JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Space Physics Group at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland (remote work possible)

The Space Physics Group of the University of Helsinki is a leading European space physics group specialised both in computational modelling of space plasmas and in spacecraft observations. We are the leading host for the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Research of Sustainable Space, where our target is to understand the space environment to be able to build more durable small satellites for the future. The Centre of Excellence is essentially a space programme to build and launch three nanosatellites, each of which has both an ambitious science programme as well as a technology demonstration payload. The Space Physics group is also a home to the novel Vlasiator code, providing an unprecedented view of the global solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere system at ion kinetic scales.

We are about to launch a nanosatellite to study ionospheric precipitation, and on the other hand, we have recently completed the first 6-dimensional runs of the entire magnetosphere with Vlasiator, offering high-resolution results both from the 3D real space as well as from the 3D velocity space. The Vlasiator simulation has also just been added with an ionospheric module.

We are excited to open a postdoctoral fellow position for a 2-year project, with a possibility of extension. The position is funded by the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence programme. The postdoctoral fellow will focus on ionospheric physics, using both Vlasiator and eventually the nanosatellite observations when they become available.

Prior knowledge and useful skills: Physics of magnetosphere – ionosphere coupling or ionospheric physics, data analysis and/or model development, Python. No prior knowledge of supercomputers or HPC is required.

We offer a position in a dynamic and international research group, with a possibility to network and to develop as a researcher. We are innovative, high-spirited and a welcoming community. Finland is the happiest country in the world offering a great environment fostering equality, equal opportunities, the world’s best schooling system, vacations, and possibilities for work-family balance.

The position is available immediately. Remote working will be possible for part of the project. The position will remain open until filled.

For more information, please visit:

http://helsinki.fi/vlasiator

http://blogs.helsinki.fi/spacephysics/

https://www.helsinki.fi/sustainable-space

For specifics about the position, contact Minna Palmroth (minna.palmroth(at)helsinki.fi). Interested candidates should send their informal application, CV, list of publications, and a maximum of three names to act as references to the above email by 20.9.2021.

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