Heliosphere News - August 24, 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 Heliospheric Physics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Princeton University Visiting Fellows in Space Physics Program

3. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Positions in Outer Heliosphere Data Analysis and Instrumentation at Los Alamos National Laboratory

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

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

6. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in the Heliophysics Research Group, University of New Hampshire, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS), Space Science Center

7. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Associate - Space Sciences Laboratory - UC Berkeley

8. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey Update and Final Deadline Extension for White Papers

9. ANNOUNCEMENT: Reminder from Nicky: Decadal White Papers Deadline FAST approaching!

10. CONFERENCE: 20th Annual International Astrophysics Conference, October 31 - November 4, 2022, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

11. WORKSHOP: iid2022: Statistical Methods for Event Data - Illuminating the Dynamic Universe, Nov. 15-19, 2022, Guntersville, Alabama, USA

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1. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Heliospheric Physics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

The Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral position in the area of the outer heliosphere and the local interstellar medium. The successful candidate will perform computational/modeling research in support of the Solar wind with Hydrogen Ion charge Exchange and Large-Scale Dynamics (SHIELD) Center to understand the nature and structure of the heliosphere and serve as the Deputy Director for the "Heliosphere Interaction with the LISM" Research Thrust Team. Minimum requirements include a Ph.D. in Physics, Astrophysics, Space Science, Plasma Physics, or a related field, intermediate level knowledge of plasma physics and familiarity with computational methods for physical sciences. Knowledge of computational methods for fluid dynamics, plasma kinetics, stochastic processes, or similar subjects and expertise in the C/C++ programming languages and the Linux OS are desirable. Interested candidates should apply here: https://careers.uah.edu/cw/en-us/job/497980/postdoctoral-research-assistant-iii-step-1. For additional information, please contact Vladimir Florinski at vaf0001@uah.edu.

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2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Princeton University Visiting Fellows in Space Physics Program

The Space Physics at Princeton Group (https://spacephysics.princeton.edu/) in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences is pleased to offer Visiting Fellow positions. The program supports faculty and equivalent senior researchers to do intensive research in residence at Princeton for periods from one month up to a full year. Visiting Fellows will work closely with Space Physics at Princeton Group members on one or more of several topical areas: 1) Energetic Particles observations from Parker Solar Probe, 2) Energetic Neutral Atom and/or Interstellar Neutral Atom observations from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), and 3) scientific preparations for the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). The environment is scientifically intense, highly collaborative, and extremely rewarding. The goal of the program is to strengthen the Group with new and diverse perspectives while carrying out world-class research and publishing numerous papers in collaboration with the Group. Visiting Fellow positions are suitable for faculty members on sabbatical and other comparable senior researchers on leave from their primary appointments. Financial support (including stipend and/or housing) may be offered. Interested researchers can reach out to spacephysics@princeton.edu for more information and can formally submit by providing 1) a brief cover letter stating the specific reasons you would like to visit the Space Physics at Princeton Group and the dates you are available to visit and 2) your CV to: https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/apply/application.xhtml?listingId=25641.

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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in the Heliophysics Research Group, University of New Hampshire, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS), Space Science Center

The Heliophysics research group in the Space Science Center at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is seeking an exceptional candidate to fill a Postdoctoral position under the general supervision of Prof. Nathan Schwadron. Working on NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) Mission, and in collaboration with associated project personnel, the PostDoc will develop new data products for IBEX, study the effects of global heliosphere on the inflow of interstellar neutral atoms and study the changing radiation environment of the global heliosphere.

The University of New Hampshire is a major research institution, providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs (www.unh.edu). UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast, and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. The Department of Physics confers both undergraduate (B.A., B.S.) and graduate (M.S., Ph.D.) degrees and currently includes 26 faculty members. EOS is the largest research institute at UNH, with more than 275 faculty, staff and students.

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7. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Associate - Space Sciences Laboratory - UC Berkeley

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks applicants for Postdoctoral Associate positions to support NASA Heliophysics and/or Planetary missions via planetary and heliophysics research and/or hardware development. The specific projects that are hiring include ICON, MAVEN, PADRE, Parker Solar Probe (PSP), HERMES, LuSEE, THEMIS, MMS, Van Allen Probes, Wind and others. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to data analysis, space plasma or planetary atmosphere research, simulations/software development, and spaceflight hardware systems development, including instruments, power and communications.

For more information about the position, including required qualifications, application materials, and deadlines, and to apply, please go to https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03423. The positions will remain open until filled. For questions, please email Dr. Chadi Salem at salem@ssl.berkeley.edu. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

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8. ANNOUNCEMENT: Decadal Survey Update and Final Deadline Extension for White Papers

The Decadal Survey on Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) is extending the white paper due date to midnight, Eastern time, September 7 (extended from the original due date of August 18^th), to give the community additional time and to provide the following clarifications. No further extensions to the white paper due date can be accommodated.

- White papers are limited to seven pages, not including references or the cover page. There is no limit on the number of references.

- Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, all materials submitted to the committee must be made publicly available. White papers will be publicly available on the Decadal Survey website shortly after submission even if the author chooses not to publish it in the Bulletin of the AAS. White papers should not include any ITAR, proprietary, or otherwise restricted information.

- For more information on how early-career community members can get involved, materials and recordings from two early-career webinars held in 2021 are available at https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/decadal-survey-for-solar-and-space-physics-early-career-webinars

White paper authors are strongly encouraged to read the white paper specifications and FAQ and preview the submission form, which are available athttps://nas.edu/ssphdecadal under Resources.

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9. ANNOUNCEMENT: Reminder from Nicky: Decadal White Papers Deadline is FAST approaching!

Helio friends –

As we enter the last few weeks of summer I want to call your attention to the rapidly approaching deadline to submit a white paper to help shape the next decade of solar and space physics. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are calling for white papers to inform the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033. White papers may focus on one or more science goals; potential space-based, ground-based, and combined investigations; or issues of broad concern to the community. The due date for white papers is now September 7, 2022.

The next Decadal will present a prioritized strategy of basic and applied research to advance scientific understanding in the full scope of heliophysics science. The Decadal Survey will also assess the health and vitality of the profession. View the statement of task here.

The heliophysics discipline looks incredibly different than it did 10 years ago. In the past decade, your vision and ideas have driven growth in new areas which historically may not be captured in the traditional definition of heliophysics. We’ve seen incredible expansion and a renewed national interest in space weather activities, space situational awareness, applications of the revolutionary new capabilities in artificial intelligence and machine learning, open science, and technology development. Together we’ve leveraged new modalities for science such as CubeSats, SmallSats, and Rideshare and expanded and leveraged partnerships with the commercial sector. These are just a few areas in which we’ve pushed beyond the traditional boundaries of heliophysics. And so, I encourage you to dream big and help continue pushing the envelope of what our discipline can achieve.

I am reminded of the Heliophysics 2050 Workshop in 2021 where you all came together to envision the future of our field. The expansion of this community has brought new perspectives and a diversity of backgrounds and thought, which will continue to make us stronger. The workshop was built to enable cross- and interdisciplinary connections, and it did just that, providing enormous momentum going into the 2024 Decadal Survey. My hope for the next Decadal Survey is to identify cutting-edge, interdisciplinary science problems that push the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in solar and space physics. Collaborating with the community at the Heliophysics 2050 Workshop was a crucial step toward realizing our innovative goals for the next Decadal Survey.

With your input, I hope this new Decadal will help guide our pursuit and enabling of groundbreaking investigations of the Sun, its interactions with the Earth, the Solar System, and interplanetary space, and connect heliophysics’ cross-cutting applications to other areas of emerging science. We can continue to collaborate with domestic and international partners to create innovative space missions and investigations that enable scientific discoveries and invest in breakthrough technologies that lead to the development of tools and capabilities benefiting society and exploration. I regularly remind people that everything the Sun touches is our discipline; we can do science anywhere! From “touching the sun” to supporting some of the first scientific investigations as part of Artemis on our return to the Moon and on to Mars, Heliophysics is everywhere. The result would be a globally interconnected heliophysics community that inspires discovery, advances scientific and technological achievements, and safeguards human life.

One final theme from Helio 2050 I want to revisit is the idea of unity. A unified Heliophysics Community is crucial as we move forward into the future. This theme was present in the science sessions as well as the community discussions. It was inspiring to hear so many diverse voices joining in the shared goal of defining the future of Heliophysics.

Together, we can do big, bold things, and this is the Decadal to do it. Our community is poised for exciting things and I hope you ensure your voice is heard.

There really has never been a better time to be a Heliophysicist.

#HelioRocks!

-Nicky

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10. CONFERENCE: 20th Annual International Astrophysics Conference, October 31 - November 4, 2022, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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 31 to November 4. (Welcome Reception and Evening Registration begins Sunday, October 30).

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 meeting.

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

Conference Website: 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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11. CONFERENCE: iid2022: Statistical Methods for Event Data - Illuminating the Dynamic Universe, Nov. 15-19, 2022, Guntersville, Alabama, USA

Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to announce the meeting "iid2022: Statistical Methods for Event Data - Illuminating the Dynamic Universe", to be held on Nov. 15-19, 2022, at the scenic Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge in Guntersville, Alabama (U.S.A.). Registration is now open at https://sites.google.com/uah.edu/iid2022, where you can also find a preliminary list of lecturers/speakers and additional information on the workshop.

"iid2022" is a Workshop and Winter School on Statistics, aiming to further and disseminate the use of statistical methods for astronomy and space science, the physical sciences, and related disciplines. The specific focus of this workshop is on statistical methods for event data, given their ubiquity in astronomy. As datasets become more complex and computers enable more sophisticated methods of analysis, it is useful to bring together data experts and mathematical statisticians to discuss how statistical methods are applicable to the data. The workshop will be organized in two morning/afternoon daily sessions, with time for discussion, collaboration, and completion of statistical sample problems based on astronomical data. The workshop will also address advances in the software available for statistical data analysis.

Each session is expected to feature

1) An introductory lecture of approximately 45 minutes, primarily aimed to explain the current state of the subject, with emphasis on mathematical statistics and sample applications.

2) Shorter contributed talks and discussions of the methods, with emphasis on recent progress and applications to astronomy, space science, and other fields. This is the venue for astronomers to contribute their use of statistical methods for event data.

3) Hands-on collaborative analysis of sample problems with advanced software. Problems will be presented in advance of the workshop, and they can be completed in collaboration with other participants and the instructors present at the workshop. This School component of the Workshop is aimed primarily at students and early-career postdocs.

Although this is intended as an in-person gathering, there is also an option for virtual remote participation. Students and early-career postdocs are especially encouraged to attend; in partnership with the National Science Foundation, we plan to support early-career participants through the award of lodging and travel grants, and the waiver of registration fees (see the website for details).

We hope to see you in Huntsville for a week dedicated to statistics and astronomy!

On behalf of the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC)

Max Bonamente, Lingling Zhao, UAH

Eric Feigelson, Penn State

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All the best,

Jamie Sue Rankin