[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVII, Issue 68

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVII, Issue 68
Nov.04,2020

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Table of Contents

1. NSF/AGS Late October 2020 Update

2. NSF Opportunities for Mid-Career Scientist Support in the Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences

3. NSF Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR): Institutes for Data-Intensive Research in Science and Engineering

4. New Hispanic Serving Institutions Solicitation - NSF 20-599

5. SCOSTEP 2020 Awards Announcement, Grant Opportunities and Newsletter Volume 25

6. MEETING: Triennial Earth-Sun Summit (TESS) Meeting: Save the Date, 2021 August 9-12

7. Special Issue of Frontiers on Magnetospheric Cold Particles

8. New Interface for More Accurate Calculation OMNI Derived Parameters

9. JOB OPENING: Research opportunities in Space Plasmas at LASP, University of Colorado Boulder

10. JOB OPENING: Research Positions in Space Physics at Florida Institute of Technology

11. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Atmospheric and Space Electricity at the University of New Hampshire

12. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Assistant III in Space Science at UAH

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


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NSF/AGS Late October 2020 Update

From: Anjuli Bamazi (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

AGS has released a new Dear Colleague Letter, NSF 21-018 (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21018/nsf21018.jsp) , which highlights the ways that AGS programs actively support mid-career scientists to sustain and broaden participation.  As of right now, AGS is not participating in the Mid-Career Advancement solicitation that was recently released by select divisions across NSF, but many of the goals of that solicitation align with the AGS DCL.

Please see below for additional information about Harnessing the Data Revolution, EarthCube, the NASEM Earth Systems Study, NSF outreach, and the new Research.gov demo site.

NSF 21-519 - Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR): Institutes for Data-Intensive Research in Science and Engineering 

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21519/nsf21519.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click
NSF 21-515 - EarthCube: Developing a Community-Driven Data and Knowledge Environment for the Geosciences

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21515/nsf21515.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Community Input requested, and webinars announced, for the NASEM study:  Advancing a Systems Approach to Studying the Earth: A Strategy for the National Science Foundation

https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/advancing-a-systems-approach-to-studying-the-earth-a-strategy-for-the-national-science-foundation?mc_cid=6332b33544&mc_eid=ffa1055b1b

Registration for the “Navigating the NSF System” webinar. This session is normally presented as a workshop at AGU, and is a good opportunity for first time proposers and early career scientists to gain insight into the “ins and outs” of NSF’s grant proposal process.  This year, it will be virtual and open to the broad GEO community.

https://nsf.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_cSO1ybkkQtGUwIufBo--Tg

NSF has announced the launch of the Research.gov proposal preparation demonstration site. The new demo site offers proposers the opportunity to create Research.gov proposals in the role of a Principal Investigator (PI) prior to preparing and submitting proposals in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System.


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NSF Opportunities for Mid-Career Scientist Support in the Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences

From: Lisa Winter (lwinter at nsf.gov)

The National Science Foundation’s Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences would like to draw your attention to opportunities we support to sustain and broaden participation at the mid-career level. Our recently released Dear Colleague Letter is available at: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21018/nsf21018.jsp

Please contact the relevant Program Directors for any questions that you might have or to discuss proposal ideas. For the Geospace Sciences Core Programs, these include Lisa Winter (Magnetospheric Physics/GEM), Alan Liu (Aeronomy/CEDAR), Ilia Roussev (Solar and Terrestrial/SHINE), and Mangala Sharma (Space Weather).


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NSF Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR): Institutes for Data-Intensive Research in Science and Engineering

From: Michael Wiltberger (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

In 2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled a set of "Big Ideas," 10 bold, long-term research and process ideas that identify areas for future investment at the frontiers of science and engineering (see https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp). The Big Ideas represent unique opportunities to position our Nation at the cutting edge of global science and engineering by bringing together diverse disciplinary perspectives to support convergent research. When responding to this solicitation, even though proposals must be submitted through the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), once received the proposals will be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors.

NSF's Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) Big Idea is a national-scale activity to enable new modes of data-driven discovery that will allow fundamental questions to be asked and answered at the frontiers of science and engineering.

This solicitation will establish a group of HDR Institutes for data-intensive research in science and engineering that can accelerate discovery and innovation in a broad array of research domains. The HDR Institutes will lead innovation by harnessing diverse data sources and developing and applying new methodologies, technologies, and infrastructure for data management and analysis. The HDR Institutes will support convergence between science and engineering research communities as well as expertise in data science foundations, systems, applications, and cyberinfrastructure. In addition, the HDR Institutes will enable breakthroughs in science and engineering through collaborative, co-designed programs to formulate innovative data-intensive approaches to address critical national challenges

Read the full solicitation at https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21519/nsf21519.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click


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New Hispanic Serving Institutions Solicitation - NSF 20-599

From: Michael Wiltberger (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

he HSI Program will have office hours to answer any questions regarding our new HSI Program solicitation (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20599/nsf20599.htm)  and talk with PIs and potential PIs. Our new solicitation is more attentive to HSIs needs and has new opportunities and different tracks! The zoom link and connection instructions are on our HSI Program site under office hours are at 

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505512 

and below is the schedule so you can see when certain Program Officers are scheduled to be there.  Please come by, bring your questions, and meet our Program Officers! 

2020-2012 HSI Program Office Hours:
Weekly Office Hours will be held on the following Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 EDT.  

Thursday November 5th, Friday November 6th
Thursday November 12th, Friday November 13th
Thursday November 19th, Friday November 20th
Thursday December 3rd, Friday December 4th
Thursday December 10th, Friday December 11th
Thursday January 7th, Friday January 8th


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SCOSTEP 2020 Awards Announcement, Grant Opportunities and Newsletter Volume 25

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

SCOSTEP is pleased to announce the winners of the Distinguished Scientist, Distinguished Young Scientist and Distinguished Service Awards for 2020.  These awards recognize the societal importance of studies in the field of solar-terrestrial physics and give credit to scientists who contribute significantly to these studies and to SCOSTEP activities.  The awards include:

SCOSTEP Distinguished Scientist Award: Dr. Quigang Zong, Peking University
SCOSTEP Distinguished Young Scientist Award: Dr. Mateja Dumbović, University of Zagreb
SCOSTEP Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Sunanda Basu, NSF (retired), Boston College 

Please view the latest SCOSTEP Newsletter for more information on these very deserving awards; announcements for grant opportunities and more.  The newsletter includes the following:

SCOSTEP/PRESTO  Newsletter Volume 25 

Articles:
    1. Croatian Activities in Solar-Terrestrial Physics
    2. Space Weather Data from FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 mission
Highlight on Young Scientists:
    1. McArthur Jones Jr./ USA
Upcoming Meetings
Announcements:
    1. SCOSTEP/PRESTO Grants for Year 2021
    - Guidelines for application for campaigns -
    2. SCOSTEP/PRESTO Grants for Year 2021
    - Guidelines for application for meetings -
    3. Application guidelines for SCOSTEP capacity building funds
    4. 2020 SCOSTEP Awards Announcements

This High-Resolution of this newsletter can be found on our website at: www.bc.edu/scostep

Thank you for your continued interest in SCOSTEP.


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MEETING: Triennial Earth-Sun Summit (TESS) Meeting: Save the Date, 2021 August 9-12

From: Craig DeForest (deforest at boulder.swri.edu)

Once every three years, AGU/SPA, AAS, and AAS/SPD meet jointly to bring together the major subfields of the Sun-Earth connection: the Sun and its corona, the heliosphere, the magnetosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and related systems.  The TESS meetings are a chance for specialists to “step back” and consider the system as a whole, stimulating cross-fertilization and new insights.

This year TESS is scheduled for 2021 August 9-12, in Bellevue/Seattle WA.  Please mark the dates on your calendar now.

In the coming weeks we will roll out the meeting website and a call for session proposals, together with a schedule for abstract and registration deadlines. 

We’ll hopefully see you next year … at TESS!


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Special Issue of Frontiers on Magnetospheric Cold Particles

From: Joe Borovsky (jborovsky at spacescience.org)

“Cold-Ion Populations and Cold-Electron Populations in the Earth’s Magnetosphere and Their Impact on the System”

This special issue joint in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science and Frontiers in Physics is now open to accept papers. The manuscript deadline is May 21, 2021.

Website:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/sections/space-physics

This special issue welcomes research papers, reviews, mini reviews, commentaries, and methods papers. This special issue looks for papers focusing on (1) statistical surveys of existing data sets to obtain information about the properties, evolution, and controlling factors for the cold-ion and cold-electron populations of the magnetosphere; (2) evidence that will uncover the sources of the various cold-ion and cold-electron populations of the magnetosphere; (3) theoretical calculations, computer simulations, and data-analysis studies of the impacts of the cold-ion and cold-electron impacts on the global magnetospheric system; (4) measurement concepts for future space-flight instrumentation that can measure the properties of the cold ions and cold electrons of the magnetosphere; and (5) new mission concepts focusing on science that would be enabled by measurements of cold ions and cold electrons. Authors wishing to submit reviews or mini-reviews might coordinate their topics with the Guest Editors.

All papers are open access.

     Joe Borovsky
     Gian Luca Delzanno
     Elena Kronberg
     Cecilia Norgren


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New Interface for More Accurate Calculation OMNI Derived Parameters

From: Natalia Papitashvili (natalia.e.papitashvili at nasa.gov)

To improve quality of parameters in the popular OMNI database, a new data set (https://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/ftpbrowser/wind_pla_derived_all.html) has been added to the main OMNIWeb Interface (https://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/ow.html). This addition allows the OMNI users to calculate more accurately a few OMNI-derived parameters that are currently included in the OMNI2 data set. They are the Plasma Beta, Alfven Mach Number, Magnetosonic Mach Number, and Quasi-Invariant (QI). To create these new derived parameters, we have considered the really measured values of the Wind/SWE Alpha Density (Na).

Using this new interface, a user can compare the four derived parameters: (1) as based on the Proton Density (Np) only, (2) as calculated by the technique used in the original OMNI database Na = 0.05*Np; and (3) as calculated based on the real measurements of Na along with Np. 

All details of the above parameters calculation can be found at https://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/ftpbrowser/bow_derivation.html). We believe that the newly derived parameters can be more realistic for the periods when the SW plasma is significantly disturbed (e.g., during CME, magnetic storms, etc.) when the Na might be quite different from the values originally used in OMNI2 data set.

Also, in addition to the Wind/SWE plasma parameters (that are used in OMNI), we now offer the Wind 3DP (cross-normalized to SWE definitive fit) plasma parameters and the derived parameters calculated similarly as we did for the Wind/SWE Plasma data. Note that the 3DP plasma data correlate well with the SWE plasma data, but the 3DP data may have less data gaps for some intervals than the SWE plasma data.

Finally, we added merged plasma parameters from two Wind instruments into the Multi-functional Interface for comparing parameters from different sources – see https://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/ftpbrowser/merged.html. This merged set may help users calculating more accurate derived parameters while considering temperatures of the Protons and Alpha Particles. Users may find more information about the Wind magnetic field, SWE_definitive, and plasma 3DP data at https://omniweb.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/ftpbrowser/ and https://cdaweb.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/.


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JOB OPENING: Research opportunities in Space Plasmas at LASP, University of Colorado Boulder

From: Xiangning Chu (Xiangning.chu at lasp.colorado.edu)

The Space Plasma Group at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado, Boulder (CU) invites applications for multiple open positions for research scientists in Space Physics at different rankings (RS-I, RS-II, or RS-III). Possible research projects include: (1) data analysis of Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission and accompanying modeling efforts to study magnetic reconnection, turbulence, acceleration, shocks, and/or other kinetic plasma processes, (2) application of Machine Learning to space weather, especially Earth’s radiation belt and ionospheric phenomena, (3) analysis of Parker Solar Probe data to study near-Sun solar wind plasma and field phenomena, and (4) Mars data analysis with key interest in the Langmuir Probe and Waves (LPW) data from the MAVEN mission. 

The candidates must hold Ph.D. in Physics or similar Scientific or Engineering discipline. The candidate should indicate their research interests, and how they could enhance and benefit the research projects above. Depending on the science topic, demonstration of their skills in data analysis of particle and field observations, MHD/PIC simulation, or machine learning is highly desirable. 
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to submit an application before January 31, 2021. 

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Contact information for three professional references, Unofficial transcript (if graduated in 3 years) via the link: 

https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=27442

For more information, please contact: Xiangning.chu at lasp.colorado.edu
The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) began in 1948, a decade before NASA.  We are the world’s only research institute to have sent instruments to all eight planets and Pluto. LASP is associated with several departments at the University of Colorado including Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Geology, and Atmospheric Science. LASP is a research laboratory that is fully equipped for space-flight instrumentation with a qualified engineering staff, clean rooms, vacuum chambers, and testing facilities.

The CU/LASP Space Plasma Group conducts a diverse research program encompassing instrumentation, data analysis, simulation, theoretical studies, and machine learning applications of space plasma physics in a variety of environments, including planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres as well as the solar wind. 
The University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) provides individuals with equal access to all phases of the employment process regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. For the complete UCB nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UCB Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy


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JOB OPENING: Research Positions in Space Physics at Florida Institute of Technology

From: Ming Zhang (mzhang at fit.edu)

The Space Physics Group in the Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, is offering several postdoctoral and senior research positions in space physics. Department website is https://www.fit.edu/engineering-and-science/academics-and-learning/aerospace-physics-and-space-sciences/research/. The Space Physics Group researches in several areas of heliospheric physics. These positions focus on studying cosmic rays and solar energetic particle propagation in fluctuating magnetic fields for space weather forecasts. Preferred qualifications of the candidate include having prior experience in numerical computer modeling, machine learning, and analyzing plasma, particle, and magnetic field data from spacecraft. The applicant should have a Ph.D. degree in space physics or closely related disciplines. Send application to mzhang at fit.edu in a single PDF file along with names and contact information for recommendation letters.


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Atmospheric and Space Electricity at the University of New Hampshire

From: Ningyu Liu (Ningyu.Liu at unh.edu)

Postdoctoral Position in Atmospheric and Space Electricity
University of New Hampshire
Department of Physics and Astronomy &
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS)

The Lightning research group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy & the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is seeking an exceptional candidate to fill a postdoctoral position in the field of atmospheric and space electricity. The successful candidate will focus on developing numerical code to model electrical discharges and plasmas, but will also work with optical and radio observations of lightning and transient luminous events. Experience with parallel computing and adaptive mesh refinement is highly desirable but not required. A Ph.D. in physics, engineering, or related fields is required. The initial appointment is for one year with subsequent annual renewal for up to two additional years contingent upon satisfactory performance, and availability of resources.

Review of complete applications will commence on November 23, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be addressed to Prof. Ningyu Liu at Ningyu.Liu at unh.edu. Applicants should submit their application electronically as a single PDF document in the following order – cover letter including a summary of research experience, CV, and the names and contact information of at least three references – to Ningyu.Liu at unh.edu.

The University of New Hampshire is a major research institution, providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs (www.unh.edu). UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast. The Department of Physics and Astronomy confers both undergraduate (B.A., B.S.) and graduate (M.S., Ph.D.) degrees and currently includes 26 faculty members. EOS is the largest research institute at UNH, with more than 275 faculty, staff and students.

The University of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action institution. The University seeks excellence through diversity among its administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The university prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged.


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Assistant III in Space Science at UAH

From: Nikolai Pogorelov (np0002 at uah.edu)

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant III to conduct research in Space Physics. The Postdoctoral Research Assistant will work with researchers at UAH on numerical modeling of the helium atom transport from the local interstellar medium into the inner heliosphere and participate in the comparison of simulated energetic neutral helium fluxes with the Interstellar Boundary Explorer measurements.  A successful candidate must have Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering, or related field with 2-3 years of full-time verifiable work experience (GRA experience counts). Candidates with 1 to 3 years of postdoctoral research in numerical modeling of space plasma flows are especially encouraged to apply. The approximate starting salary is $52,216 to $60,000 with an excellent benefits package (www.uah.edu/hr/benefits).  To ensure full consideration, applicants should submit a complete CV, a cover letter detailing experience and three references. Qualified applicants should apply online for the Postdoctoral Research Assistant III at https://careers.uah.edu/cw/en-us/job/493633/postdoctoral-research-assistant-iii


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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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