Post-Doctoral Associate Space Physics, University of Minnesota

The Space Physics group at the University of Minnesota has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral researcher to work on analysis and instrumentation for high-energy solar astrophysics.  This researcher will play an integral role in hardware and analysis for CubeSat and sounding rocket instruments, including the FOXSI-3 experiment, which is a rocket experiment planned to fly in 2018.

Hardware experience with one or more of the following systems will be considered a plus:  X-ray, gamma-ray, or particle detectors; grazing-incidence optics; and rocket, balloon, or CubeSat payloads.  Experience in analyzing solar flare data will be considered a plus, though candidates with interests in other space physics topics or other X-ray astrophysical topics are also encouraged to apply.  Candidates with experience in single-event detectors for particle or nuclear physics may also be considered.

The Space Physics group at UMN includes faculty and researchers with diverse research interests in the physics of space and plasmas, including topics in the ionosphere, magnetosphere, solar wind, and the high-energy Sun. The group also has expertise in electric field and wave instrumentation. The Space Physics group is part of the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Job duties will include the following:

  Contribute to development of the FOXSI-3 payload, including science planning, detector upgrades, and participation in the 2018 launch campaign.

  Along with a faculty member, supervise and mentor students on a hard X-ray solar CubeSat project.

  Analyze solar and space physics data, including but not limited to multi-wavelength analysis of solar flares.

  Contribute to the development, commissioning and operation of experimental equipment and data analysis software for X-ray detectors.

  Present science results at conferences and in publications, including national and international conferences and collaboration meetings.

• Contribute to proposals for submission to funding agencies, including NASA and the NSF.

 

Required qualifications

Applicants with a Ph.D. in physics or space physics by beginning date of appointment.
Experience with astronomical instrumentation or semiconductor detectors.

Preferred qualifications
Experience with X-ray, gamma-ray, or particle detectors; grazing-incidence optics; and rocket, balloon, or CubeSat payloads. 
Experience in analyzing solar flare data will be considered a plus, though candidates with interests in other space physics topics or other X-ray astrophysical topics are also encouraged to apply.

How to apply

https://www.myu.umn.edu/employment

Search for Job ID: 307475

Please provide

  A cover letter

  Curriculum vitae

  Names and complete contact information for three references

  A research experience statement

Arrange to have three letters of reference sent to:

jjmurphy@physics.umn.edu


Julie Murphy
School of Physics and Astronomy

University of Minnesota
115 Union Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55455

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