Staff Scientist

Umeå Universitet · Full-time

Umeå universitet, Umeå, Sweden

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher education with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. The university offers a diverse range of high-quality education and world-leading research in several scientific fields, and it is here that the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene scissors was made, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close by. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, which fosters a dynamic and open culture. The societal transformation and major green investments we see in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, it is about conducting research about—and in the midst of—a society in transformation. But also about delivering education for regions that need to expand rapidly and sustainably. This is simply where the future is being created. Are you interested in learning more? Read more about Umeå University as an employer. At the Department of Physics, strong and expanding research is conducted with several different focuses, such as organic electronics, nanotechnology, photonics, space physics, and theoretical physics. The Department is part of KBC, the Chemical-Biological Center at Umeå University. We have a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and excellent access to modern instrumentation and infrastructure for analysis. The Department of Physics announces a position as Staff Scientist for projects focused on comparisons of the magnetospheres of comets and the planet Mars. The position is 100% full-time and is limited until 2026-11-16—2027-11-10. Primary Responsibilities The position involves supporting scientific activities within the research group for solar system physics. The main duties include analyzing measurement data from the planet Mars and from comets. Additionally, it involves conducting various types of computer simulations of these objects, as well as participating in the dissemination of results. Furthermore, you are expected to co-supervise and lead certain projects. Qualification Requirements You as a candidate must have a doctoral degree in space physics, plasma physics, or equivalent. You must have broad understanding and experience with solar wind interactions with various objects in the solar system, such as variations in magnetic fields, as well as ion movements in different regions around planets. Experience with research on so-called "magnetosheath jets," particularly observations of these in Mars' plasma environment, is advantageous. Furthermore, you must be familiar with relevant techniques in analyzing data from spacecraft-based instruments, such as ion and electron spectrometers, magnetometers, and Langmuir probes. You must also be able to use and interpret results from hybrid-type plasma simulations. Additionally, programming skills in either Python or Matlab are a requirement. You must have demonstrated strong ability both to work independently and as part of a research group. Great importance will be placed on personal qualities such as collaboration and communication skills, as well as analytical ability. It is important that you have good initiative and ability for independent work. The project is conducted in an international environment, and therefore very good competence in oral and written communication in English is required. Application The application should include: Cover letter with a brief description of your qualifications, research interests, and motivation for applying (max 3 pages). CV with publication list. Copies of degree certificates. Copy of your doctoral dissertation. Names and contact information for two references. Information For more information, contact Herbert Gunell, [email protected], tel: 090-786 63 85 Applications should be made via the e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received by 2026-10-11. We welcome your application! Umeå University wishes to offer an equal and equitable environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives forms the foundation for learning, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for this position. To staffing and recruitment companies and to those who are sales representatives: We respectfully but firmly decline direct contact from staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of additional job postings.