[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVII, Issue 11

Newsletter Editor editor at igpp.ucla.edu
Wed Feb 12 12:14:31 PST 2020


AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVII, Issue 11
Feb.12,2020

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Reminders:
* JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting Abstract Deadline Is February 18 at 5:00 pm JST.
* COSPAR 2020 Abstract Deadline Is Extended to February 23.

Table of Contents

1. NASA SMD Dual-Anonymous Peer Review Virtual Town Hall – March 3, 2020 12:30pm ET 

2. Frontiers Research Topic "Towards a full understanding of magnetic storms and substorms"

3. MEETING: ESWW17/ESWW2020 -- Call for Sessions

4. MEETING: Space Weather Workshop 2020 -- Reminder

5. JOB OPENING: Tenure-Track Associate or Assistant Professorship in Space Physics

6. JOB OPENING: Visiting Young Scientist at Dartmouth College

7. JOB OPENING: Research Engineer Position at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics 

8. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

9. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Position – Deep Learning in Heliophysics

10. JOB OPENING: PhD Position in Computational Heliophysics

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


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NASA SMD Dual-Anonymous Peer Review Virtual Town Hall – March 3, 2020 12:30pm ET 

From: Mona Kessel (mona.kessel at nasa.gov)

On March 3, 2020 at 12:30pm Eastern Time, join leadership and division representatives from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate for a virtual community Town Hall. The Town Hall will discuss a pilot study to implement dual-anonymous peer review for four programs in ROSES-2020. Under this system, not only are proposers unaware of the identity of reviewers, but the reviewers do not have explicit knowledge of the proposing teams and institutions during the scientific evaluation of the proposal.

The four ROSES-2020 programs that will be evaluated using dual-anonymous peer review are:

• A.30 Earth Science U.S. Participating Investigator
• B.4 Heliophysics Guest Investigators-Open (Step-1 and Step-2 proposals will be anonymized)
• D.2 Astrophysics Data Analysis (ADAP) 
• E.4 Habitable Worlds (only Step-2 proposals will be anonymized)

The Town Hall will: (1) discuss the motivation for switching to dual-anonymous peer review, (2) describe how to write proposals that are compatible with dual-anonymous peer review, and (3) explain how dual-anonymous peer reviews work. A separate Town Hall on February 27 is scheduled for Astrophysics GO/GI programs.

In advance of the SMD Town Hall, questions may be submitted and upvoted on at: https://arc.cnf.io/sessions/qg98/#!/dashboard

The Town Hall will be broadcast live via WebEx. Connection details follow:

WebEx URL: https://nasaenterprise.webex.com/nasaenterprise/j.php?MTID=m1dee6af29711d54dce8e7c250f66c4e7
Meeting password: Smddapr2020!
Audio-only participation is available by calling +1-415-527-5035 and providing access code 901 604 462.

For more information on dual-anonymous peer review, please visit: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/dual-anonymous-peer-review . The slides will be posted to this site in advance of the Town Hall presentation.


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Frontiers Research Topic "Towards a full understanding of magnetic storms and substorms"

From: Tony Lui (Tony.Lui at jhuapl.edu)

A Frontiers Research Topic “Towards a full understanding of magnetic storms and substorms” is now open for submission.

The website of the Research Topic is
https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/12880/towards-a-full-understanding-of-magnetic-storms-and-substorms 

Manuscripts can be submitted to this Research Topic via the following peer reviewed journals:
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
or
Frontiers in Physics

Manuscript submission due date:
26 June 2020

About this Research Topic:
For the Space Physics discipline, two outstanding topics that evade resolution in spite of decades/centuries of dedicated research are magnetic storms and substorms.

The space phenomenon called magnetic storm, alternatively known as geomagnetic storm, was first reported in the early 19th century by Alexander von Humboldt. He made recordings on the bearing of a magnetic compass in Berlin from May 1806 to June 1807. With this effort, he revealed a notable erratic deflection of the compass bearing on 21 December 1806. Later scientific investigation using the magnetic disturbances on the ground led to the introduction of three phases of a geomagnetic storm: initial, main, and recovery one. The three phases are generally marked by worldwide systematic variations of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field. However, deviations from this systematic variation can occur for some geomagnetic storms with apparent absence of the initial phase.

Geomagnetic storms generally last for 2 to 3 days. Embedded within a geomagnetic storm are shorter-duration geomagnetic disturbances that are most evident at high-latitude region. Nature reveals this association even with the first awareness of geomagnetic storm as Alexander von Humbolt noted bright auroral displays accompanying the erratic deflection of compass bearing. Through the establishment of global networks of all-sky-cameras to monitor the worldwide distribution of auroras, Syun-Ichi Akasofu in 1984 recognized a unique and identifiable sequence of auroral displays called auroral substorms. The latter indicates that each one of these disturbances constitute an elementary building block of geomagnetic storm. Subsequent research revealed that auroral substorms are merely one of the facets of disturbances that span over a vast volume of space.

The rather simplistic view of activities in space is now challenged in many ways. Progress in space research equipped with highly-sophisticated instrumentations on the ground and in space has blossomed into a discipline that has close ties with daily human activities as witnessed by space weather development and significant implications on the physical processes responsible for implosive phenomena in our Universe. Although there are many theories proposed for both geomagnetic storms and substorms, there is yet no consensus on their underlying physical processes. This Research Topic aims to reflect on the present status of space research and contemplate on how to achieve a full understanding for these natural phenomena..

This Research Topic invites Review and Original Research articles on any subjects concerning the magnetic storms and substorms.

Topic Editors:
Anthony Lui, Applied Physics Laboratory, The Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, USA
Syun-Ichi Akasofu, University of Alasak Fairbanks, Fairbanks, USA
Rumi Nakamura, Academy of Sciences, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Graz, Austria
George Parks, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, USA
Peter Yoon, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, USA.
Qiugang Zong, Center for Planetary and Space Science, Beijing University, Beijing, China


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MEETING: ESWW17/ESWW2020 -- Call for Sessions

From: Mario Bisi (Mario.Bisi at stfc.ac.uk)

This is a reminder for the call for all types of science sessions (except for the TDMs) for ESWW17/ESWW2020 in Glasgow in November of this year with a submission deadline of Friday 14th February 2020; full details can be found here: http://esww17.iopconfs.org/call

Please ensure you submit your session through the website and not in any other way for it to be included in the PC discussions for inclusion in the programme.

Mario (on behalf of the PC)
PC Chair ESWW17/ESWW2020


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MEETING: Space Weather Workshop 2020 -- Reminder

From: Brian Jackson (bjackson at ucar.edu)

The 2020 Space Weather Workshop will be held April 20-24, in Boulder, Colorado. This meeting will bring together Federal agencies, the academic community, the private sector, and international partners to focus on the diverse impacts of space weather, on forecasting techniques, and on recent scientific advances in understanding and predicting conditions in the space environment.

The program will highlight impacts in several areas, including: aviation, human spaceflight and exploration, satellites, power grids, and other sectors affected by space weather. The conference will also include an update on the national and international space weather programs to mitigate and respond to space weather impacts on society. We welcome a broad range of participation, including representatives from research and development, operational organizations, policy development, and industries impacted by space weather. 

The Space Weather Workshop is coordinated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and co-sponsored by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the NSF Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, and the NASA Heliophysics Division. 

Registration and workshop information, including hotel information as well as information for student participation, is now open at https://cpaess.ucar.edu/events/space-weather-workshop.  The program, speakers, and other relevant information will be announced in the next several weeks.


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JOB OPENING: Tenure-Track Associate or Assistant Professorship in Space Physics

From: Anita Aikio (anita.aikio at oulu.fi)

Faculty of Science, University of Oulu, Finland is announcing an open tenure track Associate or Assistant Professorship in Space Physics. 

More details and application instructions are available here: 

https://rekry.saima.fi/certiahome/open_job_view.html?did=5600&lang=en&id=00008627&jc=1

Deadline for application: 20 March 2020.


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JOB OPENING: Visiting Young Scientist at Dartmouth College

From: James LaBelle (James.W.LaBelle at Dartmouth.edu)

A visiting appointment for a recent Ph.D. scientist is available at Dartmouth College.  The appointment would be for up to 6 months during academic year 2020-21. The position includes teaching in the departments of Physics and Astronomy, Engineering, or Earth Sciences.  Extension of appointment may be possible using appropriate sponsored research projects.  To qualify, candidates must be U.S. citizens engaged in research related to space science, planetary science, astrophysics, remote sensing, aerospace technology, or technology dependent on space-based platforms.  To apply, send a 1-2 page summary of short-term and long-term (career) teaching and research goals, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references to: Visiting Young Scientist, c/o Tressena Manning, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, 6127 Wilder Hall, Hanover, NH 03755.  For more information, e-mail either (Professor) Kristina.A.Lynch at dartmouth.edu or (Professor) James.W.LaBelle at Dartmouth.edu.  Applications will be reviewed starting April 15, 2020.  The position is funded by NASA NH Space Grant. Dartmouth College is committed to diversity in hiring, and members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.


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JOB OPENING: Research Engineer Position at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics 

From: Stas Barabash (stas.barabash at irf.se)

Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) seeks a research engineer with focus on space mission operations and on-ground data processing software development.

The tasks include science operation support, primarily for this position for the ESA’s and JAXA’s BepiColombo mission to Mercury and software development for processing, archiving, and display of data.

The selected candidate will work in a successful research group, Solar System Physics and Space Technology (SSTP) at IRF, that develops space instruments for planetary mission and conducts active research on the solar system.

The position is placed in Kiruna, Sweden, and is a permanent position (initial funding is available for 4 years).

Closing date for applications: 29 February 2020.

See for more details:

https://www.irf.se/sv/news/2020/02/07/research-engineer-with-focus-on-space-mission-operations-and-on-ground-data-processing-software-development-ref-2-2-1-32-20-2/


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

From: Caitriona Jackman (cjackman at cp.dias.ie)

A Postdoctoral research position is available at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Section as part of a new Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded Space Science team led by Dr. Caitriona Jackman. 

The postdoctoral position will focus on the dynamics of Earth’s magnetosphere, specifically understanding the link between terrestrial radio emissions (including Auroral Kilometric Radiation) and the substorm cycle of dramatic energy release. The work will involve analysis of data sets from spacecraft including WIND, STEREO and Cassini, as well as indices which measure solar activity and substorm timings. 

Applicants should possess (or soon expect to possess) a PhD in Space Physics or a closely related discipline. A track record of publication in areas such as: magnetospheric physics, radio science, space weather is desired, as is expertise in software programming and scientific data analysis. DIAS is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified talented candidates of all genders and backgrounds.

The deadline for applications is Friday February 21st 2020 at 5pm GMT. Start date is flexible from July 2020 onwards, but no later than December 1st 2020. A contract for 2 years will be offered in the first instance, with opportunity for extension by 1 year thereafter.
For specifics about the position, contact Dr. Caitriona Jackman. cjackman at cp.dias.ie
https:/dias.ie/cjackman
https://www.dias.ie/cp-geophysics/astro/astro-research/

Interested candidates should apply online via 
https://www.dias.ie/positions/
The application should include: a curriculum vitae including a publication list, plus a statement of research interests and career goals. The application should also include the names of two people who can act as referees.


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Position – Deep Learning in Heliophysics

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

- This 2-year position with a possibility for extension is offered at at the Solar and Space Weather Group, Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

- Preferable starting date is in May or June 2020; working language is English.

- The successful applicant will work with Assoc. Prof. Kamen Kozarev on development and application of data processing techniques and machine/deep learning models for the characterization and understanding of solar eruptive transients. Specifically, you will process, analyze and model extreme UV (EUV) imaging of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and shock waves (SDO/AIA, STEREO/EUVI, Proba-2/SWAP instruments), as well as advanced low-frequency radio interferometric observations of thermal and non-thermal CME emission (MWA and LOFAR telescopes).

- This postdoctoral position is part of 5-year project ”Modeling and ObServAtional Integrated Investigations of Coronal Solar Eruptions” (MOSAIICS) starting in May 2020, funded by the National Science Fund of Bulgaria; Project PI is Assoc. Prof. Kamen Kozarev;

- A very competitive salary of approximately €1700/month (pre-tax) is offered. (Average salary in Bulgaria is €600/month, pre-tax). Separate travel funding for meetings will be provided as well. Representative numbers for the local cost of living can be found at https://bit.ly/2TRohMp;

- The overall goal of the MOSAIICS project is to adopt an integrated approach providing a deeper understanding of the plasma processes leading to charged particle acceleration by CMEs near the Sun. The project’s high level objectives are to (i) develop and integrate novel image processing and machine learning techniques to reliably analyze radio and EUV remote imaging observations of CMEs and their shocks; (ii) investigate the origins and evolution of radio emission from energetic electron beams in CMEs, comparing with in situ measurements; (iii) develop and apply advanced global data-driven models of particle acceleration and transport to test and improve our theoretical understanding of SEP production and transport. This position will focus on the first goal.

How to Apply:
- Requirements: A PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, data science, engineering, or related discipline; demonstrated interest and experience in computational astrophysics/heliophysics, space weather, and machine/deep learning;  great writing and communication skills in English;

- Previous experience in scientific programming and visualization, especially in Python (SunPy, Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, etc.), Linux/Unix environments, version control (svn, git), machine/deep learning (Torch, Keras, Tensorflow), high-performance or cluster computing, data analysis frameworks, parallel programming and analysis of astronomical data will be considered an advantage.

- Interested candidates should contact Dr. Kamen Kozarev (kkozarev at astro.bas.bg), arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to him, and provide a curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing their experience and interests, and a list of relevant publications.

Additional Information:

- The Institute of Astronomy is a leader in astrophysical research in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe. It hosts over 40 researchers working in several areas of astrophysics, namely solar activity and solar system small bodies, stars and stellar systems, galaxies and cosmology. Additionally, IANAO staff have strong expertise in operating and maintaining the National Observatory Rozhen - a dedicated facility in the Rhodopi mountains with a flagship 2-meter reflective optical telescope, as well as a number of smaller research-grade telescopes. 

- Recently, the Institute of Astronomy has installed a new 192-core server cluster, and is adding a multi-GPU server node for advanced computations dedicated to the MOSAIICS project. Supercomputer time on BAS-owned and operated systems is also available.


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JOB OPENING: PhD Position in Computational Heliophysics

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

- One PhD position is offered at the Solar and Space Weather Group, Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

- The successful applicant will work with Assoc. Prof. Kamen Kozarev on development and application of data processing techniques and machine/deep learning models for the characterization and understanding of the nature of solar eruptive transients. Specifically, he/she will analyze and model EUV imaging observations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and shock waves (mostly SDO/AIA), as well as low-frequency radio interferometric observations of thermal and non-thermal CME emission (MWA and LOFAR telescopes).

- PhD position is part of 5-year project ”Modeling and ObServAtional Integrated Investigations of Coronal Solar Eruptions” (MOSAIICS) starting in May 2020, funded by the National Science Fund of Bulgaria; Project PI is Assoc. Prof. Kamen Kozarev;

- This 3-year position is open until filled, with a preferable starting date in July 2020; working language is English.

- PhD fees fully covered and a very competitive stipend of approximately €920/month (tax-free) provided for EU-citizens (Average salary in Bulgaria is €600/month, pre-tax). Separate travel funding will be provided as well. Representative numbers for the cost of living can be found at https://bit.ly/2TRohMp;

* The overall goal of the MOSAIICS project is to adopt an integrated approach providing a deeper understanding of the plasma processes leading to charged particle acceleration by CMEs near the Sun. The project’s high level objectives are to (i) develop and integrate novel image processing and machine learning techniques to reliably analyze radio and EUV remote imaging observations of CMEs and their shocks; (ii) investigate the origins and evolution of radio emission from energetic electron beams in CMEs, comparing with in situ measurements; (iii) develop and apply advanced global data-driven models of particle acceleration and transport to test and improve our theoretical understanding of SEP production and transport. This position will focus on the first goal of the project.

Requirements: 
Master’s degree in Physics/Astrophysics/Data Science or related discipline; demonstrated interest in computational astrophysics/heliophysics, space weather, and machine/deep learning; great writing and communication skills in English;

Previous experience and publications in scientific programming and visualization, especially with Python (SunPy, Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, etc.), Linux/Unix environments, version control, machine/deep learning (Torch, Keras, Tensorflow), high-performance computing, and/or data science will be considered an advantage.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Kamen Kozarev (kkozarev @ astro.bas.bg), arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to him, and provide a curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing their experience and interests, and a list of publications (where available). Qualifying applicants will be interviewed and sit an entrance exam (written and oral), which can be taken remotely.

Additional Information:
- The Institute of Astronomy is a leader in astrophysical research in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe. It hosts over 40 researchers working in several areas of astrophysics, namely solar activity and solar system small bodies, stars and stellar systems, galaxies and cosmology. Additionally, IANAO staff have strong expertise in operating and maintaining the National Observatory Rozhen - a dedicated facility in the Rhodopi mountains with a flagship 2-meter reflective optical telescope, as well as a number of smaller research-grade telescopes. For more information, visit http://astro.bas.bg.

- Recently, the Institute of Astronomy has installed a new 192-core server cluster, and is adding a multi-GPU server node for advanced computations dedicated to the MOSAIICS project. Supercomputer time on BAS-owned and operated systems is also available.


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

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