Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics.

The fellowship period is 3 years. Within the framework of the position duties may be assigned. Starting date preferably 01.10.2019 but might be negotiated.

More about the position

The position is connected to the project “Exploring Millimeter Indicators of Solar-Stellar Activity“ (EMISSA), which is funded by the Research Council of Norway (2019 – 2023). The aim of the EMISSA project is to use the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) for a re-evaluation of the activity of stars by means of a comparative solar-stellar study with the Sun serving as a fundamental reference. Three-dimensional atmosphere models for different types of stars including the Sun will be used to prepare and interpret new observations of the Sun and a selected sample of other stars with ALMA and other observatories. This approach promises a new view on the activity of the Sun and other stars and the physical processes causing it.

The EMISSA project will benefit from synergies with the ERC-funded SolarALMA team at Oslo and an ESO-funded ALMA Development Study in co-operation with Onsala Space Observatory, Sweden. Including the EMISSA project, the team working on solar/stellar ALMA science in Oslo will consist of 3 researchers/post-docs, 3 PhD fellows and the project leader Sven Wedemeyer. The team is 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 since November 1st, 2017.

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 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 in the near future ESA’s Solar Orbiter. The group utilizes strongly local and national High-Performance Computing facilities. With the RoCS centre of excellence, the solar group is expanding significantly.

The successful candidate would work on numerical simulations of stellar atmospheres (incl. the Sun) with particular emphasis on radiative transfer calculations but also on the processing and analysis of observations with ALMA in co-operation with the Solar ALMA team at RoCS and with international collaborators.

Qualification requirements

The candidate must have a PhD or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in astronomy/astrophysics or a related discipline. We seek a candidate with a background preferably in solar or stellar physics, who has experience with numerical simulations and/or the analysis of observations incl. the handling of large data sets. Experience in radiative transfer and (magneto)-hydrodynamic simulations is welcomed. Experience with radio astronomy and/or interferometry is considered an asset. The candidate will have to program in IDL/Python. Programming skills are therefore an essential requirement.

A good command of written and spoken English is required.

The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships 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 post-doctoral fellowship positions:

https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/regulations-employment-conditions-postdoc.html

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.

We offer

• salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 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, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and 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). The references will be contacted if necessary. Letters of recommendation are therefore not required for the initial application.

Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

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.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Associate professor Sven Wedemeyer, email sven.wedemeyer@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.no

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