The Department of Physics invites applicants to the Post-doctoral project “Search for hypervelocity impacts on Earth-orbiting spacecraft” funded by the Swedish National Space Board. The position will be located in Umeå, but the project is run in collaboration with scientists at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) in Kiruna.Dust and meteoroid impacts pose a threat to both manned and un-manned space missions. Even collisions with very small particles can cause satellite anomalies by inducing sudden discharges. In this project we will utilize electric field and other measurements from various Earth-orbiting satellites to study how they are influenced by impacts from the near-Earth dust/meteoroid/debris environment. The intention is to study how the dust distribution varies inside and outside the Earth’s magnetopause by using data from different spacecraft. More information about our current research can be found athttp://www.physics.umu.se/english/research/space-physics/.
About 100 employees at the Department of Physics provide a stimulating educational and research environment (http://www.physics.umu.se/english/research/). The Department examines Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees that are attractive for industrial and academic careers.
Competence requirements
The successful candidate should hold a PhD degree in space physics, or equivalent. To be eligible for this position, you should have completed your PhD degree a maximum of three years before the end of the application period. Experience of work on meteoroid physics, solar system dust, space debris impact risks on spacecraft, dusty plasma and plasma physics as well as handling and analyzing e.g. Cluster data with relevant tools are merits. Good skills in programming as well as in written and spoken English are required. An ability to pursue independent research and work as a member of a team as well as competence in scientific communication and writing is required.
Application
The application should contain:
- A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, scientific interests and motives for applying.
- A curriculum vitae (CV).
- A statement of previous research achievements, teaching merits, and the level of expertise in the areas mentioned in the job description above.
- A publication list.
- A research plan showing how your research can be linked to the job description.
- Names and contact information of three references.
- Copies of relevant degree certificates and publications.
Time period: Full time (100%) during 2 years.
Starting date October 1, 2015 or upon agreement.
The application is to be submitted on the
MyNetwork Pro recruitment system May 31, 2015 at the latest.
Information
Further information is given by Professor Asta Pellinen-Wannberg, +46-(0)90-786 7492, Asta.pellinen-wannberg@umu.se.
We look forward to receiving your application!