Position Announcement
PhD Position in Auroral Space Physics
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
Application Deadline: Sunday, 15 August 2004
For further information and application inquiries, please contact:
Dag A. Lorentzen, Associate Professor
Phone: +47 79 02 33 36
E-mail: dag.lorentzen [at] unis.no
Fred Sigernes, Associate Professor
Phone: +47 79 02 33 35
E-mail: fred.sigernes [at] unis.no
Lasse Lonnum, Director
Phone: +47 79 02 33 05
E-mail: lasse.lonnum [at] unis.no
OVERVIEW
The Department of Geophysics at the University Centre in Svalbard
(UNIS), Svalbard, Norway, invites applications for a PhD position in
Auroral Space Physics.
UNIS is a state-owned limited company. Norway's four mainland
universities are represented on the board. UNIS is located in a modern
facility in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, well supplied with both technical
and scientific equipment and laboratories. The institution has access to
infrastructure for both marine and terrestrial field research on
Svalbard. The studies at UNIS are marketed internationally, and all
classes are offered in English.
The Department of Geophysics is responsible for daily operations of the
Auroral Station in Adventdalen, Svalbard. The optical station is
important for the ongoing research and teaching in both middle and upper
atmosphere at UNIS, and should form the basis of the PhD research work
for the successful candidate.
QUALIFICATIONS
The announced PhD project should focus on solar wind - magnetosphere -
ionosphere interactions, where the key elements should be on the optical
ionospheric signatures of these interactions. The candidate should be
competent in the use of optical auroral instrumentation and scientific
measurement techniques. The candidate should also be prepared to
contribute to the ongoing operations at the Auroral Station, such as
optical, radar, and rocket campaigns.
It would be beneficial if the candidate has knowledge of at least one
programming language, as well as windows and unix operating systems.
Furthermore, the applicant's background from previous work on Svalbard
and other Arctic regions will be stressed. It is important that the
candidate has the ability to work independently, has a positive
attitude, and is flexible.
The successful candidate must hold a MSc, or have a date set for the
completion of his/her MSc, in a field related to the above described
project.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The successful candidate will be based at UNIS. He/she is expected to
actively contribute to ongoing scientific activities at the department.
We also expect the PhD student to take an active part in the advancement
of his/her field of research, and he/she must also be willing to
contribute to the development of UNIS in a more general sense.
An expert Committee appointed by the Director of UNIS will evaluate the
qualifications of the applicants. The Committee will review the
applications in detail. The appointment will be made by the Board of
Directors based on the recommendation from the Director of UNIS.
The employment contract is for 3 years. Furnished, reasonably priced
housing is offered.
APPLICATION DETAILS
To apply, please submit three copies each of the following documents:
(1) Academic records
(2) Curriculum vitae (including a full list of publications & previously
held grants)
(3) Project description that includes a tentative time schedule
Please send applications to:
The University Centre in Svalbard
PO Box 156
N-9171 Longyearbyen
Norway
Application Deadline: Sunday, 15 August 2004
Prior to applying, potential candidates are encouraged to contact the
following faculty staff members for further information and to discuss
the project:
Dag A. Lorentzen, Associate Professor
Upper Polar Athmospheric Physics
E-mail: dag.lorentzen [at] unis.no
Fred Sigernes, Associate Professor
Middle Athmospheric Physics
Phone: +47 79 02 33 35
E-mail: fred.sigernes [at] unis.no