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

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVI, Issue 45
Jul.24,2019

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Table of Contents

1. 2019 Fall AGU Student and Early Career Travel Grants and Scholarships

2. Agile Responses to Short-Notice Rideshare Opportunities: Request for Community Input

3. Update from AGS Division

4. MEETING: 14th International Conference on Substorms (ICS14), Tromsø, Norway, September 30 - October 4, 2019

5. MEETING: L5 Consortium Meeting "Missions to non-Earth Vantage Points" (October 1–3, 2019): Deadlines Approaching

6. JOB OPENING: Space Physicist at Predictive Science Inc., San Diego, California

7. JOB OPENING: Research Scientist at Boston College Institute for Scientific Research

8. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology

9. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Plasma Physics at Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France (1 of 2)

10. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Plasma Physics at Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France (2 of 2)

11. JOB OPENING: Programmer/Analyst II at UCLA

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


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2019 Fall AGU Student and Early Career Travel Grants and Scholarships

From: Christina O. Lee, Elizabeth MacDonald, Romina Nikoukar (clee at ssl.berkeley.edu)

Dear SPA community,

We would like to draw your attention to several Fall AGU Meeting travel and scholarship opportunities for SPA students (high school, undergraduate, graduate) and early career SPA scientists to apply:

1) Fall Meeting General Student Travel Grant (Open 12 June 2019; Close 7 August 2019): The Fall Meeting General Student Travel Grant provides partial travel assistance to student presenters to attend Fall Meeting. Any AGU student member presenting at Fall Meeting may apply, but preference will be given to students from demographic groups who are underrepresented in the sciences.

2) Data Visualization and Storytelling Competition (Open 12 June 2019; Close 4 September 2019): This competition is open to 2 and 4 year undergraduate students and graduate students who are legal U.S. residents. The competition winners will receive travel grants funded by AGU, complimentary registration to the AGU Fall Meeting, and the opportunity to present their data visualization on the NASA Hyperwall. This AGU competition is funded by a generous grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

3) Fall Meeting Berkner Fellowship (Open 12 June 2019; Close 7 August 2019): Early career scientists and students under 35 years of age who are citizens of countries designated by the World Bank as “low” or “lower-middle” income per capita may apply this travel fellowship which covers registration, travel, boarding, and meals for Fall Meeting.

The application links to the above may be found through this webpage:

https://education.agu.org/grants/student-travel-grants-application-requirements/

*****
Travel Grant Webinar on July 25th (1-2 pm ET): 

Before applying, we strongly encourage the potential applicants to register and attend the AGU webinar. During this webinar, they may get additional information about these opportunities, along with getting tips for completing the application process and hearing how previous travel grant recipients found additional financial resources to cover their costs. The link to register may be found on this webpage:

https://webinars.agu.org/webinar/student-funding-opportunities-for-fall-meeting/?utm_source=aguniverse&utm_medium=email
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If you have any questions, please contact one of the AGU SPA secretaries (SH: Christina Lee, SM: Elizabeth MacDonald, SA: Romina Nikoukar).


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Agile Responses to Short-Notice Rideshare Opportunities: Request for Community Input

From: Sarah Gibson (sgibson at ucar.edu)

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate recently embraced as a standard practice the concept of exploiting opportunities for secondary science payloads on launches with excess mass capacity. The National Academies Committee on Solar and Space Physics (CSSP) has been asked by NASA's Heliophysics Division to prepare a short report discussing possible elements of a program with the flexibility and agility to respond to such emergent rideshare opportunities.

The CSSP is seeking community input on this topic, in particular with regards to the following topics:

1) Kinds of solar and space physics science that would be enabled by an agile response to rideshare opportunities, at locations that would provide global perspectives, unique views, or continuous coverage, among others;
2) Types of payloads that are suited to rideshare opportunities, because they are scientifically valuable in single or multiple locations and rapidly deployable with short development times or that can be shelved until a launch becomes available;  
3) Considerations for the development and implementation of a new HPD program that would allow agile responses to future short-notice rideshare opportunities.

Input may be contributed by using the input form found at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_052324


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Update from AGS Division

From: Michael Wiltberger (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

Job Posting in AGS: Section Head, Atmosphere Section 

The Section Head, Atmosphere Section has been posted and will close on August 28, 2019. Further details on this job opportunity may be found at  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/539739500

AGS programs participating in the NSF-BSF program 

Back in August 2017 NSF and the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Research Cooperation. The MOU provides an overarching framework to encourage collaboration between US and Israeli research communities and sets out the principles by which jointly supported activities might be developed. The MOU provides for an international collaboration arrangement whereby US researchers may receive funding from the NSF and Israeli researchers may receive funding from the BSF. 
The goal of this US-Israel collaborative research opportunity is to help reduce some of the current barriers to working internationally. Through a lead agency model, NSF and BSF will address these issues by allowing US and Israeli researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal that will undergo a single review process at NSF, which will be the lead agency.
The Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describing this activity may be found at https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2017/nsf17120/nsf17120.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

The new MOU includes the following programs in AGS: Aeronomy, Atmospheric Chemistry, Climate and Large-Scale Dynamics, Magnetospheric Physics, Paleoclimate, Physical and Dynamic Meteorology, and Solar Terrestrial.  Please note there is an active link in the DCL that has all the NSF-BSF Participating Programs. Mr. Nick Anderson is serving as the lead AGS point-of-contact for this activity. His email is nanderso at nsf.gov 

Input being sought on NSF Proposal and Awards Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG)

Through Federal Register Notice, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-05-29/pdf/2019-11124.pdf  NSF is providing an opportunity for public comment to the draft PAPPG to incorporate a number of policy-related changes and clarifications of language. The draft PAPPG may be found at the following link https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/papp/pappg20_1/FedReg/draftpappg_may2019.pdf
Written comments must be received by July 29, 2019. 


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MEETING: 14th International Conference on Substorms (ICS14), Tromsø, Norway, September 30 - October 4, 2019

From: Lasse Clausen (lasse.clausen at fys.uio.no)

The 14th International Conference on Substorms (ICS14) will be held in Tromsø, Norway, at the Clarion Hotel Edge (https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/hotell/norge/tromso/clarion-hotel-the-edge/), September 30th - October 4th, 2019. Tromsø is located in the auroral zone, about two hours by plane north from Norway's capital Oslo. The meeting is open to the broad scientific community with interest in substorms and other related science topics.

The meeting web site (http://ics14.no/) provides further information. The early bird registration deadline is coming up!

Important deadlines:

August 1, 2019: Early bird registration deadline
August 15, 2019: Abstract submission
August 15, 2017: Registration deadline

Social events: The meeting fee includes an excursion on Wednesday afternoon: a guided tour wil take us to the Arctic Cathedral (https://www.ishavskatedralen.no/en/the-arctic-cathedral/), up Fjellheisen (https://fjellheisen.no/en/), and finally to the Arctic Center Polaria (https://polaria.no/en/).

Please also note that the meeting has been scheduled during a new moon period, offering favorable conditions for observing the aurora - cloud cover permitting, of course.


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MEETING: L5 Consortium Meeting "Missions to non-Earth Vantage Points" (October 1–3, 2019): Deadlines Approaching

From: Natchimuthuk Gopalswamy (natchimuthuk.gopalswamy-1 at nasa.gov)

L5 Consortium Meeting
October 1-3 (Tue-Thu), 2019
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA

What can be learned about the Sun and heliosphere from observations collected far from Earth?

Rationale: The L5 Consortium is an informal group of scientists that since 2010 has been promoting space missions to the Sun–Earth Lagrange points and other viewpoints off the Sun-Earth line. The scientific benefits of such vantage points are many, as are the opportunities for improving space-weather forecasting capability. The next L5 Consortium Meetings will take place at the beautiful Stanford University, California in a perfect early-autumn weather.

We welcome contributed oral presentations on missions, instruments, and science pertinent to the following Session Topics:
 Science and Space Weather from non-Earth Vantage Points
 Mission concepts: L5, Polar, L4, L1, and Elsewhere
 Current/Implemented Missions: Parker Solar Probe/Solar Orbiter/IMAP/STEREO
 Small Deep Space Satellites
 Imaging and In-situ Instrumentation
 Astrophysics Opportunities: Other Instrumentation on Deep-Space Missions
 NASA, NOAA, ESA, and Other National/Agency Perspectives
 Panel Discussions

Invited speakers confirmed so far:
 Christopher Russell (UCLA, Keynote)
 Thomas Berger (CU Boulder)
 Doug Biesecker (NOAA)
 Jackie Davies (UKRI/STFC)
 Mihir Desai (SWRI)
 Cooper Downs (PSI)
 Holly Gilbert (NASA/GSFC)
 Richard Harrison (RAL)
 Frank Hill (NSO)
 Russ Howard (NRL)
 Joe Giacalone (U. Arizona)
 Justin Kasper (U. Michigan)
 Samuel Krucker (UC Berkeley)
 Ying Liu (CAS/NSSC)
 Bruce Macintosh (Stanford)
 Juha-Pekka Luntama (ESA)
 Robert J Macdowall (NASA/GSFC)
 Ward (Chip) Manchester (U. Michigan)
 Scott Mcintosh (HAO)
 Dibyendu Nandi (CESSI)
 Nour Raouafi (JHU/APL)
 Philip Scherrer (Stanford)
 Daniel Seaton (CU/NOAA)
 James Spann (NASA/HQ)
 Alphonse Sterling (NASA/MSFC)
 Manuela Temmer (U. Graz)
 Alan Title (LMSAL)
 Junwei Zhao (Stanford)

Important Dates:
  July 30, 2019: Abstracts, Registration (regular rates), and Hotel Deadline
  August 30, 2019: Late Abstracts, Late Registration (higher rates) Deadline
  October 1-3 (Tue-Thu), 2019, Science Meeting (conference dinner on Oct 2)

The number of participants is capped at the the room capacity of 75, and thus early registration is encouraged. Details and logistics are updated at https://cdaw.gsfc.nasa.gov/meetings/2019_L5C. We look forward to seeing you at Stanford this fall.

Sincerely yours, 
L5 SOC 


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JOB OPENING: Space Physicist at Predictive Science Inc., San Diego, California

From: Pete Riley (pete at predsci.com)

Predictive Science invites applications for a research position in solar and space plasma physics.  While we anticipate hiring a recently-graduated or early-career scientist, more senior scientists may be considered.  A review of applications will begin September 1, 2019, and will continue until the position is filled.

Qualifications: 

- Ph.D. in solar/heliospheric physics, space physics, or a related field
- Expertise in numerical modeling and/or data analysis
- Experience working with particle, fluid and/or MHD algorithms
- Experience in massively parallel computations is desirable but not required

Duties: 

- Help support the current activities of the solar physics group, including model and tool development
- Perform research in key areas of solar and heliospheric physics, such as solar eruptions, coronal and heliospheric structure, and heating/acceleration processes
- Present research at conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific publications

All applications must include a cover letter, CV, statement of research interests, and the names of three references.  Send applications and/or inquiries to Meaghan Marsh at mmarsh at predsci.com. 


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JOB OPENING: Research Scientist at Boston College Institute for Scientific Research

From: Patricia Doherty (patricia.doherty at bc.edu)

The Institute for Scientific Research at Boston College invites applications to join our team supporting the AFRL plasma chemistry group in Albuquerque, NM.  The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing laboratory efforts preparing for sounding rocket and satellite flight experiments to study the ionospheric effects of chemical releases.  Duties will include conducting laboratory-scale experiments for characterization of chemical release candidate materials via optical and mass spectrometric methods, analyzing data from such experiments, and developing and validating thermodynamic and heat transfer models to describe the vaporization of the active materials.  While familiarity with ionospheric chemistry is ideal, it is not required.  More importantly, the position requires strong laboratory, data analysis, and modeling skills and the agility to learn and apply new concepts when needed.   The researcher will work closely with current government and contractor personnel to become familiarized with efforts to date.  

Required: PhD in experimental physical chemistry, physics, or related hard science or engineering field

Ideal candidate will have knowledge of:
- Ionospheric chemistry
- Energetic materials
- Vacuum science
- Mass spectrometry
- Chemical kinetics
- MATLAB and programming in general


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology

From: Gareth Perry (gperry at njit.edu)

The Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR) of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in data analysis and remote sensing for magnetospheric and ionospheric studies. The successful candidate will make use of various data sets including (but not limited to) spacecraft data from Swarm (including CASSIOPE/e-POP) and Van Allen Probes, and ground-based instruments such as coherent scatter radars (e.g., SuperDARN), ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars, magnetometers, auroral imagers, riometer, and GNSS receivers, to investigate the coupled solar-terrestrial plasma environment. 

Experience in the analysis and interpretation of space physics datasets is highly desired. The successful applicant will be expected to perform the duties of a postdoctoral fellow, including the publication of original research, attending conferences and workshops (which includes domestic and international travel), submission of proposals, and the support of CSTR projects. By their start date, applicants should have obtained Ph.D. in plasma physics, space physics, geophysics, or related field. The appointment start date is flexible, however, earlier dates are preferred. The appointment is for two years, with a possible renewal based on successful applicant performance and funding resources. Benefits are competitive and salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience. 

The successful applicant will work primarily with Dr. Gareth Perry, Assistant Professor in CSTR and the Physics Department at NJIT, as well as other CSTR faculty members including Profs. Andrew Gerrard and Hyomin Kim, and Distinguished Research Professor Dr. Louis Lanzerotti. Applicants will need to submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and the names of three professional references. Questions should be directed to Dr. Gareth Perry (gperry at njit.edu). 

The Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR) of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, in Newark, NJ, is a world renowned institution in solar and space physics. CSTR is a PI organization in the NASA Van Allen Probes mission, manages the Polar Engineering Development Center, and operates the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and the Owens Valley Solar Array (OVSA) in California. For more information visit http://centers.njit.edu/cstr/.  To build a diverse workforce, NJIT encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women, EEO employer. 

Essential Functions:
Data analysis utilizing programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, and/or IDL. Presentation of results at professional meetings. Presentation of result via peer-review journal papers. Occasional domestic/international travel. 

Prerequisite Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Space Physics or related field. Background in magnetospheric/ionospheric physics. Experience in data analysis using programming languages. 

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in spacecraft and ground instrument data analysis and interpretation is highly desired.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Apply online via: https://njit.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?site=1&id=1443, ReqID 1443.  Applicants will need to submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and the names of three professional references. Questions should be directed to Dr. Gareth Perry (gperry at njit.edu). 


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Plasma Physics at Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France (1 of 2)

From: Dominique Fontaine (dominique.fontaine at lpp.polytechnique.fr)

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Space Plasma Physics. In the field of  solar wind / magnetosphere couplings, the project consists in achieving realistic simulations of solar events such as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and in analyzing their interactions with Earth’s magnetospheric boundaries (bow shock, magnetopause). The successful candidate will exploit an existing 3D hybrid code, develop modules and diagnostic tools and validate the numerical results by comparison to in-situ observations from space missions such as Cluster THEMIS, MMS. 

The applicant should have completed a PhD in Plasma Physics, Space Physics, Astrophysics, Physics or related fields and published scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Experience in simulations, python coding and/or in in-situ space data analysis will be appreciated. A good knowledge of written and spoken scientific English is required, as well as a rigorous work and capabilities to work in a team.

The Laboratory of Plasmas Physics (LPP) (https://www.lpp.fr)  is a Joint Research Unit of the National Research Institute (CNRS), based at Ecole Polytechnique near Paris. The successful candidate will join the “Space Plasmas” team which is internationally known for its expertise in developing wave and particle in-situ measurement instruments, data analysis and numerical simulations. 

The position is funded by the project ANR TEMPETE (http://tempete.projet.latmos.ipsl.fr/Description.html) for a maximum of two years and will be granted on the basis of past experience. The position will be open until it is filled for a start in fall 2019.

Interested candidates are invited to apply through the CNRS job portal (http://bit.ly/2y6nhI0) or to dominique.fontaine ‘at’ lpp.polytechnique.fr by sending: a cover letter describing background, qualifications, experiences and motivations relevant to the position; a full curriculum vitae (CV) detailing education, awards, publications, research experiences, etc.; the contacts for 3 professional references and recommendation letters.


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Plasma Physics at Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France (2 of 2)

From: Dominique Fontaine (dominique.fontaine at lpp.polytechnique.fr)

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in space plasma physics. In the framework of a research project on the coupling between the solar wind and the terrestrial magnetosphere, the research activity will focus on the impact of extreme solar events such as Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) on the plasmasheet which represents the main plasma reservoir inside the terrestrial magnetosphere and on its dynamics. This project involves the data analysis of in-situ observations on board satellite constellations such as Cluster, THEMIS, MMS inside the magnetosphere during periods of extreme events by comparison to quiet periods and models. A statistical approach will then be developed.  

The applicant should have completed a PhD in Plasma Physics, Astrophysics, Physics or related fields and published scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Experience in in-situ space data analysis, in python programming and/or in statistical analysis will be appreciated. A good knowledge of written and spoken scientific English is required, as well as a rigorous work and capabilities to work in a team.

The Laboratory of Plasmas Physics (LPP) ( https://www.lpp.fr/) is a Joint Research Unit (~115 staff) of the National Research Institute (CNRS). The successful candidate will join the “Space Plasmas” team which is internationally known for its expertise in developing wave and particle in-situ measurement instruments, data analysis and numerical simulations. LPP is based at Ecole Polytechnique, near Paris. 

This postdoctoral fellowship will be appointed for a maximum of two years and will be granted on the basis of past experience. The position will be open until it is filled for a start in fall 2019.

Interested candidates are invited to send their application to dominique.fontaine ‘at’ lpp.polytechnique.fr including: a cover letter describing background, qualifications and experience relevant to the position; a full curriculum vitae (CV) detailing education, publications, research experiences, awards, etc; the contact information for 3 professional references and recommendation letters. For further information:  dominique.fontaine ‘at’ lpp.polytechnique.fr.


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JOB OPENING: Programmer/Analyst II at UCLA

From: Eric Grimes (egrimes at igpp.ucla.edu)

The Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (EPSS) department at UCLA is seeking applicants for a Programmer/Analyst II position to provide programming support for space physics researchers using SPEDAS (Space Physics Environment Data Analysis Software).

SPEDAS is a framework written in IDL to support loading, plotting, and analysis of science data, and forms the basis of mission software development for many NASA missions. Under the guidance of mission scientists and the SPEDAS development team software will be ported from IDL to Python. Additional tasks include development and maintenance of other scientific code and assistance with analysis of science data.  

Applications can be submitted at:

https://hr.mycareer.ucla.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=76854

The deadline for applications is August 4, 2019. 

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Contacts: Vassilis Angelopoulos (vassilis at ucla.edu), Eric Grimes (egrimes at igpp.ucla.edu), Cindy Russell (clrussell at igpp.ucla.edu), Jim Lewis (jwl at ssl.berkeley.edu)


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(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, and Kevin Addison

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