Senior Lecturer in Physics with specialization in Astroparticle Physics

Sort on published: 2018-06-28

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our mission is to pursue top-quality research and education and to interact constructively with society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has 42,000 students, 7,000 employees and a turnover of SEK 6.7 billion.

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 located 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 and astrophysics. 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 are also interested in radio-detection of neutrinos at extreme energies. Owing to their properties, neutrinos have a unique potential to pinpoint the mysterious, 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 (Masters and PhD 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.

Qualifications Required: According to the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance those qualified for appointment as senior lecturer are persons who have demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a PhD relevant to the specialization or have the corresponding research competence or some other professional expertise. It is necessary that the educational skills, the scientific competence and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment. 

According to the appointment regulations of Uppsala University to be eligible for appointment as senior lecturer applicants also must have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising ten weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may 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. 

An applicant who is offered an employment as senior lecturer can be promoted to professor if he/she has applied for this, is qualified for such a post, and moreover has been deemed suitable on the basis of the specific criteria established by the faculty board. 

Assessment Criteria/Ranking

Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise: The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, which will be given equal weight.

Research expertise comprises research merits including research merits obtained outside the academy, which includes for example technology development and innovation ability. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits within astroparticle physics or closely related subjects, in particular different aspects relevant for detection of high-energy neutrinos. Experience of and interest for development of future detectors for cosmic neutrinos is a merit. 

In assessing research expertise research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily in regard to depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration. Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop research and education in the third cycle, the ability to acquire funding for research in competition, as well as the demonstrated capacity to interact with others both within academia and in the wider community. 

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. This expertise can have been achieved outside the academy through supervision, internal training, mentoring programs, etc.  

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. Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop teaching and instruction, as well as the ability to connect research to teaching in respect to research in the subject at hand, subject didactics, as well as teaching and learning in higher education. The ability to interact concerning issues of teaching and learning in higher education with actors inside and outside the University is also included in teaching expertise. 

Administrative Expertise Administrative expertise is important for the employment and will be afforded consideration. Administrative expertise also includes entrepreneurship. Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, through the capacity to plan, organise, and prioritise work in an efficient and task-related manner as well as through the ability to assign and observe time frames. Expertise includes overall operational planning and the capacity to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities as well as the ability to work in a structured manner based on an awareness of goals and quality. 

Management Expertise Management expertise is important and will be afforded high consideration. Management expertise is demonstrated through the capacity to lead operations and personnel, make decisions, take responsibility, and motivate others, providing them with what is needed for the efficient achievement of common goals. The abilities to coordinate the group and help create a sense of involvement, participation, and enjoyment in work and to deal with conflicts constitute further examples of demonstrated expertise. 

Collaboration Expertise: Collaboration expertise is important and will be afforded high consideration. Collaboration expertise is demonstrated through prior participation in international scientific collaborations. 

Additional merits: Scientific and technological experience regarding the development of detection methods for neutrinos in the TeV – EeV energy range 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: As soon as possible or as otherwise agreed.

Type of position: Permanent full-time position.

For further information about the position please contact Professor Allan Hallgren, phone number +46 70 425 0355, e-mail Allan.Hallgren@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by September 4, 2018, UFV-PA 2018/2275.

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

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services. Applications must be submitted as described in this advertisement.