Heliosphere News - March 8, 2021

http://heliospherenews.unh.edu/

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: PhD and Postdoctoral Research Positions in Cosmic Dust/Heliosphere Science at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland

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

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

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

5. MEETING: Heliophysics 2050 Workshop, May 3-7, 2021

6. MEETING: Spring 2021 Meeting on Solar Flare Energy Release, May 24-26, 2021

7. ANNOUNCEMENT: Upcoming SHIELD Webinar: Fri March. 12th, 2021 2:00 PM EST

*********************

1. JOB OPPORTUNITY: PhD and Postdoctoral Research Positions in Cosmic Dust/Heliosphere Science at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland

There are two research opportunities in cosmic dust/heliosphere science at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Astrophysical Dust Group (https://astrodust.phys.ethz.ch) at the Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics (IPPA), ETH Zurich, in Switzerland, is looking for highly motivated candidates to apply for a postdoctoral researcher position, and a PhD position, within the framework of the ERC funded project “The heliosphere and the dust: characterisation of the solar and interstellar neighbourhood”.

The projects include cosmic dust data analysis, modelling of the interstellar dust transport through the heliosphere, and applying the results to other astrospheres and the solar system in the past. For more details and submission of the applications, see:

Postdoc position: https://www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_ryjk2Yj2JM3MH3WG3w

PhD position: https://www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_Pw3MvM3kDRZTXpC26H

Application deadline: March 31, 2021.

For questions (no applications!), please contact Veerle Sterken: vsterken@ethz.ch

*********************

2. 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

*********************

3. 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

*******************

4. JOB OPPORTUNITY: 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.

*******************

5. MEETING: Heliophysics 2050 Workshop, May 3-7, 2021

The Heliophysics 2050 Workshop Science Organizing Committee would like to update the community on the upcoming meeting to be held virtually May 3-7, 2021. Due to the broad community response to the call for white papers, two extra days have been added to the workshop from the first announcement.

Details regarding registration and abstract submissions will be forthcoming. Information about the workshop is and will be posted at: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/helio2050/

Sessions will be organized around scene-setting material followed by panel / community discussions. For each session, the SOC will release a summary of the planned scope so that the community can prepare the details of a long-term science strategy. Topics will include the following:

-Solar interior, dynamo, and global surface properties

-Solar corona and inner heliosphere

-Magnetosphere

-Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere

-Space weather (Basic & Applied Research, Operations, & Human Exploration)

-Outer heliosphere & local interstellar medium

-Expanding the Frontiers of Heliophysics (Planetary magnetospheres / Habitability / Exoplanets / the Sun-as-a-Star)

-Fundamental Physical Processes (Turbulence / Plasma-neutral interactions / Magnetic reconnection / Wave-particle interactions / Shocks)

-Heliophysics as a Community in 2050

We greatly look forward to your participation in the workshop as we aim to strategically contribute to the Decadal Survey process.

SOC: Shasha Zou, Sabrina Savage, Amir Caspi, Li-jen Chen, Ian Cohen, Larry Kepko, Mark Linton, Noé Lugaz, Merav Opher, Larry Paxton, Jaye Verneiro

********************

6. MEETING: Spring 2021 Meeting on Solar Flare Energy Release, May 24-26, 2021

The SolFER DRIVE Science Center is announcing a web-based science meeting on Solar Flare Energy Release to take place on May 24-26, 2021. The meeting is open to all scientists working on the topic. The meeting will include invited talks, submitted oral talks as well as poster presentations and will provide substantial time for informal scientific discussion. We encourage paper submissions that are based on remote and in situ observational data as well as those based on theory and modeling. Extensive use will be made of Gather meeting software to facilitate interactive poster sessions as well as informal discussion between meeting participants. The meeting will be organized around the key scientific topics listed as follows:

-What mechanisms facilitate the fast release of magnetic energy in impulsive solar flares?

-What controls the onset of fast flare energy release?

-Why and how do flares transfer a large fraction of the released magnetic energy into energetic electrons?

-What mechanism drives the energization of ions and the measured abundance enhancements of some species during impulsive flares?

-What mechanisms control energetic particle transport in flares?

-How does reconnection heat plasma in flares and the small events (nanoflares) that may be responsible for heating the corona?

More information on these scientific topics can be found on the SolFER website (solfer.umd.edu). Information on abstract submission and more details on the daily timeline of the meeting are being developed for posting on the website.

The SolFER science team also encourages community participation in the ongoing science discussion related to flare energy release. A detailed calendar of working group meetings as well as the monthly webinar can be found on the SolFER website (soler.umd.edu).

********************

7. ANNOUNCEMENT: Upcoming SHIELD Webinar: Fri March. 12th, 2021 2:00 PM EST

Experiences from the Voyager Interstellar Mission

Speaker: Charles Kohlhase

Charles Kohlhase led the design of many deep-space missions during his extended career, including Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Cassini missions. For his sustained robotic exploration contributions over the last 40 years of the 20th century and solid success record, he received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and has an asteroid, 13801 Kohlhase, named in his honor. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on January 6, 2003 (M.P.C. 47300). He managed and guided the team which designed the epic Voyager Grand Tour mission to the outer planets and their moons and rings. After Voyager, Kohlhase became the science and mission design manager for the international Cassini–Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan. Following the launch, cruise, and Saturn orbit phases of Cassini, he has continued to advise NASA/JPL on numerous missions to Mars and to other worlds. In addition to his counsel on various review boards, Kohlhase has chaired the Mars Program Systems Engineering Team, composed of many senior experts spanning diverse disciplines. He is also a member of the Advisory Council for The Planetary Society.

Speaker: Suzanne Dodd

Suzanne Dodd is the Project Manager for the Voyager Interstellar Mission and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Director for the Interplanetary Network Directorate. She became the Voyager Project Manager in 2010, returning to the project she first worked on after her college graduation. The Interplanetary Network Directorate oversees NASA’s Deep Space Network and Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System. She has over 30 years of experience in spacecraft operations, including project manager roles on the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array. Suzanne worked at Caltech for 11 years as the Spitzer Space Telescope Science Center Manager and the Manager of the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, NASA's multi-mission center of expertise for long-wavelength astrophysics. Suzanne has also worked in the area of mission planning and uplink on the Cassini Mission to Saturn, the Mars Observer Project, and the Voyager Uranus and Neptune Missions.

Suzanne has a BS degree in Engineering and Applied Science from Caltech, a BA degree in Math/Physics from Whitman College, and a MS degree from the University of Southern California in Aerospace Engineering. She is the recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Public Service Medal, NASA Silver Achievement Medal and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. She also has an honorary PhD from New York University for her role in the Voyager Interstellar Mission.

Friday, March 12

2 PM EST

https://bostonu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqcumsrjMuGtAA4MGScF1AKgtAYgEG85ye

*********************