Heliosphere News – January 11, 2022

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 Position in Local ISM and/or Exoplanets at Wesleyan University

2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Positions in Outer Heliosphere Science at LANL

3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Space Research at Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas

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

5. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey White Paper Organization

6. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey White Paper Organization: Machine Learning & Data Science

7. ANNOUNCEMENT: Requesting Community Input on Heliophysics Archive Modernization

8. WORKSHOP: Helio 2050: Measurement Techniques & Technologies Workshop, 1st Community Announcement

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1. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Local ISM and/or Exoplanets at Wesleyan University

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 with three years of funding. The position has been approved for 2 years with the possibility of 1 additional year contingent upon mutual agreement. Anticipated start date is negotiable and could be as early as spring/summer 2022.

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@wesleyan.edu by the due date. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Applications received by 15 December 2021 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.

Apply through the Wesleyan Online Career Opportunities site: https://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/7469.

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2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Positions in Outer Heliosphere Science at LANL

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) seeks candidates for two postdoctoral positions in data analysis and numerical modeling in the area of outer heliosphere science with ISR and T divisions, respectively. LANL leads the IBEX-Hi instrument on the ongoing Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission and is leading two instruments for the upcoming Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission. Our team is currently developing innovative statistical imaging methods, and using them to carry out data analysis and numerical modeling initiatives to understand energetic neutral atom (ENA) observations by IBEX and outer heliospheric processes. The successful applicants will interact and collaborate with a team that consists of experts in heliospheric science and ENA data analysis, theoretical and computational plasma physics, and statistical and data science.

Candidates should have experience in observational data analysis and/or theory and numerical simulations of space and heliospheric physics. They should hold a PhD in Space Physics, Physics, Astronomy or a related field, completed within the past five years or soon to be completed. They should also supply contact information for three references.

Applicants should send their applications electronically, including a CV, a publication list, and a concise research statement (1-2 pages) describing past achievements and future plans. Interested persons should apply online at https://lanl.jobs for position posting IRC86344 for the data analysis position or IRC90540 for the numerical modeling position. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dan Reisenfeld (dreisenfeld at lanl.gov) and Fan Guo (guofan at lanl.gov) regarding the expectations of the positions, possible research topics, and other questions related to the application. The initial appointment is for two years, with a possible third year extension. The review of applications will start on November 30th and be on-going until offers are accepted.

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3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Space Research at Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas

The Department of Space Research at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas is seeking applications for a postdoctoral scientist position to participate in and carry out original research in experimental space physics and supporting laboratory experiments. SwRI is involved in the development of current missions such as the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), TRACERS, PUNCH, Europa Clipper, JUICE, and CuSP. SwRI also leads or contributes to currently operating missions such as Juno, MMS, PSP, New Horizons, and IBEX.

The successful candidate is expected to support the development, testing, and calibration of energetic neutral atom and plasma instruments to be flown on upcoming heliophysics or planetary missions. The candidate is expected to publish original research and results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and present results at scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences. The research will involve interactions with Institute Staff engaged in a broad range of experimental, observational, and computational research.

The candidate should have a PhD degree in space physics, experimental physics, or directly related physics degree with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. The candidate should have work experience in related experimental physics. The candidate should have demonstrated the ability to program and utilize software tools such as Simion and Lua, LabView, TRIM, Geant4, IDL, C, Python, or MATLAB.

Interested candidates should apply online at https://resapp.swri.org/ResApp/Job_Details.aspx?JOB_CD=15-01533&JOB_TITLE=POSTDOCTORAL%20RESEARCHER%20-%20SPACECRAFT%20INSTRUMENTATION

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4. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Research Associate 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/or 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=22241 Selecting Space Physics as the position you are interested in.

For further inquiries, contact spacephysics@princeton.edu

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5. 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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6. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey White Paper Organization: Machine Learning & Data Science

Members of the Heliophysics Community are coordinating and organizing white papers on Machine Learning and Data Science for the Heliophysics Decadal Survey in order to increase their visibility and impact. Anyone interested in leading, contributing to, or supporting a white paper, please reach out to Matthew Argall (matthew.argall[at]unh.edu) for more details.

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7. ANNOUNCEMENT: Requesting Community Input on Heliophysics Archive Modernization

The NASA Heliophysics Division released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather information and community feedback on the current and future needs for NASA’s Heliophysics data and associated archives, tools, models, and resources. This information will be used to inform NASA’s restructuring, expansion, and evolution of the Heliophysics data archiving infrastructure, currently known as the Heliophysics Data Environment (HPDE) located at https://hpde.gsfc.nasa.gov. This RFI opened on October 15, 2021 and will close on January 31, 2022. Submissions are accepted throughout this time period and must submitted through NSPIRES at the following link: https://go.nasa.gov/3DxpHPI. We thank you for your input!

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8. WORKSHOP: Helio 2050: Measurement Techniques & Technologies Workshop, 1st Community Announcement

We are happy to announce the virtual Helio 2050: Measurement Techniques & Technologies Workshop scheduled for February 23-25, 2022.

Following on the science framework envisioned by the community during the Helio 2050 Workshop held in May 2021, the objective of this Measurement Techniques & Technologies Workshop is to enable and facilitate a community discussion to determine what technological advancements are needed to enable the broad scientific vision outlined by the Helio 2050 Workshop and to make transformative advancements in Heliophysics. The workshop will be a forum to organize and solicit community inputs that will inform the upcoming Solar and Space Physics Decadal Survey.

Abstracts will be due in mid-January. Abstract submissions are not required to participate in the workshop. More information on registration and abstract submission will be forthcoming soon.

* Seeking Volunteers *

The workshop committee is seeking volunteers for panel discussion facilitators and session rapporteurs. Please contact Sabrina Savage (sabrina.savage@nasa.gov<mailto:sabrina.savage@nasa.gov>) and Dan Gershman (daniel.j.gershman@nasa.gov<mailto:daniel.j.gershman@nasa.gov>) to volunteer.

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Best Regards,

Mihir