Heliosphere News - Nov 27, 2018

A newsletter devoted to Heliospheric Science.

Editor: Nathan Schwadron (nschwadron at unh.edu) Co-Editor: Mihir Desai (mdesai at swri.edu) Co-Editor: Eric Zirnstein (ejz at princeton.edu) Co-Editor: Merav Opher (mopher at bu.edu) Co-Editor: Nick Pogorelov (np0002 at uah.edu)

Web site editor: Ken Fairchild (Ken.Fairchild at unh.edu)

If you are interested in being added to the list, being removed from the list, or posting an announcement, please send information to Nathan, Mihir, Eric, Merav, or Nick. Posts are limited to ascii text. Newsletters are archived on the following website: http://heliospherenews.unh.edu/.

******************* Announcements *******************

1. Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) Mission Website is Online

2. MEETING: 18th Annual International Astrophysics Conference, February 18-22, 2019, Pasadena, California, USA, Second announcement

3. MEETING: 14th International Conference on Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows: ASTRONUM-2019, July 1-5, 2019, Paris, France

4. SPECIAL ISSUE: Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics, Superstatistics and Beyond: Theory and Applications in Astrophysical and Other Complex Systems

5. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Alabama Plasma Internship Program (ALPIP)

6. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: Graduate Studies in Space Physics in Boston University

7. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: Graduate Studies in Heliophysics at the University of Arizona

8. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: Graduate Studies in Space Physics at UNH

9. POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Space Physics at Princeton University

10. POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics Instrumentation and Data Analysis at Los Alamos National Laboratory

11. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Job Openings at the Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

12. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Department Chair in Physics & Astronomy at University of Texas at San Antonio

13. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position at University of Alabama in Huntsville

14. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: AGU/SPA

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1. Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) Mission Website is Online

From: David J. McComas (dmccomas at princeton.edu)

Princeton University’s website for NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission is online and available at https://imap.princeton.edu. Launching in 2024, the IMAP mission and its suite of 10 instruments simultaneously investigates two of the most important issues in space physics today - how particles are accelerated to high energies in space and how the solar wind interacts with the interstellar medium at the boundaries that surround our solar system.

 

Additional information about the IMAP mission, the 10 instruments, and the fundamental questions that IMAP will answer can be found on the website and its associated links.

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2. MEETING: SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: The 18th Annual International Astrophysics Conference will be held in Pasadena, California at the Sheraton Pasadena February 18 - 22, 2019.(Welcome Reception and Evening Registration begins Sunday, February 17).

The theme of the meeting will be "The Physics of Energetic Particles: Universal Processes from the Solar Corona to the Very Local Interstellar Medium and the Physics they Enable" and will follow the same format as before with 25-minute presentations punctuated by selected 40-minute invited talks that will explore various themes in greater detail.

Energetic particles are ubiquitous throughout the solar wind, being integral to the solar corona, accelerated by interplanetary shock waves, present in the quiet solar wind, possibly accelerated by magnetic flux ropes or magnetic islands in the vicinity of the heliospheric current sheet, at planetary bow shocks, present in the distant heliosphere and the heliospheric termination shock, in the inner heliosheath, and now observed by Voyager 1 in the very local interstellar medium. Although numerous mechanisms have been identified that accelerate particles, no consensus exists as to which is primary, and indeed several acceleration processes can operate simultaneously in close proximity. The acceleration of particles to large energies represents a fundamental dissipative process for the plasma and can therefore modify the underlying plasma physical processes in important ways. The meeting will explore observations, theories, and look forward to anticipated new missions that will shine a light on this theme, the Parker Solar Probe and IMAP.

Please visit the conference website for registration and abstract submission:

E-mail inquiries about the meeting should be directed to Gary Zank at garyp.zank at gmail.com or icnsmeetings at gmail.com.

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3. MEETING: 14th International Conference on Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows in Paris, France, on 1 - 5 July, 2019.

The Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research at The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Maison de la Simulation (CEA/CNRS/UPS/UVSQ), France

will organize ASTRONUM-2019, the 14th International Conference on Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows in Paris, France, on 1 - 5 June, 2019. 

The conference will cover the following topics:

(1) Advanced numerical methods for space and astrophysical flows; 

(2) Large-scale fluid-based, kinetic, and hybrid simulations;

(3) Turbulence and cosmic ray transport; (4) Magnetohydrodynamics

(5) Software packages for modeling and analyzing plasma flows / Visualisation

with the application to

(1) Physics of the Sun-Heliosphere-Magnetosphere; 

(2) Interstellar medium and star formation;

(3) Cosmology and galaxy formation; 

(4) Dynamo effect;

(5) Stellar Physics.

The purpose of the conference is to bring together leading experts in applied mathematics, space physics, astrophysics, and geophysics to discuss the application of novel numerical algorithms and petascale parallelization strategies to computationally challenging problems.

The conference will be structured around invited, 40-minute keynote and 25-minute regular talks, and a limited number of contributed talks, with the attempt to have no parallel sessions. The conference web site will soon be established to provide you with useful information about the conference venue, registration, and means of transportation, etc. E-mail inquiries about the meeting should be directed to Nikolai.Pogorelov at uah.edu and Edouard.Audit at cea.fr.

Program Committee: Tahar Amari (CNRS Ecole Polytechnique, France), Edouard Audit (CEA, Maison de la Simulation, France, co-chair), Amitava Bhattacharjee (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, USA), Phillip Colella (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA), Anthony Mezzacappa (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA), Ewald Mueller (Max-Planck-Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany), Nikolai Pogorelov (University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA, chair), Kazunari Shibata (Kyoto University, Japan), Jon Linker (Predictive Science Inc., USA), and Gary P. Zank (University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA).

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4. Special Issue in EPJ ST: Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics, Superstatistics and Beyond: Theory and Applications in Astrophysical and Other Complex Systems.

From: George Livadiotis (george.livadiotis@swri.org)

Topics include, among others: Applications in astrophysics, space and other plasma physics, geophysics, high energy physics, cosmology, image and time series processing. The Guest Editors invite authors to submit their original research and short reviews on the theme of the Special Issue of the European Physical Journal -Special Topics. Articles should be submitted to the Editorial Office of EPJ: ST by selecting the "Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics, Superstatistics and Beyond" as a special issue at: https://articlestatus.edpsciences.org/is/epjst/home.php

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5. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Alabama Plasma Internship Program (ALPIP)  

 

The NSF EPSCoR CPU2AL program sponsors a 10-week Alabama Plasma Internship Program (ALPIP) for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across the southeastern U.S. The program provides students with nine-week quality research experiences at Alabama Institutions and one week of lectures, laboratory experiments, and short classes in plasma science given by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in New Jersey. Research projects seek to understand, predict, and control plasma processes and interactions and to use low-temperature plasmas to develop new technologies for aerospace, manufacturing, medicine, agriculture, and food safety. Students receive a 10-week stipend of $5,500, paid housing and travel during the internship, and a $2000 travel allowance to present the internship results at a conference after the internship. 

For more information and how to apply, please visit:  https://www.uah.edu/cpu2al/career-opportunities/alpip

Application deadline: January 18, 2019, 11:59AM CST

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6. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: Graduate Studies in Space Physics in Boston University 

The Department of Astronomy at Boston University seeks prospective graduate students who are interested in pursuing research in space physics, including the disciplines of heliospheric, ionospheric, magnetospheric, and thermospheric physics and planetary atmospheres. The deadline for application is 15 December 2018. 

Both fellowships and research assistantships are available for qualified applicants. 

Successful applicants will enter the program in Fall 2019. Prospective students should apply at:

Inquiries about the program and the application process should be directed to Professor Meers Oppenheim (meerso at bu.edu).

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7. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: Graduate Studies in Heliophysics at the University of Arizona

From: Kristopher Klein (kgklein at lpl.arizona.edu) and Joe Giacalone (giacalon at lpl.arizona.edu)

The Department of Planetary Science and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona seek prospective graduate students who are interested in pursuing research in space physics and heliophysics. The deadline for application is December 10th, 2018. Both fellowships and research assistantships are available for the qualified applicant. Successful candidates will enter the program in Fall 2019. Prospective students should apply at https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/graduate/admission

The solar and heliospheric research group at LPL (https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/research/heliophysics) has a long history studying the Sun’s extended atmosphere as it moves outward through the solar system and encounters the local interstellar medium. The group studies many different aspects of the Heliosphere, including the transport of galactic cosmic rays within the solar system, the acceleration and transport of high-energy solar particles, the physics of shocks in the interplanetary medium, and the transport and dissipation of energy in turbulent plasmas such as the solar wind. LPL researchers have had significant involvement in the Voyager spacecraft missions, as well as involvement with other missions aimed at studying the Sun and solar wind, including ACE, Wind, Ulysses, and the recently launched Parker Solar Probe.

Inquiries about the program and the application process can be directed to either Prof. Kristopher Klein (kgklein at lpl.arizona.edu) or Prof. Joe Giacalone (giacalon at lpl.arizona.edu). The University of Arizona is an EOAA employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We request researchers and teachers to distribute this advertisement to qualified candidates. 

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8. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: Graduate Studies in Space Physics at UNH

The Department of Physics at the University of New Hampshire is accepting applications (http://physics.unh.edu/content/graduate-program) to its MS and PhD programs for the Fall 2019 semester. We have a number of graduate research fellowships to award to incoming students. The Department of Physics is linked to the Space Science Center (SSC), part of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space. Faculty and students are members of the Department of Physics (http://physics.unh.edu ) with a graduate degree program specializing in Space Physics/Astrophysics .The Space Science Center fosters research and graduate education in all of the space sciences with studies ranging from the ionosphere to the Earth's magnetosphere, the local solar system, and out to the farthest reaches of the universe. Investigations of the Earth's environment in the solar system look at space as a laboratory for plasma physics. We conduct theoretical, computational, data analysis, and instrument development projects focused on the solar-terrestrial radiation environment involving both satellite and suborbital missions. High energy astrophysics investigations involve the sensing of energetic astrophysical objects with ground, balloon, and satellite detectors. Satellites from NASA missions are still providing data for ongoing analysis. Students have opportunities to participate in recent missions that are carrying SSC-associated instruments including STEREO (launched 2006), IBEX (launched 2008), LRO (launched 2009), Van Allen Probes (launched 2012), Firebird (launched in Dec. 2013), MMS (launched in 2015), FIREBIRD II (launched in 2015), GOES-R (launched in 2016), and Parker Solar Probe (launched in 2018). Upcoming missions in which the SSC is involved include Solar Orbiter and the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe. The SSC is also a Center of Excellence in theoretical Solar-terrestrial research. 

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9. POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: The Space Physics Group in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, anticipates offering one or more postdoctoral or more senior research positions in the observational study of solar energetic particles (SEPs) and/or Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs).

The Space Physics Group carries out research in many aspects of space physics (aka heliophysics), with a strong emphasis on experimental and observational space plasma physics. Among others, the Group currently leads NASA's Parker Solar Probe (PSP) Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (ISʘIS) instrument suite, Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, which launched in 2008, and the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, which was just selected for development and launch in 2024 to explore the details of particle acceleration and the Sun's interaction with the local interstellar medium; see https://spacephysics.princeton.edu/ for more information about the Space Physics Group and its work.

PSP was launched 8/12/2018 on a Delta-IV Heavy rocket and will ultimately go into a solar orbit that passes repeatedly within 9 solar radii from the Sun's surface for the first time (prior measurements only extend in to ~65 solar radii). ISʘIS is poised to make revolutionary measurements of SEPs down in the corona and throughout the inner heliosphere. In parallel, IBEX made the first, and continues to make periodic, all-sky maps of heliospheric ENAs; these observations are enabling revolutionary new understanding of the outer heliosphere and its interaction with the very local interstellar medium.

The successful candidate(s) will play a major role in the analysis and publication of SEP observations from ISʘIS and/or ENA observations from IBEX and must have both significant prior experience analyzing these type(s) of particle data and the proven ability to lead and participate in the rapid development and publication of numerous excellent research articles. A Ph.D. is required in physics, astrophysics, space science, or a closely related field.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and continued funding, with the expectation of up to three years. The expected start date is January 1, 2019, though other starting dates may be negotiated. 

Interested persons must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/9101 and submit a curriculum vitae, bibliography, a statement of research interests, and provide contact information for three references. Letters of recommendation will also be handled through this site. All applications received by November 1, 2018 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled. For further inquiries, contact dmccomasATprinceton.edu.

These positions are subject to the University's background check policy.

Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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10. POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics Instrumentation and Data Analysis at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks candidates for a postdoctoral position in heliospheric physics and instrumentation with the Space Science and Applications Group (ISR-1). ISR Division currently leads instruments or instrument subsystems on NASA's IMAP, IBEX, SWIFT, TWINS, ACE, Mars Odyssey, and Van Allen Probes missions, as well as NASAs Mars Science Laboratory and Mars 2020 rovers. The candidate chosen for this position will be expected to carry out original research addressing the structure and evolution of the outer heliosphere through analysis of data from the ongoing IBEX mission. The candidate is also expected to support the development and calibration of energetic neutral atom instrumentation to be used in the upcoming IMAP mission. Additional opportunities in the development of space plasma instrumentation may also be available. Applicants should have laboratory experience applicable to developing hardware for the detection of space plasmas. Additional desirable skills include familiarity with heliospheric science (solar wind, outer heliosphere, magnetospheres, etc.), or a strong interest in learning about such environments. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to interact with Laboratory staff engaged in a broad range of observational, computational, and theoretical research in heliophysics. 

This is a two-year position with the possibility of an extension to a third year. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in Space Physics, Physics, Astronomy, or appropriate similar fields obtained within the last five years, or soon to be completed. They should have demonstrated ability to pursue independent research and work as a member of a team, as well as a strong record of publication and presentation.

Interested candidates should send their CV, publications list, and statement of research interests to Dan Reisenfeld (dreisenfeld at lanl.gov), and apply online at jobs.lanl.gov and search for IRC69562. 

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11. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Job Openings at the Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

The Department of Space Research of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas seeks candidates for positions at the postdoctoral researcher, research scientist and senior or principal research scientist levels in Heliospheric Physics. The selected candidate is expected to carry out original research addressing the origin and acceleration of energetic particles in the interplanetary medium. Research will focus on the analysis of suprathermal and energetic particle, as well as magnetic field and solar wind plasma data from the Wind, ACE, and STEREO, and Parker Solar Probe missions and will involve interactions with Institute Staff engaged in a broad range of observational, computational, and theoretical research in the physics of the solar wind and suprathermal and energetic particles. Propose and lead relevant scientific investigations in data analysis and modeling and publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, present results at scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences. Research will involve interactions with Institute Staff engaged in a broad range of observational, computational, and theoretical research in the physics of the solar wind and suprathermal and energetic particles.

Click on the following links for more information about these positions.

15-01272 Postdoctoral Researcher

15-01309 Sr. Research/Principal Scientist

15-01308 Research/Sr. Research Scientist

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12. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Department Chair in Physics & Astronomy at University of Texas at San Antonio

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is seeking a dynamic Chair that can lead the department to preeminence in an extraordinarily diverse University that is focused on a significant expansion of its research mission. This is an exemplary opportunity for a leader to strengthen partnerships with premier research institutions in San Antonio such as the Southwest Research Institute, Air Force Research Laboratory, UT Health San Antonio, and others. Areas of research excellence within the department include astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, condensed matter, materials science, nanotechnology, and space and planetary science. Several interdisciplinary research and educational opportunities are ongoing with Environmental Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and the College of Engineering among others. The Department has a joint Ph.D. degree with the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) allowing its faculty and Ph.D. students access to over $400M of research projects that include leadership roles in NASA's space physics and planetary missions. UT San Antonio's future will focus on student success and building one of the nation's most diverse research intensive universities. The Department Chair will play a critical role in linking the Department to this growth and success. UT San Antonio also benefits from being in a major metropolitan area that retains the attributes of smaller neighborhoods, excellent schools, and an extremely welcoming environment. 

Required qualifications: a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy or related area of physical science or engineering; an active research program with a distinguished publication record and a strong international reputation. Preferred qualifications: commitment to excellence in teaching at all levels including Ph.D.; leadership and administrative experience; and an active, high-profile research program in an area of physics and/or astronomy. Responsibilities include a commitment to the development and growth of the Physics and Astronomy program, as well as teaching, supervising student research at all levels, and maintaining an externally funded research program. Descriptions of current departmental research efforts can be found at http://www.utsa.edu/physics/. 

UTSA, the third largest academic institution of the University of Texas System, has an enrollment of nearly 31,000 students. Ph.D. students have access to world-class facilities at UTSA and SwRI that includes advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, optical and particle instrument calibration and MEMS laboratories. Screening of completed applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

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13. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position at University of Alabama in Huntsville

 

The Department of Space Science of the University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking an outstanding scientist and teacher to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position in the field of low-temperature plasma (LTP) science, broadly defined. This is the first of three positions that will be filled in this general area over the next three years, all of which are expected to support and complement a recently awarded National Science Foundation Established Program in Support of Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant in low-temperature plasma physics. Within the general field of LTP science, areas of particular interest to the Department include solar physics, interplanetary and heliospheric physics, magnetospheric physics, physics of the very local interstellar medium, dusty and/or complex plasma, gas discharge physics, and plasma interactions with soft and/or hard matter. For more information and how to apply, please visit https://www.uah.edu/cspar/jobs.

Reviewing of applicants will begin by January 18. 2019.

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14. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: AGU/SPA

AGU/SPA is your community - do you want to know more about what is happening?  Do you want to help foster improved communication? Do you want to be involved? We are looking for a volunteer to work with AGU to manage the SPA section website. 

AGU is happy to provide training and guidance on accessing/editing our AGU-hosted  webpage and the SPA leadership will be grateful for an improved and updated website.

If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact either Larry Paxton (Larry.Paxton at jhuapl.edu )  or Christina Cohen (cohen at srl.caltech.edu). Students are especially encouraged!

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