PhD student in space physics for studies of space weather (dnr: 2.2.1-49/24)
The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is looking for a PhD student to join the Uppsala team to work on a space-weather research project investigating geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in the Swedish power grid. The project is part of an ongoing collaboration between IRF, the Swedish Research Defence Agency, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and Svenska Kraftnät to improve awareness and resilience to space weather effects in Sweden.
GICs are unwanted currents that flow in ground-based infrastructure caused by varying conditions in space, often due to plasma eruptions from the Sun. They can cause physical damage and lead to disruptions such as power outages, and thus, it is of high societal importance to mitigate this hazard.
One of the outstanding questions is identifying the transmission lines at risk to GICs in Sweden.
The PhD project will focus on evaluating and understanding the causes of GICs in Sweden using state-of-the-art ground- and space-based experimental data, advanced plasma simulations, as well as 3D ground conductivity modelling.
Our team performs observations, data analysis, and modelling of space plasma processes (https://www.irf.se/en/research/space-plasma-physics/) and their ground effects. The team has decades of experience developing and operating space-based instruments to measure electric fields, plasma temperature, density, and density fluctuations for spacecraft missions (e.g., Cluster, MMS, Swarm, Cassini, Rosetta, Solar Orbiter, JUICE, Comet Interceptor).
IRF also has decades of expertise in conducting ground-based observations such as geomagnetic observations, all-sky cameras, ionosondes, and radar (e.g., EISCAT).
The position is located at the Uppsala office located at the Ångström laboratory at IRF, in Uppsala. It is a limited-time employment for four years. The position is financed by the Foundation for Strategic Research.
The applicant must be able to meet the requirements for admission to doctoral education at Uppsala University by June 2024 at the latest. The doctoral student will also belong to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University and must meet the university’s requirements for admission to doctoral education. Information about postgraduate education is available at http://www.physics.uu.se and http://www.teknat.uu.se.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Andrew P. Dimmock, andrew.dimmock@irfu.se
Prof. Yuri Khotyaintsev, yuri@irfu.se
Trade union representatives:
Vicki Cripps, SACO-S, vicki.cripps@irfu.se
Jan Karlsson, ST, jan.karlsson@irfu.se
The application should include a CV, a short (one-page) letter stating research interests and relevant experience, copies of academic transcripts, completed theses or manuscripts and other relevant publications, and contact information for two professional references.
Applications should be sent, preferably by email, to: registrator@irf.se
Or by post to:
Swedish Institute of Space Physics,
Registrar,
Box 812,
SE-981 28 Kiruna, Sweden
The closing date for applications is 1 March 2024.
Please quote reference number: 2.2.1-49/24
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