Doctoral Researcher for 2 years in the Department of Physics and Astronomy

The University of Turku is a world-class multidisciplinary research university which offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to national and international research and education.

The University of Turku Department of Physics and Astronomy, invites applications for

Postdoctoral Researcher for 2 years, starting on 1 November 2023 (or upon mutual agreement). The position is full-timed. The fixed-term is due to achievement of the research goals.

Position

The position is hosted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Laboratory (SRL). SRL conducts experimental and numerical work on solar eruptions, in particular on energetic particle eruptions that constitute a radiation threat for manned and unmanned spacecraft in near-Earth space and the interplanetary medium.

The successful candidate will work towards a Postdoctoral Researcher in space physics under the supervision of Dr. Nina Dresing in her Academy Research Fellow project SHOCKSEE, which studies the role of shocks for solar energetic electron events. The candidate will especially work with energetic particle measurements of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. The main task will be to characterize energy spectra of solar energetic electron events and those observed during in-situ shock crossings. This involves not only the extraction of energy spectra from multiple Solar Orbiter data sets, but also the application of several correction methods, and fitting the spectra with various models. The candidate is expected to use existing Python code and help with the further development of such.

The characterization of energy spectra contributes to Tasks 2-1 and 4-3 of the project with a duration of two years. This will be the main assignment of the candidate.

Description of the project

SHOCKSEE is a five-year project funded by the Academy of Finland, which started in September 2022. It studies the role of shocks in accelerating solar energetic electrons. The project utilizes measurements from several space missions, such as ESA’s Solar Orbiter, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, STEREO and close-to-Earth observatories. The analysis of energetic particle energy spectra is a key part of SHOCKSEE's data analysis efforts. A strong focus is put on measurements of new space missions such as Solar Orbiter that offer higher time and energy resolution than available before allowing to characterize spectral features in an unprecedented manner. A further step is to link the energetic particle characteristics with observations of the associated shock and flare in order to characterize their respective contributions to the particle acceleration.

Qualifications

Essential qualifications:

• PhD in a field related with space physics, solar physics, plasma physics or applied mathematics.
• Experience in the analysis of solar energetic particle events and their energy spectra.
• Experience with energetic particle measurements of Solar Orbiter’s Energetic Particle Detector suite including knowledge on instrument capabilities and limitations.
• Good scientific programming skills (e.g., using Python).

 Desired qualifications:

• Experience in the analysis of in-situ spacecraft measurements as well as remote-sensing observations such as coronagraph, extreme ultraviolet, and radio measurements.
• Advanced Python programming skills.
• Experience with the use of Git repositories.

We welcome applicants from under-represented minorities and diverse backgrounds.

Salary

 The salary offered is determined in accordance with the University salary system for teaching and research personnel, and it is at levels 4-6 on the job demands chart, where the task specific salary component is 2720,86 – 3673,96 € per month. In addition a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal performance component is 6% - 50% of the task-specific base salary. Depending on skills and experience, the starting salary for the position is approximately 2884 – 4041 euros per month.

A six (6) month trial period applies to the positions.

Applications

Applications should be in English, and must include the following documents in pdf format:

• CV
• a list of publications
• a motivation letter
• transcript of study records
• copy of the Doctoral certificate

Applications must be submitted no later than 15 September 2023 (at 23:59) using the university's electronic application form via: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/open-vacancies. A CV must accompany the application. You can apply for the position by clicking the "Apply for the job" link at the top of the announcement.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Nina Dresing, nina.dresing@utu.fi.

Regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Saija Marjasto, saija.marjasto@utu.fi

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