[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXIV, Issue 45

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXIV, Issue 45
Aug.20,2017

***********************************************************************

Table of Contents

1. Heliophysics DRIVE Science Centers RFI NNH17ZDA008L Extended to Sept 5, 2017

2. New Appointment of Geospace Section Head for NSF’s Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences

3. MEETING: AGU Chapman Conference: Particle Dynamics in the Earth’s Radiation Belts, Cascais, Portugal, 4-9 March 2018 -- First Announcement

4. MEETING: Space Environment Engineering and Science Applications Workshop -- Call for Participation

5. JOB OPENING: Associate or Assistant Professor in solar, space or planetary science, University of New Hampshire Department of Physics and Space Science Center

6. JOB OPENING: Six (6) Postdoctoral and PhD Student Positions in Space Physics Group at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland

***********************************************************************

Announcement Submission Website: http://goo.gl/forms/qjcm4dDr4g


1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1

Heliophysics DRIVE Science Centers RFI NNH17ZDA008L Extended to Sept 5, 2017

From: Janet Kozyra (janet.kozyra at nasa.gov)

In July the Heliophysics Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate released RFI NNH17ZDA008L regarding DRIVE-Inspired Integrative Science Centers. To accommodate those in the Heliophysics community heavily involved in activities related to the solar eclipse, the deadline for DRIVE Center RFI submissions has been extended to September 5, 2017.

For more information, including references and existing resources and opportunities which may be useful in planning the focus and/or elements of a center, please see the full text of the RFI which may be found on NSPIRES under NNH17ZDA008L. Questions concerning this Request for Information should be addressed to Janet Kozyra at janet.kozyra at nasa.gov


2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2

New Appointment of Geospace Section Head for NSF’s Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences

From: Paul Shepson (pshepson at nsf.gov)

Dear Geospace Science colleagues:

It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Dr. Michael Wiltberger has been appointed as Head, Geospace Section (GS), in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences at NSF under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.  Dr. Wiltberger’s appointment began August 9, 2017. 

Dr. Wiltberger earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, in 1993 and his PhD in space plasma physics in 1998 from the University of Maryland, College Park. Among his many scientific accomplishments are pioneering work on the inclusion of ionospheric outflow and the application of advanced statistical analysis in global models and ground-breaking results proving the connection between localized reconnection and, so-called, Bursty Bulk Flows in high-resolution simulations of the magnetotail.

At NSF he has served briefly as Magnetospheric Physics Program Director.  Prior to coming to NSF Dr. Wiltberger was at NCAR/HAO, where he worked as a senior scientist and Head of the Atmosphere-Ionosphere-Magnetosphere Section.  During his career, Dr. Wiltberger has also served in many important community functions, including as chair of the GEM Steering Committee, vice-chair of the AMS Science and Technology Committee on Space Weather, and as Vice Chair of the Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interactions Panel of the 2010 NRC Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics. 

In this time of transition, the Geospace Section was very ably and generously served by Acting Section Head Sarah Ruth. We are grateful for her contributions to the GS section.

Please join us in congratulating Michael! We look forward to working in partnership with Michael on the continuing success of Geospace Sciences at NSF, and in his service to the geospace science community.

At NSF Mike can be reached at: mwiltber at nsf.gov 

Regards,
Paul Shepson, Division Director, AGS/NSF
(See:  https://www.nsf.gov/geo/ags/updates/index.jsp)


3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3

MEETING: AGU Chapman Conference: Particle Dynamics in the Earth’s Radiation Belts, Cascais, Portugal, 4-9 March 2018 -- First Announcement

From: Seth Claudepierre (seth at aero.org)

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the AGU Chapman Conference: Particle Dynamics in the Earth’s Radiation Belts, to be held 4-9 March 2018 in Cascais, Portugal at the Quinta da Marinha Resort Hotel.

All members of the science community are welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting. For details regarding registration and abstract submission, including hotel information, please explore the meeting website:

http://chapman.agu.org/particle-dynamics/

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract Submissions Deadline: 11 Oct 2017
Housing Deadline: 29 Nov 2017
Registration Deadline: 29 Nov 2017

Abstracts will be solicited on radiation belt theory, observation, modeling, and experiment, with an emphasis on the five major science themes:

(1) Particle Acceleration and Transport
(2) Particle Loss
(3) Role of Nonlinear Processes
(4) New Radiation Belt Modeling Capabilities and the Quantification of Model Uncertainties
(5) Laboratory Plasma Experiments, as they relate to particle dynamics in the Earth’s radiation belts

Abstract notifications will be sent 1 Nov 2017 and the conference size will be capped at 120 participants, including students. We anticipate that partial student travel support will be available (details will be posted at the conference website when they are finalized).

Sincerely,
The Conference Conveners
Seth Claudepierre, Chris Colpitts, Joe Fennell, Xinlin Li, Jean-Francois Ripoll, Sasha Ukhorskiy


4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4

MEETING: Space Environment Engineering and Science Applications Workshop -- Call for Participation

From: Paul O'Brien (paul.obrien at aero.org)

Would you like to meet and build relationships with end users, like satellite designers, anomaly analysts, and experts in radiation effects on space systems?

SEESAW is an opportunity for interaction between space system design engineers, anomaly analysts, radiation effects scientists, space environment scientists, and others affected by the space environment. The workshop agenda will include discussion of space system design and anomaly resolution needs relating to the space environment as well as recent scientific model, data, and tool developments that can meet those needs. We will also discuss space system operator needs for forecasts and the role of space weather in launch commit decisions.

The workshop goals are to:

1. Identify models, tools, and data that may be used for design, anomaly analysis, etc. with little modification

2. Foster greater interaction between environment researchers and potential users in the broader space community

3. Improve alignment of environmental research priorities with societal needs through greater awareness

4. Provide a venue for practitioners to develop and communicate requirements for space environment climate and forecasting models

Interested parties should contact Paul O'Brien (paul.obrien at aero.org) for further information.

If there is sufficient interest, the workshop will setup a special poster session dedicated to space environment research and models.

Supported by IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society
Hosted by NOAA NCEI and SWPC
September 5-8, 2017, Boulder, CO

Paul O'Brien, The Aerospace Corporation
On behalf of
Veronique Ferlet-Cavrois, ESA
Eamonn Daly, ESA
Bob Johnston, AFRL
Justin Likar, UTC
Michael Xapsos, NASA
Janet Barth, NASA (ret.)
Robert Reed, Vanderbilt


5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5

JOB OPENING: Associate or Assistant Professor in solar, space or planetary science, University of New Hampshire Department of Physics and Space Science Center

From: Nathan Schwadron (nschwadron at unh.edu)

The Department of Physics and the Space Science Center at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) invite applications for a tenure-track position in Physics with joint appointment in the Space Science Center at the rank of Assoc or Asst Professor beginning Aug, 2018, in the areas of solar, space, or planetary science. The successful applicant can expect to interact with highly active research groups in solar and space science, lunar science and astrophysics. Applicants are sought in the leadership and development of strong experimental research programs in solar, heliospheric, magnetospheric, geospace, ionospheric, and upper atmospheric research and/or experimental programs in planetary science.  UNH is a research university on the beautiful NH seacoast, roughly an hour north of Boston, with significant resources in engineering, world-class laboratories, and a ~60 year history of leadership in space science missions. UNH has been involved with and committed to instrument design and fabrication, science operations, data analysis, sophisticated numerical modeling and theory. UNH involvement and leadership extends over an enormous array of missions including MMS, Solar Orbiter, Solar Probe Plus, GOES, IBEX, RBSP, Firebird, BalloonWinds, Equator-S, ACE, Cluster, STEREO, Wind, Polar, FAST, SMM, Compton GRO, OSO-7.   In addition, UNH has excellent computational resources including a CRAY XE6m-200 supercomputer, and houses leading theory and modeling groups in space science. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of research accomplishments, and a demonstrated track record in securing external grant funding. The candidate should be enthusiastic about teaching physics and space science classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Applicants must have a PhD in Physics, Astronomy, or a related field. Review of applications will begin Oct. 16, 2017. The application package should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, brief summaries of teaching interests and future research plans and the names of three references. Please apply directly online at: https://jobs.usnh.edu/.  Inquiries about the position should be directed to Prof. Nathan Schwadron at nschwadron at unh.edu. SwRI-EOS is co-located and shares facilities with the UNH Space Science Center. UNH-EOS is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility. For a more comprehensive job description, visit http://physics.unh.edu/jobs . 


6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6

JOB OPENING: Six (6) Postdoctoral and PhD Student Positions in Space Physics Group at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland

From: Minna Palmroth, Emilia Kilpua (minna.palmroth[at]helsinki.fi)

The Space Physics Group at the Department of Physics (http://blogs.helsinki.fi/spacephysics/) is a leading European space physics group specialised both in observations and modelling of space plasmas. For example, we develop the novel global hybrid-Vlasov simulation Vlasiator and have a strong focus on solar eruptions. Our current research areas include physics of coronal mass ejections, their influence in the magnetospheric dynamics, as well as reconnection, shocks and particle acceleration.

We have recently obtained several new research grants, including a Finnish Centre of Excellence (2018 - 2025), two European Research Council grants (2016 - 2021, 2017 - 2022), and two Academy of Finland grants (2018 - 2022).

We are now opening six positions, of which four are postdoctoral positions, and two are for PhD students. We are especially looking for expertise in modelling of the solar corona, experimental solar wind research, observations and modelling of the inner magnetospheric waves and wave-particle interactions.

Strong expertise in space plasma physics is required. Other useful skills include: Python, C/C++, supercomputer environments, experimental data analysis techniques. Previous knowledge of cubesat projects is also considered an advantage.

We offer a position in a dynamic and international research group, with a possibility to network and to develop as a researcher. As our the Centre of Excellence builds and launches cubesats establishing new technologies with cutting edge scientific payloads, our community extends from space physics to space technology and entrepreneurial startups.

The positions are available from 1 Jan 2018, initially for one year with a possibility to extend. The positions are open until they are filled.

For specifics about the position, contact Professor Minna Palmroth (minna.palmroth ‘at’ helsinki.fi) and Assistant Professor Emilia Kilpua (emilia.kilpua ‘at’ helsinki.fi). Interested candidates should send their informal application, CV, list of publications, and maximum of three names to act as references to the above addresses.


***** SUBSCRIPTION AND ANNOUNCEMENT REQUESTS *****

The AGU Space Physics and Aeronomy (SPA) Section Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. Back issues are available at:

http://spa.agu.org/category/newsletters/

To request announcements for distribution by the newsletter, please use the online submission form at:
http://goo.gl/forms/qjcm4dDr4g

To subscribe to the newsletter, please go to the web page at:
http://lists.igpp.ucla.edu/mailman/listinfo/spa
(IMPORTANT: Do not use this web page to post announcements.)

NOTE: Due to the large number of SPA-related sessions at major conferences, the SPA Newsletter can no longer accept announcement requests for individual sessions at AGU, AOGS, COSPAR, EGU, or IAGA Meetings. Titles and web links (if available) of these sessions will be distributed in a special issue of the Newsletter before the abstract deadline.

SPA Web Site: http://spa.agu.org/

SPA Newsletter Editorial Team: Peter Chi (Editor), Guan Le (Co-Editor), Sharon Uy, Marjorie Sowmendran, Todd King, and Kevin Addison

*************** END OF NEWSLETTER ****************