[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVII, Issue 31

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVII, Issue 31
May.22,2020

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Table of Contents

1. Call for Community Input to NASA LWS Focused Science Topics: Due Date July 3, 2020

2. AGS Update

3. Data Call for National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan

4. National Academies' Report Briefing on the Future of Plasma Science on May 28

5. MEETING: First WHPI Workshop Postponed

6. Science-Quality GOES 13-15 XRS Data Set Released

7. JOB OPENING: Kamodo Lead Scientist at NASA CCMC

8. JOB OPENING:  Solar Energetic Particles Scientist at Community Coordinated Modeling Center (NASA/GSFC)

9. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational and Theoretical Plasma Physics

10. JOB OPENING: PhD Positions in Space Physics at UiT

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


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Call for Community Input to NASA LWS Focused Science Topics: Due Date July 3, 2020

From: Sabrina Savage (sabrina.savage at nasa.gov) and Anthea Coster (ajc at haystack.mit.edu)

The 2020 executive committee of the NASA Living with a Star (LWS) Program Analysis Group (LPAG) is beginning to develop the next round of input for LWS Focused Science Topics (FSTs) for ROSES 2021 and beyond. It is vital for the success of the LWS Science program that there be active community engagement in the development of FSTs. We are therefore asking the Heliophysics community to provide input by July 3, 2020 for these topics.

Suggested science topics should be organized around achieving the goals set out in the recently revised Strategic Science Areas (SSAs; https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/strategic-science-areas-ssas). See Key Resources below for more information.

Enter FST suggestions by using the following link (on or before July 3, 2020): https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/communityinput/input/.

View Input and Comment on FST community input in response to this call (on or before July 3, 2020) at: https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/communityinput/viewinput/2020/.

All FSTs suggested by the community prior to and during 2018 that were not selected by NASA for the ROSES 2019 and 2020 LWS science calls will also be reviewed by the LPAG executive committee. Community input regarding updates to those topics is welcome through the same View Input and Comment page above. For reference, the full list of topics that were developed from the last set of community input on FSTs by the previous LPAG committee in 2018 are available in the final report of that committee at: https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/assets/docs/lpag/2018_LPAG_EC_Report_Final_11_30.pdf
And the original community input and comments at: https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/communityinput/viewinput/2018/.

We greatly look forward to your input and to continuing on the path of innovation and scientific exploration in the LWS program.

LPAG Executive Committee Members: Anthea Coster (Co-Chair), Sabrina Savage (Co-Chair), Joe Borovsky, Richard Collins, Seebany Datta-Barua, Chuanfei Dong, Heather Elliott, Matina Gkioulidou, Fan Guo, Angelos Vourlidas, Brian Walsh, Shasha Zou, LPAG Ex Officio Members: Jeff Morrill, Lika Guhathakurta, Simon Plunkett, Shing Fung

Key Resources: LPAG, https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/lpag
The current LWS SSA descriptions are provided here: https://lwstrt.gsfc.nasa.gov/strategic-science-areas-ssas


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AGS Update

From: Michael Wiltberger (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

May 20, 2020
From: Anjuli S. Bamzai

Dear colleagues,

I hope all of you are keeping safe and well along with your families and loved ones.  As we navigate our lives through this pandemic, I want to remind you that AGS staff continue to work virtually. Earlier this month, along with staff from Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA),  we held virtual Office Hours to provide a status of our operations, post-COVID. In case you are interested in viewing the slides they are up at https://www.nsf.gov/geo/ags/docs/AGS-Virtual-Office-Hours-May-2020-Final.pdf  

I’m enclosing a couple of items that may be of interest to you:

NSF 20-085  Dear Colleague Letter: Pilot Projects to Integrate Existing Data and Data-Focused Cyberinfrastructure to Enable Community-level Discovery Pathways
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20085/nsf20085.jsp

Many research communities supported by NSF are challenged by the need to manage, integrate, access, and use ever larger and diverse scientific datasets to conduct research. Through this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), all NSF research directorates and offices jointly encourage proposals for pilot projects to develop the means of combining existing community data resources and shared data-focused cyberinfrastructure (CI) into new integrative and highly performing data-intensive discovery workflows that empower new scientific pathways. 
In the DCL, some participating NSF organizations are emphasizing areas of particular interest in proposals. The DCL also provides guidance on how to submit such proposals to the Cyberinfrastructure for Emerging Science and Engineering Research (CESER) program.  Interested proposers are strongly encouraged to first discuss their project idea with cognizant Program Directors in the CESER program and with the relevant NSF disciplinary research program(s). To initiate discussion of a project idea, prospective proposers are encouraged to send an email to CESERQueries at nsf.gov

NAS-led Workshop on Earth System Predictability
Info on the NAS-led Workshop on Earth System Predictability on June 4-5, 2020 may be found at https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/06-04-2020/workshop-on-earth-system-predictability-research-and-development 

New Deadline for Earth System Predictability R&D RFI Responses

The deadline to submit responses to the Earth System Predictability R&D RFI has been extended to June 1st.   Please disseminate this information broadly through your networks.
RFI: https://beta.sam.gov/opp/548b6513e84041f7b918a4ec1eb75af2/view

Webinar on Air Quality, Climate Variability, and COVID-19
Thursday, May 28 from 1-3 pm ET 
Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (BASC) National Academy of Sciences 

Please use this link to register for the event. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/air-quality-climate-variability-and-covid-19-tickets-105005745010


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Data Call for National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan

From: Jennifer Meehan (jennifer.meehan at noaa.gov)

The Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation (SWORM) Interagency Working Group is requesting input to identify what historical data NOT currently available in the public domain would benefit research efforts and have the potential to improve models for characterizing and forecasting space weather events. Developing forecasting capabilities with increased accuracy, lead-time, and geographic resolution will enable more effective mitigation approaches and further national preparedness for space weather events. Greater access to existing data sets would advance the development, validation, and testing of models used for characterizing and forecasting space weather events and improve the quality of space weather products and services.

Complete the form at the below link for EACH data set that you recommend be made available in the public domain. Please provide specific information on the data and how it could be used.

https://forms.gle/96WbbNPcciPzgb3o7

Submit responses no later than 1 June 2020. Direct any inquiries about this data call to Jennifer Meehan at jennifer.meehan at noaa.gov.


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National Academies' Report Briefing on the Future of Plasma Science on May 28

From: Chris Jones (cjjones at nas.edu)

Plasma Science and Engineering transforms fundamental scientific research into powerful societal applications, from materials processing and healthcare to forecasting space weather. The National Academies' new report, Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security and Exploration, discusses the importance of plasma research, identifies important grand challenges for the next decade, and makes recommendations on funding and workforce. Learn more about the report by attending our virtual report briefing on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 2:30pm ET, where members of the committee will discuss the key findings and recommendations in the report and take questions from the audience. The report will be publicly released earlier that day and will be available at nap.edu.

Register to attend the webinar at http://plasmascience.eventbrite.com. 

Learn more about the study committee and the statement of task on the study webpage at http://nas.edu/plasma. 


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MEETING: First WHPI Workshop Postponed

From: Sarah Gibson (sgibson at ucar.edu)

The First Whole Heliosphere and Planetary Interactions (WHPI) Workshop planned for September 2020 has been postponed because of COVID-19. Please check the workshop website (https://cpaess.ucar.edu/node/14559) for more information and future updates. 

To continue to promote discussion and collaborations across the various heliophysics and planetary disciplines, we are starting a series of monthly Web WHPI Colloquia. Each colloquium will consist of two 20-25min presentations + 5-10min for questions.  

The first colloquium will be on Thursday, June 18 at 9am Pacific Time:
Sarah Gibson and  Barbara Thompson will give an overview of the past solar minimum initiatives and David Brain will talk about space weather at Mars.

We will email instructions to the WHPI mailing list on how to connect to our Web Colloquia at a later time and post them on the WHPI website  (whpi.hao.ucar.edu) as well. To join the mailing list, follow the "Participate" link on the website.

For future WHPI Colloquia, we would like to ask the community to suggest topics/speakers and/or volunteer to give a presentation on subjects related to WHPI in general. Presenting preliminary results from the WHPI observing campaigns is very welcome. Please email your suggestions to whpi_help at hao.ucar.edu.

The WHPI Team


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Science-Quality GOES 13-15 XRS Data Set Released

From: Janet Machol, Erika Zetterlund (janet.machol at noaa.gov)

Reprocessed science-quality data from the X-Ray Sensor (XRS) on GOES 13-15 satellites is now available. GOES XRS measures soft X-rays in two bands, 0.05 to 0.4 nm (XRS-A) and 0.1 to 0.8 nm (XRS-B). One-minute averages from XRS-B are used to define flare magnitudes by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The science-quality GOES 13-15 XRS data, plots, and associated documentation is available from the 'GOES 8-15' tab at https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/satellite/goes-r.html.

The GOES 13-15 XRS science-quality data differs from the real-time (operational) data, in that the calibration factors are continuously corrected based on on-orbit calibrations, the data quality flags are improved, and the SWPC scaling factors have been removed to improve the accuracy of the data. Data products include 2-s irradiances, 1-min and daily averages, daily background irradiances, and flare summaries. There are daily and mission-length aggregations of the data in netcdf files from 2009 until 2020 and the file formats match those for the GOES-16 and -17 (i.e., GOES-R series) XRS data. 


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JOB OPENING: Kamodo Lead Scientist at NASA CCMC

From: Aaron Roberts and Masha Kuznetsova (aaron.roberts at nasa.gov)

The Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC, https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking a Heliophysics scientist with strong skills and interest in software development to work full time.  

At CCMC, we are hosting a unique and expanding collection of space science and space weather models developed by the international research community (currently more than 80 models).  We also provide custom simulation and visualization services.  Scientific access to simulation outputs is via a variety of software dissemination systems.  The Kamodo NASA Open Source Project (https://github.com/nasa/Kamodo) is a new Python-based framework for access, interpolation, and visualization of model outputs and observational data. Incorporation of new model outputs into the Kamodo framework is an essential element of CCMC’s model on-boarding procedure.  The person hired will be in charge of implementing and integrating any reader/interpolator/wrapper code needed for all CCMC hosted model outputs to be part of the Kamodo architecture.  This is a challenging task but suitable for someone who enjoys working in a cross disciplinary team and who would like to make a lasting impact in the Heliophysics science community.  The best candidates will have a background as a Heliophysics scientist working on multidisciplinary teams producing deliverables for Heliophysics/Space Weather, with a strong background in computation, including using both Python and a compiled programming language such as Fortran or C/C++. 

Specific Tasks

* Work with domain-specific (solar physics, magnetosphere, ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere) scientists, model developers, data analysts and software/system engineers to develop high-quality, well-tested, maintainable code using modern software development best practices.
* Maintain an open source project which includes integration testing, troubleshooting, and documentation; incorporate and add metadata following the “SPASE” metadata standard (http://spase-group.org) both for output produced by models hosted at the CCMC and for the models themselves.  
* Lead a broad range of interdisciplinary development and design activities, making recommendations and implementing actions involving highly complex technical problems, including those that apply to unique state-of-the-art integrated systems.
* Contribute to proposals, presentations, and technical papers as needed.

Experience in  Python required, and knowledge of IDL, Fortran, C, C++, MATLAB in Linux and MacOS environment is desirable.  Experience with Java and porting of software to Windows is a plus.  Excellent communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills are required.  Must be detail oriented with good organization skills.

The selected candidate will be based at the NASA/GSFC in Greenbelt, Maryland, and be employed as a contractor via an existing cooperative agreement.  A PhD in a relevant discipline is expected, but significant relevant experience is more important.  Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. 

The position is full-time and includes full benefits. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  For full consideration, submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Aaron Roberts (aaron.roberts at nasa.gov) and  Masha Kuznetsova (maria.m.kuznetsova at nasa.gov). Informal inquiries via e-mail are welcomed.


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JOB OPENING:  Solar Energetic Particles Scientist at Community Coordinated Modeling Center (NASA/GSFC)

From: Leila Mays (m.leila.mays at nasa.gov)

The Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC, https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking a Heliophysics scientist with a background in Solar Energetic Particles (or related) to work full time and to be employed as a contractor.   At CCMC, we provide simulation services (Runs on Request) from a unique collection of space science and space weather models developed by the international research community.  As one of Heliosphere/SEP domain scientists, the person hired would be responsible for installing models, performing testing, preparing models for Runs on Request, and maintaining the installations (see https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/models/model_on_board.php).  The selected candidate would work closely with the model developers throughout this process.  Another responsibility of the domain scientist is to answer questions from the community about model usage and to advise them on simulation settings that will enable them to reach their scientific goals.  CCMC domain scientists are also typically involved in model validation and community leadership activities, and typically spend up to 20% of their time on other research projects (preferably related to CCMC work) to maintain scientific standing. If you enjoy working in a cross disciplinary team, working with the scientific community, and would like to make a lasting impact on the heliophysics science community, you should join our team.  
The selected candidate will be resident at the NASA/GSFC in Greenbelt, Maryland, and be employed as a contractor via an existing cooperative agreement.  Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. 

The position is full-time and includes full benefits. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  For full consideration, submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Leila Mays (m.leila.mays at nasa.gov). Informal inquiries are welcomed.


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational and Theoretical Plasma Physics

From: Vadim Roytershteyn (vroytershteyn at SpaceScience.org)

The Space Science Institute (SSI) invites applications for a position of Postdoctoral Research Scientist in computational and theoretical plasma physics. The selected candidate will take a leading role in a research project focused on modeling of large-scale structure of electron distribution function in the solar wind. The candidate will have opportunity to contribute to other ongoing projects, including modeling of collisionless shock waves in multi-component plasmas using particle-in-cell methods or development of advanced numerical methods for modeling of kinetic behavior of plasma.  The initial appointment is for 1 year, renewable for up to 3 years upon satisfactory performance and continued availability of funds.  

Qualifications: A Ph.D. in space plasma physics or related fields is required prior to the start date of the position. Applicants should demonstrate the potential to publish high-quality research results in peer-reviewed journals, good communication skills, excellent work ethics, and the ability to work independently. Experience with numerical methods, high-performance computing, and/or strong background in plasma theory are highly desirable. Highly qualified candidates with background in related areas of physics or applied math will be considered. 

This is a full-time position. SSI offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and (after 1 year of service) 403(b) retirement plans. Remote employment may be an option. Please visit www.spacescience.org/opportunities for more information. 

To Apply:  Please direct inquiries about the position to Dr. Vadim Roytershteyn , vroytershteyn AT spacescience.org.  Application materials should be submitted by email to ssihr AT spacescience.org and cc’d to vroyreshteyn AT spacescience dot org with “Attn: Dr. Roytershteyn” in the subject line. Please include a curriculum vitae, cover letter, statement of research (max 2 pages), and a minimum of 3 references (including names and contact information).

The Space Science Institute is a non-profit, public benefit corporation and operates as an equal opportunity employer. SSI headquarters are located in Boulder, CO, but the selected candidate may have an option of remote employment (with supervisor approval). SSI has been a pioneer in remote employment, a mode that has been particularly conducive to our researchers for whom the traditional university or research center is not a viable option. 


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JOB OPENING: PhD Positions in Space Physics at UiT

From: Patrick Guio (p.guio at ucl.ac.uk)

Dear Colleagues,

The Department of Physics and Technology at thehe Arctic University of Norway in Tromso announces  3-5 vacant PhD candidate positions in several areas, including Space Physics with three different topics offered .

More information about the positions and application form are available at

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/186596/3-5-phd-fellows-in-physics-and-technology

Note the short deadline for application 1st June 2020!


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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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