Heliosphere News - April 16, 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: Postdoctoral Research Fellow and/or Senior Research Positions in Space Physics at Princeton University

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

3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: PhD opportunities within the Solar and Space Physics research group at Northumbria University, Deadline = 28th April 2021

4. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Heliophysics POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Opportunity at SwRI, San Antonio

5. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Energetic Particle Instrumentation Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory

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

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

8. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey Preparatory Discussions (Pre-/Post-Heliophysics 2050 Workshop)

9. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey White Paper Organization

10. ANNOUNCEMENT: Call for New Members of the Executive Committee of the Living with a Star Program Analysis Group (LPAG)

11. ANNOUNCEMENT: Outer Heliosphere and Local Interstellar Medium for Helio 2050 Online Discussion Group, 2nd meeting: April 27^th, 12:00 - 1:00 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: 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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3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: PhD opportunities within the Solar and Space Physics research group at Northumbria University, Deadline = 28th April 2021

The Solar and Space Physics research group at Northumbria University (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) is inviting applications for full-time PhD studentships for an October 2021 or March 2022 start.

These are 3.5 year studentships and are funded by a STFC Doctoral Training Partnership.

This year, we are offering PhDs on the following topics:

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Plasma thermodynamics of the inner heliosphere with Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe

principal supervisor: Dr Robert Wicks

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=131335

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Determining global plasma waves in Earth's magnetosphere from ground observations

principal supervisor: Dr Sarah Bentley

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=131337

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What makes geomagnetic storms so special?

principal supervisor: Professor Jonathan Rae

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=131333

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Exploring fundamental MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) properties of solar chromospheric magnetic fields, via a unique observation of a large-scale swirl and associated magnetic null point

principal supervisor: Dr Eamon Scullion

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=131334

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Modelling an X-class solar flare combining observations, electron beam transport physics and MHD numerical simulations

principal supervisor: Dr Gert Botha

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=131336

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Full details can be found at: https://sites.google.com/view/solarphysicsnu/research/phd-projects-2021

For informal questions, please contact the relevant supervisor, and/or contact Professor James McLaughlin james.a.mclaughlin@northumbria.ac.uk

Deadline for applications: 28th April 2021

Start Date: 1st October 2021 or 1st March 2022

Overview of the research group

The Solar and Space Physics group is a large and successful group, and our long-term research programme is to understand all aspects of the solar-terrestrial connection. Evidence of the group’s success includes funding from STFC, NERC, Leverhulme Trust, Royal Astronomical Society, the US Air Force, and a UKRI Future Leader Fellow. The group also plays multiple roles in the UKRI SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk) programme in support of the UK Met Office.

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4. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Heliophysics POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Opportunity at SwRI, San Antonio

The Space Research Department at SwRI, San Antonio is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to carry out original research addressing a broad range of heliospheric topics, with focus on the acceleration of energetic particles in the solar corona and the interplanetary medium. The candidate will analyze data from Wind, ACE, STEREO, MMS, and PSP missions. The candidate is also expected to participate in the testing and calibration of flight instruments on NOAA/SWFO and NASA/IMAP missions. The research will involve interactions with Institute Staff engaged in a broad range of experimental, observational, computational, and theoretical research in the physics of the solar wind, energetic neutral atoms, suprathermal and energetic particles. The candidate should have a PhD degree in Space Physics or Plasma Physics, and have graduate-level experience in the analysis and interpretation of solar wind, magnetic field, and suprathermal particle datasets. The candidate must have at least a 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate the ability to program and utilize data analysis software tools such as IDL, Python, Simion, or MATLAB. The position is available for immediate appointment and is for a one-year term with possible extension for up to one year.

To apply for this position go to

https://resapp.swri.org/ResApp/Job_Search_Results.aspx?DETAIL=15-01495

For more information about SwRI visit

https://www.swri.org/technical-divisions/space-science-engineering

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5. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Energetic Particle Instrumentation Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks candidates for a research scientist position in energetic particle instrumentation and observational data analysis with the Space Science and Applications Group (ISR-1). ISR Division supports a dynamic space research program and leads instruments on current and past NASA missions such as IMAP, IBEX, TWINS, SWIFT, ACE, and Van Allen Probes, as well as the Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. We also build, fly, operate, and analyze data from measurement systems deployed to space for verification of international nuclear treaties, and develop innovative sensors for basic scientific missions, nuclear nonproliferation, space situational awareness and remote sensing.

The successful applicant will participate in the design and development of energetic particle sensors for the next generation of Los Alamos treaty verification payloads, and will perform scientific analysis of energetic particle populations in space to gain new understanding of the space environment, anomalies and damage to payloads and host spacecraft, and to inform instrument development. They will also be expected to participate in proposal efforts for future NASA missions and data analysis efforts.

Applicants should have experience designing and building energetic particle sensors, and for carrying out original research addressing the nature of the magnetospheric and/or solar energetic particle environment. It is also desirable if the applicant has experience in energetic particle damage and anomaly effects. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in Space Physics, Physics, Astrophysics, or a closely related Engineering field. The ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance is required.

Interested persons should apply online to position posting IRC82445 or IRC82464 (depending on the level of experience) at lanl.jobs. For further inquiries, contact Dan Reisenfeld (dreisenfeld at lanl.gov).

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6. 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

https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/helio2050/

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7. 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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8. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey Preparatory Discussions (Pre-/Post-Heliophysics 2050 Workshop)

To augment the impact of the Heliophysics 2050 Workshop (May 3-7) on the community’s pre-decadal preparation, NASA is supporting additional opportunities for community coordination.

1. Pre-Workshop, NASA is encouraging preparatory discussions so that the In-Workshop discussions are as productive as possible.

2. Post-Workshop, NASA is encouraging follow-on discussions that can take threads that arise at the Workshop and further develop them as part of decadal survey white paper preparation.

NASA especially encourages discussions on interdisciplinary science, science that expands the field of heliophysics, a coherent pipeline from basic research to operational activities, and state of the profession topics. Topics should be focused enough to be productive without being so focused that discussion threads outside of established canon are excluded.

Given the limited time before the Workshop, groups are encouraged to meet at least once a week. After the Workshop, groups will be encouraged to consider the decadal survey white paper deadlines when scheduling.

Some pre-Workshop groups are currently meeting, and interested individuals are encouraged to contact the organizer for connection information:

Larry Kepko (larry.kepko@nasa.gov): Terrestrial magnetospheric science

Shasha Zou (shashaz@umich.edu): Terrestrial ITM science

Albert Y. Shih (albert.y.shih@nasa.gov): High-energy solar physics

Dan Seaton (Daniel.Seaton@Colorado.EDU): Middle corona and connection to heliosphere

Mark Linton (mark.linton@nrl.navy.mil): Solar interior and atmospheric science

Allison Jaynes (allison-n-jaynes@uiowa.edu): Magnetosphere-atmosphere connections

Justyna Sokol (justyna.sokol@swri.org): Outer heliosphere

Aleida Higginson (aleida.k.higginson@nasa.gov): Outer corona/heliosphere

Rob Ebert (rob.ebert@swri.org): Comparative magnetospheres

Katherine Garcia-Sage (katherine.garcia-sage@nasa.gov): Exoplanets/astrospheres

Hantao Ji (hji@princeton.edu): Reconnection (including applications to laboratory and astrophysics communities)

Jennifer Gannon (gannon@cpi.com): Space weather

Ryan McGranahan (ryan.mcgranahan@colorado.edu): Data science in heliophysics

Anna Tenerani (anna.tenerani@austin.utexas.edu): Turbulence

Jaye Verniero (jverniero@berkeley.edu): Community

To volunteer to organize a new group, contact Ian Cohen (ian.cohen@jhuapl.edu) to coordinate. No topic relevant to the Workshop and the decadal survey will be discouraged. A modest honorarium is available for eligible organizers.

All groups must be open to all interested members of the community. All groups must abide by the highest standards of conduct.

Any questions about NASA Heliophysics Division’s preparation for the decadal survey should be directed to Jared Leisner (jared.s.leisner@nasa.gov).

Links:

Heliophysics Division Decadal Survey webpage: https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/resources/2024_decadal_survey

Heliophysics 2050 Workshop: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/helio2050/

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9. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey White Paper Organization

To support community self-organization ahead of the decadal survey, a webpage has been set up for individuals to share their plans for decadal white papers with the heliophysics community.

The intention is for community members to use this page to coordinate similar white papers, solicit comments from interested researchers, and make connections that lead to refined and new white papers. The webpage is based on the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s successful model used for a previous decadal survey, and can be found at: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/decadal_whitepaper_proposals/heliophysics/

This site is for community information only and is not part of the National Academies' activities. The decadal survey sponsoring agencies do not approve, reject, or modify white paper concepts submitted.

Listing a white paper proposal here does not commit the author to submitting a white paper to the decadal survey, and an individual is not required to list a white paper here in order to submit it for the decadal survey.

Any questions about NASA Heliophysics Division’s preparation for the decadal survey should be directed to Jared Leisner (jared.s.leisner@nasa.gov).

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10. ANNOUNCEMENT: Call for New Members of the Executive Committee of the Living with a Star Program Analysis Group (LPAG)

Dear Colleague,

We are seeking well qualified candidates for the Executive Committee of the Living with a Star Program Analysis Group (LPAG), formerly the LWS TR&T Steering Committee. As with its predecessor, the LPAG performs a vital role by providing an opportunity for the Heliophysics Community to provide input and information to the LWS program. Examples of the activities that the LPAG is asked to address include:

* Articulation of the key scientific drivers for LWS scientific research including potential focused science topics (FSTs), strategic capabilities, cross-cutting research, and others;

* Evaluation of the expected capabilities of potential LWS missions for achieving the science goals of the program;

* Evaluation of LWS goals, objectives, investigations, and required measurements;

* Articulation of focus areas for targeted research and technology development; and

* Analysis of related activities such as ground-based observing, theory and modeling programs, laboratory Heliophysics, suborbital investigations, data archiving, and community engagement.

The terms of reference for the LPAG are located on the LWS web site:

https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/pdf/LPAG_TOR_2017_Final_Signed.pdf

As part of the LPAG process, four of the twelve members of the current Executive Committee are stepping down to allow for new membership. We are currently seeking four members from the Heliophysics community with a solid understanding of the scientific basis of Heliophysics system science. Highly qualified candidates from all career stages, including early career, will be considered. Membership in the LPAG is nominally three years. In the past, the LPAG Executive Committee would meet in person for three days twice a year. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, the LPAG met virtually in 2020 and plans are for this meeting format to continue in 2021 with the expectation that in person meeting may resume in 2022. Participation in these meetings and during occasional telecons is expected for continued membership on the Executive Committee. In addition, members may participate in community engagement at various scientific meetings during the year either through soliciting input from the wider community or presenting status of LPAG activities. Additional information can be found on the LWS website at:

https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/lpag

To be a candidate for the LPAG Executive Committee, send your submission to the LWS program staff at the email addresses below. Please include in your submission a brief summary of the contributions you would make to the committee and your qualifications for doing so, as well as a single-page CV. This submission must be limited to a two-page PDF file. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. institution for the period of service. We will accept submissions until midnight Eastern Daylight Time on April 25, 2021. The details of the selection process are discussed in the LPAG TOR. Please feel free to share this letter with anyone you think would be interested.

Simon Plunkett

simon.p.plunkett@nasa.gov

Madhulika (Lika) Guhathakurta

Madhulika.Guhathakurta@nasa.gov

Jeff Morrill

jeff.s.morrill@nasa.gov

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11. ANNOUNCEMENT: Outer Heliosphere and Local Interstellar Medium for Helio 2050 Online Discussion Group

Dear Colleagues,

Ahead of the coming Heliophysics 2050 Workshop (May 3-7), we would like to invite you to pre-workshop discussions on the goals and next steps for the “Outer Heliosphere and Local Interstellar Medium” investigation over the next three decades.

The purpose of the online discussion group is to synthesize scientific priorities in this topic and discuss ways to highlight this field in the 2024 Solar and Space Physics Decadal Survey, e.g., via White Papers. The results of the sessions are aimed to support the community for the Heliophysics 2050 Workshop session: Outer Heliosphere and Interstellar (May 5th). The sessions are open to all career stage researchers, students, engineers, and enthusiasts. We highly encourage students and early career researchers to participate in the discussions.

Introductory slides, chat logs, and notes of the first meeting can be found here (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DEIURe6xeUpRQ8iftWMy5z4Zf4tFgv9H?usp=sharing ).

The second meeting is on April 27th, 2021 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST. During the meeting, we will focus on preparing a synthesized summary of the open questions raised during the first discussion.

Please join in and share your vision for the exploration of the outer heliosphere and local interstellar medium. The future has already begun, let’s shape it together!

Looking forward,

Justyna M. Sokol, Elena Provornikova, and Marc Kornbleuth