Post doctor (2 years) within data processing and visualization - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Science and Mathematics Education seeks a postdoc for a research project on data processing and visualization of atmospheric and ionospheric data. The employment is full-time for two years starting September 15, 2021 or by agreement.

About the position

The position is at the Department of Science and Mathematics Education which focus is on research and teaching about education and learning in science, technology and mathematics. Research will be carried out partly at the Department of Physics and Curiosum science center at Umeå University, and partly on site at EISCAT’s headquarters in Kiruna. Together they form a stimulating and international research environment. At the Department of Physics, the Space Plasma Physics Group study naturally occurring plasmas in the solar system, especially the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system. Curiosum is a public science center, focusing on visualization of scientific data, especially through a 360-degree dome theater. EISCAT’s headquarters are located at Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna, focusing on solar and space science.

Project and work tasks

In the research project data from EISCAT3D is used. EISCAT3D collects atmospheric and ionospheric data using Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) techniques and provides information about the complex systems in the atmosphere and the interaction between the Sun and the Earth, e.g., northern lights, space weather, meteors incidents and climate issues. In this project, this information will be made accessible through interactive visualization, giving possibilities for both researchers and a general public to explore the phenomena and processes that characterize the atmosphere. Platforms for visualization of and interaction with the data will be explored in order to create activities where users in a non-formal learning environment, such as a science center, can explore and investigate science experiments that are in the frontiers of science research. The cognitive and affective effects of these activities will, at a later state of the project, be investigated to gain more knowledge about how these activities affect users.

One possibility for visualization is through the open-source interactive data visualization software OpenSpace but other platforms are also of interest.

Examples of research and working tasks within the project are:

• Extract interesting selection of data from the huge amount of raw data.
• Create a framework for data distribution from EISCAT3D to dome theaters using, for example, OpenSpace and Data2Dome.
• New algorithms and techniques for visualizing authentic 3D data coming from EISCAT3D and other radar observations as well as satellite and optical observations.
• Combine atmospheric data from different sources to produce a more accurate and comprehensive visualization for a broad public audience.
• Evaluate and produce content for visualization platforms and 3D creation tools in dome theaters.

Qualifications

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate qualifies for employment as a postdoctoral fellow. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

We are looking for a candidate with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team of junior and senior researchers from various disciplines. The candidate should have genuine interest in interdisciplinary research and in making the results available to the public. Great emphasis will be placed on personal competence and suitability. The appointment includes planning and performance of research within the project. Candidates are expected to spend up to one third of the research time at EISCAT headquarters in Kiruna.

Required qualifications are:

• Experience of analyzing experimental data.
• Experience of visualization of data in a 3D context.
• Good knowledge of modern C++.
• Experience of graphics programming (in OpenGL, DirectX or similar).
• Good ability to cooperate and take initiatives.
• Very good skills in communicating in English or Swedish, both oral and written.

Additional experiences that are of great value depending on the focus of the research are:

• Relevant knowledge of geospace or atmospheric science is a strong merit.
• Experience of working with or developing visualization for dome theaters is a merit.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality.
• Teaching experience.

Application

A full application should include:

• Personal letter that describes qualifications, research interest and motivation for application (maximum one A4 page),
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
• Certified copy of doctoral degree certificate,
• Certified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
• Copy of or link to doctoral thesis and up to five relevant scientific articles,
• Contact information for at least two reference persons,
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system Varbi. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is August 31st, 2021.

Further details are provided by principal investigator Madelen Bodin phone: +46 90 7869618 or e-mail: madelen.bodin@umu.se.