Heliosphere News - March 22, 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 Data Analysis and Instrumentation at Los Alamos National Laboratory

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

6. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey White Paper Organization

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

8. ANNOUNCEMENT: Python in Heliophysics Community (PyHC) 2022 Summer School: 30 May 2022 - 3 June 2022

9. CONFERENCE: 20th Annual International Astrophysics Conference, October 30 - November 4, 2022, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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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 Data Analysis and Instrumentation at Los Alamos National Laboratory

The Space Science and Applications Group (ISR-1) seeks candidates for one or more postdoctoral positions in the observational study of Energetic Neutral Atoms (ENAs) and/or instrumentation development for future heliophysics missions.

The Space Science and Applications Group 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, which will launch in 2025. Our group has also recently lead instruments on the Van Allen Probes, ACE and TWINS missions, as well as plasma instruments deployed to space for verification of international nuclear treaties.

The successful candidates for these positions will be expected to carry out original research in the observational study of IBEX ENA data, and/or support the development and calibration of instrumentation for the IMAP mission and for other current and future NASA and National Security missions. Applicants should have experience in heliospheric science (magnetospheres, solar wind, outer heliosphere, etc.) and/or laboratory experience broadly applicable to developing hardware for the detection of space plasmas. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to interact with Laboratory scientists engaged in a broad range of observational, computational, and theoretical research in heliophysics.

These are two-year positions with the possibility of an extension to a third year. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in Physics, Space Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, or a closely related field at the time of employment. Applicants should send their applications electronically (https://lanl.jobs, posting IRC100796) including a CV, a publication list, and statement of research interests. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dan Reisenfeld (dreisenfeld at lanl.gov) regarding the expectations of the positions, possible research topics, and other questions related to the application.

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

An exciting Civil Servant (permanent) position is open for 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 Energetic Particle 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. We also participate in the data analysis of particle instruments on Parker Solar Probe, STEREO, ACE, Van Allen Probes, and others. We are part of 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. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. ANNOUNCEMENT: Python in Heliophysics Community (PyHC) 2022 Summer School: 30 May 2022 - 3 June 2022

The Python in Heliophysics Community (PyHC) is excited to announce its inaugural 2022 Summer School, in partnership with the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC)! The PyHC Summer School will take place Monday, 30 May 2022 Friday, 3 June 2022 at ESAC in beautiful Madrid, Spain. There will also be remote participation options for those unable to attend in-person. This event is free and open to all graduate students, early career scientists, or established scientists looking to transition to Python in the Heliophysics and Space Weather disciplines. PyHC Summer School attendees will learn Python best practices and receive hands-on instruction from experts as they take a deep dive via tutorials, demos, and presentations into the rich ecosystem of Heliophysics Python packages. Pre-register today at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/ihdea ! More details, including an officially-posted agenda, travel support options, etc. to come in the near future.

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9. CONFERENCE: 20th Annual International Astrophysics Conference, October 30-November 4, 2022, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

From: Gary P. Zank, garyp.zank@gmail.com

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: Anticipating that the COVID pandemic will be behind us by October 2022 (or at least endemic), we are pleased to announce that the 20th Annual International Astrophysics Conference will once again resume and be held at the La Posada Resort & Spa hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from October 30 to November 4. (Welcome Reception and Evening Registration begins Sunday, October 29).

The 20th AIAC is intended to be twofold - retrospective, celebrating the solar, space, and astrophysical accomplishments of the past 20 years as expressed in the 19 prior AIAC conferences, and a future perspective, i.e., examining some of the pressing questions that taxed our community over the past 20 years from the perspective of what we think we know and understand. Accordingly, the theme of the meeting will be From the Depths of the Solar Corona to the Darkness of Interstellar Space: A 20 Year Perspective. We will follow the usual format of 25-minute presentations punctuated by selected 40-minute invited talks that will develop both the retrospective and future themes in greater detail. Since the 19 previous meetings addressed the broad themes of the interaction of the outer heliosphere and the local interstellar medium, shock waves and nonlinear processes, energetic particles, particle acceleration and transport, the heating and physics of the solar corona and solar wind, turbulence processes, and much more, these will all be themes in the 20th iteration of the AIAC. A characteristic theme of previous meetings was the universality of many of the physical processes that informed the conference, and this will be a central element of the 20th celebration.

In the spirit of keeping all attendees as safe as possible, we will be limiting the number of attendees and implementing safety protocols. In that vein, all meeting participants will be required to adhere to the following mandates:

Provide proof of being FULLY vaccinated against COVID-19 as required by the CDC.

N95 or KN95 masks only must be worn at all times during all conference functions.

Provide proof of a negative COVID test taken within 24 hours of the meeting.

Practice social distancing throughout the entire conference timeframe.

Depending on circumstances, these requirements are subject to change. Additional detail on COVID-19 safety requirements will be posted on the website soon.

The conference website will be up soon at the following address: www.icnsmeetings.com/conference/20thannual/index.html

RSVP Required: RSVP your interest in attending to Gary Zank at garyp.zank@gmail.com.

Conference logistics and general information: Contact Adele Corona at icnsmeetings@gmail.com.

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Best Regards,

Mihir