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PhD Thesis (f/m/x) - Multi-scale characterization of ionospheric irregularities
Job Description
Req ID:  2154
Place of work:  Neustrelitz
Starting date:  01.11.2025
Career level:  Doctorate
Type of employment:  Part time
Duration of contract:  3 years

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics focusses on the properties and interactions of the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere (ITM) system and how it is driven by energy inputs from the sun and the underlying atmosphere. Within this field of research, the Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics at the Neustrelitz site in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania focusses on research into space weather. The term space weather refers to the time-varying conditions on the sun and in the solar wind and their effect on the ITM system.

 

What to expect
The research group Instabilities and Irregularities in the Thermosphere and Ionosphere in the department of Solar-Terrestrial Coupling Processes investigates ionospheric irregularities in different regions of the Earth and the physical process that controls their formation and evolution. Research methods using ground- and space-based measurements are crucial in this field to capture complex ionospheric structures on small to large scales associated with, for example, equatorial plasma bubbles and auroral phenomena. In this project, multi-scale and multi-institutional studies are combined with theory and simulation to better understand ionospheric phenomena and space weather.

 
Your tasks

  • Data analysis of ground radio and optical instruments such as GNSS and all sky imager
  • Data analysis from spaced-based satellite measurements of ionospheric and thermospheric parameters
  • Detection and characterization of temporal and spatial scales of irregularities in the ionosphere
  • Investigation of the physical process of generation and development of ionospheric irregularities
  • Planning and coordination of observation experiments using, for example, but not limited to, radio wave and airglow measurements under various space weather background conditions
  • Comparison of data analysis, theory and simulation based on electron dynamics and plasma physics
     

Your profile

  • completed scientific university degree (Master's degree / university diploma) in natural sciences (e.g. space physics, atmospheric physics) or engineering (e.g. computer science, geoinformatics) or other degree programmes relevant to the job
  • Knowledge of ionospheric physics and radio and optical technologies
  • Knowledge of mathematics and statistical computations
  • very good knowledge of relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, C++) and common operating systems (e.g., Windows, LINUX)
  • excellent written and spoken English skills
  • Ability to work in a team as well as independently, creatively, and in a goal-oriented manner
  • flexible thinking that does not always adhere to conventional methods, but explores and implements new ideas

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 2154) please contact:

Dr. Hiroatsu Sato
Tel.: +49 3981 480 190