Postdoctoral position (2 years) in Magnetospheric physics - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Physics is looking for an outstanding candidate for a postdoctoral position in magnetospheric physics. This is a full-time (100%) position for two years. Starting date as soon as possible or according to agreement. The postdoctoral project will be conducted in close collaboration with scientists from the University of Colorado, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and Shandong University, Weihai.
Application deadline is 2018-11-28.

Project description
The aim of the project is to accomplish a breakthrough in how we perceive plasma flows in Earth's magnetotail.

High speed bursty bulk flows (BBFs) are known to commonly penetrate Earth’s magnetotail. However, recent observations from multi-spacecraft missions and advanced numerical modelling indicate that the tail flows can be substantially more complicated, hosting both vortex flows and meanderings. In the project we will determine how common such vortex-like flows are, quantify them, and investigate the effects on the mass, momentum, and energy transport in the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system.

The major work tasks of the postdoc are to investigate these complex plasma flows in the Earth’s magnetotail by analyzing data from several single- and multi-spacecraft missions as well as from ground-based observatories, and comparing with results from large scale numerical simulations conducted by our collaborators. The project outcomes are expected to improve our understanding of important processes in the Earth’s magnetosphere as well as in other planetary magnetospheres and astrophysical objects where similar phenomena are persisting

The postdoctoral project is financed by the Swedish National Space Board and it will be conducted in close collaboration with scientists from the University of Colorado, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and Shandong University, Weihai.

Minor teaching tasks may be included, e.g. master thesis supervision within the area of the postdoc.

The position is a two-year full-time employment. Starting date as soon as possible or according to agreement.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position, you should have a PhD degree, or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent, in space physics, magnetospheric physics or in another area relevant for the project. To be eligible the degree should have been completed a maximum of three years before the end of the application period unless certain circumstances exist.

Extensive experience in studying space plasma phenomena by analyzing in-situ spacecraft measurements is required. Previous experience from working with ground-based data and numerical simulations is also a merit. Experience from conducting independent research and publishing articles in renowned scientific journals is also a merit. Good skills in programming (e.g. C, Matlab and Python) are required. Previous experience from university teaching is also a merit. You should be highly motivated and responsible, have good social skills, and you should be passionate for developing both as an individual scientist and as a space physics research team member. You must therefore have an ability to work independently and as a team member. Good skills in written and spoken English are required.

The application should include:

1. A cover letter stating your motives for applying and summarizing your qualifications for the position, your previous research and teaching experience as well as your experience in the area mentioned above (maximum 5 pages).

2. A description of how you would approach the project described above and a suggestion of a tentative research plan that fits your expertise (maximum 5 pages),

3. A curriculum vitae (CV) with a publication list,

4. Copies of relevant degree certificates,

5. Copies of the PhD thesis and relevant publications,

6. Contact information of three reference persons.

Please observe that all material must be in Swedish or English. If material is submitted in other languages a translation to Swedish or English must be included.

Information
For further information, contact Maria Hamrin, maria.hamrin@space.umu.se.

Applications must be submitted via e-recruitment system Varbi no later than 2018-11-28.

We look forward to receiving your application!