Spaceweather Group

Jobs

1.1.2024 Open position: Postdoc position in observational solar physics
The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern invites applications for a Postdoc in observational solar physics The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidate will work in the space weather group, which focuses on understanding solar flares with machine learning, building astronomical instrumentation, and on researching the physics of the Sun. This position is funded via a SERI-funded ERC Consolidator grant. The goal of this postdoc position is to carry out research in observational solar physics, particularly by leading observations at the Swedish Solar Telescope (SST) for the ERC project, by analyzing these observations using inversions and machine learning techniques, and publishing the research results in journals. Applications for further observing time, e.g. by writing proposals for DKIST, are possible. The scientific focus lies on solar flares and on the evolution of active regions and the goal is to contribute to the following research questions: "What are the origins and mechanisms of solar flares?", "When and where will a flare occur?" While certain work packages are defined by the research plan of the ERC grant, it is desired to combine them with own ideas and own research. More details about the position and the application procedure can be found in the linked document: Postdoc in observational solar physics The Postdoc position is for 2 years with an option for prolongation. A generous budget for conferences and collaborations is available. The selection of candidates will start after February 3, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. For questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Lucia Kleint (lucia.kleint@unibe.ch).

MSc and BSc Theses
We welcome students from the University of Bern who are interested in doing a BSc or MSc thesis with us. Potential topics for theses can be found here: BSc, MSc. Other topics are available upon request. Please contact Prof. Kleint.

PhD theses
We plan to fill the following PhD positions in 2024: A position in machine learning to predict the evolution of features on the Sun. An observational PhD that will include collecting data at solar telescopes and analyzing them using machine learning. Calls for applications will be posted on this website and on various job sites (e.g. EAS, University of Bern).

Postdocs
We plan to fill the following postdoc positions in 2024: An expert in observations who will lead observing runs at various solar telescopes and their data analysis using machine learning. Interested candidates who fit the desired profile are continuously evaluated and applications are accepted anytime. Candidates interested to carry out their own research projects related to space weather by applying for SNSF Postdoc Fellowships (max. 8 years after PhD), SNSF Ambizione (max. 4 years after PhD), or SNSF Starting Grants (2-8 years after PhD) are welcome to contact Prof. Kleint at least 2 months before the respective deadlines to discuss potential options.

8.9.2023 Open position: one PhD position at the University of Bern
The Space Weather and Satellite Geodesy groups of the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) are inviting applications for a PhD student to work on determining the influence of space weather on satellite orbits The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidate will work jointly in the space weather and satellite geodesy groups, which focus on understanding solar flares with machine learning and on precise orbit determina-tion of satellites using data from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This project is funded via a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) PRIMA grant and has the goal of investigating space weather effects on the density of the Earth's atmosphere and thus also on Low Earth Orbiting satellite orbits. Space weather is the consequence of solar storms. Such storms release immense amounts of energy, both via particles and via radiation. Increased solar UV radiation heats the Earth's atmosphere, which in turn causes it to expand and thus its density at higher altitudes increases. This leads to increased drag on satellites whose orbits are affected and decay in altitude. However, space weather currently cannot be reliably predicted and the exact influence of solar storms on satellite orbits is not well known. The goal of this PhD project is to characterize effects of solar storm on satellite orbits and to better understand the density changes in the Earth's atmosphere. More details about the position and the application procedure can be found in the linked document: PhD position The length of a PhD is typically 3-4 years. A generous budget for conferences and collaborations is available. The selection of candidates will start after October 20, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. The starting date is as soon as possible, upon mutual agreement. For questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Lucia Kleint (email lucia.kleint@unibe.ch) or Prof. Dr. Adrian Jäggi (email adrian.jaeggi@unibe.ch).

14.7.2023 Open positions: one PhD and one postdoc position at the University of Bern
The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern invites applications for a Postdoc and a PhD student in Astronomical Instrumentation The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidates will work in the space weather group, which focuses on understanding solar and stellar flares. The positions are part of an ERC project with the goal of building a unique instrument to measure the full visible spectrum of flares. The instrument will be used at the University's observatory in Zimmerwald and at other facilities. More details about both positions and the application procedure can be found in the linked documents: Postdoc position PhD position The length of a PhD is typically 3-4 years. The Postdoc position is for 3 years with an option for prolongation. A generous budget for conferences and collaborations is available. The selection of candidates will start after August 15, 2023 and continue until the positions are filled. The starting date is after January 1, 2024. For questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Lucia Kleint (lucia.kleint@unibe.ch).

30.1.2023 Open positions: one PhD and one postdoc position at the University of Bern
The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern invites applications for a Postdoc and a PhD student in Solar Physics and Machine Learning. The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidates will work in the space weather group, which focuses on understanding solar and stellar flares with machine learning. The SNSF-funded project has the goal of developing, implementing, and using methods to analyze large astronomy data sets to better understand the physics of flares. More details about both positions and the application procedure can be found in the linked documents: Postdoc position PhD position The length of a PhD is typically 3-4 years. The Postdoc position is initially for 2 years with an option for prolongation. A generous budget for conferences and collaborations is available. The selection of candidates will start after March 5, 2023 and continue until the positions are filled. The starting date is negotiable, preferably as soon as possible. For questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Lucia Kleint (lucia.kleint@unibe.ch).