Doctoral Researcher, Space Physics, Faculty of Science

University of Oulu; Oulu; On-site; EUR 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness benefit ePassi

Development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Oulu invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position in the Space Physics and Astronomy Research Unit (SPA RU) on the SOCRATES project, starting as early as 1 January 2027 for up to four years. The successful candidate will model cosmic ray fluxes and contribute to doctoral studies.

You will work in a multidisciplinary, international team, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, and defend a doctoral thesis by the end of the period.

Qualifications

• MSc degree or equivalent in Space Physics, Geosciences, Astroparticle Physics, or a directly related field.
• 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 UniOGS at the start of employment.

Responsibilities

• Be an active member of a top-level multidisciplinary research group.
• Model cosmic ray flux variation and predicted arrival directions in the magnetosphere/heliosphere using high-resolution data.
• Collaborate with the SOCRATES project PI and the space climate group.
• Write and publish peer-reviewed articles and present results at conferences.
• Complete a doctoral thesis by the end of the contract period.

Skills

Independent work

Teamwork

Scientific writing

English proficiency

Numerical modelling

Programming

Education

MSc degree

Tools

Python

Matlab

C

Job description

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.

We are now looking for a

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 succesful applicant will perform modeling of the measured cosmic ray fluxes and backtrace 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 modeling 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.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance.
• OurBuddy ProgrammeandSpouse Networksupport you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have anHR 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.

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.
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

The position isfixed-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).

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, languages, cultures, and minority communities.