Postdoc position in Plasma and Space Physics, Norway (2015)

Introduction: The position is funded through the research project “Cometary plasma environment studied by the Rosetta spacecraft”. The Rosetta spacecraft is currently accompanying the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and providing measurements of the comet environment and activity on the journey towards the Sun. This is the first time ever a comet is studied in such a detail. The research project is primarily concerned with analysis of data from the Rosetta spacecraft, in particular from the Langmuir probe (LAP) and other instruments within the Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC), as well as numerical modeling of the probe performance in the complex plasma environment. One of the main questions addressed is the role of dust in the plasma composition and dynamic plasma phenomena in the vicinity of a comet. A part of the project is related to data analysis from a sounding rocket for the dusty plasma experiment.

Key responsibilities: The successful postdoctoral candidate will be responsible for:

1) The development of the existing particle-in-cell (PIC) numerical codes to account for the object-plasma interaction in the context of the Rosetta mission.

2) Numerical studies of the probe performance under complex (dusty) plasma environments.

3) Analysis of data from the Langmuir probe (RPC/LAP) to characterize dynamical plasma phenomena around the comet.

The candidate is expected to actively collaborate with national partners, as well as international partners in Sweden, USA, and the RPC team. The fellowship also includes longer visits/stays abroad (up to six months’ research stay).

The working environment will be the section for Plasma and Space Physics, Department of Physics. The section is a part of the interdisciplinary 4DSpace Strategic Research Initiative at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo, combining Departments of Physics, Informatics, and Mathematics.  For more information about the 4DSpace Strategic Research Initiative see here.

Qualifications / Requirements:

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.

All applicants must possess PhD-degree in Physics or Astrophysics or similar education. They must have a strong background in plasma physics and experience in programming in C/C++ or Fortran.  Experience in studying object-plasma interaction (for example: spacecraft charging, probe performance, complex (dusty) plasmas), as well as in data advanced data analysis from space or laboratory experiments will be an advantage, but is not obligatory.

The following aspects of the candidate’s background will be given particular attention, and thus they should be addressed and documented in the application:

• Background in numerical modeling, in particular the particle-in-cell (PIC) method and computing in a parallel environment (if applicable, please provide short description of the codes developed)
• Publication list (please highlight up to three publication for detailed assessment)
• Experience from previous projects (please provide a short description and results of the projects).

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.

A good command of English is an advantage.

Salary:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SKO 1352) Pay Grade: 57 – 65  (NOK  482 800 – 559 600 per year, depending on qualifications and seniority).

The application must contain:

• Application letter covering information required above
• CV (summarizing education, work experience and publications, pedagogical and/or administrative experience 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)
• A complete list of publications and all academic work that the applicant wishes the evaluation committee to consider

All documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

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

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