PhD fellowship in space physics or atmospheric sciences, USA

PhD position in Middle Atmospheric Physics

The department of Geophysics at UNIS is seeking candidates for a full time, 3 year position as a research fellow in Middle Atmospheric Physics. Currently the department constitutes 3 professors, 5 associate professors, 2 post-doctoral research fellows, 5 PhD students, and 11 Adjunct Professors (20% position). The research within the department focuses on Sea-Ice-Snow-Air processes and Space Physics. The announced position is within the Space Physics group.Description of the vacant position

The vacant position will be part of the Space Physics Group within the Department of Geophysics at UNIS. The Space Physics Group is part of a Centre of Excellence – the Birkeland Centre for Space Science (http://birkeland.uib.no) and the group’s ambition is to now strengthen its competence in middle atmospheric physics.

The Space Physics Group owns and operates the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (http://kho.unis.no). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to capitalize and potentially expand the unique facility. The group is also building Norway’s first SuperDARN radar, expected to be in operation by 2016.

The candidate is expected to participate in the activities of the Birkeland Centre for Space Science in the research topics connected to the position. This includes – but is not limited to – research question 3 within the centre: What are the effects of particle precipitation on the atmospheric system?

The candidate is expected to contribute to the operation of the Kjell Henriksen Observatory and is expected to have knowledge of ground-based observations and physics of the middle and upper atmosphere. The candidate is also expected to hold a valid driving license.

Qualifications

Applicants for the position must hold a M.Sc. in an appropriate field (space physics or atmospheric sciences).
Field work experience as well as earlier experience from Svalbard and / or other polar areas will be an advantage. It is important that the person who is appointed has a positive attitude, speaks and writes fluent English and has the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Employment conditions

The employment contract is for 3 years. All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government’s University salary scale. PhD students are paid within salary steps starting at step 50, which currently equals a gross salary of NOK 430 200.- annually. The salaries depend on experience/seniority. As a resident in Svalbard an annual allowance of NOK 32 000 (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to the salary. A Social Security contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on Svalbard is 8 %, and 8.2 % will be deducted for the National Insurance coverage. UNIS offers a membership in the Norwegian Public Pension Fund.

Selection and appointment

A committee appointed by the managing director of UNIS will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants, and invite the highest ranked person(s) for an interview. The appointment will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation from the committee.

Application

Inquiries about this position may be directed to:
Associate professor Noora Partamies, phone: +47 79026441, email: noora.partamies@unis.no or Associate professor Lisa Baddeley, phone: +47 79023362, email: lisa.baddeley@unis.no
Please apply online on www.unis.no – vacant positions
Please include at least the following documents to the online application form:
• CV including a list of publications if applicable
• a document describing the candidate’s scientific interests and how they conform with the research of the UNIS space physics group (mandatory – max. 1 page)
• transcript

Deadline for applications is 31st of August 2015.

You can request to have your application kept from public access cf. the open files act § 25. The request must be explained. UNIS will determine if the application will be kept from public access or not, based on the explanation and the regulations from the open files act. If the application will not be accepted, the candidate will be contacted.