Heliosphere News - July 31, 2024

 

http://heliospherenews.unh.edu/

 

A newsletter devoted to Heliospheric Science.

 

Editor: Nathan Schwadron (nschwadron at unh.edu)

Co-Editor: Maher A. Dayeh (maldayeh 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, Maher, 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: Join the Space Physics at Princeton Group!

 

2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position at the University of Alabama in Huntsville – Space Physicist

 

3. ANNOUNCEMENT: SHIELD Webinar: The Human Spirit Can Make the “Impossible” Possible: What Space Exploration Can Learn About Passion, Perseverance, and Resilience from a Groundbreaking Athlete, August 19, 2024

 

4. ANNOUNCEMENT: Princeton University Visiting Fellows in Space Physics Program

 

5. ANNOUNCEMENT: Termination Shock Virtual Workshop: Looking Forward to the New Horizons Encounter, August 19th (10 am - 1 pm) and 20th (10 am - 3 pm)

 

6. ANNOUNCEMENT: SHIELD Seed Funding and Early Career Support (Due date: July 31, 2024)

 

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1. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Join the Space Physics at Princeton Group!

 

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 join an exciting and dynamic group and play a significant role in the analysis and publication of SEP observations from ISOIS and/or ENA observations from IBEX. The candidate(s) should have some prior experience analyzing at least one of these types 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://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/31021 and submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, publication list, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for three references. Letters of recommendation will also be handled through this site. Applications will continue to be accepted until positions are filled. For further inquiries, contact spacephysicsATprinceton.edu.

 

This is an in-person position as part of the Space Physics research group at Princeton University (not hybrid or remote).

 

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2. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position at the University of Alabama in Huntsville – Space Physicist

 

ABOUT THE POSITION: The Department of Space Science is seeking an outstanding scientist and teacher to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position in the field of heliophysics. This position will complement a National Science Foundation Established Program in Support of Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant that was previously awarded to UAH. Within the general field of low temperature plasma physics, areas of particular interest to the Department include solar and interplanetary physics, especially research that supports the new Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, IMAP, and HelioSwarm missions in which the Department is engaged, particularly in the areas of coronal and solar wind physics including heating processes, turbulence, particle transport and energization (including pickup ion physics), and related space weather research. We are also looking to possibly expand departmental expertise in the area of magnetospheric and ionospheric physics. The ideal candidate will complement existing strengths within the Department while expanding significantly research capabilities and competencies. We are seeking someone who uses theory, and/or modeling, and observations to address these areas of interest. The successful candidate will teach in accordance with a typical teaching load in the Department, will develop at least two new advanced graduate level courses reflecting their research expertise, and will support and mentor graduate students pursuing MSc and PhD degrees and undergraduate students in summer programs. It is expected that the successful candidate will have a PhD or equivalent degree in a field appropriate to the job description above and will have and pursue independent research funding. APPOINTMENT DATE: Spring 2025

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE: Applicants must submit a complete CV, a list of publications, a list of awarded research grants, a research statement, a teaching statement, and arrange to have three letters of reference sent to the SPA Space Physics Faculty Search Committee 2024, Department of Space Science, Cramer Research Hall, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899 or by email to pittsa@uah.edu with the header Faculty Space Physics Search Committee 2024. Applications will remain open until position is filled. Inquiries regarding the position or the procedure for application can be directed to Prof. Gary Zank and Ms Antonia Pitts, respectively.

 

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer of minorities/females/veterans/disabled.

 

UAH mandates that all employees maintain compliance with current federal regulations.

Please refer to log number: 23-24-586

 

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3. ANNOUNCEMENT: SHIELD Webinar: The Human Spirit Can Make the “Impossible” Possible: What Space Exploration Can Learn About Passion, Perseverance, and Resilience from a Groundbreaking Athlete, August 19, 2024

 

Any challenging human endeavor requires both passion, perseverance, and resilience.  This is true when both pushing the edges of the human body's physical endurance, or the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

 

Diana Nyad, a world renown marathon swimmer and a member of the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, overcame extraordinary challenges to swim the open ocean from Cuba to Key West Florida. Her passion, perseverance and resilience were key to ultimately succeeding after multiple attempts at this extraordinary feat.

 

Merav Opher, is a Professor of Astronomy at Boston University and a Harvard Radcliffe Fellow. She is the leader of the SHIELD DRIVE Science Research Center, one of the three NASA funded centers to tackle breakthrough science. SHIELD’s goal is to create a twin analog of the heliosphere, the bubble formed by the solar wind as it encounters the interstellar medium. It took passion,  perseverance, and resilience to build a multi-institution team composed of members who hold strong diverse opinions about the shape of our heliosphere and how to understand the science behind it.

 

Join us in the webinar for a conversation between Diana Nyad and Merav Opher as they explore the meaning and value of passion, perseverance, and resilience.

 

Registration link: https://bostonu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zmIYnKlRRk2Fg9w4QGUXDQ#/registration

 

For past SHIELD Webinars: https://shielddrivecenter.com/shield-webinars/

 

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4. ANNOUNCEMENT: 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 should submit to https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/30982 the following: 1) a brief cover letter stating the specific reasons you'd like to visit the Space Physics at Princeton Group and the dates you're available to visit and 2) a CV.

 

Contact: spacephysics@princeton.edu

 

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5. ANNOUNCEMENT: Termination Shock Virtual Workshop: Looking Forward to the New Horizons Encounter, August 19th (10 am - 1 pm) and 20th (10 am - 3 pm)

 

New Horizons is currently 58 AU from the Sun, near the solar equatorial plane,  and close to the same longitude as Voyager 2, which crossed the Termination Shock at 84 AU. Depending on the shape and solar wind pressure,  New Horizons could cross the Termination Shock in 5-8 years. Energetic particles streaming in from the Termination Shock could give a few years warning of the crossing.  In preparation for this crossing, this virtual workshop will discuss previous Termination Shock data and models. Discussions will also focus on New Horizons observations which will help us to understand the Termination Shock physics and the heliosheath beyond it. Scene-setting talks will be followed by open discussion. All are invited!

 

Registration Link: https://bostonu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEuc-qgrDwsGtCu0YBk_XEqiP_dPJeKBRsF

 

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6.  ANNOUNCEMENT: SHIELD Seed Funding and Early Career Support (Due date: July 31, 2024).

 

The SHIELD Team requests science proposals for SHIELD Seed funding and Early Career support. 

The SHIELD NASA DRIVE Center (https://shielddrivecenter.com) is an international collaboration involving researchers from over half a dozen institutions, and led by Merav Opher from the Astronomy Department at Boston University.  SHIELD’s goals are to: (1) determine the global nature of the heliosphere; (2) determine how pickup ions evolve from ‘cradle to grave’ and affect heliospheric processes; (3) establish how the heliosphere interacts with and influences the LISM; and (4) understand how cosmic rays are filtered by and transported through the heliosphere.

Seed Funding supports ideas that, although related to the proposed SHIELD work, represent a departure because they are innovative, emergent, and possibly high-risk.

Early career funding supports undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs working on SHIELD-related projects.

The proposal instructions are on the SHIELD web site (https://shielddrivecenter.com/shield-seed-funding/).

Due date is July 31, 2024.

Contacts:  Merav Opher (mopher@bu.edu) and John Richardson (jdr@space.mit.edu)

 

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Cheers,

Nathan