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Postdoctoral Research Positions in the Centre for Space Research at the
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
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The Centre for Excellence in Space Research (CSR) at the North-West University in Potchefstroom,
South Africa announces three postdoctoral research fellowships, one in each of the following areas:
1. Heliospheric Physics (with focus on computational modeling). The successful candidate will
be expected to play an active role in research in Computational Heliospheric Physics using
the facilities of the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) in South Africa. The
Heliospheric Group has a strong research team with the computational modeling research of
the group internationally recognized within the Cosmic Ray, Heliospheric & Space Physics
and Astrophysics communities. Applicants must have experience in computational modeling
and a recently obtained PhD in either Computational Physics, Heliospheric or Space Physics,
Cosmic Ray Physics or Astrophysics. For more information please contact the programme-
leader Prof. M.S. (Marius) Potgieter directly.
2. Turbulence studies: The ideal candidate for this position will have good programming skills
and proven expertise in analysing turbulence data. Our aim with this project is to better
understand the basic processes that govern the transport of charged particles propagating in
turbulent magnetic fields. S/he will join a team working on ab initio cosmic-ray modulation
models and direct numerical simulations of diffusion and drift. Some turbulence studies
focus on short time periods which are analysed in great detail. We are studying variations of
turbulence properties over time scales of decades and for as large a part of the heliosphere
as we can get data for. Synthetic data are used for the direct numerical diffusion and drift
simulations. Applicants must have a recent PhD in either Computational Physics,
Heliospheric Physics, Space Physics, Cosmic Ray Physics, Astrophysics or Astronomy. For
more information please contact the programme-leader Prof. Adri Burger directly.
3. High-mass star formation and masers: A post-doctoral position is available within the star
formation and masers group. The current focus of this group is on periodic masers
associated with high-mass star forming regions, in particular to understand what
mechanism(s) underlie the periodicity and how the periodic masers can help to better
understand the environment of very young high-mass stars. Applicants should have
experience in observational and/or theoretical research in high-mass star formation,
astrochemistry, or astrophysical masers associated with high-mass star forming regions.
Applicants must have a recent PhD in either Astrophysics or Astronomy. For more
information please contact the programme-leader Prof. Johan van der Walt directly.
Please note that successful candidates will also be involved in the teaching of physics and
supervision of research projects for post graduate students. The appointment will be for up to two
years contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance. Candidates should submit, by
May 1, 2016, electronically a CV and a cover letter describing their research experience and
interests, and the names and contact information for three references, to the director of the CSR,
Prof. Stefan Ferreira. The appointees will be expected to commence duties by 1 July 2016 or soon
after but not later than 1 January 2017. The positions will remain open until filled.
The North-West University is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.