Heliosphere News - February 11, 2021

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: Matina Gkioulidou (matina.gkioulidou at jhuapl.edu)

Co-Editor: Jamie Rankin (jsrankin at princeton.edu)

Coordinator: Liz Wilber (Elizabeth.Wilber at unh.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, Matina, or Jamie. Posts are limited to ascii text.

Newsletters are archived on the following website:

http://heliospherenews.unh.edu/.

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

1. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Research Fellow and/or Senior Research Positions in Space Physics at Princeton University

2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Civil Servant Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Space Physics at UAH

4. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Local ISM and/or Exoplanets

5. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Research Scientist Positions in Space Physics at Florida Institute of Technology

6. ANNOUNCEMENT: Upcoming SHIELD Webinar: Fri Feb. 12th, 2021 2:00 PM EST

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1. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Research Fellow and/or Senior Research Positions in Space Physics at Princeton University

The Space Physics Group (see https://spacephysics.princeton.edu/) 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 Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs).

The Space Physics Group researches many aspects of space physics (aka Heliophysics), with a strong emphasis on experimental and observational space plasma physics. The Group currently leads NASA's Parker Solar Probe (PSP) Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (ISOIS) energetic particle instrument suite. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, and the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, which will launch in 2025 to explore the details of particle acceleration and the Sun's interaction with the local interstellar medium.

The successful candidate(s) will play a significant role in the analysis and publication of SEP observations from ISOIS and ENA observations from IBEX and must have both significant prior experiences analyzing at least one of these type(s) of particle data, as well as 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.

Interested persons must apply online at https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/apply/application.xhtml?listingId=17501, Selecting Space Physics as the position you are interested in.

For further inquiries, contact spacephysics at princeton.edu

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2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Civil Servant Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The Energetic Particle Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is looking to hire a scientist with experience in designing, building and analyzing data from instruments that measure ionized and neutral high-energy particles in the heliosphere and magnetosphere. The laboratory currently has instruments in development for the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission (launch in 2024), several cubesats for Low-Earth Orbit and interplanetary space, and the Lunar Gateway.

The Energetic Particle Laboratory is in the Heliospheric Science Laboratory (Code 672) of Goddard's Heliophysics Science Division.

This is a US Government Civil Servant position, therefore applicants are required to be either US citizens or currently holding a green card and are expected to have a PhD in a related field and several years of experience beyond completion of their PhD. Interested individuals should send a current CV to Adam Szabo (adam.szabo at nasa.gov), Code 672 Lab Chief, and Eric Christian (eric.r.christian at nasa.gov), Code 672 Associate Lab Chief and head of the Energetic Particle Laboratory.

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3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Space Physics at UAH

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant III to conduct research in Space Physics. The Postdoctoral Research Assistant will work with researchers at UAH on numerical modeling of the helium atom transport from the local interstellar medium into the inner heliosphere and participate in the comparison of simulated energetic neutral helium fluxes with the Interstellar Boundary Explorer measurements.

A successful candidate must have Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering, or related field with 2-3 years of full-time verifiable work experience (GRA experience counts). Candidates with 1 to 3 years of postdoctoral research in numerical modeling of space plasma flows are especially encouraged to apply.

The approximate starting salary is $52,216 to $60,000 with an excellent benefits package (www.uah.edu/hr/benefits). To ensure full consideration, applicants should submit a complete CV, a cover letter detailing experience and three references. Qualified applicants should apply online for the Postdoctoral Research Assistant III at https://careers.uah.edu/cw/en-us/job/493633/postdoctoral-research-assistant-iii

Questions should be addressed to Nikolai Pogorelov (np0002 at uah.edu).

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4. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Local ISM and/or Exoplanets

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work in collaboration with Seth Redfield primarily on UV/optical/IR spectra of the interstellar medium and/or transiting exoplanets. Projects may include measuring and modeling the fundamental properties of the interstellar medium amongst the nearest stars and/or characterizing the atmospheres and circumplanetary environments of exoplanets. The data sources are high-resolution spectra from a variety of ground-based and space-based facilities, spanning the UV, optical, and IR. Experience with data reduction and analysis, high resolution spectroscopy, and observational studies of the ISM and/or exoplanets will be helpful. The precise research direction will be determined in collaboration with the Postdoctoral Research Associate. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be encouraged to interact with other faculty and to carry out independent research with full access to observational facilities available. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in astronomy or astrophysics at the start of the appointment.

Wesleyan University, located between New York City and Boston, has a small and active astronomy program which emphasizes involvement of undergraduate and M.A. students in research. The Postdoctoral Research Associate would also have the opportunity, if desired, to develop educational skills through mentoring students in research and possibly teaching. This is a grant-funded position and funding has been approved for 2 years with the possibility of 1 additional year contingent upon mutual agreement and continued funding. Anticipated start date is in the Fall of 2021.

The following documents are required (submitted electronically): (1) Cover letter, (2) Current curriculum vitae with publication list, and (3) Statement of research experience and interests. Applicants should arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to sredfield at wesleyan.edu by the due date. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Applications received by 15 December 2020 will be given full consideration.

Salary is competitive and includes health and retirement benefits as well as a travel allowance. Please see the Wesleyan Benefits website for more information: https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr. Related URLs include Seth Redfield's web site, the Astronomy Department at Wesleyan, and the Planetary Science Group at Wesleyan (see below):

https://sethredfield.wescreates.wesleyan.edu/

https://www.wesleyan.edu/astro/

https://www.wesleyan.edu/planetary/

Apply through the Wesleyan Online Career Opportunities site here: https://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/7487

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5. JOB OPENING: Research Scientist Positions in Space Physics at Florida Institute of Technology

The Space Physics Group in the Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, is offering several postdoctoral and senior research positions in space physics. The Space Physics Group researches in several areas of heliospheric physics. These positions focus on studying cosmic rays and solar energetic particle propagation in fluctuating magnetic fields for space weather forecasts. Preferred qualifications of the candidate include having prior experience in numerical computer modeling, machine learning, and analyzing plasma, particle, and magnetic field data from spacecraft. The applicant should have a Ph.D. degree in space physics or closely related disciplines. Send application to mzhang at fit.edu in a single PDF file along with names and contact information for recommendation letters.

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6. ANNOUNCEMENT: Upcoming SHIELD Webinar: Fri Feb. 12th, 2021 2:00 PM EST

Speaker: Nancy Crooker

Nancy U. Crooker is an American physicist and professor emerita of space physics at Boston University, Massachusetts. She has made major contributions to the understanding of geomagnetism in the Earth’s magnetosphere and the heliosphere, particularly through the study of interplanetary electrons and magnetic reconnection. Crooker has published 207 peer–reviewed articles across a range of topics within space physics. Her early career was as a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University and then the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1970s. There, together with Joan Feynman in their seminal Nature paper, she was one of the first physicists to use geomagnetic data as a way to reconstruct solar activity prior to the space age. Crooker then developed the concept of anti–parallel merging of magnetic field lines in Earth’s magnetosphere published in Journal of Geophysical Research in 1979. In 1990, she returned to UCLA as an adjunct professor before making her final move to Boston University as a research professor in 1994. Around this time, Crooker switched focus from the magnetosphere to the heliosphere, in particular the interplanetary manifestations of coronal mass ejections. In 1997, she co–edited a monograph on coronal mass ejections. In 2002, she coined the term “interchange reconnection” for describing the dynamic process by which heliospheric magnetic flux introduced by coronal mass ejections is subsequently removed, a term which has been comprehensively adopted in the field. Crooker is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), where the fellowship program recognizes AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery, or innovation in their field. She also received the prestigious Eugene Parker Lecture award from the AGU in 2013, only the third woman to do so. Crooker was president of the AGU Space Physics & Aeronomy Section from 2004 to 2006 and served on the AGU Board of Directors from 2010 to 2012.

Speaker: Dr. Fran Bagenal

Dr. Fran Bagenal was born and grew up in England. She studied Physics and Geophysics at the University of Lancaster. In 1976, inspired by NASA’s missions to Mars and the prospect of the Voyager mission, she moved to the US for graduate study at MIT. Her 1981 Ph.D. thesis involved analysis of data from the Voyager Plasma Science experiment in Jupiter’s giant magnetosphere. She spent 1982–1987 as a post–doctoral researcher in space physics at Imperial College, London. Voyager flybys of Uranus and Neptune brought her back to the US and she joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1989. She was a professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences until 2015 when she chose to focus on NASA’s New Horizons and Juno missions. She remains a research Scientist at the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics. In addition to the Voyager mission, Dr. Bagenal has been on the science teams of the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Deep Space 1 mission to Comet Borrelly. She edited Jupiter Planet, Satellites, and Magnetosphere (Cambridge University Press, 2004). She’s on the plasma teams of the first two New Frontiers missions: the New Horizons mission that - after a 9.5–year flight - flew past Pluto on July 14, 2015 and Juno that went into orbit over the poles of Jupiter in 2016.

Friday, February 12, 2021

2:00pm EST

Registration link:

https://bostonu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsd-GvqT8jH9fr9zfyVTHZKBM86xnHuv2i

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All the best,

Jamie Sue Rankin