The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Solar System Physics and Space Technology (SSPT) program in Kiruna, Sweden, to investigate a newly discovered plasma component at airless bodies: negative ions.

The Ph.D. project uniquely combines experimental and data analysis work.

SSPT developed and built the first-ever negative ion detector for use beyond Earth orbit—NILS (Negative Ions on the Lunar Surface)—which recently detected this component on the lunar surface. The Ph.D. student will perform additional calibrations of the NILS flight spare instrument using IRF facilities. These calibration data will be used to refine and extend the NILS instrument response function, which will then be applied in a reanalysis of the lunar data obtained by NILS. 

The new results and experience gained through calibration, along with the development of novel data analysis methods, will contribute to the design of a new generation of ultra-sensitive negative ion detectors for space applications.

This Ph.D. position is part of the MSCA-Doctoral Network (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) “Physics and Applications of Negative Ions (PANIONS),” funded under HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2024.

The position is for four years. In accordance with MSCA rules, the Ph.D. student is required to work exclusively within the PANIONS doctoral network for the first 36 months, supported by MSCA funding. The final 12 months will be funded by internal IRF projects.

To be eligible for MSCA funding, applicants must not have resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date (“Mobility Requirement”). Additionally, applicants must be in the first four years of their research career (full-time equivalent) and must not already hold a doctoral degree.

The position is based at the IRF head office in Kiruna, Sweden, and requires physical presence to carry out the work.

The PhD student will be affiliated to the Department of Physics at Umeå University and must therefore fulfil the university requirements. Information about the research education is available at https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-physics/. Information about research at IRF can be found at https://www.irf.se.

The application should include:

• CV
• short (one-page) letter stating research interests and relevant experience
• copies of academic transcripts
• contact information for two professional references.