[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVI, Issue 16

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVI, Issue 16
Mar.11,2019

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Table of Contents

1. MEETING: MOP 2019 @ Sendai:  Final Call for Abstract Submission -- 11 March

2. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Comet Plasma Physics

3. Joint PhD Position - Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy

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


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MEETING: MOP 2019 @ Sendai:  Final Call for Abstract Submission -- 11 March

From: Yasumasa Kasaba (Tohoku University, LOC of MOP2019 at Sendai) (kasaba at pparc.gp.tohoku.ac.jp)

Conference on Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets 2019 at Sendai

ABSTRACTS: Final Call !

* Deadline:  MARCH 11th (next Monday) 
        It is ok in 'your local time'. LOC treats it flexibly.

* Abstract submission site
        http://pparc.tohoku.ac.jp/sympo/mop/#abstract

SOC starts the Program formation from 12 March.
Its circulation will be in early April, 2-month before the symposium.

(ref: Meeting Information)
*** Conference on Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets 2019 ***
http://pparc.tohoku.ac.jp/sympo/mop/

<Date>                3 (Mon) – 7 (Fri) June 2019
<Location>        Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

<Registration>        http://pparc.tohoku.ac.jp/sympo/mop/#registration
<Venue>         http://pparc.tohoku.ac.jp/sympo/mop/#venue

Contact to LOC is: mop2019 at pparc.gp.tohoku.ac.jp


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Comet Plasma Physics

From: Herbert Gunell (herbert.gunell at physics.org)

The Department of Physics at Umeå University is looking for a candidate for a postdoctoral position in comet plasma physics. This is a full-time (100%) position for two years. Starting date as soon as possible or according to agreement. The application deadline is 3 May 2019.

Project description and working tasks
The aim of the project is to accomplish a breakthrough in our understanding of how boundary layers at comets are formed.

The Rosetta spacecraft has provided an extensive dataset from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. One of the most important questions after the Rosetta mission concerns what physics lies behind the formation of boundaries at a comet. Rosetta has provided a vast observational dataset from both the diamagnetic cavity boundary and the infant bow shock, but the details of the physics of these boundaries are not fully understood. In this project we shall use both Rosetta data and computer simulations to shine a light on the processes behind boundary formation and the physics that govern their behaviour.

The major work tasks of the postdoc are, first, to use computer simulations to model the formation of the diamagnetic cavity at the comet in close collaboration with those who are analysing data from the Rosetta spacecraft. The goal is to provide an explanation of the physical processes behind diamagnetic cavity formation at comets. Secondly, the postdoc will use computer simulations of plasma processes at the bow shocks of comets in combination with spacecraft data to advance our understanding of bow shock physics both at comets and in general. Some teaching tasks may be included, e.g. master thesis supervision within the area of the postdoc.

The postdoctoral project is financed by the Swedish National Space Agency.

The position is a two-year full-time employment. Starting date as soon as possible or according to agreement.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position, you must have a PhD degree, or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in plasma physics, space physics, or in another field relevant to the project. To be eligible the degree should have been completed a maximum of three years before the end of the application period unless special circumstances exist.

Experience from plasma simulations is required. Kinetic simulation methods, such as particle-in-cell or Vlasov simulations, is a merit. Good programming skills are required (e.g. C, Fortran, Matlab, Python, etc.), in particular for scientific applications. Experience of space plasma research and knowledge of space plasma physics is meritorious as is knowledge of cometary plasma physics and experience in analysing satellite data from comets is a merit. Previous experience of university teaching is also a merit. Good skills in written and spoken English are required.

Applications must be submitted online no later than 3 May 2019.

Further details and information on how to apply may be found at https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/postdoctoral-position-2-years-in-comet-plasma-physics_256988/


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Joint PhD Position - Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy

From: Kamen Kozarev, Pietro Zucca (kkozarev at astro.bas.bg)

The Institute of Astronomy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IANAO) and ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, are offering a joint PhD position in heliospheric physics. 

The sucessful candidate will work with Dr. Kamen Kozarev (IANAO) and Dr. Pietro Zucca (ASTRON) on one or both of the following aspects of solar eruptive events - 1) observational analysis (using SDO/AIA and Proba-2/SWAP data) of global shock waves and compressions driven by coronal mass ejections and detailed imaging of the related metric coronal radio bursts (using LOFAR data); 2) modeling of the acceleration of solar energetic particles in shock/compressive waves, and their transport in the heliosphere, using analytic and numerical models.

This PhD position is primarily financed by the ESA-funded SPREAdFAST project. The working language will be English. Starting date in October 2019 or by agreement. The PhD candidate will divide his/her time between the Institute of Astronomy in Sofia, Bulgaria (approximately 75% of their time), and ASTRON in Dwingeloo, The Netherlands (approximately 25% of their time).

The successful candidate will be highly motivated and responsible, creative and goal-oriented. He or she will  be fluent in spoken and written English, and have (or be about to obtain) a Master’s degree in Astrophysics, Space Physics, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will have good skills in scientific programming with Python, IDL, or equivalent. Experience with data reduction, analysis, and/or modeling is a plus.

For further information or to apply, contact Dr. Kamen Kozarev (kkozarev at astro.bas.bg) or Dr. Pietro Zucca (zucca at astron.nl). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.


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