CEDAR email: PhD opportunity at the University of Oslo

[Lasse Clausen]

Position as PhD Research fellow in Plasma Physics and Technology is 
available at The Department of Physics.

https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/135497/phd-research-fellowship-in-plasma-physics-and-technology

If the successful candidate has a good knowledge of one Scandinavian 
language (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish), the fellowship will be for a 
period of 4 years, with 25% compulsory work (teaching at the Department 
of Physics). Otherwise, the fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, 
with no compulsory work. Starting date no later than 01.10.2017.

No one can be appointed for more than one fixed-term period at the same 
institution.

Job/project description:

The successful candidate will be a part of the Section for Plasma and 
Space Physics at The Department of Physics as well as the 4DSpace 
strategic research initiative. The main focus of these groups is to 
advance our understanding of high latitude electrodynamics and its 
impact on technological systems like GPS. The main tools used in these 
investigations are advanced numerical models, ground-based radar and 
optical systems, instruments on board spacecraft, and in situ 
measurements made by sounding rockets.

During this project the successful candidate will investigate the 
dynamics of the large-scale currents (Birkeland currents) that couple 
the outer magnetosphere to the upper atmosphere (ionosphere). The role 
of the currents during the magnetospheric loading/unloading cycle 
(magnetic substorms) and their impact on the formation of small-scale 
structures that cause signal disturbances in modern navigation systems 
like GPS and Galileo are of particular interest. The investigation will 
primarily be based on the analysis of measurements from the Active 
Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment 
(AMPERE), complemented by data from optical facilities located on 
Svalbard, and time series from the first Norwegian scientific satellite, 
NORSAT-1.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to take a leading 
role throughout the entire project, which includes data analysis, 
interpretation of results, and publication of the findings. It is also 
expected that the successful candidate works in close collaboration with 
the other members of the 4DSpace initiative.

Requirements/qualifications:

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 Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, and 
preferably have pursued a Master project in space or plasma physics. 
Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June 2017 to complete 
the final exam.

Since the project is heavily reliant on data analysis, the ideal 
candidate has a proven track record in the analysis of large data sets; 
the specific programming language used is of minor interest.

Experience with the analysis of geophysical data from instruments like 
AMPERE, SuperDARN, all-sky imagers, and GPS scintillation receivers is 
considered a plus.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the 
successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of 
Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD program 
must be submitted to the department no later than two months after 
taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

A good command of English is required.

Salary:

Position code 1017, salary NOK 432 700 – 489 300 per year depending on 
qualifications and seniority.

The application must include:

     Application letter including a description of scientific interests 
and the motivation for applying for the position (max. 2 pages)
     CV (summarizing education, work experience and academic work, 
including any scientific publications and other qualifying activity)
     Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records, and 
letters of recommendation
     Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to 
candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
     Documentation of English proficiency

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. Applications with documents 
missing will not be considered further.

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, 
we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of 
gender or ethnicity. The University of Oslo has a goal of recruiting 
more women in academic positions. Women are encouraged to apply.

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to 
research results a.o.

Contact information:

Associate Prof. Lasse Clausen, e-mail: lasse.clausen at fys.uio.no, tel. 
+47 228 55661.

For questions regarding the recruitment system Jobbnorge, please contact 
HR Officer Therese Ringvold, e-mail: therese.ringvold at mn.uio.no, phone: 
+47 22 85 16 06.