Senior Researcher in stellar astrophysics and space-related missions - DTU Space

Senior Researcher position in stellar astrophysics and space missions, advancing the understanding of stars through satellite projects. Lead research in asteroseismology, stellar activity and the use of space missions. Strong project management and collaboration skills required.
DTU Space, at the Technical University of Denmark is seeking a highly motivated Senior Researcher to join our team focused on stellar astrophysics and space-based instrumentation for astronomy. This position offers the opportunity to participate in groundbreaking satellite projects, enhancing our understanding of stellar structures and evolution through detailed scientific analysis. The successful candidate will engage in several specific satellite projects in stellar astrophysics and planetary studies, utilizing the scientific capabilities of these facilities.

Responsibilities and qualifications

As a key member of our department, your primary focus will be to enhance our capabilities in stellar astrophysics and contribute to astronomy-related space missions. You will collaborate closely with colleagues both in Denmark and internationally, initiating new partnerships and strengthening existing collaborations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting detailed studies on the structure and evolution of intermediate-mass stars, examining aspects such as magnetic fields, convection, mixing processes, and rotation, utilizing data from missions like Kepler and TESS, supplemented by advanced stellar modeling techniques.
• Characterizing stellar variability in intermediate to high-mass stars, focusing on pulsations and stellar spots, using both space-based and ground-based telescopes.
• Contributing to the Danish satellite mission STEP (Stars and Planets), utilizing forthcoming data to explore stellar variability in the near UV.
• Engaging in target selection for intermediate-mass stars for the NASA TESS mission.
• Leading research on magnetic fields and other mixing processes within stars.
• Establishing and managing a research group dedicated to stellar astrophysics.
• Overseeing project management, ensuring all research projects are completed on time and meet high scientific standards.
• Providing scientific supervision and mentorship, guiding projects to ensure quality results.
• Supervising and fostering the development of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, promoting innovative thinking and advancing their academic and professional skills.

The applicant must have deep expertise in observational asteroseismology, especially of intermediate-mass stars, and a thorough understanding of internal stellar dynamics, including magnetic fields, convection, atomic diffusion, and rotational effects on stellar mixing processes. The candidate should also be skilled in analyzing stellar activity and characterizing planetary systems around intermediate-mass stars using both photometric and spectroscopic techniques.

Experience in planning and executing space missions is essential. The applicant should be familiar with the operational aspects of space missions and the impact of instrumental effects on data quality. Preference will be given to candidates who have participated in the development of science cases for satellite projects, demonstrating their significant contributions to mission planning and execution. This includes experience in managing large-scale projects and effective collaboration with diverse international teams.

Furthermore you must have

• Demonstrated expertise in stellar astrophysics with a strong emphasis on observational and theoretical aspects.
• Proven leadership in establishing and managing a research team.
• Experience in project management within a research or academic setting.
• Excellent collaboration skills, capable of maintaining relationships across international and interdisciplinary teams.

You must contribute to teaching at the Department. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

As a formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained by holding a position as a researcher or postdoc. To be appointed as a senior researcher, you must have completed a didactic/pedagogic education. If you do not have the necessary education, then it is possible to complete this requirement within a period of two years of appointment.

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Research experience
• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

You can read more about career paths at DTU

here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Allan Hornstrup, Head of Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics department by writing to

[email protected]

You can read more about DTU Space at

www.space.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at

DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure

Please submit your online application no later than 2 July 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• Vision for teaching and research
• CV including employment history, list of publications indicating scientific highlights, H-index and ORCID (see

http://orcid.org/)

• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

You can learn more about the recruitment process

here.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The DTU Space Institute has more than 200 employees and is located in the greater Copenhagen area at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. We link natural science closely with the development of new technology. DTU Space is involved in the full life cycle of space activities, including concept and design, construction and proto-typing, calibration and validation, implementation and operations, data analysis, processing, dissemination, and applications, leading to new instruments and applications. With the specialized and refined technology available, we are getting more and more answers and further insight about the Earth and the universe surrounding us. We contribute to about 200 scientific publications a year.

In the Astrophysics & Atmospheric Physics Division of the Department of Space Research and Space Technology (DTU Space), current focus areas cover large-scale structure of the universe, physics of compact objects, exoplanets, upper atmosphere physics and cosmo-climatology as well as development of instrumentation, in particular high-energy instrumentation, i.e. X- and gamma ray detectors and -optics. The division is currently active in the operation of instruments and data analysis from three satellites. The division also runs four instrumentation laboratories and hosts a center for space weather research and forecasts.

Technology for people

DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

Adresse:

Elektrovej
2800 Kgs. Lyngby