Post-doctoral Position in Space Physics

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position studying on the plasma environment around Venus. The studies are based on data analysis using observations made by the Venus Express spacecraft.
Venus Express spent more than eight years in orbit around Venus (2006-2014). The ion mass spectrometer on-board measured ions in the energy range 10 eV-36 keV and distinguished between ions with different masses, such a H+, He2+, He+ and O+/O2+. The focus of the two-year position is to investigate the ion velocity distributions and their implications.
Knowledge of the form of the ion velocity distributions functions is essential to understand microphysical processes such as heating, acceleration and wave-particle interaction. This aspect of the ion data from Venus Express has not yet been much exploited and there are a number of interesting topics to choose from and explore, depending on the background and interest of the successful candidate.
Previous experience of working with plasma data from space missions is an advantage. Relevant experience with numerical modelling or simulations is also a merit.
Candidates for the position should have completed a PhD during March 2017 or later. However, if the candidate has an older degree and wants to refer to special circumstances, such as parental leave, this should be clearly stated.
Candidates planning to obtain their PhD degree during the year can also apply, though we will give preference to those obtaining their degree not later than June 2020. The candidate should not currently be an active researcher at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics.
The position is placed in Kiruna and the successful candidate will be part of the Solar System Physics and Space Technology research programme. The starting date is during 2020 (the exact date is negotiable) and is funded by a grant from the Swedish National Space Agency for two years.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Gabriella Stenberg Wieser, gabriella@irf.se, +46-980-79 014
Trade union representatives:
Uwe Raffalski, SACO-S, e-mail: uwe.raffalski@irf.se, +46-980- 790 21
Stefan Karlsson, ST, e-mail: stefan.karlsson@irf.se, +46-980-790 29
Closing date for applications is 12 March 2020.
Applications should include a CV, a short letter (one page) stating research interests and relevant experience, copies of academic transcripts and contact information for two professional references. Applications should be submitted, preferably by email, to: registrator@irf.se
Or by mail:
Swedish Institute of Space Physics,
Registrar,
Box 812,
SE-981 28 Kiruna, Sweden 
Please quote reference number: 2.2.1-58/20
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.
 Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is a governmental research institute that conducts postgraduate education and research in space physics, atmospheric physics and space technology. Many of IRF’s projects are run as large international projects in collaboration with other research institutes and space agencies. IRF has about one hundred employees and offices in Kiruna (headquarters), Umeå, Uppsala and Lund. For more information about IRF: www.irf.se