Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SKO 1352) is available at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics. The fellowship is for a period of up to 3 years. The preferred starting date is January 1st, 2020 but an alternative starting date can be negotiated.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

More about the position

The postdoctoral position is connected to the project " ALMA – The key to the Sun’s coronal heating problem" (SolarALMA), which is funded with a Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). The aim of the SolarALMA project is to utilize the first regular observations of the Sun with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which promises significant steps towards understanding the outer layers of the solar atmosphere, and to further develop adequate techniques for processing and analysing solar ALMA observations. The chosen approach combines solar observations with ALMA and other ground-based and space-borne telescopes, novel diagnostic tools and state-of-the-art 3D numerical simulations of the solar atmosphere.

For more information, see the project page:

http://www.mn.uio.no/astro/english/research/projects/solaralma/

The core team working with solar ALMA observations at the University of Oslo currently consists of 3 (postdoctoral) researchers, 3 PhD students, and the PI (S. Wedemeyer). The team is an integral part of the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS), which is a centre of excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway and the University of Oslo. The primary goal of RoCS 10-year effort lies in understanding the workings of the energetic Sun by using a combination of numerical modelling and high quality observations taken at ground based and space based observatories. The solar group /RoCS is led by Mats Carlsson and has an internationally leading competence in radiative transfer and radiative magnetohydrodynamics. 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 in the near future ESA’s Solar Orbiter. The group utilizes strongly local and national High-Performance Computing facilities.

The successful candidate will contribute to the SolarALMA project both on observational and numerical modelling aspects.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must hold a PhD degree or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in astrophysics, astronomy, space sciences or a related discipline. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment

We seek a candidate with a background preferably in solar / stellar physics or radio astronomy, who has experience with 2D/3D numerical simulations and/or the analysis of observations incl. the handling of large data sets. Programming skills are an essential requirement. Experience with CASA, Python, IDL and/or C++ is considered an asset.

The candidate must be highly self-driven and able to take responsibility for her/his own work, including troubleshooting and acquiring additional skills required to reach the project goals while collaborating with the team.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral research fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines. Please also refer to the regulations pertaining to the conditions of employment for academic positions.(http://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/guidelines-appointment-postdoc-researcher.html)

A very good command of written and spoken English is mandatory.

We offer

• salary NOK 523 200 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter
• CV (summarizing education, positions, academic work and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Complete list of publications and academic work and up to five high-lighted publications that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• A brief research plan describing the project aspects that the applicant considers most important and ideas how to address them during the course of the project (1-2 pages max.)
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, affiliation, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number) who have been asked to send reference letters.

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral 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.

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

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Dr. Sven Wedemeyer, e-mail: svenwe@astro.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the application system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, +47 22 85 71 96, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio

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