Postdoctoral researcher, astronomy

The University of Helsinki is among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world. In addition to its 11 faculties, the University includes several independent institutes, some of which are jointly operated with other universities. Some 35,000 students are currently pursuing an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree at the University of Helsinki. Measured in number of students and teachers, the Faculty of Science at the University of Helsinki is the largest science faculty in Finland. There are some 6,000 students taking a basic degree. Out of them, some 1,000 are postgraduates. There are some 500 international students, and over 200 researchers and teachers from abroad.

We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our research group that is studying Galactic interstellar medium and star formation. The work will be carried out at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki. The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The Department of Physics  is a large and multidisciplinary department that offers the most varied university programme in the physical sciences in Finland. At the beginning of 2022, the department employs about 200 people, of which 2 are academy professors, 20 are professors and 5 associate professors or assistant professors. The research at the department and the research-based teaching follow a high international standard, are nationally significant, and promote the mental and economic wellbeing in society.

Description

The postdoctoral researcher will be employed at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, for a period of up to 30 months. The researcher will work in a research project financed by the Academy of Finland. The projects studies the initial conditions and the processes of the Galactic star formation using a combination of observations and numerical modelling. The goals include the tracing of the matter flows from cloud scales down to individual proto-stellar cores and the characterisation of the physical and chemical evolution of the interstellar matter (gas and dust) along the star-formation process. The postdoctoral researcher will work on the modelling of interstellar clouds, with possible participation in the observational work. The tasks include the development of radiative transfer methods and the modelling of dust continuum and spectral line observations at infrared and radio wavelengths. The objects range from cloud complexes to cloud filaments, individual pre-stellar cores, and proto-stars. In addition to the purely theoretical and numerical work, the researcher will be engaged in the comparison between simulations (via synthetic observations) and actual astronomical observations. Direct contributions to observations and their data analysis are also possible.

The UH Faculty of Science is an equal opportunity workplace committed to advance wellbeing and diversity in science and education. We support the compatibility of work and family-life and promote gender equality in science. The focus on wellbeing is further endorsed by an active wellbeing group. We offer comprehensive preventive occupational health services and general medical care. In addition, all staff are covered by the University of Helsinki’s employee travel insurance and occupational accident insurance. Finland is a very family-friendly country with generous parental leaves, very affordable state-subsidized daycare that is available for all children, as well as world-renowned free primary and secondary education as well as public healthcare.

Requirements and eligibility criteria

The employed postdoctoral researcher should have a doctoral degree in astronomy or physics at the time of the application deadline. Good computing skills and good command of the English language are required. Some experience in numerical modelling, programming, and data analysis are essential. Past experience of in star formation studies or interstellar medium studies is considered a plus.

How to apply

Please submit your application via our recruitment system on the 27th of February 2023 at the latest. The application should contain the following documents in English:

The contract can start on the 1st of June 2023, or as agreed.

Questions of the positions should be addressed to Doctor Mika Juvela, mika.juvela(at)helsinki.fi and questions of the recruitment process and recruitment system to HR Specialist Laura Karppinen, laura.karppinen(at)helsinki.fi.

Research fields: Astronomy

Career stage: postdoc

Research Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher

Salary: The position is full time and funded for 30 months. The starting salary will be ca. 3600 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.