Kinetic turbulence and particle acceleration in space plasmas (project

Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research; Italia; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

ASI INAF in Italy seeks a researcher to contribute to the REKIPES project, studying intermittency in kinetic turbulence using PIC-type codes like ZELTRON. The role focuses on ion and electron kinetics with small-scale reconnection effects in astrophysical plasmas.

Applicants should have a PhD in Physics or equivalent, strong numerics and parallel computing expertise, and proficiency in English. Eligibility is limited to Europe; experience with magnetohydrodynamics and particle acceleration is a

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or equivalent qualification.
• Experience with advanced numerical simulations for turbulence in space/astrophysics.
• Proficiency in parallel computing and ZELTRON; experience with MHD and particle acceleration.

Skills

Numerical simulations

Turbulence modeling

Parallel computing

ZELTRON

MHD theory

Particle acceleration

English language

Education

PhD in Physics or equivalent

Tools

MPI

Job description

Organisation/Company ASI E INAF Research Field Physics » Computational physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Leading Researcher (R4) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 17 Nov 2026 - 12:00 (UTC) Country Italy Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Not Applicable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The research activities will be carried out within the framework of the project "REKIPES" (Radial Evolution of large- and KInetic-scale Processes in the Expanding Solar wind). The main objective will focus on the study of intermittency properties in kinetic turbulence, including small-scale reconnection effects, with the kinetic physics of both ions and electrons, primarily using PIC-type codes, such as ZELTRON, already in use within the UNICAL team.

Requirements

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

PhD in Physics or equivalent qualification. Main requirements: experience with advanced numerical simulations for the study of turbulence phenomena in space and astrophysics, with particular expertise in modeling the kinetic physics of plasmas, with applications ranging from the solar corona to the theoretical study of kinetic and small-scale reconnection effects in astrophysical plasmas. Proficiency in parallel computing and with codes such as ZELTRON; experience with numerical models in the field of magnetohydrodynamics; experience in the physics of particle acceleration processes; proficiency in the English language.

• EUROPE

Eligibility of fellows: country/ies of residence:

• EUROPE

Eligibility of fellows: nationality/ies:

• EUROPE

Selection process

he selection process includes an assessment of qualifications worth up to 50 points, and an interview worth up to 50 points. The interview will aim to evaluate the relevance, originality, and methodological consistency between the research directions emerging from each candidate’s academic and professional background, qualifications, and scientific publications, and the objectives of the research project described in the call. Proficiency in English will also be assessed.