PhD student

The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join a space-weather research project to investigate geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in the Swedish power grid. The project is part of an ongoing collaboration between IRF, the Swedish Research Defence Agency, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and Svenska Kraftnät to improve awareness and resilience to space weather effects in Sweden.

GICs are unwanted currents that flow in ground-based infrastructure caused by varying conditions in space, often due to plasma eruptions from the Sun. They can cause physical damage and lead to disruptions such as blackouts, and thus, it is of high societal importance to mitigate this hazard. One of the outstanding questions is identifying the transmission lines at risk to GICs in Sweden.

The PhD project will focus on evaluating and understanding the causes of GICs in Sweden using state-of-the-art ground- and space-based experimental data, advanced plasma simulations, as well as 3D ground conductivity modelling.

Our team performs observations, data analysis, and modelling of space plasma processes (https://www.irf.se/en/research/space-plasma-physics/) and their ground effects. The team has decades of experience developing and operating space-based instruments to measure electric fields, plasma temperature, density, and density fluctuations for spacecraft missions (e.g., Cluster, MMS, Swarm, Cassini, Rosetta, Solar Orbiter, JUICE, Comet Interceptor). IRF also has decades of expertise in conducting ground-based observations such as geomagnetic observations, all-sky cameras, ionosondes, and radar (e.g., EISCAT).

The position is available at the Uppsala office at IRF, located at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden, starting at the latest in the second half of 2023 for a total duration of four years. The position is funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. The PhD student will belong to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University and must fulfil the university requirements. Information on research education is available at http://www.physics.uu.se and http://www.teknat.uu.se.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Andrew P. Dimmock, andrew.dimmock@irfu.se
Prof. Yuri Khotyaintsev, yuri@irfu.se

Trade union representatives:
Vicki Cripps, SACO-S, vicki.cripps@irfu.se
Jan Karlsson, ST, jan.karlsson@irfu.se

The application should include a CV, a short (one-page) letter stating research interests and relevant experience, copies of academic transcripts, completed theses or manuscripts and other relevant publications, and contact information for two professional references.

Applications should be sent, preferably by email, to: registrator@irf.se
Or by post to:
Swedish Institute of Space Physics,
Registrar,
Box 812,
SE-981 28 Kiruna, Sweden

The closing date for applications is 21 August 2023.

Please quote reference number: 2.2.1-268/23

If your application is sent by e-mail you should get a confirmation that we have received it.
If you do not get the confirmation within three days, please contact the registrar:
+46 980-790 00.