[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXIV, Issue 60

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXIV, Issue 60
Oct.30,2017

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Table of Contents

1. Call for Membership in the Living With a Star Program Analysis Group (LPAG)  

2. Graduate Student Openings at West Virginia University

3. PhD Positions in Astroinformatics at Georgia State University (USA)

4. PhD Studentships, Post-doctoral and Research Scientist Positions Available at the Institute of Space Sciences, Shandong University, China

5. RHESSI Science Nuggets in October 2017

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


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Call for Membership in the Living With a Star Program Analysis Group (LPAG)  

From: Jeff Morrill (jeff.s.morrill at nasa.gov)

Dear Colleague,      

We are writing to enlist your help in finding well qualified candidates for the Executive Committee of the Living with a Star Program Analysis Group (LPAG), formerly the LWS TR&T Steering Committee. As with its predecessor, the LPAG performs a vital role by providing an opportunity for the Heliophysics Community to comment on the LWS program. This includes, but is not limited to, discussions of future Focused Science Topics (FST), examining progress in meeting science goals and objectives, as well as how well results from the program are transferred into societal benefits. A description of the LPAG can be found on the LWS web site (https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/pdf/LPAG_TOR_2017_Final_Signed.pdf). 

We are currently seeking members from all areas of the Heliophysics community with a solid understanding of the scientific basis of Heliophysics system science. Highly qualified candidates from all career stages, including early career, will be considered. Membership in the LPAG will nominally be three years. This initial call for membership, however, will range from one to three years in order to establish a rotation whereby one third of the members will be replaced each year. Additional information can be found on the new LWS website at:

https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/lpag

You can become a candidate for the LPAG by replying to the email addresses below. Please include in your submission a brief summary of the contributions you would make to the committee and your qualifications for doing so, as well as a single-page vitae. This submission must be limited to a two-page PDF file. Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. Institution for the period of service. There is no restriction on citizenship. We will accept submissions until the close of business on 11/22/17. Please feel free to share this letter with anyone you think would be interested.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance.

Jeff Morrill
LWS Program Scientist
jeff.s.morrill at nasa.gov

Janet Kozyra
LWS Science Lead
janet.kozyra at nasa.gov


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Graduate Student Openings at West Virginia University

From: Paul Cassak (Paul.Cassak at mail.wvu.edu)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University is seeking graduate student applications from enthusiastic students to start their graduate career in space physics in Fall of 2018. The department has active researchers in numerical and observational magnetospheric, solar, and space-relevant laboratory plasma physics. The WVU plasma group (https://ulysses.phys.wvu.edu/plasma/) is sizable and diverse; there are seven faculty doing space physics including three females. Particular research areas include radiation belt simulations and observations; ion heating in the magnetosphere using observations, experiments and simulations; magnetic reconnection simulations and experiment; solar flare simulations and observations; waves and aurora; high-energy-density laboratory astrophysics; and cubesat development. Admitted students get tuition waivers and a competitive stipend. There are numerous internal fellowships for increased stipends. The program includes a wide array of classes in plasma physics. The WVU Physics and Astronomy department (http://physics.wvu.edu/) is young and vibrant. The university is centrally located; it is a short trip to the many research labs in the Maryland/Virginia/DC area (NASA, APL, NRL, Wallops, etc.). Surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor activities, it is a great place to earn a Ph.D. Past students in the plasma group have been very successful in their careers. Please encourage your undergraduates to apply; the deadline is January 15, 2018. The department and plasma group is proud to put a high value on diversity and inclusivity.


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PhD Positions in Astroinformatics at Georgia State University (USA)

From: Jane Pratt (jpratt7 at gsu.edu)

The newly formed Georgia AstroInformatics Nexus (GAIN) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Georgia State University (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) invites applications for its PhD program from motivated students of any nationality.  Participate in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research while living in the vibrant city of Atlanta.  The Georgia AstroInformatics Nexus includes Professors Petrus Martens, Stuart Jefferies, Rafal Angryk, Daniel Pimentel Alarcon, Shihao Ji, Juan Banda, and Jane Pratt.  We study space plasma physics, solar/stellar physics, and space weather.  New PhD projects will focus on one of several areas:

1. Developing cutting-edge data analytics methods to predict solar flares and eruptions.
2. Predicting space weather and space climate.
3. Modeling solar-like and non-solar stars using magnetohydrodynamic simulations.
4. Producing, understanding, and interpreting new helioseismology and astroseismology data.

We seek highly motivated, qualified candidates with initial degrees in Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or Computer Science. Experience in programming with MPI-Fortran, Python, or other high-level languages, and knowledge of numerical methods is desirable.  Doctoral degrees in Physics, Astronomy, or Computer Science are available.  These PhD projects will use new computer systems at Georgia State University, national and international supercomputers, and data from world-class telescopes.

Successful candidates will have a good working knowledge of English. Living costs will be covered by stipend, and tuition fees will be provided.  PhD students may also access research funds to cover travel and other research expenses (e.g. conferences, observing missions, etc.).  For further information please contact: Dr. Jane Pratt, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy (e-mail: jpratt7 at gsu.edu) or stop by the GSU table at the AGU Fall meeting in New Orleans.


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PhD Studentships, Post-doctoral and Research Scientist Positions Available at the Institute of Space Sciences, Shandong University, China

From: Qinghe Zhang (zhangqinghe at sdu.edu.cn)

We cordially invite applications for PhD studentships, postdoctoral and research scientist positions at the Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Shandong University. We expect to offer ~3 fully-funded PhD studentships, ~4 postdoctoral positions, and ~2 (visiting) research scientist positions.

The applicants are expected to work with
1) Prof. Yao Chen (yaochen at sdu.edu.cn) on physical mechanisms of particle acceleration and radio bursts during solar eruption, and synthesis techniques in radio interferometric imagery.

2) Prof. Quanqi Shi (sqq at sdu.edu.cn) on magnetospheric physics and solar wind–magnetosphere interaction. Of primary interests are the solar wind mass and energy transport into the magnetosphere and related processes.

3) Prof. Qinghe Zhang (zhangqinghe at sdu.edu.cn) on the physics of dynamical processes in the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling and the ionosphere as well as their responses to space-weather events.

4) Prof. Lidong Xia (XLD at sdu.edu.cn) on multi-wavelength observational studies of small-scale dynamic events in the solar atmosphere relating to the coronal heating and the source region of the solar wind, and the development of coronagraph technology.

5) Prof. Bo Li (bbl at sdu.edu.cn) on collective waves in magnetized structures on the Sun. The applicants are expected to have experience in analytical or numerical studies in the broad field of coronal seismology (or solar magneto-seismology).

6) Prof. Prof. Zongcheng Ling (zcling at sdu.edu.cn) on spectral, geochemical, mineralogical properties of planetary materials, planetary igneous and alteration processes, lunar and martian meteorites.

For detailed information on our overseas PhD program, please visit http://iss.wh.sdu.edu.cn/ or directly contact the supervisor you plan to work with. The postdoctoral posts are available for a fixed term of 1 year with a possible extension of up to 3 years, depending on research performance and funding availability. The annual salary will be 30,000 to 35,000 US dollars, commensurate with qualification and experience.

Research scientist appointments are for 3 years, with possible extension, depending on research performance and funding availability. The annual salary is from 35,000 to 50,000 US dollars depending on qualification and experience. The post-holders should pursue independent research in close collaboration with the ISS faculty members.

The applicants of the postdoctoral and research scientist positions are expected to have demonstrated expertise in carrying out original research in solar and space physics, space weather sciences, and planetary science. 

ISS is located in the scenic coastal city of Weihai, which with its considerably low living cost and wonderful beaches is regarded as one of the nation’s most desirable cities. ISS can help arrange a temporary or long-term accommodation, which is fully-furnished and in easy reach of shopping plazas, restaurants, the university campus, and the beautiful Weihai International Beach. Rent and utilities shall be paid by the post-holders.

Applications will be considered from 1 December 2017 onwards. Candidates should submit electronically a CV, a cover letter describing their research experience and interests, as well as names and contact details of two potential referees, to one of the above prospective collaborators (please also copy to yaochen.sdu at gmail.com). Please visit the webpage (http://iss.wh.sdu.edu.cn) for more information.


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RHESSI Science Nuggets in October 2017

From: Hugh Hudso (hhudson at ssl.berkeley.edu)

No. 309, “Electron Scattering in the Flaring Corona,” by Sophie Musset: Diffusive transport may contribute to the trapping of energetic electrons in coronal hard X-ray sources.

No. 310, “Valderrama in the 21st Century,” by Hugh Hudson: A newly-describd white-light flare from the 19th century, chronologically the third-ever observed flare.

See http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets listing the current series, 2008-present, and http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/nuggets/forthe original series, 2005-2008. We publish these at roughly two-week intervals and welcome contributions, which should be related, at least loosely, to RHESSI science.


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