Postdoctoral Fellow Plasma Physics

Dunedin - New Zealand

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS TE TARI HŪ-O-TE-KŌHAO
DIVISION OF SCIENCES TE ROHE A AHIKĀROA

About our team Mō te tīma

The Physics Department at the University of Otago was the first Physics Department established in New Zealand and physics was a foundation discipline when the University opened in 1871.

Today the Department embraces innovative teaching methods promotes a vigorous research ethos and is committed both to Physics as a discipline and to its applications. Our key objectives are to provide students with the highest quality education and to produce research of international excellence.

The role Te mahi

We are looking for a post-doctoral scholar to assist in theoretical research to understand the dynamics of solar coronal heating through turbulence.

The overarching goal of the project is to better understand the promise of the recently discovered helicity barrier mechanism in explaining coronal heating through turbulence.

The research will involve developing running and analysing numerical simulations of strongly magnetised plasma turbulence with a helicity barrier as well as the development of theories and phenomenologies that provide frameworks for understanding numerical results.

Other possible research avenues include extensions to understand the relevance of the helicity barrier in other plasma contexts (e.g. experiments) the development of reduced models for simulating kinetic turbulence and analysis of in-situ data from spacecraft.

Your skills and experience Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

Applicants should have a doctorate in plasma physics or a related discipline with demonstrated strengths in theory and computation.

Successful candidates will be highly motivated and have excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Further details Pūroko

This is a full-time (1 FTE) fixed-term position until 31 August 2027 located in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

The salary for a Postdoctoral Fellow is $92350 per annum.

The University of Otago is a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking people and behaviours. This means that we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds experiences skills and perspectives are valued and respected.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Dr Jonathan Squire Department of Physics via the contact details below.

Application Tono

Candidates are requested to submit the following:
A CV
A Cover Letter
Names and email addresses of at least three referees

To submit your application please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference numberwill close on Sunday 16 November 2025.
Additional Information

Contact: Dr Jonathan Squire

Position details: Information Statement

Guidelines for Academic Positions: Guidelines

Further Information: Department Website

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Location: About Dunedin

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS TE TARI HŪ-O-TE-KŌHAODIVISION OF SCIENCES TE ROHE A AHIKĀROAAbout our team Mō te tīmaThe Physics Department at the University of Otago was the first Physics Department established in New Zealand and physics was a foundation discipline when the University opened in 1871.Today...