[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXIII, Issue 19

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXIII, Issue 19
Apr.20,2016

Editor: Peter Chi
Co-Editor: Guan Le
Distribution Support: Sharon Uy, Todd King, Kevin Addison
E-mail: editor at igpp.ucla.edu

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Table of Contents

1. Final Call for Community Input to LWS TR&T Science Topics

2. Release of the NSF Geospace Portfolio Review Report

3. MEETING: Global Modelling of the Space Weather Chain, Helsinki, Finland, October 24-28, 2016, First Announcement

4. MEETING: Dusty Visions Workshop 2016 - Second Announcement

5. Call for Proposals for the 8th Coronal Loops Workshop

6. Project SMART Summer Institute – 2016

7. JOB OPENING: Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Space Physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

8. JOB OPENING: Researcher at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

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Final Call for Community Input to LWS TR&T Science Topics

From: Mark Linton (mark.linton at nrl.navy.mil)

The 2016 NASA Living with a Star Targeted Research and Technology (LWS TR&T) Steering Committee will soon begin developing the next round of LWS focused science topics and strategic capability topics, for ROSES 2017. It is vital for the success of the LWS TR&T program that there be active community engagement in the development of annual TR&T science topics. We are therefore asking the Heliophysics community to provide input by April 26, 2016 for these topics.

Suggested science topics should be organized around achieving the goals set out in the strategic science areas (SSA’s) articulated in the LWS Ten Year Vision (http://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/pdf/LWS_10YrVision_Oct2015_Final.pdf),

Physics-based Understanding to Enable Forecasting of:
• SSA-0, Solar Electromagnetic, Energetic Particle, and Plasma Outputs Driving the Solar System Environment and Inputs to Earth’s Atmosphere
• SSA-1, Geomagnetic Variability
• SSA-2, Satellite Drag
• SSA-3, Solar Energetic Particle
• SSA-4, Total Electron Content
• SSA-5, Ionospheric Scintillation
• SSA-6, Radiation Environment

The structure of a topic should indicate a target description, the targeted SSAs, goals and measures of success, types of investigations, interactions with user communities and expected deliverables.

Input may be entered through the LWS TR&T website at:

http://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/steering-committee/community-input

Topics submitted to date may be viewed and commented on at:

http://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/viewinput/

We greatly look forward to your input and to continuing on the path of innovation and scientific exploration in the LWS program.

LWS Steering Committee Members:
Eftyhia Zesta (Co-Chair), Mark Linton (Co-Chair), Yuri Shprits, Scott McIntosh, Nathan Schwadron, Jim Slavin, Chadi Salem, Alexa Halford, Pontus Brandt, Tim Bastian, Kent Tobiska

Liaisons:
Terry Onsager, Rodney Veireck, Ilia Roussev, Vyacheslav Lukin, Masha Kuznetsova, Mona Kessel, Dean Pesnell, Dave Sibeck, Adam Szabo, Chris St Cyr

Ex Officio:
Elsayed Talaat, Jeff Morrill, Shing Fung


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Release of the NSF Geospace Portfolio Review Report

From: Therese Moretto Jorgensen (tjorgens at nsf.gov)

NSF’s Advisory Committee for Geosciences has released the report titled: Investments in Critical Capabilities for Geospace Science 2016 to 2025.  The report is the result of a portfolio review of the Geospace Section of the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences conducted over the last year by an external panel of community experts and leaders.   More information on the review can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/geo/ags/geospace-portfolio-review-2015/ 

The final report is available here: https://www.nsf.gov/geo/geoac_subcomm_rpts.jsp 

The Geospace community owes the members of the committee a huge debt of gratitude  for taking on this important and difficult challenge for the community.  The review was an immense effort, which the committee carried out, under the eminent leadership of Chair Bill Lotko,with impeccable integrity and bringing to the task both deep insights and broad perspective as well as creativity and courage.   

An independent assessment of the report will be carried out by the National Academies of Sciences.  More information on this process can be found here:  http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/CurrentProjects/SSB_169109 


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MEETING: Global Modelling of the Space Weather Chain, Helsinki, Finland, October 24-28, 2016, First Announcement

From: Andrew P. Dimmock (andrew.dimmock at aalto.fi)

We invite abstracts for the forthcoming workshop on “Global Modelling of the space weather chain” taking place in Helsinki (Finland) between 24-28 October, 2016.

This event brings together solar, heliospheric, magnetospheric, and ionospheric communities to discuss the current state and future challenges in global modelling of the entire space weather chain. Major developments in forecasting space weather, and understanding the effects of solar eruptions requires increased communication and collaboration of these often rather distinct communities. We welcome submissions from these modelling communities and also synergetic studies utilising both observations and numerical models. 

The abstract submission will open in May, and will be announced shortly.

IMPORTANT:
- We encourage early submission as participation will be limited.
- Submissions from students and early career scientists are strongly encouraged.
- Financial support will be available for students and can be applied for during abstract submission. 
- The registration fee will be €150 for regular participants, and €100 for students.

DATES:
- Workshop dates: 24-28 October, 2016
- Abstract submission open: May, 2016

SCIENTIFIC ORGANISING COMMITTEE:
- Emilia Kilpua (Chair, University of Helsinki, Finland)
- Michael Balikhin (University of Sheffield, UK)
- Andrew P. Dimmock (Aalto University, Finland)
- Benoit Lavraud (Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, France)
- Adnane Osmane (Aalto University, Finland)
- Minna Palmroth (Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland)
- Antti Pulkkinen (NASA/GSFC, USA)
- Tuija Pulkkinen (Aalto University, Finland)

LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE:
- Andrew P. Dimmock (Chair, Aalto University, Finland)
- Adnane Osmane (Aalto University, Finland)
- Emilia Kilpua (University of Helsinki, Finland)
- Minna Palmroth (Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland)

For additional information please contact Andrew P. Dimmock (andrew.dimmock at aalto.fi).

The meeting is supported by the European Geosciences Union (EGU).

We look forward to receiving your submissions, and hope to see you in Helsinki.

Best regards,
LOC: Andrew Dimmock, Tuija Pulkkinen, Emilia Kilpua, Adnane Osmane, and Minna Palmroth


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MEETING: Dusty Visions Workshop 2016 - Second Announcement

From: Michelle Villeneuve (michelle.villeneuve at colorado.edu)

The 2016 Dusty Visions Workshop will be held in Boulder, CO, July 22nd - 24th. We plan on having a discussion heavy workshop on the current studies and future direction of cosmic dust research. Registration deadline is May 1st, with an Abstract Deadline of June 1st, a registration fee of $90 will be due at the door. To register send Full name, Institution, City, and Country to michelle.villeneuve at colorado.edu. Please visit http://impact.colorado.edu/DustyVisions2016.html for more information.


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Call for Proposals for the 8th Coronal Loops Workshop

From: Steve Bradshaw (on behalf of the Coronal Loops Workshops Steering Committee) (stephen.bradshaw at rice.edu)

The Coronal Loops Workshop series, inaugurated in Paris (2002), has been tremendously successful in bringing together researchers from all over the world to discuss current problems related to the physics of closed magnetic structures in the solar corona, and to present their progress toward solving them. The Workshops have also provided an excellent forum for young researchers to participate in discussions and to showcase their work.

The Steering Committee for the Coronal Loops Workshops now invites proposals to host the 8th Workshop in the series, which will be convened in 2017.

Letters of intent to submit a proposal are due on May 13th and full proposals on June 3rd.

Proposals should be no more than 3 pages in length and must include:
· A description of the proposed location (including accessibility from major transport hubs).
· The preferred dates, avoiding conflicts with other major community meetings in 2017. (e.g. EGU [Apr. 23-28]; Hinode/IRIS [May 30-Jun. 2]; AOGS [Aug. 6-11]; AAS/SPD [Aug. 21-26]; ESPM-15 [Sept.])
· A description of the venue, meeting room, and facilities.
· An overview of the local accommodation and dining options.
· Transport between the accommodation and the workshop venue (e.g. a walk, bus ride, etc).
· An estimate of the total cost of the workshop.
· An estimate of the registration fee (assuming 60 participants).
· Who will Chair the SOC/LOC?
· Any other comments that you think would be helpful to the Steering Committee in support of your proposal.

Please send letters of intent, full proposals, and requests for a copy of the Workshop Guidelines, to Steve Bradshaw (Steering Committee Chair: stephen.bradshaw at rice.edu).


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Project SMART Summer Institute – 2016

From: Charles W. Smith (Charles.Smith at unh.edu)

Project SMART Summer Institute – 2016
(Science and Mathematics Achievement Through Research Training)
A Fast-Paced Month of Science for High School Students

University of New Hampshire Project SMART Summer Institute is accepting applications from (current) high school sophomores and juniors for the 25th year of its program in 2016. The program has a rolling admission policy, accepting applicants on first-come first-admit basis, based on applicant’s interest and aptitude in science and mathematics. The 2016 program runs from June 26 to July 22. The program offers three modules; Biotechnology & Nanotechnology, Marine & Environmental Science, and Space Science, each admitting up to 25 students.

The Project SMART program challenges, educates, and motivates talented high school students in science and mathematics. The program is open to students who are currently enrolled (or home schooled) as sophomores (10th grade) and juniors (11th grade). The participants study advanced topics in science, mathematics and computers through lectures, discussions, hands-on laboratory experience, and field trips; and do research with UNH faculty.

In addition to learning/doing science, students gain a greater appreciation for careers in the various sciences and establish friendships with their peers, and mentoring relationships with the UNH faculty.  The group of student participants is highly talented and includes those who have already shown interest and aptitude in sciences.

The group is highly diverse, and includes a significant proportion of participants from minority, underrepresented, economically disadvantaged, and rural as well as inner-city environs within the US (from Alaska to Puerto Rico and in between) and several other countries (e.g. Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Kazakhstan).

Project SMART is a residential program. The students stay in UNH dormitories. Over the weekends they participate in programs like: visits to the Boston Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, a whale watching trip to the Ocean, the top of Mt. Washington by Cog railway, Long Term Experimental Forests, the local malls and the movies, etc., which also enhance social interaction among the students.

On the final day of the program, students present a scientific poster at a three-hour long session, which is attended by more than 200 students, faculty, teachers, parents, UNH administrators and invited guests.

For more information go to www.smart.unh.edu

For information on the space science module: http://projectsmartspacescience.sr.unh.edu/

Please share this information with friends and colleagues.

The Space Science module of Project SMART is partially supported by the NSF Sun-to-Ice project.


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JOB OPENING: Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Space Physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

From: Roman Makarevich (rmakarevich at alaska.edu)

The Physics Department and the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks invite applications to fill one or more joint tenure-track
positions in physics and space physics. The successful applicant will become
a faculty member in the Physics Department of the College of Natural Science
and Mathematics and will join the Geophysical Institute as part of the Space
Physics and Aeronomy Group. Candidates should hold a PhD in Physics, Space
Physics, or a related area, some postdoctoral experience is preferred.
Expectations for this position include conducting research in space physics
and/or aeronomy, teaching courses in physics, and supporting the
University’s wider mission through service and outreach. The Physics
Department offers a full range of physics courses at both undergraduate and
graduate levels and the successful applicant is expected to teach across the
physics curriculum. The position is targeted at the assistant professor
level, although appointment at a higher rank would be considered for
suitably qualified candidates. Current research activities of the Space
Physics and Aeronomy Group include radio and optical observations of the
aurora, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere; observation, theory and
simulations of terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres; space plasma theory
and modeling; rocket experiments; radar technology; and analysis of ground-
and space-based observational datasets. Applications are invited from
researchers working on topics relevant to these areas, with experimental
and/or theoretical investigations of auroral phenomena and their impacts on
the ionosphere and upper atmosphere being of particular interest for this
position. 

This position will be open until filled. Review of applications will begin
June 1, 2016. A complete job description and application instructions can be
found at the following web page:
http://careers.alaska.edu/cw/en-us/job/497124/. For further information on
the position, please contact the search committee chair Dr. Roman Makarevich
<rmakarevich at alaska.edu>. Questions about the application process may be
addressed to Jennifer  Lu, HR Consultant, Geophysical Institute, University
of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, (907) 474-5880
or email: <jrlu at alaska.edu>

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer.


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JOB OPENING: Researcher at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

From: Yuri Shprits (yshprits at igpp.ucla.edu)

Applications are invited for a Researcher position in the Magnetosphere working group at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany. The application deadline is 15 May, 2016 but can be filled early.

The successful candidate will work in collaboration with researchers at UCLA, MIT and and other institutions in the greater Berlin metropolitan area on the development of numerical codes and comparison with in-situ observations. The research will be focused on understanding wave-particle interactions and the dynamics of energetic particles in the near-Earth space. The candidate is expected to have demonstrated experience of working with numerical simulations and observations. Both recent post-docs and more senior scientists will be considered for this position. The level of appointment will be dependent on experience and demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.

The applicant must hold a PhD degree or equivalent in Natural Sciences. He/she requires the ability to independently develop novel research approaches with a broad knowledge of general physics and space physics. Working knowledge of Matlab, C, C++, Fortran, UNIX, MAC, and Windows operating systems is essential; optional knowledge of svn or git is an advantage.

For more details and instructions on how to apply, see the announcements at:

http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en/career/job-offers/job/242316-g-researcher-mf/

Application deadline: 15 May 2016.


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