Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Solar Physics

About the position

A Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS) at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics (ITA).

Starting date no later than October 1st 2025.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards 2030.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Job description / Project description / Development plan:

The postdoctoral fellowship is connected to the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the University of Oslo. The primary goal of RoCS lies in understanding the workings of the energetic Sun. To attack this goal a concerted effort of numerical modelling, both fluid (extended MHD) and particle oriented, will be combined with high quality observations taken at ground based and space-based observatories to produce models of the active Sun. 

The Solar group at the ITA is presently led by Mats Carlsson, who is also the leader of RoCS. The group has an internationally leading competence in radiative transfer and radiative hydrodynamics. Observationally, the group has access to the Swedish 1-meter Solar Telescope on La Palma, to ALMA, to several spacebased satellites such as NASA’s IRIS and SDO, JAXA’s Hinode and ESA’s Solar Orbiter. The group makes extensive use of local and national High-Performance Computing facilities. With the RoCS centre of excellence, the Solar group has expanded significantly and we are planning to strengthen the activity in the interface between fundamental solar physics and the origin of space weather. 

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Qualification requirements:

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics or a related field. Appointment is dependent on the defence of the doctoral thesis being approved, if it has not been held by the application deadline.
• We seek a candidate with a background preferably in solar or stellar physics.
• Programming experience in Python/IDL, C/C++ or Fortran is essential.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal skills:

• Excellent teamwork capabilities
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

We offer:

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 per year depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Personal travel funds
• Excellent computer infrastructure
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• A short (1-2 page) statement on how the applicant envisions to carry out research within RoCS
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number) and reference letters. The letters should be sent directly to Dr. Mats Carlsson, e-mail mats.carlsson@astro.uio.no by the application deadline. 

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the research statement, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment. 

Formal regulations:

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months (thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years).

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact persons:

For further information about the position please contact: Mats Carlsson, e-mail: mats.carlsson@astro.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no