Heliosphere News - March 17, 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:
******************* 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
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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:
Application deadline: March 31, 2021.
For questions (no applications!), please contact Veerle Sterken: vsterken@ethz.ch
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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.
For further inquiries, contact spacephysics at princeton.edu
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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):
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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.
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5. MEETING: Heliophysics 2050 Workshop, May 3-7, 2021, Virtual
The workshop will examine current scientific understanding and what near-term investigations can enable and inform future investigations. From this scientific progression, the workshop will explore fundamental connections (i.e., Science Web) that map current
understanding to the next set of research investigations which will, in turn, enable next-generation studies. These investigations will cover the range of work from basic research to operational efforts and would be agnostic to their mode of execution (e.g.,
theory, observations, spaceflight missions). This approach will enable the next Decadal Survey to lay out a long-term science strategy: What does Heliophysics look like in 2050, and what do we do in the next decade to help us get there?
Call for Poster Abstracts
Poster presenters and attendees are encouraged to discuss the long-term impact of the presented topics, with an eye toward collaboration in submitting white papers to the Heliophysics Decadal Survey. Solicited poster abstracts are limited to 2,500 characters,
and an abstract pdf is not required.
Abstract submission deadline: April 4, 2021, 12:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (GMT -5)
Registration
Registration fees are not being collected for this virtual workshop, but registration is required for communication purposes including virtual access information.
Registration deadline: April 26, 2021
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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).
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