Showing posts with label Sodankylä. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sodankylä. Show all posts

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Polar Stratospheric Clouds / Helmiäispilviä


🇬🇧 Rarely seen this early in winter, this morning we saw beautiful Polar Stratospheric Clouds (Mother-of-Pearl clouds) here in Sodankylä. PSCs contribute to the stratospheric ozone loss in spring.
🇫🇮 Harvoin näkyy helmiäispilvet jo marraskuussa. Tänä aamuna Sodankylässä näkyi hienosti stratosfääripilvet. Pilvet vaikuttavat keväällä otsonikatoon stratosfäärissä.

Photo/kuva: Thomas Ulich, Sodankylä, Finland.

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Tutkijoiden yö Sodankylässä / Researchers' Night in Sodankylä

Yhteinen avaruusmatkamme avaruusalus planeetta Maalla - Tutkijoiden yö Sodankylässä

(For presentations in English, please check the timetable below!)

Tule mukaan aktiivisena avaruusmatkalaisena Sodankylän Avaruuskampukselle päärakennus Polariaan perjantaina 28.9.2018 klo 18-21 kuulemaan ja näkemään kuinka yhteinen avaruusmatkamme avaruusalus planeetta Maalla sujuu ja mitä avaruusaluksellemme oikein kuuluu.

Yleisöluennoilla kuulet kiehtovan avaruusmatkamme kauneimmasta värinäytelmästä, revontulista kaiken oleellisen, näet kauniit kuvat ja videot ja pääset tietenkin kysymään luennoitsijalta mieltä askarruttavat kysymyksesi. Esimerkiksi, että mitä ihmettä sieltä lähiavaruudesta oikein kuuluu, jos kuuluu. Ja tietenkin kuinka Sodankylän avaruuskampuksella sekä matkaamme että itse avaruusalustamme oikein tutkitaan.

Tärkeämpiäkin kysymyksiä on olemassa. Tiesitkö, että revontulet kertovat mahdolliselle kaukaisen avaruuden tarkkailijalle planeetta Maan ylläpitävän elämää? Entäpä eksoplaneetat, mitä jos niillä näkyisikin samanlaisia revontulia? Ja mehän olemme eksoplaneettojen tarkkailijoita...
Revontulet ovat luonnon kaunein värinäytelmä, mutta sinulla on ihan tavallinen pokkarikamera. Silläkin voi kuvata revontulet. Opi tutkijoiden yössä kuinka se tehdään.

Sodankylän avaruuskampuksella on oma satelliittivastaanottoasema, jolla voidaan myös komentaa satelliitteja. Miksi tämä asema on täällä?

Suomi siirtyi avaruusaikaan viime vuonna lähettämällä ensimmäisen oman satelliittinsa avaruuteen. Mitä tapahtuu seuraavaksi?

Ja mikä ihme on Lappi-satelliitti, milloin se laukaistaan?

Ohjelma on tarkoitettu kansantajuiseksi, pienille lapsille on omaa ohjelmaansa ja englanninkieliselle yleisölle järjestetään omaa ohjelmaa rinnakkain suomenkielisen ohjelman kanssa.


Suomenkielinen ohjelma

Yleisöluennot Tähtelän päärakennuksessa Polariassa 1. kerroksen luentosalissa suomeksi ja samaan aikaan Polarian yläkerran neuvottelutilassa englanniksi.

18:00-18:30 Sodankylän Avaruuskampuksen esittely (suomeksi)

18:30-19:00 Yhteinen avaruusmatkamme Planeetta Maalla (lasten ohjelma suomeksi)

19:00-19:30 New Space Sodankylässä: Lappi-satelliitti ( suomeksi)

19:30-20:00 Avaruuskakkua, kahvia, teetä ja mehua tarjolla, Polarian kahvio

20:00-21:00 Valo ja aika (suomeksi)
                     Luennon sisältö:
                    -kuinka näemme - ja kuinka kamera näkee?
                    -valon vuosi Sodankylässä
                    -revontulikuvaus
                    -demonstraatio: kuinka käytän tavallista kameraa revontulikuvaukseen

Tapahtuma on maksuton.


Programme in English

Public lectures in the lecture hall of main building Polaria (1st floor) in Finnish and at the same time in English (2nd floor).

18:00-18:30 Sodankylä Space Campus, Introduction (in English) 

18:30-19:00 Recent Research Highlights at Sodankylä Space Campus (for adults, in English)

19:00-19:30 The Short Story of the Northern Lights (in English)

19:30-20:00 Space cake, coffee, tea, and juice; Polaria coffee room

Programme is free of charge.


Lue lisää Tutkijoiden yöstä www.oulu.fi/yliopisto/tutkijoidenyo2018/.

Tutkijoiden yö -projekti rahoitetaan Euroopan komission Marie Skłodowska-Curie toimien alaisena sopimusnumerolla 817987.

Wednesday, 22 August 2018

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.

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

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.

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

EISCAT Symposium and Radar School 2019

Sunset at Nallikari beach, Oulu, Finland. Photo: Th.Ulich, SGO.
The next International EISCAT Symposium 2019 will take place in Oulu, Finland, 19th to 23rd August 2019, at the University of Oulu, co-organised by the university's Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory and the Ionospheric Physics Group.

The EISCAT Radar School will take place during the week before the symposium, 12th to 17th August 2019, either in Oulu or Sodankylä. The radar school will be supported by the EISCAT Scientific Association.

Detailed announcements, and a dedicated web site, with deadlines will become available shortly.

Mark your calendars, and welcome to join us for these events!

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

PhD Opportunity: Middle-Atmosphere Physics and Chemistry

Mesospheric Ozone Receiver Antenna. 
The University of Oulu in Northern Finland, with approximately 16,000 students and 3,000 employees, is an international, multidisciplinary research university with a rich pool of creative and intellectual talent. The strengths of the University include broad, multidisciplinary research interests, a modern research and study environment, and wide cooperation with international research and educational institutes.

The Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) is a separate institute of the University of Oulu. Established in 1914, SGO carries out continuous, long-term geophysical measurements of Earth’s high-latitude environment. This activity is a National Task and includes measurements of Earth’s geomagnetic field, ionosphere, northern lights, cosmic radiation and seismic activity. SGO employs about 30 staff, two thirds of which have an academic degree. SGO scientists routinely collaborate with more than 100 institutes world-wide.

The PhD student position is part of the project "Mesospheric Monitoring of Ozone above the Polar Vortex (MeMO)”, which is a spearhead project funded by the university’s Kvantum Institute within the thematic focus area "Earth and near-space system and environmental change."

The PhD project investigates the response in mesospheric and stratospheric ozone and related chemistry as consequence of exceptional space weather events such as solar proton events. The study will be conducted using e.g. the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) and satellite-based observations, as well as a wealth of atmospheric measurements located at the Sodankylä Space Campus of the University of Oulu and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Ground-based measurements include, among others, a lidar, a microwave radiometer, a high-resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer, UV and UV-visible spectrophotometers, balloon-borne and UAV borne instrumentation.

The successful candidate will have a M.Sc. degree in physics, space physics, atmospheric physics or chemistry, meteorology or atmospheric geophysics. Experience in the use of instrumentation and/or atmospheric computer models is highly beneficial, as is experience in data analysis using a high-level programming language (e.g. Python, Matlab). Excellent command of both spoken and written English is essential.

The PhD student position is for 4 years from 1st May 2018 (unless agreed otherwise).  The salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for university-level teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 46.3 % of the job-specific component). The salary is thus in practice roughly 2300€ – 3000€ per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

Apply online latest on 16th April 2018 (click on "Apply for the job" at the bottom of that page). The application must be submitted using the electronic application form together with a motivation letter (max 1 page) and full CV. A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

Contact: Dr Thomas Ulich, e-mail: thomas.ulich(at)sgo.fi, tel.: +358405490403.

Monday, 26 February 2018

PhD Opportunity: Energetic Particle Precipitation on the Middle Atmosphere

Photo: Timo Rantala, SGO.
PhD Student Opportunity: “Effects of Energetic Particle Precipitation on the Middle Atmosphere

The University of Oulu in Northern Finland, with approximately 16,000 students and 3,000 employees, is an international, multidisciplinary research university with a rich pool of creative and intellectual talent. The strengths of the University include broad, multidisciplinary research interests, a modern research and study environment, and wide cooperation with international research and educational institutes.

The Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) is a separate institute of the University of Oulu. Established in 1914, SGO carries out continuous, long-term geophysical measurements of Earth’s high-latitude environment. This activity is a National Task and includes measurements of Earth’s geomagnetic field, ionosphere, northern lights, cosmic radiation and seismic activity. SGO employs about 30 staff, two thirds of which have an academic degree. SGO scientists routinely collaborate with more than 100 institutes world-wide.

The PhD position is part of the project "Mesospheric Monitoring of Ozone above the Polar Vortex" (MeMO), which is a spearhead project funded by the university’s Kvantum Institute within the thematic focus area "Earth and near-space system and environmental change."

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 PhD 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 deploys a comprehensive set of ground-based (and rocket) electron density data obtained by various radio methods incl. incoherent scatter radars (EISCAT, www.eiscat.se) and KAIRA (www.sgo.fi/KAIRA) as well as the detailed ion-neutral chemistry model (SIC).

The successful candidate will have a M.Sc. degree in physics, space physics, atmospheric physics or geophysics. Experience in data analysis using a high-level programming language (e.g. Python, Matlab) is highly beneficial. Excellent command of both spoken and written English is essential.

The PhD position is for 4 years from 1st May 2018 (unless agreed otherwise).  The salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for university-level teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 46.3 % of the job-specific component). The salary is thus in practice roughly 2300€ – 3000€ per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

Please, find the original job announcement here and fill in the application form at the end of it "Apply for the job". Deadline: 16th March 2018.

Contact: Dr Thomas Ulich, e-mail: thomas.ulich(at)sgo.fi, tel.: +358405490403.

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

Sodankylän avaruuskampus – tutkimus- ja liiketoimintamahdollisuudet

Sodankylän avaruuskampus Kitisen rannalla. Kuva: Timo Rantala.
Oulun yliopiston ja Ilmatieteen laitoksen Sodankylän avaruuskampus esittäytyy avaruustoiminnasta kiinnostuneille tutkijoille, yrityksille ja opiskelijoille Oulun yliopistossa Linnanmaalla järjestettävässä tapahtumassa ”Sodankylän avaruuskampus - tutkimus- ja liiketoimintamahdollisuudet”.

Paikka: Oulun yliopisto, Tellus Innovation Arena, torstaina 8.2.2018 klo 12–15.

Tilaisuuteen on vapaa pääsy ja sinne ovat tervetulleita kaikki kiinnostuneet.

Tervetuloa!

Lisätietoa ja ohjelma sekä rekisteröinti tässä.

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

Sodankylän avaruuskampus

Ilmatieteen laitoksen satelliittivastaanotinantenni.
Ilmatieteen laitos ja Oulun yliopisto ovat sopineet avaruustoiminnan lisäämisestä ja yhteistyön tiivistämisestä Sodankylän avaruuskampuksella, jossa sijaitsevat Ilmatieteen laitoksen Arktinen avaruuskeskus ja Oulun yliopiston erillislaitos Sodankylän geofysiikan observatorio (SGO).
 
Käytännön toimenpiteenä yhteistyön tiivistämiseksi Ilmatieteen laitos ja Oulun yliopisto ovat sopineet uuden yhteisprofessuurin rahoittamisesta Sodankylän avaruuskampukselle vuoden 2018 aikana. Uuden professorin asiantuntemuksella vahvistetaan geoavaruusympäristön ja ilmakehän vuorovaikutusten tutkimusta Suomessa. Professuurilla edistetään Sodankylän avaruuskampuksen mittaus- ja palveluinfrastruktuurin kehitystä ja modernien menetelmien hyödyntämistä esimerkiksi hahmontunnistus- ja inversiotekniikoiden käytössä sää-, ilmakehätutkimus- ja avaruussääsovelluksiin. Professuuri avataan avoimeen kansainväliseen hakuun ja täytetään viiden vuoden määräajaksi tai pysyvästi päätoimisena sijoituspaikkana Sodankylän avaruuskampus.

Lue koko juttu Oulun yliopiston sivulla (linkki).

Thursday, 21 December 2017

Solar Availability / Auringon Saatavuus

English:



The figure above shows the number of hours, summed up throughout the year, the Sun is above the horizon at different latitudes. We have marked a few places, that are a lot darker than Sodankylä. Despite the fact that in mid winter, the Sun does not rise at all for some days here, the area of Sodankylä municipality is very close to the place where the Sun is above the horizon the most, i.e. the Arctic Circle, which is good to remember today, on the darkest day of the year.

With this we wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2018!


Suomeksi:



Yllä oleva kuva näyttää kuinka monta tuntia, yhteenlaskettuna koko vuoden aikana, aurinko on horisontin yläpuolella eri leveysasteilla. Olemme merkineet muutama paikka, joka on paljon pimeämpää kuin Sodankylä. Huolimatta siitä, että keskellä talvea aurinko ei nouse ollenkaan muutaman päivän aikana, Sodankylän kunnan alue on hyvin lähellä sitä paikkaa, jossa aurinko on eniten horisontin yläpuolella, eli napapiirillä. Tämä on hyvää muistaa tänään, vuoden pimeisinä päivänä maan pohjoisella pallopuoliskolla.

Tällä toivotaan teille kaikille Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta 2018!


Kuvat: Thomas Ulich & Maxime Grandin, SGO.

Friday, 27 October 2017

PhD Defence: Studies of Ionospheres of Earth and Mars

Huge congratulations to our colleague and friend Dr Maxime Grandin, who successfully defended his PhD thesis at SGO yesterday. His work entitled "Multi-Instrument and Modelling Studies of the Ionospheres of Earth and Mars" was done at Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu and at the Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology (IRAP), University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse leading to a double PhD degree in physics.

The opponents were Dr Mervin Freeman, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK, and Dr Ronan Modolo, LATMOS, University of Versailles, France. Prof Anita Aikio, University of Oulu, served as custos.

Thursday, 26 October 2017

Väitöstilaisuus: Avaruussää vaikuttaa Maan ilmakehään myös Auringon aktiivisuuden ollessa alhainen

Maxime Grandin, M.Sc., väittelee aiheesta "Avaruussää vaikuttaa Maan ilmakehään myös Auringon aktiivisuuden ollessa alhainen" 26.10.2016.

Avaruussää vaikuttaa Maan yläilmakehään ja ionosfääriin. Ionosfääri on ilmakehän sähköä johtava osa, joka koostuu elektroneista ja ioneista korkeusalueella 60–1000 kilometriä. Korkeiden leveyspiirien ionosfääri on hyvin herkkä avaruussään vaihteluille. Vaikutuksia voivat olla esimerkiksi muutokset ilmakehän kemiassa tai hiukkassade avaruudesta ilmakehään, mikä synnyttää muun muassa revontulia.

Avaruussää liittyy hiukkasiin, jotka tulevat Auringosta. Tätä hiukkasvirtaa kutsutaan aurinkotuuleksi. Auringon aktiivisuus vaihtelee noin 11 vuoden jaksoissa. Jakson maksimin jälkeen aktiivisuus laskee, mutta avaruussää vaikuttaa siitä huolimatta edelleen revontulialueen ionosfääriin. Se johtuu siitä, että aurinkotuulen nopeus on tällöin usein suuri, jopa 800–1000 kilometriä sekunnissa. Tässä väitöskirjassa on tutkittu kolmen vuoden ajalta, miten nämä aurinkotuulen suurinopeuksiset virtaukset vaikuttavat ionosfääriin. Aineistoina on käytetty Sodankylän geofysiikan observatorion eri laitteilla tehtyjä mittauksia ja satelliittimittauksia. Aineiston käsittely on tehty käyttäen tilastollisia menetelmiä.

Osa väitöskirjasta käsittelee myös Marsin kaasukehän ja ionosfäärin tutkimista. Marsin kaasukehää on tutkittu vuodesta 2004 lähtien Mars Express -luotaimella. Mars Expressin ja Maan välillä kulkevien radioaaltojen taajuus mitataan hyvin tarkasti, mikä mahdollistaa Marsin kaasukehän ja ionosfäärin lämpötilojen ja koostumuksen arvioimisen. Väitöskirjassa on esitetty kehittämämme uusi aineiston käsittelymalli, joka perustuu Marsin kaasukehän ja ionosfäärin läpi kulkevien radioaaltojen numeeriseen simulaatioon.

Väitöskirja on tehty Oulun yliopiston Sodankylän geofysiikan observatoriossa ja Toulousen yliopiston IRAP-instituutissa (Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie).

Väitöstilaisuus

26.10.2017, klo  12:00, Polarian luentosali, Sodankylän geofysiikan observatorio, Tähteläntie 62, Sodankylä

Aihe

Maapallon ja Marsin ionosfäärien tutkimuksia eri mittalaitteilla ja mallintamisella
Multi-instrument and modelling studies of the ionospheres at Earth and Mars

Vastaväittäjät

Dr. Mervyn Freeman, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, Iso-Britannia
Dr. Ronan Modolo, LATMOS, Guyancourt, Ranska

Kustos

Professori Anita Aikio, Oulun yliopisto

Thursday, 14 September 2017

Virkistyspäivä at Paavon Polku

Sometimes, there is no need to go very far to have a great time in beautiful nature. Today, for SGO staff, it was virkistyspäivä, in other words a working day partly spent outdoors to strengthen the friendly atmosphere between colleagues. It was decided to go to Paavon Polku, a short (about 2 km) nature trail just a couple of kilometers away from the observatory.



Besides enjoying the autumn colours (ruska) along the pleasant trail, picking berries and watching birds, we grilled sausages by the laavu (lean-to shelter) and had a delicious lunch — and coffee, of course.



It is really so that simple things are often the best! Happy autumn to all our followers from the northern hemisphere!



Pictures: M. Grandin

Friday, 4 August 2017

Avoin työpaikka: Laboratoriopäällikkö

Uusi hakuaika päätyy 31.8.2017.

Sodankylän geofysiikan observatorio hakee

Laboratoriopäällikköä

toistaiseksi voimassa olevaan työsuhteeseen.

Sodankylän geofysiikan observatorion havaintotoiminta kattaa monipuolisesti maan magneettikentän, ionosfäärin, revontulien, kosmisen säteilyn ja seismisen aktiivisuuden mittaukset yli 20 paikkakunnalla Jäämeren alueelta pohjoisen Fennoskandian, koko Suomen ja Afrikan kautta Etelämantereelle. Observatoriossa kehitetään myös alan mittausmenetelmiä, alaan liittyviä teorioita ja mallinnuksia sekä tehdään tieteellistä tutkimusta. Observatoriossa tehtävä tutkimus kuuluu Oulun yliopiston valitseman tutkimusstrategian keihäänkärkeen maa-lähiavaruussysteemin ja ympäristön tutkimus. Observatorion henkilöstömäärä on noin 30 työntekijää. Teknisessä yksikössä työskentelee tällä hetkellä 6 henkilöä. Laajemmin observatorion toimintaan voi tutustua osoitteissa www.sgo.fi ja http://www.oulu.fi/yliopisto/node/38405.

Laboratoriopäällikön tehtäviin kuuluvat observatorion teknisen yksikön ja sen laboratorion johtaminen ja hallinnolliset tehtävät, mittausten ylläpitoon kuuluvan laitehuollon johtaminen, observatorion instrumentoinnin kehittäminen ja uusien mittalaitteiden rakentamisen suunnittelu ja toteuttaminen yhteistyössä teollisuuden kanssa, sähköasennusvastuu sekä observatorion tutkimustyöhön ja hallintoon osallistuminen.

Tehtävien menestyksellinen hoitaminen edellyttää tekniikan tai luonnontieteiden alan tohtorintutkintoa ja kokemusta esimiestehtävistä. Tehtävässä edellytetään hyvää suullista ja kirjallista englannin kielen taitoa.

Hakijalta odotetaan radiotekniikan, erityisesti nykyaikaisten ohjelmistoradioiden, sekä analogia- että digitaalielektroniikan tuntemusta, mittaustekniikan ja signaalinkäsittelyn hallintaa, ymmärtämystä jatkuvasta kenttämittaustoiminnasta ja kokemusta sekä projektityöstä että projektien johtamisesta.

Palkkaus perustuu yliopistojen palkkausjärjestelmän muun henkilöstön vaativuustasolle 10-11. Tämän lisäksi tulee henkilökohtaiseen suoriutumiseen perustuva palkanosa, joka on korkeintaan 46,3% tehtäväkohtaisesta palkanosasta.

Jätä sähköinen hakulomake tehtävään 31.8. mennessä. Työ alkaa sopimuksen mukaan. Tehtävässä noudatetaan työehtosopimuksen mukaista koeaikaa.

Lisätietoja tehtävästä antaa johtaja Esa Turunen, Sodankylän geofysiikan observatorio, Tähteläntie 62, 99600 Sodankylä, puh. 050 566 3264, email: esa.turunen (at) sgo.fi.

Monday, 3 July 2017

Vacancy: Post-Doc for Mesospheric Ozone Research / deadline 31st Jul

Postdoctoral position in the Thule Institute’s project “ Mesospheric of Monitoring Ozone” (until end of 2020)

The University of Oulu in Northern Finland, with approximately 16,000 students and 3,000 employees, is an international, multidisciplinary research university with a rich pool of creative and intellectual talent. The strengths of the University include broad, multidisciplinary research interests, a modern research and study environment, and wide cooperation with international research and educational institutes.

The Thule Institute is a strategic focus area unit which promotes multidisciplinary research and innovations through high-quality research projects and doctoral training. The position is a part of the Thule Institute’s new projects centred on the two out of five thematic focus areas of the university: "Creating sustainability through materials and systems" and "Earth and near-space system and environmental change."

The postdoctoral position is open at Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory in the project "Mesospheric Monitoring of Ozone above the Polar Vortex (MeMO)."

Note: the deadline for applying is extended until 31st July 2017 (use link "apply for the job" at the end of the full announcement).

Salary

The salary will be based on the levels 5 – 6 of the demand level chart for university-level teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 46.3 % of the job-specific component). The salary is thus in practice roughly 3,500€– 4,000€ per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

Application Procedure

The following documents must be attached to the application:
  1. Brief curriculum vitae in English
  2. List of publications in international peer-reviewed journals
  3. Brief description of research merits
  4. Brief (1–2 pages) research and action plan in English
  5. Contact information of two or three (2–3) persons who may be asked to give a statement about the candidate
Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted using the link "apply for the job" at the end of the full announcement by 31st July 2017.

Ozone Receiver Antenna at Sodankylä.

Project Description

Mesospheric Monitoring of Ozone above the Polar Vortex (MeMO)

The project uses standard TV satellite receivers to monitor the 11.07 GHz emissions of mesospheric ozone, a method pioneered by MIT’s Haystack Observatory. The project will build improved, multi-channel instruments, one of which will monitor the mesosphere above Sodankylä. Others will measure the ozone above the polar vortex and will be placed at schools as part of the scientific outreach of the project.

Using these data we will study the effects of energetic particle precipitation and sudden stratospheric warmings on ozone, as well as ozone climatology. A prototype receiver provides four years of initial data (since autumn 2012).

The position is located at Sodankylä and available immediately or later as per mutual agreement.

Research group: Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory is a highly versatile geophysical observatory north of the Arctic Circle operating various types of measurements at over 20 locations. Measurements of the geomagnetic field as well as radio observations of the upper atmosphere are at the core of SGO’s operations. Within the CHAMOS project, SGO and FMI develop the Sodankylä Ion-Neutral Chemistry (SIC) model for interpreting space weather effects on the lower ionosphere.

Colocated with SGO is the Arctic Research Centre of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI-ARC), which provides a wealth of tropospheric and stratospheric measurements. The observations include ozone measurements using sounding balloons and ground-based spectrometers since the 1980s. FMI researchers are experts in satellite observations of the middle atmosphere.

MeMO is a collaboration between SGO and FMI-ARC, aiming to extend current ozone measurements in altitude and spatial coverage and put them into context of other observations.

Qualification requirements: The successful candidate will have a background in atmospheric physics or chemistry and/or experience in the use of radiometers and/or experience in the use of atmospheric computer models. For the further development of the instrument, experience working with hardware and/or experience in a high-level programming language are highly beneficial. Excellent command of both spoken and written English are essential.

Contact: Dr Thomas Ulich, e-mail: thomas.ulich(at)sgo.fi, tel.: +358405490403.

Monday, 3 October 2016

Tenure Track Position in Radio Science



Tenure Track Position in Radio Science at Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory

The University of Oulu is an international research and innovation university engaged in multidisciplinary basic research and academic education. The University of Oulu is one of the largest universities in Finland with 14,000 students and 3,000 employees. The University encompasses ten fields of study: Architecture, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Humanities, Education, Economics and Business, Science, Medicine and Dentistry, Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Technology and Mining. The University of Oulu researchers contribute to solving global challenges by combining multidisciplinary approaches, high level research and fruitful collaborations in the following five focus areas: 1. Creating sustainability through materials and systems, 2. Molecular and environmental basis for lifelong health, 3. Digital solutions in sensing and interactions, 4. Earth and near-space system and environmental change, 5. Understanding humans in change. Collaboration across scientific fields is strongly encouraged ad supported within the University. More information http://www.oulu.fi/english/.

The following job is open at the University of Oulu:

Tenure Track Position in Radio Science at Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory

Field and Location: 
For strengthening its profile at international level the University of Oulu announces a tenure-track opening for researchers in Radio Science.

Tenure track positions can be allocated to the career levels of the assistant professor, associate professor, full professor and distinguished professor. The positions are designed to promoting the careers of outstanding researchers and giving them the opportunity to gain further scientific qualifications in view of an academic career. The researchers appointed to a tenure track position may advance in their career through the tenure track process and be appointed to a permanent position as a professor or a distinguished professor. When recruiting for the positions, outstanding or world-class scientific quality is set as a requirement, and this must be verified via evaluations from high-level international researchers.

The position is placed at Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO, http://www.sgo.fi), a separate institute of the university located at Tähtelä, near the village of Sodankylä 350 km north of the main campus of the university. SGO carries out, as a national task of the university, geophysical measurements, development of measurement methods and empirical as well as theoretical research of both solid Earth geophysics and geospace environment. The long-term continuous observations cover measurements of Earth’s geomagnetic field, ionosphere, northern lights, cosmic radiation and seismic activity. An important activity is the development of measurement techniques and methods as well as theoretical modelling in the research fields. The research activities are based on international collaborations with more than 200 institutes worldwide. Scientists of SGO participate in 2 Centres of Excellence (CoE) financed by Academy of Finland, CoE in Mathematical Inverse Problems and CoE in Space Climate. SGO participates in EU projects and 2 European large scale research infrastructure (ESFRI) projects, EPOS and EISCAT_3D, coordinating the Finnish participation in the latter one. SGO carries out development of radio scientific instrumentation in its Radio Science laboratory, where currently several SGO’s measurement networks, such as the SGO riometer and satellite tomography are being renewed to latest software-radio based technology. The Observatory’s duties do not include regular teaching, but leading scientists are expected to supervise PhD students in the university’s research teams. The Observatory employs currently 30 persons.

The tenure-track position in Radio Science is directed towards 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. Currently available main instrumentation consists of the EISCAT incoherent scatter radars in Northern Fenno-Scandinavia and Svalbard (http://www.eiscat.se), and most importantly Finland’s largest radio telescope, the Kilpisjärvi Atmospheric Imaging Receiver Array KAIRA. KAIRA is operated by SGO and located in northernmost Finland at Kilpisjärvi near the border of Norway at Kilpisjärvi. Active collaboration using other similar instrumentation, such as the LOFAR system, especially in applications related to space weather, is expected.

The position will start as tenure track from 1st March 2017, or later according to mutual agreement with the successful applicant. The researchers appointed to a tenure track position may advance in their career through the tenure track process and be appointed to a permanent position as a professor or a distinguished professor. After the start of the position we anticipate new financing to be in place both to continue and strengthen the research activity, when EISCAT_3D will be available for measurements.

The tenure track position is open to highly talented individuals who hold a doctoral degree and have excellent potential for a successful scientific career. Based on the experience and competence, the successful applicant of this call will be placed at the level of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor or Distinguished Professor of the four-level tenure track system.

This position will be supported by a 2-year postdoc position directed to the same topic, to be opened in 2018 in SGO. Moreover, as part of our profiling measures, we will open another call in 2017 for a tenure position at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the main campus in Oulu, for strengthening research on the geospace environment linked to the now open EISCAT_3D-related positions.

Job Responsibilities and Required Qualifications: A person at any level of the academic tenure track system is expected to conduct outstanding world-class scientific research, to be competitive in attracting external funding, to publish in leading journals and conferences, to supervise SGO’s PhD students, to be an active member of the international scientific community, and to exhibit academic leadership. The job responsibilities also include the coordination of SGO’s KAIRA facility operations.

Required qualifications and career advancement at each level of the tenure track:
Career advancement on the tenure track is based on performance assessments that measure the candidate’s merits.

Assistant Professor: The position of an assistant professor is for persons who have recently (less than ten years ago) finished their doctoral dissertation and are advancing towards a professional research career. The duration of the period is four years. The advancement assistant professor – associate professor – professor – distinguished professor is described in the University of Oulu Tenure Track guidelines: http://www.oulu.fi/university/node/38379.

The selection criteria for an assistant professor are the following:
  • research potential and merit applicable to the position to date (publications, especially internationally refereed publications; participating in acquiring external funding/funding granted; connections with the international community in the field)
  • in most fields, having experience of working abroad is common during the professional research career
  • demonstrable development of skills is the prerequisite for a continuation period.
Associate Professor: The position of an associate professor is initially a fixed-term position for five years, but a continuation period may be granted or the position may be made permanent. Being granted continuation for the position requires meeting the below-mentioned criteria as well as successful research work as indicated in the University of Oulu Tenure Track guidelines.
When appointing a person to the position of an associate professor the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:
  • publications on an international level: dissemination, quality of the publication forums, references to the publications
  • active role in the research training
  • acquisition of external funding
  • working in more than one research facility during one’s career (in most fields represented at the University of Oulu this signifies working abroad)
  • an active role in the international scientific community
  • acknowledgements and awards.
Full Professor: The position of a Full Professor requires a doctoral degree, high-level scientific or artistic competence, experience in leading scientific research, ability to provide high-level research-based teaching and to supervise final theses, and merit in international co-operation projects in his/her field of expertise. The position of a professor also requires the ability to act as an academic leader. When evaluating the merits of an applicant, his/her scientific publications and other research results with scientific or artistic value, teaching experience and pedagogic training, ability to produce teaching material, other merits as a teacher, teaching demonstrations and supervised doctoral theses shall be taken into consideration. Other factors to be taken into consideration are the active role of the applicant in the scientific community, practical experience in the field where applicable, success in acquiring supplementary research funding, scientific work abroad, international positions, and leadership and interaction skills.

Distinguished Professor: The position of a Distinguished Professor is for especially distinguished applicants who exceed the criteria for Full Professor.

Salary: The salary of the appointed researcher will be based on the demand level chart for the teaching and research staff of Finnish Universities. In addition to the basic salary of the appropriate tenure track level, supplementary salary will be given for personal achievement and performance, the sum rising to a maximum of 46.3 % of the basic salary level for the post. The salary thus being roughly 3,500 – 4,700 €/month for an assistant professor, 4,100 - 5,400 €/month for an associate professor and 5600 - 8300 euros per month for a full professor.

Other benefits: Finland is one of the most liveable countries, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. The successful candidate will receive full benefits provided by the University of Oulu to university employees, including free time corresponding to holidays and free occupational health care services. The successful candidate will receive also benefits provided by the Finnish government to residents, for example possibility to obtain access to the national healthcare system, tax benefits for employees with children and high-quality affordable childcare services.

Applications: Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted electronically by 11.11.2016. Please apply for the job using the link at the bottom of the official announcement.

The application should be written in English and the following information needs to be included:
  1. an application letter with contact information
  2. a curriculum vitae following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (tutkimuseettinen neuvottelukunta). The guidelines are available at http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae and a template at http://www.tenk.fi/sites/tenk.fi/files/CV_english_270613.pdf.
  3. list of publications, ten most important ones marked
  4. a brief account of research merits (max 1 page)
  5. a brief account of teaching merits or a teaching portfolio (max 2 pages)
  6. acquisition of research funds
  7. a brief research and action plan (max 3 pages)
  8. contact details of 2–4 persons available for recommendation.

Evaluators: The selection procedure will be carried out by an Appointment Committee according to the University of Oulu Tenure Track guidelines.

Contact details: In order to receive the information and announcements concerning the official selection procedures to be followed in order to fill this post, applicants must inform SGO of their contact details for the whole duration of the selection process: they must specifically provide both their home and work telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, fax numbers and postal addresses.
For further information and enquiries about this post, and about the application and selection procedures, please contact:
Director Esa Turunen, Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, Tähteläntie 62, FI-99600 Sodankylä, phone: +358505663264, e-mail: esa.turunen -at- sgo.fi
Please apply for the job using the link at the bottom of the official announcement.


Saturday, 3 September 2016

Sodankylässä uusi opetussuunnitelma tulee tutuksi kolmen kunnan yhteisellä veso-koulutuspäivällä

Sodankylän keskustassa ja geofysiikan observatoriolla kisaa 120 opettajaa kolmesta kunnasta Ällistyttävässä Rallissa joukkueina leikkimielisesti toisiaan vastaan lauantaina 3.9.2016. Päivään osallistuvat Pelkosenniemen, Savukosken ja Sodankylän opettajat.

Kisailun tavoitteena on oppia uuden opetussuunnitelman edellyttämiä taitoja
Ällistyttävässä Rallissa on niitä elementtejä, joita oppimiseen halutaan tuoda: tietotekniikan käyttö, monialaiset oppimiskokonaisuudet, ilmiöpohjainen oppiminen, toiminnallisuus ja yhteistyö koulun ulkopuolisten tahojen kanssa. Mukana järjestelyissä ovat Sodankylän kunnan lisäksi Sodankylän Geofysikan Observatorio, Simonen Oy ja IlonaIT.

"Raskaan ops-prosessin jälkeen oli syytä tarkastella uudestaan myös opettajien veso-koulutuksia. Haluamme järjestää veso-päivän, joka olisi samalla innostava ja virkistävä. Jos tavoitteenamme on, että opettajat kannustavat oppilaita aktiiviseen,  itsenäiseen oppimiseen, miksi emme opettajien vesoissa toteuttaisi samaa periaatetta?" toteaa Sodankylän kunnan sivistystoimenjohtaja Risto Varis.

Apuna Seppo.io -mobiilipelijärjestelmä

Sodankylän vesossa opettajat suunnistavat joukkueina hyödyntämällä mobiilioppimisen työvälineitä sekä Suomessa kehitettyä Seppo.io-mobiilipelijärjestelmää, joka mahdollistaa tehtävien ratkaisun valokuvina, videoina, äänenä tai tekstinä. Peliin on yhdistetty myös muita, jokaisen kännykästä löytyviä hyötysovelluksia.

Thursday, 25 August 2016

Northern Lights Season has started!


The photo above was captured last night (24th August 2016, at 21:00 UTC (00:00 EEST) by one of the time-lapse cameras we operate jointly with Site-Eye Ltd, UK. The night sky is still too bright at the latitude of Sodankylä to get good contrast, but the season has definitely started. The scientific auroral all-sky camera will return in the near future for real-time monitoring. In the meantime, the time-lapse camera can be used for a look to the north from Sodankylä.

Photo: Site-Eye/SGO, text: Thomas Ulich.

Monday, 16 May 2016

April Aurorae

   

Recently, we reported about a new long-term time-lapse project at SGO. Today, we have received the summary video of the Northern Lights in April. The video above works best in full screen and high definition.

Also, we now have live feeds from the time-lapse cameras to SGO's web pages, which allow you to check the current weather conditions in real time. The images are updated once per minute.


As an example, here's what our river camera sees at the moment. You see both images on on their dedicated live-feed page. Enjoy!

Text: Thomas Ulich; image and film: Site-Eye Ltd.

Friday, 4 December 2015

Northern Lights


It's been very cloudy this past month, with few clear nights. Often we saw in our instruments that there must have been brilliant lights on the other side of the clouds, but on the ground there was no chance to see anything. Then, on Wednesday evening (2nd December), there were gaps in the clouds and for a brief moment the lights appeared...

With this photo we wish all of you a very good weekend, and those of you in Finland a very good Independence Day on 6th December, when Finland will turn 98. Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää!

Photo: Thomas Ulich.