PhD Student in Space Physics / Atmospheric Science
The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF)
The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is a governmental research institute under the Ministry of Education. IRF conducts basic research and postgraduate education in space physics, space technology and atmospheric physics.
IRF’s areas of research areas provide knowledge that is necessary for understanding the natural world and the global processes that affect people in their daily lives. IRF contributes, for example, with research into processes in the polar atmosphere through observations and analysis of data focusing on the Arctic and Antarctica.
The Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and education spanning the atmosphere, ocean and physical climate sciences. MISU offers educational programmes at the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels. Our research addresses fundamental questions concerning the dynamics, physics, chemistry and biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and ocean relevant to weather and climate. MISU strives toward a broad representation of research within our scientific domain.
We study questions originating from the deep ocean to the upper atmosphere and from the tropics to the poles. In this effort, we use and develop theory, statistical methods, and numerical models in close interplay with observations. We also develop and lead observational research using remote-sensing and in-situ measurements, including satellite missions and icebreaker expeditions to the Arctic.
For more info, go to: su.se/misu
Homepage: https://www.irf.se/en/
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Earth and Space Science Informatics (ESSI)
The position is for a period of four years. The PhD student’s placement of work and research time will be divided roughly equally between IRF’s headquarters in Kiruna and MISU in Stockholm, subject to agreement with the successful candidate. Start date: September 2026 or by agreement.
About the project
The number of satellites is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Decommissioned satellites eventually re-enter the atmosphere. When the material ablates, residues remain in the atmosphere, which is a complex system consisting of several layers. The altitude at which the material is deposited, its state and the size of the particles produced are still unknown. The objective of the project is to assess the large-scale impacts of space activities on Earth’s atmosphere, enabling the space industry to make well-informed decisions regarding the sustainable use of space. The topic is interdisciplinary and the project will be carried out in close collaboration between IRF and MISU. The project is financed by the Swedish Space Research School (SSRS) - a national graduate school in space science and space technology, jointly administered by a consortium of Swedish universities and research institutes, and funded by the Swedish National Space Agency. The overarching objective of SSRS is to reinforce Sweden’s long‑term provision of expertise, to offer a coordinated and high‑quality doctoral education, and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the Swedish space sector.
Job description
High-quality observational data on re-entries across a wide range of object sizes obtained using various instrumental techniques are required in order to assess the atmospheric effects of spacecraft re-entry and to determine what measures, if any, need to be taken in response to these effects.
The planned research work for the PhD student include (but is not limited to):
1) Collecting and analysing data on atmospheric re-entry from, for example, radar systems (such as EISCAT, EISCAT_3D, the Nordic Meteor Radar Cluster or SIMONe) and optical systems (ALIS_4D or the Global Meteor Network). Planning and carrying out observational campaigns ahead of know re-entries.
2) Integrating the empirical results from re-entry observations into atmospheric models (such as Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model – WACCM). Determining which properties of the re-entering material are decisive for its final impact on the atmosphere.
Qualification requirements
For information about qualification requirements, selection and how to apply, go to the announcement, linked below.