PhD Positions in Earth Space Environment

Responsibilities

The study of the Earth space environment (magnetosphere) is of great intellectual interest for the direct access it offers to critical processes with many astrophysical and laboratory applications (waves, instabilities, magnetic reconnection, particle acceleration, turbulence, shocks). But the study of the magnetosphere is also of great societal impact because space weather processes can lead to severe storms in space with existential consequences for humans and technology in space and posing a serious threat to the infrastructures (electrical grid, telecommunications) our society depends upon. TerraVirtualE intends to develop the first model of this environment based entirely on first principles: i.e. using a direct numerical simulation of both ions and electrons present in the system without introducing approximations in their evolution.

We foresee three possible focuses, one for each selected PhD candidate and/or in collaboration:

• The study of fundamental processes in the Earth space environment using theory, simulation, and observational data (e.g. from the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission)
• The development of supercomputer simulations and numerical techniques for the Earth space environment, using the newest supercomputers available in Europe and worldwide
• The use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to analyse processes and data sources relative to the Earth space environment

Profile

PhD applicants should hold (before start-date of the position) an M.Sc. degree in astrophysics, physics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning or else own an equivalent diploma. Interest or experience in at least one of the following topics is a positive asset:

• Space missions and space exploration,
• Data analysis, artificial intelligence/ machine learning,
• Computer science, computational (astro)physics,
• Analytic/numerical model-development,
• Knowledge of programming (preferably in C++ and python, parallel computing and use of GPUs)

Proficiency in English is required for all applicants (or is expected to be achieved during the first months of employment).

Offer

The application package should include:

• a curriculum vitae, with a publication list if relevant;
• a statement of research interest (max. 1 page);
• a summary of the research experience (max. 2 pages)
• a list of all master courses with their number of study points and the individual scores obtained as well as the yearly averages.
• the names and contact details of two reference persons who would be prepared to send confidential recommendation letters should they be requested to do so. The selection committee will send out requests for such letters for applicants on the short-list after an initial ranking.

The short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview (to be held through videoconference or in presence depending on the geographical constraints and sanitary conditions).

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Giovanni Lapenta, tel.: +32 16 32 79 65, mail: giovanni.lapenta@kuleuven.be.