Tenure Track position as Assistant Professor in Experimental Astroparticle Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research at the Department of Physics and Astronomy encompasses a wide range of physics topics, distributed over 9 divisions (www.physics.uu.se). The department is localized in the Ångström laboratory and employs about 400 people. It offers a broad physics curriculum to undergraduate and graduate students, participation in nationally and internationally leading projects for researchers, and opportunities for partnership with industry and various outreach activities.

Description of Subject Area: Astroparticle physics is a relatively novel branch of physics emerging at the intersection between high-energy particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. One of the main topics is the study of cosmic particles to understand the violent processes in the far universe, capable of accelerating cosmic rays to energies millions of times higher than those achievable by our most powerful accelerators. We would like to identify the astrophysical objects capable of this type of acceleration, but – we also want to use the flux of astrophysical high-energy particles for studies within the domain of particle physics. Design and construction of detector systems to observe the extra-terrestrial particle fluxes and analysis of data acquired by these detectors is central for this research area. Astroparticle physics research at Uppsala University has strong couplings to the IceCube neutrino observatory, which in 2013 reported the first detection of a diffuse flux of highly energetic cosmic neutrinos. We now intend to widen the scope of our activities by also engaging in radio-detection of neutrinos at extreme energies. Owing to their properties, neutrinos have a unique potential to pinpoint the as yet unidentified violent accelerators of cosmic rays. Astroparticle physics also investigates charged cosmic radiation and high-energy gamma rays, and searches for theoretically predicted but as yet undetected particles.

Duties: The position includes teaching, research and administration. Teaching duties include course responsibility, course administration and supervision of second- and third-cycle students. The holder shall also keep abreast of developments within the subject area and the developments in wider community that are significant for the work at the university. A position as assistant professor is intended to qualify the holder for a teaching position with higher qualification requirements.

Appointment Period: The position can be held for a maximum of six years. An assistant professor can apply for promotion to associate professor. If the assistant professor is deemed suitable and fulfills the criteria for promotion established by the Faculty Board he/she shall be promoted to and employed as associate professor.

Qualifications Required: According to the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance those qualified for appointment as an assistant professor are persons who have obtained a doctoral degree or achieved the equivalent competence. It is necessary that the pedagogical skills and the research expertise are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment. Applicants who have obtained a doctoral degree or achieved the equivalent competence in five years or less prior to the end of the application period will be given priority.

According to Uppsala University´s appointments regulations, teaching expertise is an eligibility requirement for appointment as an assistant professor. To obtain teaching expertise, the applicant should have participated in teacher training for higher education of relevance to operations at the University, comprising at least five weeks, or be considered to have acquired the equivalent competence. If it has not been possible to acquire this qualification prior to employment, qualifying training for teachers in higher education shall be completed during the first two years of employment.

A general eligibility requirement is that the applicant must possess the personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Documented ability to teach in Swedish and/or English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail. The holder is expected to be able to teach in Swedish within two years.

Assessment Criteria/Ranking

Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise: The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, of which weight will be primarily given to research expertise. Research expertise comprises research merits as well as the applicant´s potential to contribute to the future development of both research and teaching. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits in astroparticle physics. Experience and interest in development of future detectors for cosmic neutrinos with energies from 50 PeV is particularly valuable and will be afforded special consideration.

As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research expertise. Teaching expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration.

Other Expertise: Experience in project leadership and technological experience will be afforded consideration.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position, the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.

In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: Individually negotiated salary.

Starting date: September 1, 2019 or as otherwise agreed

Type of position: Temporary full-time position, six years.

For further information about the position please contact Professor Olga Botner, e-mail: olga.botner@physics.uu.se.

For further information:

Uppsala University appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations for promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor (chapter 10.1, and appendix 3)

Please submit your application by June 1, 2019, UFV-PA 2019/873.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus.