[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXIII, Issue 54

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXIII, Issue 54
Oct.12,2016

Editor: Peter Chi
Co-Editor: Guan Le
Distribution Support: Sharon Uy, Marjorie Sowmendran, Todd King, Kevin Addison
E-mail: editor at igpp.ucla.edu
Announcement Submission Website: http://goo.gl/forms/qjcm4dDr4g

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Table of Contents

1. NASA ROSES-16 Final Text for MMS Guest Investigator Opportunity

2. NSF Releases Dear Colleague Letter on Arecibo Observatory

3. Nominations for AAS/SPD Hale and Harvey Prizes: Second Call

4. JOB OPENING: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Solar Physics at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

5. JOB OPENING: Research Assistant Professor in Solar/Stellar Data Analysis at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

6. JOB OPENING: CHARA Postdoctoral Research Associate at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

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NASA ROSES-16 Final Text for MMS Guest Investigator Opportunity

From: Errol J. Summerlin (errol.summerlin at nasa.gov)

This message is to inform you that the final text for program element B.8 Magnetospheric Multiscale Guest Investigators (MMS GI) has been released and is now available on NSPIRES.

The Heliophysics Guest Investigators (H-GI) program is a component of the Heliophysics Research Program. This particular element of the Guest Investigator program is offered only for investigations that primarily use data from the recently launched Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission.

This particular ROSES element supports investigations whose primary focus is the analysis of MMS data. Proposals should use primarily MMS data to address (1) the goals of the MMS mission (found at http://mms.gsfc.nasa.gov/about_mms.html) or (2) any of the relevant goals of the Heliophysics Decadal survey (Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13060):

1. Determine the origins of the Sun’s activity and predict the variations in the space environment;
2. Determine the dynamics and coupling of Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere, and atmosphere and their response to solar and terrestrial inputs; 
3. Determine the interaction of the Sun with the solar system and the interstellar medium;
4. Discover and characterize fundamental processes that occur both within the heliosphere and throughout the universe.

This program is intended to maximize the scientific return from this recently launched mission by providing support for research of a breadth and complexity beyond presently funded investigations. As for any H-GI proposal, investigations may employ theory, models, and data from other sources, as needed, to interpret and analyze NASA’s MMS data, but only as a secondary emphasis.

Step-1 proposals are due November 18, 2016, and Step-2 proposals are due January 13, 2017.

The solicitation can presently be found in the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2016” (NNH16ZDA001N). It is currently posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and will appear at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2016.

The NASA point of contact for this program element is Errol J. Summerlin who may be reached at errol.summerlin at nasa.gov.


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NSF Releases Dear Colleague Letter on Arecibo Observatory

From: John W. Meriwether (jmeriwet at nsf.gov)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a Dear Colleague Letter (NSF 16-144) announcing its intent to release a Solicitation in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2017 regarding future continued operations of Arecibo Observatory under substantially reduced funding commitment from NSF. 

NSF is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential effects of proposed changes to operations at Arecibo Observatory. The upcoming Solicitation will run concurrently with preparation of the EIS with the intent of informing the decision-making process for future operations of Arecibo Observatory.

John W. Meriwether
Program Director, Geospace Facilities
jmeriwet at nsf.gov


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Nominations for AAS/SPD Hale and Harvey Prizes: Second Call

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

Nominations are sought for the 2017 American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division (AAS/SPD) George Ellery Hale Prize. This prize is awarded annually to a scientist for outstanding contributions over an extended period of time to the field of solar astronomy. In considering candidates, the Hale and Harvey Prize Committee is to be guided by the impact of the candidates' research in solar physics, general astronomy, geophysics, mathematics, and physics. Any living scientist is eligible to receive the award without consideration of race, sex, or nationality.  Please see http://spd.aas.org/navbar_prizes.html and for the detailed eligibility criteria and a list of previous awardees.

Nominations are also sought for the 2017 AAS/SPD early career Karen Harvey Prize. This prize is awarded in recognition of a significant contribution to the study of the Sun early in a person's professional career. The prize will be awarded to a person who has not reached 36 years of age, or who has not reached ten years of professional experience since the Ph.D or equivalent degree, at the end of calendar year 2016. This award is open to anyone who meets the age and professional experience requirements, without regard to country of residence, citizenship, or membership in the SPD. Please see http://spd.aas.org/navbar_prizes.html for the detailed eligibility criteria and a list of previous awardees.

A letter of nomination for the Hale or Harvey prize, with supporting letters of endorsement (at least two of which must be from members of the Society), curriculum vitae, and bibliography should be submitted to the Hale and Harvey Prize Committee, which will be responsible for the selection.

Deadline for receipt of letters and supporting documents for either (Hale or Harvey) prize nomination is November 14, 2016. Submissions should be sent to Mark Linton at haleprize.harveyprize at nrl.navy.mil .


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JOB OPENING: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Solar Physics at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

From: Piet Martens (martens at astro.gsu.edu)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Georgia State University (GSU) is seeking to fill a tenure-track faculty position by Fall 2017 at the assistant professor level with a focus on solar-stellar dynamo research. The new faculty member will help build an astroinformatics cluster on “The Solar/Stellar Connection” in conjunction with the Department of Computer Science and the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy at GSU. This position is part of a GSU Next Generation Faculty Program that will include a number of tenure-track, research faculty, and postdoctoral hires in the above departments to work closely with recent senior faculty hires (Dr. Rafal Angryk, Dr. Piet Martens, and Dr. Stuart Jefferies) in an interdisciplinary program of solar physics, space weather and climate, and big data mining. Our ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), a strong record of developing computational techniques for modeling solar and/or stellar dynamos, and a demonstrated expertise in analyzing and interpreting data relevant for guiding solar and stellar dynamo simulations. Strong candidates with related experience will be given consideration as well. Applicants should have the following basic qualifications: 1) Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or closely related field, 2) postdoctoral research experience, 3)  evidence of the ability to establish and maintain a successful research program, 4) evidence of the ability to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, 5) evidence of the ability to work in a large, collaborative effort.

Applications should include 1) a CV, including a publication list, 2) a statement of the candidate’s research interests and how the research fits into the above program, 3) a statement of teaching experience and philosophy with a focus on inclusiveness, and 4) contact information for at least three references. All materials should be sent via email to AstroSearch at astro.gsu.edu. Questions regarding the position can be addressed to Dr. Piet Martens at martens at astro.gsu.edu. Applications received by December 1, 2016, will receive full consideration. An offer of employment will be conditional on background verification. Georgia State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an equal opportunity educational institution and an EEO/AA employer. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. It is our policy to offer equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.


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JOB OPENING: Research Assistant Professor in Solar/Stellar Data Analysis at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

From: Piet Martens (martens at astro.gsu.edu)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Georgia State University (GSU) is seeking to fill a position by Fall 2017 at the assistant research professor level. The new hire will have a proven record in analyzing large amounts of solar and/or stellar data using modern methods of data analytics, and will help build an astroinformatics cluster on “The Solar/Stellar Connection” in conjunction with the Department of Computer Science and the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy at GSU. This position is part of a GSU Next Generation Faculty Program that will include a number of tenure track and research faculty as well as postdoctoral hires in the above departments to work closely with current faculty, including recent senior faculty hires (Dr. Rafal Angryk, Dr. Piet Martens, and Dr. Stuart Jefferies), in the areas of solar and stellar physics, space weather, and big data mining.

This position is fully supported by the university for 3 years, with an additional 2 years of university support at the 50% level possible if external funding is secured for the remaining salary. Research faculty with outstanding accomplishments may qualify for tenure-track faculty positions in the future. Applicants should have the following basic qualifications: 1) Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or closely related field, 2) postdoctoral research experience, 3) evidence of the ability to establish and maintain a successful research program, and 4) evidence of the ability to work in a large, collaborative effort. Applications should include 1) a CV, including a publication list, 2) a statement of the candidate’s research interests and how the research fits into the above program, and 3) contact information for at least three references. All materials should be sent via email to AstroSearch at astro.gsu.edu. Questions regarding the position can be addressed to Dr. Piet Martens at martens at astro.gsu.edu. Applications received by December 1, 2016, will receive full consideration. An offer of employment will be conditional on background verification. Georgia State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an equal opportunity educational institution and an EEO/AA employer. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. It is our policy to offer equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.


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JOB OPENING: CHARA Postdoctoral Research Associate at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

From: Piet Martens (martens at astro.gsu.edu)

The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) at Georgia State University (GSU) is seeking applicants for a CHARA Postdoctoral Research Associate beginning after July 2017. CHARA operates the CHARA Array, an optical/IR, long baseline interferometer located at Mount Wilson Observatory (www.chara.gsu.edu), and the ideal candidate for the CHARA Postdoctoral Research Associate will pursue scientific research that will expand the frontiers of work with the CHARA Array. CHARA scientists are working in conjunction with colleagues in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Physics and Astronomy to develop an astroinformatics cluster at GSU on “The Solar/Stellar Connection” that will foster collaborative work in the areas of solar and stellar physics and computational methods.

This position is fully supported by the university for two years, with an additional year of university support at the 50% level possible if external funding is secured for the remaining salary. The salary is $60,000 per year. The associate will probably reside the majority of the year in the Los Angeles area, spend approximately 20% of their time working in support of the CHARA Array, and spend the remainder of their time pursuing science that complements that of GSU faculty, and preferably enhances GSU's new Solar/Stellar initiative. We are seeking candidates interested in instrumentation, software, science, or some combination of these that will focus on the CHARA Array.

Applicants should have the following basic qualifications: 1) Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or closely related field, 2) evidence of the ability to establish and maintain a successful research program, 3) evidence of the ability to work in a collaborative effort, and 4) a working knowledge of GNU/Linux and an intermediate level in C programming; knowledge of GTK would be a strong plus. Applications should include: 1) a CV, including a publication list, 2) a statement of the candidate’s research interests and how the research fits into the observational program of the CHARA Array, and 3) contact information for at least three references. All materials should be sent via email to gies at chara.gsu.edu. Questions regarding the position can be addressed to Dr. Douglas Gies at gies at chara.gsu.edu. Applications received by January 17, 2017, will receive full consideration. An offer of employment will be conditional on background verification. Georgia State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an equal opportunity educational institution and an EEO/AA employer. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. It is our policy to offer equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.


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