Doctoral Researcher, Space Physics, Faculty of Science

6G Flagship; Oulu; On-site; EUR 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness benefit ePassi

Career development and growth

Flexible work arrangements

Buddy Programme

Job summary

The University of Oulu invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position in the Space Climate of Cosmic Ray Anisotropies (SOCRATES) within the Space Physics and Astronomy Research Unit at the Faculty of Science. The successful applicant will model cosmic ray fluxes and perform tomography across heliospheric directions, collaborating with experts in space climate and cosmic ray physics.

The role requires an MSc in a relevant field, strong scientific writing skills, and excellent English.

Qualifications

• A completed M.Sc. degree or equivalent in Space Physics, Geosciences, Astroparticle Physics, or another field directly relevant to the project is required before the start of the employment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, including scientific writing.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• You must apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree at the beginning of your employment in accordance with the requirements of the UniOGS.

Responsibilities

• You will be an active member of a top-level multidisciplinary research group.
• You will perform modelling of cosmic ray flux variation, the predicted arrival directions and particle movements in the magnetosphere and heliosphere.
• You will closely collaborate with the SOCRATES project PI and the wider research group.
• You are expected to write and publish scientific peer‑reviewed articles and present results at conferences.
• You will pursue graduate studies and defend a doctoral thesis by the end of the period.

Job description

Faculty of Science, Space Physics and Astronomy

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 19,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations. The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world’s universities. All our research, education, and community activities are guided by our university’s values and ethical principles.

Doctoral Researcher

for a maximum of four years, starting at the earliest on 1st of January 2027 to work in a Research Council of Finland project "Space climate of cosmic ray anisotropies" - SOCRATES, led by Dr. Pauli Väisänen, in collaboration with the other researchers of the Space Physics and Astronomy Research Unit (SPA RU) at the Faculty of Science. The SPA RU includes research groups in Ionospheric Physics, Space Climate, Cosmic Rays, and Astronomy. The unit is a part of the Finnish Centre of Excellence and is involved in several large-scale research projects. It is involved in top-level research, both experimental and theoretical, in the fields of heliospheric, magnetospheric, and ionospheric physics, cosmic rays and atmospheric effects, and planetary sciences. This position is open in the Cosmic Rays research group led by Professor Ilya Usoskin. The successful applicant will work in a compact, active, dynamic, and highly international research group.

About The Job

The Space climate of cosmic ray anisotropies - SOCRATES project aims to detect low-amplitude cosmic ray anisotropies using neutron monitor and other near-Earth space and ground level observations. The ultimate goal is to analyse these anisotropies to perform tomography of different heliospheric directions and regions affected by solar activity and the space climate. The successful applicant will perform modelling of the measured cosmic ray fluxes and backtrack them to different heliospheric directions. Your tasks in the project will include:

• You will be an active member of a top-level multidisciplinary research group
• You will perform modelling of cosmic ray flux variation, the predicted arrival directions and particle movements in the magnetosphere & heliosphere. This is done with high-resolution cosmic ray and other data, for with collection and validation across many instruments and datasets will be performed.
• You will closely collaborate with the SOCRATES project PI and the wider research group working on space climate, solar-terrestrial and cosmic ray physics.
• You are expected to write and publish scientific peer-reviewed articles in high-level journals and present the results at scientific conferences.
• You will perform necessary graduate studies and complete and successfully defend a doctoral thesis on a topic related to the SOCRATES project at the end of the period.

What We Offer

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of about 40 people, with whom you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we require from you:

• A completed M.Sc. degree or equivalent in Space Physics, Geosciences, Astroparticle Physics, or another field directly relevant to the project is required before the start of the employment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, including scientific writing.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• You must apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree at the beginning of your employment in accordance with the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

We also appreciate:

• Knowledge of physics related to solar & heliospheric physics, geosciences, electrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics.
• Understanding and know-how of the measurements of neutron monitors, other cosmic ray detectors and heliospheric and near-Earth in-situ spacecraft detectors.
• Experience in numerical modelling, knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, Matlab, C)
• Ability and willingness to learn new things.
• Good communication skills.
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 4 years as of 1.1.2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. A 6 month trial period will be applied to the position. The work will be performed in person in the Linnanmaa campus of the University of Oulu. The salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 2600-3200 € per month (before taxes).

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Academy Research Fellow Pauli Väisänen (e-mail: [e-mail])

Type of employment: Temporary position over 6 months. Employment expires 2030-12-31. Contract type: Full time. First day of employment: 1.1.2027. Salary: TES. Number of positions: 1. Full-time equivalent: 100%. City: Oulu. County: Pohjois-Pohjanmaa. Country: Finland. Reference number: 2026/582.

Contact: Pauli Väisänen, Academy Research Fellow, [e-mail]