Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems (CENSSS), University of Oslo (UiO).

We are seeking a postdoc to act as a mission scientist for an Earth observation satellite, with tasks ranging from designs considerations to data analysis for a small satellite mission.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years.

Preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

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

More about the position

CENSSS is a Centre for research-based innovation (SFI) at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS), UiO, located at Kjeller. The Centre is funded by the Research Council of Norway and UiO for up to eight years, from November 2020.

The centre operates in collaboration with nine industry partners, and benefits from co-location with several industries and research institutes at Kjeller.

CENSSS will address challenges and opportunities in the new-space paradigm for science, technology and business related to earth observation, as well as exploration of the Moon and Mars. A part of CENSSS is the operation of the RIMFAX ground penetrating radar on the NASA Perseverance Mars rover.

CENSSS aims to strengthen competence and capabilities of all its participants in development of space systems by designing, building, testing, commissioning and operating a research satellite.

The postdoc hired in this position will act as the mission scientist for the satellite project. A central task will be overall mission design, system engineering, and performing verification tests.

The postdoc will be responsible for publishing results on the satellite mission, with main responsibility related to assembly, integration and test of the satellite.

The postdoc will also contribute with teaching and supervision of PhD candidates and master students. The work will be carried out in close cooperation with industrial and academic partners.

The tasks can be adapted to the competence and interests of the successful candidate.

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 is 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.

• The candidate must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in space systems, physics, electronics, cybernetics, or related fields. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for eval-uation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment

The topic of the doctoral degree must be of relevance to the position, or the candidate should have relevant work experience on satellite mission design and satellite integration.

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

The research area for the position can include technologies referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations, and the candidate must be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Desired skills

• Design of satellites and subsystems, integration and testing of spacecraft and/or sub-systems, including electronics and mechanical solutions
• Integration and testing of spacecraft or subsystems, including electronic, mechanical, thermal and vibration aspects
• Space systems engineering

Personal skills

• Ability to take initiative and come up with new ideas to solve theoretical and practical problems
• Ability to write proposals for external research funding
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Good personal communication skills

We offer

• Salary NOK 544 400 – 626 300,- 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
• Lillestrøm’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)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• Letters of recommendation
• 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)

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, 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.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime 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 of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years).

No one can be appointed twice as a Postdoctoral fellow financed with funds from The Research Council of Norway (NFR).

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.

The University of Oslo 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 please contact:

• Professor Lars Erling Bråten, e-mail: l.e.braten@its.uio.no
• CENSSS leader Svein Erik Hamran, e-mail: s.e.hamran@its.uio.no

For technical questions regarding our recruitment system JobbNorge please contact:

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

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