Ph.D. position in Arctic Geophysics (Space Physics)

25th April 2025
Languages
English

• English

English
Ph.D. position in Arctic Geophysics (Space Physics)
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About UNIS

 

UNIS is the world’s northernmost educational institution, located in Longyearbyen. UNIS has technical and scientific equipment, laboratories, and infrastructure for teaching and research in arctic natural sciences and technology related to the sea, land, and atmosphere.

The fields of study include Arctic biology, geophysics, geology, technology and safety. All teaching is conducted in English, and approximately half of the staff and students come from abroad. UNIS is a state-owned company, and the administrative language is Norwegian.

About the department

The department of Arctic Geophysics at UNIS is seeking candidates for a full-time four-year PhD position in space physics. Currently the department constitutes 5 professors, 3 associate professors, 2 researchers, 4 PhD students, 2 technicians and 8 Adjunct Professors (20% position). The research within the department is focused into two groups: sea-ice-snow-air processes and Space Physics. The Space Physics group operates a world-class optical auroral observatory, the Kjell Henriksen Observatory, which is located 30 minutes’ drive from UNIS.

As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to experience the spectacular Svalbard with Longyearbyen as your workplace. Longyearbyen is a modern settlement with approximately 2,500 inhabitants, situated in wild and beautiful Arctic nature, offering great opportunities for outdoor activities, experiences, and a vibrant cultural life.

About the position

The PhD employment contract is for four years. The four-year contract includes a year of required duties. Alternatively, the candidate may choose a three-year position which excludes these duties. Applications are also open to this year's master's candidates, with the requirement that the master's degree must be completed by July 1st, 2025. The desired start date is during August, and no later than September 1st. 

The project on auroral emission intensities aims to advance our understanding of what the auroral intensities can tell us about the near-Earth space connecting to the upper atmosphere. The goal is to construct a long-term and diurnal distribution of auroral intensities in human understandable units from several different optical auroral instruments over two different latitude regions in order to estimate the auroral energy deposition into the atmosphere as well as investigate the predictability of the intensities based on the solar wind measurements. The project will further study if and how the evolution of auroral structures shows correlation with the emission intensities, and therefore the energy deposition.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a field relevant for the position or the degree must be completed by July 1st, 2025
• Admission to the doctoral program at the University of Bergen is a condition for the employment
• Good knowledge of the auroral ionosphere, good data analysis and programming skills and strong motivation in solving scientific puzzles
• Good problem-solving skills, and overall positive and flexible attitude
• Must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, yet function well in a team
• Proficient in both written and oral English
• Driver’s license class B (valid for Svalbard)
   

Advantageous knowledge and skills

• Previous image analysis experience and understanding of automatic image classification methods
• Experience in living and working in polar or alpine regions
• Experience in teaching

Motivation and personal suitability will be emphasized

We offer

UNIS offers a challenging and varied job in an exciting, pleasant, and international environment. As an employee, you will be a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK), which provides one of the best pension schemes on the market. We also offer excellent insurance schemes, coverage of travel and relocation expenses upon starting the position, and staff housing in accordance with current regulations.

The position is classified under the job code “Stipendiat” (code 1017). In addition to the base salary, a Svalbard allowance of NOK 42.840 per annum is provided. A 2 % contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. The income tax rate in Svalbard is currently 8 %, and a national insurance contribution of 7.7 % is also deducted.

Application

Inquiries about this position, may be directed to:

Professor Noora Partamies, email: noora.partamies@unis.no

Researcher Katie Herlingshaw, email: katieh@unis.no
 

Application deadline 25.04.2025.
 

Please include the following documents to the online application form:

• Motivational letter (max. 1 page) to state applicants scientific and personal interest in pursuing a Ph.D. on the announced topic and at UNIS
• Full academic CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing the completion of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, alternatively an official confirmation that the master’s degree will be completed by 1st July, 2025
• Contact information for two references, one of which must be your master's supervisor
   

It is possible to request that your name/application be exempt from public disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Offentlighetsloven) § 25. The request must be justified. Please note that if the request is not granted, the applicant will be contacted and given the opportunity to withdraw the application.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

One of UNIS’ values is inclusion. We are committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment in the high Arctic. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

Selection and appointment
A committee appointed by the Managing director of UNIS will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants and invite the highest ranked person(s) for an interview. The appointment will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation from the committee.

via Unsplash
Questions about the position

Noora Partamies

Professor

noora.partamies@unis.no

Katie Herlingshaw

Researcher

katieh@unis.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

25th April 2025

Employer

UNIS

Municipality

Svalbard

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Temporary

Place of service
Pb. 156, 9171 Longyearbyen

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