Vacancy: Postdoc Position in Radio Science

KAIRA site in Kilpisjärvi. Photo Craig Heinselman, EISCAT.

"Remote sensing of energetic particle precipitation into atmosphere"

The postdoc position in Radio Science is part of the profiling actions of University of Oulu, where selected spearheads of research are supported in the research strategy of the university. At the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO), the position is mainly meant to boost development of phased-array radio techniques, measurement methods and related science applications in preparation to the use of the forthcoming next-generation incoherent scatter radar facility, EISCAT_3D.

There is growing evidence that the energetic particle precipitation (EPP) originating from the Sun can significantly modulate the middle-atmospheric dynamics, and possibly alter the global atmospheric circulation via ionic production of minor species (such as odd hydrogen and odd nitrogen), thus causing subsequent ozone loss in the stratosphere. The Postdoc project investigates both the EPP and the photoionisation taking place in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) altitudes (mainly 60-100 km). For the EPP, the altitude of the maximum ionisation is a direct measure of precipitation energy. This energy-height dependence makes it possible to invert the EPP flux density spectrum from any height-dependent electron density measurement.　

The project exploits a comprehensive set of ground-based (and sounding rocket) electron density data obtained by various radio methods, of which the most important ones are the incoherent scatter radars (EISCAT) and the Kilpisjärvi Imaging Receiver Array, KAIRA. An important tool available at SGO is the in-house developed detailed Sodankylä Ion-neutral Chemistry (SIC).

Deadline: 28th September 2018, 24:00 (Finnish local time).

To apply, please see the full job description and use the electronic application form.

For more information, please contact Ass. Prof. Antti Kero, e-mail: antti.kero(at)sgo.fi, tel.: +358442894669.

Photo: Craig Heinselman, EISCAT Scientific Association.

PhD Opportunity: Ionospheric Current Systems

Applications are invited for a four-year, full-time doctoral student position. The successful candidate will study of space weather effects on the high-latitude ionospheric current systems and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The project will utilise data from the Swarm satellites and ground-based magnetometers (e.g. SuperMAG and IMAGE), together with other satellite and ground-based measurements.

The position will be placed in the Ionospheric Physics research unit at the Faculty of Science, University of Oulu. In the unit the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system is studied by utilising data from different satellite missions (e.g. Swarm and Cluster) and from versatile ground-based instruments, including the EISCAT incoherent scatter radars. We are looking for candidates with MSc degree in Physics, Space Physics, Computational Physics or a closely related field. Experience in programming and earlier studies in Space Physics are an advantage.

To apply, please see the full job description and use the electronic application form.

Deadline: 15th September 2018, (24:00 h Finnish local summer time).

Further information can be obtained from Dr Heikki Vanhamäki (heikki.vanhamaki(at)oulu.fi) or Prof. Anita Aikio (anita.aikio(at)oulu.fi).

Image: Swarm satellite constellation. ©2013 by ESA/ATG Medialab.

Vacancy: Joint Research Professorship of SGO and FMI

At the Sodankylä Space Campus, a joint research professorship by Finnish Meteorological Institute and University of Oulu in Atmospheric Research and Imaging Applications is now open for applications.

Application deadline is extended until 14 September 2018.

Sodankylä Space Campus

University of Oulu and Finnish Meteorological Institute jointly invite applications for the position of Professor in Atmospheric Research and Remote Sensing, with emphasis on Space and Imaging Applications. This is a joint Research Professor position between both institutes and is placed at Sodankylä. The position is filled at the level of Assistant Professor/ Associate Professor/ Professor, according to the qualifications and merits of the selected applicant.

The professor will work in the interdisciplinary research programs of the Sodankylä Space Campus and will participate as a supervisor in doctoral programs, related to the fields of sciences driven at the Sodankylä Space Campus.

Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) is a separate research institute of University of Oulu, with a national task of carrying out geophysical measurements and related research. Research is both empirical and theoretical, including development of measurement methods and modelling.  SGO’s research of cosmic rays, magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics and aeronomy of the middle and upper atmosphere belong to one of the strategic research spearheads of University of Oulu.

Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) operates at Sodankylä the Arctic Space Centre (FMI-ASC), which focuses on the Earth observation research and services, arctic climate change research and the development of weather-related intelligent traffic applications.

FMI and University of Oulu established in 2018 the Sodankylä Space Campus to enforce research co-operation by the two institutes at the Sodankylä Campus, in northern Finland.

FMI-ASC and SGO together operate a globally unique research infrastructure, providing integrated observations of the processes and couplings in the Earth-atmosphere-space system at high latitudes. Research at Sodankylä is carried out together with the wide international research community, based on utilisation and development of this infrastructure.

The new professorship aims to strengthen the joint research profile of the Sodankylä Space Campus targeted to atmospheric research, by applying these data for various applications in an advanced, more effective manner by taking full advantage of novel data inversion and assimilation approaches.

Please refer to the full announcement for more information and use the application form to apply.

Application deadline is extended until 14 September 2018.

Please contact us directly for more information:

Professor Jouni Pulliainen, FMI, +358 50 5895821, jouni.pulliainen (at) fmi.fi
Director Esa Turunen, SGO, +358 50 5663264, esa.turunen (at) sgo.fi

Text: Esa Turunen, SGO; photo: Timo Rantala, SGO.