background preferably in solar or stellar physics.
• Programming experience in Python/IDL, C/C++ or Fortran is essential.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal skills

• Excellent teamwork capabilities
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

We offer

• Salary NOK 544 400 – 626 300 per annum depending on seniority in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• Personal travel funds
• Excellent computer infrastructure
• 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 cultural and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• A short (1-2 page) statement on how the applicant envisions to carry out research within RoCS
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number) and reference letters. The letters should be sent directly to Dr. Mats Carlsson, e-mail mats.carlsson@astro.uio.no by the application deadline.

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 candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

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.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than twelve months.

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

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

• Mats Carlsson, e-mail: mats.carlsson@astro.uio.no

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

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