[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7

Mon Feb 1 08:04:38 PST 2021

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVIII, Issue 7
Feb.01,2021

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Table of Contents

1. New Resources for Space Physics & Aeronomy Award Nominations at AGU and Beyond

2. New IAGA “Geospace Data Assimilation Working Group” (GeoDAWG)

3. AGS Update

4. CALL FOR PAPERS: Special Issue "Turbulence and Energy Dissipation in Solar System Plasmas”

5. MEETING: The Deadline for Submitting a Paper to URSI GASS 2021 is Postponed to February 12, 2021!

6. MEETING: Online Radio Heliophysics Catch-up – 27-30 April 2021 - Zoom! First Announcement

7. MEETING: The Van Allen Probes Mission: Scientific Legacy, Space Weather, and What’s to Follow (New Dates: 18-19 May 2021)

8. Magnetosphere Online Seminar Series

9. SHIELD Upcoming Webinar on Feb 12, 2pm EST - How discoveries are made: Finding the needle in a haystack

10. Final Call to Sign up to Celebrate a Solar Cycle of SDO Science!

11. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Experimental Plasma Physics

12. JOB OPENING: Research Associate position for the Analysis of Solar Images Using Machine Learning and Computer Vision 

13. JOB OPENING: Research Associate: Scientific Programming

14. JOB OPENING: Software Engineer Position at University of Colorado Boulder

15. JOB OPENING: Scientist Position at the Royal Observatory of Belgium

16. JOB OPENING: Research Fellow in Solar Physics at Northumbria University (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)

17. JOB OPENING: Research Fellow in Space Plasma Physics

18. JOB OPENING: Post-doctoral Position in Space Physics to Study Auroral Ionosphere Dynamics with a Sounding Rocket 

19. JOB OPENING: Assistant Professor Position at the University of California at Los Angeles

20. RHESSI Nuggets in January 2021

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

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New Resources for Space Physics & Aeronomy Award Nominations at AGU and Beyond

From: Michael Hartinger (mhartinger at spacescience.org)

The AGU honors season is already starting, with Fellow nominations due March 15 and other honors April 15: https://aguhonors.secure-platform.com/a

Thinking about nominating an SPA colleague for an award? Having trouble navigating the large number of awards at AGU and beyond? See this webpage: https://connect.agu.org/spa/committees/ntf/award-finder

It has new resources from the SPA Nomination Task Force that may help:
*A selection tool (Excel spreadsheet with macros) that takes basic information about a nominee (e.g., number of years since PhD) and outputs all AGU awards that meet their eligibility criteria. This includes honors at the SPA-level and Union-level.
*A summary of organizations/links outside of AGU that provide awards/honors relevant to SPA researchers.

There’s also other resources/tips for putting together nomination packages here: https://connect.agu.org/spa/committees/ntf/ntf-reading

If you’re interested in learning more about all the different awards, how to put together a nomination, etc. please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/djkM6fzxtiuuzup37

The NTF plans to have a meeting on these topics soon. We'd particularly encourage international colleagues who might be less familiar with AGU honors to check out the links above and attend the meeting. You don't have to be a member of AGU to be nominated for many awards, and many AGU awards are specifically for researchers outside of North America.

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New IAGA “Geospace Data Assimilation Working Group” (GeoDAWG)

From: Larry Kepko, Claudia Borries (Larry.kepko at nasa.gov)

We are pleased to announce the formation of a new IAGA working group, the Geospace Data Assimilation Working Group (GeoDAWG), joint between IAGA Divisions II and III.

The broad goal of this working group is to exchange ideas and techniques on how to incorporate sparsely and/or unevenly sampled measurements into models, a problem we face throughout Geospace. Specific goals include:
• Provide a forum for groups to highlight modeling capabilities. Oftentimes disciplines may not be aware of modeling efforts in other disciplines.
• Discuss complexities of data assimilation unique to Geospace modeling, what can and cannot be adapted from other disciplines such as atmospheric modeling.
• Exchange methodologies across Geospace disciplines. What works and what doesn’t?
• Assist communication within disciplines, to overcome geographic barriers to collaboration
• Connect with groups external to Divisions II and III to learn about different numerical techniques, particularly new state of the art techniques from statistics, mathematics, computer science, and other physical disciplines.
• Share information on upcoming missions or measurements that could be of value to data assimilation modeling groups.
• Provide guidance on data sources, data reliability, & appropriateness for data assimilation. Even the best data assimilative model is only as good as the data that go into it.
• Discuss data sources that may be unique to Geospace such as remote sensing using energetic neutral atoms or auroral imaging.

If interested, please send an email to either of the chairs.

http://www.iaga-aiga.org/about/div3/

Larry Kepko (Chair)
Claudia Borries (Co-Chair)

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AGS Update

From: Anjuli Bamazi (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

                                                                                                                                January 28, 2021

Dear colleagues,
I’d like to provide a brief update on leadership changes at AGS. My Limited Term Assignment as AGS Division Director draws to an end this week. It has been an honor to serve the community through this capacity and I have enjoyed interacting with you. My next assignment will be working on specific issues related to GEO Integrative Activities in the Office of Assistant Director.  I am looking forward to the change of pace. 
Directly below, please find a message from our Deputy Assistant Director, Dr. Alexandra Isern. 
FYI and interest, I have also included some information on recent solicitations, Dear Colleague letters, etc. 
Best wishes
Anjuli 

Message from Dr. Alexandra Isern, Deputy Assistant Director, Geosciences: 
A recruitment is nearing completion to hire the next AGS Division Director and I will be informing you as soon as I am able. 
We are also hiring Section Heads in AGS. The postings are as below and the deadline for receiving applications is February 15, 2021. Please help share this information, thanks! 
Section Head, Geospace: https://beta.nsf.gov/careers/openings/geo/ags/ags-2021-2006
Section Head, Atmosphere: https://beta.nsf.gov/careers/openings/geo/ags/ags-2021-2007

1.	NSF 21-040 Dear Colleague Letter: : Leadership-Class Computing Facility Application Team Partners
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21040/nsf21040.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click 

2.	NSF 21-041 Dear Colleague Letter: Supporting Data and Sample Reuse in Polar Research 
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21041/nsf21041.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click 

3.	Wildfire and the Biosphere Townhall February 1, 2021 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM ET
To register in advance, please use the link https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/82fa58d9195949eba4b20ea1c7e0d5d6 
The link with information on the Wildfire and Biosphere Innovation Lab is https://apply.hub.ki/wildfire/

4.	NSF 21-041 EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-4: 
EPSCoR Research Fellows
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21557/nsf21557.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click 

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CALL FOR PAPERS: Special Issue "Turbulence and Energy Dissipation in Solar System Plasmas”

From: Julia E. Stawarz, Luca Franci (j.stawarz at imperial.ac.uk)

We are seeking submissions for the Special Issue "Turbulence and Energy Dissipation in Solar System Plasmas” in the journal Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433, IF: 2.397).

Detailed information about the Special Issue is provided below: 

Section: Upper Atmosphere
Special Issue: Turbulence and Energy Dissipation in Solar System Plasmas
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/special_issues/solar_plasmas
Guest Editors: Dr. Luca Franci and Dr. Julia E. Stawarz 
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 July 2021

Highly nonlinear turbulent dynamics play a fundamental role in cross-scale energy transfer and particle energization in astrophysical plasmas. Unlike the turbulence observed in terrestrial fluids, where collisional viscosity accounts for energy dissipation from turbulent fluctuations, the lack of collisions in many space and astrophysical plasmas leaves the question of how turbulent fluctuations are ultimately dissipated a major open area of research. A wide array of turbulent plasmas are found within our own solar system – ranging from the solar corona and solar wind to the terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres. These systems can be directly probed by a range of spacecraft missions, including Magnetospheric Multiscale, Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, Juno, and many more, making these some of the best regions for exploring plasma turbulence in the collisionless regime. Furthermore, the comparison of these systems provides access to a variety of different plasma regimes, driving mechanisms, and boundary conditions, thus potentially providing access to a range of different turbulence behaviors and dissipation mechanisms. In this Special Issue, we invite both observational and numerical studies focused on examining the turbulence within the varied systems in the solar system, with the aim of assembling a body of work that highlights the similarities and differences in turbulent dynamics and dissipation within the different environments. This collection will thus help to consolidate the knowledge of plasma turbulence gleaned from these systems and guide future research into astrophysical turbulence. 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Luca Franci, Queen Mary University of London (l.franci at qmul.ac.uk)
Julia E. Stawarz, Imperial College London (j.stawarz at imperial.ac.uk)
Guest Editors

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MEETING: The Deadline for Submitting a Paper to URSI GASS 2021 is Postponed to February 12, 2021!

From: Wen Li (wenli77 at bu.edu)

General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of International Union of Radio Science (URSI-GASS) will be held from 28 August to 4 September in 2021, in Rome, Italy.  This will be a *hybrid* event. 

The DEADLINE for submission of abstracts, for application for Young Scientists Award, and for Student Paper Competition is February 12, 2021. The abstracts submission website is the following: https://www.ursi2020.org/author-info-abstract-submission/

We particularly invite students to participate the URSI-GASS 2021 Student Paper Competition. Young Scientists Awards will be set up to assist young scientists to attend the URSI-GASS. The full details can be found at https://www.ursi2021.org/

Please note that we will ACCEPT USUALLY FORMATTED ABSTRACTS prepared in the template named "extended abstracts". Authors who wish to submit a longer "Summary Paper" with figures and references to the proceedings still have the opportunity to do so but not required unless the authors apply for a Young Scientists Award. The abstracts have to be submitted as pdf files.

The URSI-GASS will have an open scientific program covered by ten Commissions of URSI, two of which (Commission H and G) are closely related to the SPA community. Please find the full scientific program at https://www.ursi2021.org/program/

H01 Open session
conveners: Janos Lichtenberger, Jyrki Manninen
H02 Macro/micro-scale kinetic processes at natural boundary layers in terrestrial and planetary environments
conveners: B. Lembege, P. Escoubet, H. Zhang, I. Shinohara
H03 Multipoint and ground-based observations of magnetospheric wave phenomena, remote sensing of plasmasphere
conveners: Craig Kletzing, Wen Li, Balázs Heilig, Anders M. Jorgensen, Yoshiya Kasahara
H04-05 Wave-particle Interactions, their Acceleration and Loss Effects on Planetary Radiation Belts and Drivers
conveners: Richard Horne, Craig Kletzing, Jay Albert, David Shklyar, Craig Rodger, Mark Clilverd
H06 Radio science for space weather science and operations
conveners: Mauro Messerotti, Viviane Pierrard, Nicole Vilmer, Nat Gopalswamy
H07 A tribute to Donald Carpenter
conveners: Janos Lichtenberger, Robert Marshall, Fabien Darrouzet
H08 Plasma waves around the moon and small bodies
conveners: Satyavir Singh, Tomoko Nakagawa, Masaki N Nishino

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MEETING: Online Radio Heliophysics Catch-up – 27-30 April 2021 - Zoom! First Announcement

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

Dear Colleagues.

Due to pandemic situation with COVID-19 larger gatherings are still very much discouraged (or not possible) and recommended to be moved to online meetings.

The radio heliophysics catch-up meeting (please see: http://orhc.cbk.waw.pl/wp/) aims to gather online a worldwide community from wide radio heliophysics domains and make a room for light, informal meeting where scientific and technical discussions can take place together with an updates on activities and progress made by individual groups around the world.  This can cover work from relevant COSPAR ISWAT teams (see: https://iswat-cospar.org/) as well as those just working within our community.  The meeting will address the variety of topics including: IPS data analyses, their assimilation in 3-D Heliospheric tomographic and MHD models, Heliospheric Faraday rotation (FR) investigations, ionospheric scintillation studies, and act as a follow-up for current and upcoming space missions like Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter.  The planned four-day virtual meeting on Zoom will give opportunity to establish closer working relations and share experience across different methods of radio data analysis as well as better plan and coordinate our fit into the COSPAR ISWAT structure.

The meeting will be held 27-30 April 2021 (across four days), and the core sessions each day will be three hours in duration running 13:00UT-16:00UT where additional discussion sessions are held earlier and later on some of the days as needed during the meeting.  The meeting is aimed to take on the flavour of an informal workshop with plenty of time for discussion, hands-on collaborations, and planning going forward.

For more information as it becomes available and to register (there is NO REGISTRATION FEE), please go to: http://orhc.cbk.waw.pl/wp/ - the closing deadline for both registration and abstract submission is: 31 March 2021.

Very many thanks, and we look forward to "virtually" seeing you at the end of April...

Mario.

On behalf of the Online Organising Committee (OOC):
Mario M. Bisi, UKRI STFC RAL Space
Barbara Matyjasiak, CBK PAN
Richard Fallows, ASTRON
Hanna Rothkaehl, CBK PAN

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MEETING: The Van Allen Probes Mission: Scientific Legacy, Space Weather, and What’s to Follow (New Dates: 18-19 May 2021)

From: Sasha Ukhorskiy (ukhorskiy at jhuapl.edu)

After a remarkable journey through Earth’s ring current and radiation belts the Van Allen Probes mission is coming to its finale; the Phase F of the mission is scheduled to conclude in 2021. To celebrate the tremendous science legacy of the mission, its contribution to Space Weather research, and to discuss the future of the inner magnetosphere exploration we will be holding an international virtual workshop on 18-19 May 2021. Please stay tuned for program announcements. 

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Magnetosphere Online Seminar Series

From: Kyle Murphy (magnetosphere.seminars at gmail.com)

We invite you to join us every Monday at 12 pm (EDST, 1600 UT) for the weekly Magnetosphere Online Seminar Series.

Shasha Zou will give our next seminar “Multi-scale ionosphere response during geomagnetic storms: Observations, modeling, and machine learning” on Monday February 1. A link to join the seminar via Zoom or YouTube can be found on our home page (https://msolss.github.io/MagSeminars/). The password to join the Zoom seminar is Mag at 1. 

On Monday February 8 Alex Glocer will be discussing “Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling”. 

You can view the current 2021 schedule here - https://msolss.github.io/MagSeminars/schedule.html

Add your name to the mailing list here - https://msolss.github.io/MagSeminars/mail-list.html

And see previous talks here - https://msolss.github.io/MagSeminars/blog.html

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SHIELD Upcoming Webinar on Feb 12, 2pm EST - How discoveries are made: Finding the needle in a haystack

From: Nancy Crooker, Fran Bagenal (shieldoutreach at bu.edu)

Upcoming SHIELD Webinar: Fri Feb. 12th, 2021 2:00 PM EST 

Speaker: Nancy Crooker
Nancy U. Crooker is an American physicist and professor emerita of space physics at Boston University, Massachusetts. She has made major contributions to the understanding of geomagnetism in the Earth’s magnetosphere and the heliosphere, particularly through the study of interplanetary electrons and magnetic reconnection. Crooker has published 207 peer–reviewed articles across a range of topics within space physics. Her early career was as a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University and then the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1970s. There, together with Joan Feynman in their seminal Nature paper, she was one of the first physicists to use geomagnetic data as a way to reconstruct solar activity prior to the space age. Crooker then developed the concept of anti–parallel merging of magnetic field lines in Earth’s magnetosphere published in Journal of Geophysical Research in 1979. In 1990, she returned to UCLA as an adjunct professor before making her final move to Boston University as a research professor in 1994. Around this time, Crooker switched focus from the magnetosphere to the heliosphere, in particular the interplanetary manifestations of coronal mass ejections. In 1997, she co–edited a monograph on coronal mass ejections. In 2002, she coined the term “interchange reconnection” for describing the dynamic process by which heliospheric magnetic flux introduced by coronal mass ejections is subsequently removed, a term which has been comprehensively adopted in the field. Crooker is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), where the fellowship program recognizes AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery, or innovation in their field. She also received the prestigious Eugene Parker Lecture award from the AGU in 2013, only the third woman to do so. Crooker was president of the AGU Space Physics & Aeronomy Section from 2004 to 2006 and served on the AGU Board of Directors from 2010 to 2012.
 Speaker: Dr. Fran Bagenal

Dr. Fran Bagenal was born and grew up in England. She studied Physics and Geophysics at the University of Lancaster. In 1976, inspired by NASA’s missions to Mars and the prospect of the Voyager mission, she moved to the US for graduate study at MIT. Her 1981 Ph.D. thesis involved analysis of data from the Voyager Plasma Science experiment in Jupiter’s giant magnetosphere. She spent 1982–1987 as a post–doctoral researcher in space physics at Imperial College, London. Voyager flybys of Uranus and Neptune brought her back to the US and she joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1989. She was a professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences until 2015 when she chose to focus onNASA’sNew Horizons and Juno missions. She remains a research Scientist at the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics. In addition to the Voyager mission, Dr. Bagenal has been on the science teams of the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Deep Space 1 mission to CometBorrelly. She edited Jupiter Planet, Satellites, and Magnetosphere(Cambridge University Press, 2004). She’s on the plasma teams of the first two New Frontiers missions:theNew Horizons mission that–after a 9.5–year flight –flew pastPluto on July 14, 2015and Juno that went into orbit over the poles of Jupiter in 2016.
Friday, February 12 , 2021 

2:00pm EST
Registration link:  
https://bostonu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsd-GvqT8jH9fr9zfyVTHZKBM86xnHuv2i

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Final Call to Sign up to Celebrate a Solar Cycle of SDO Science!

From: William.D.Pesnell at NASA.gov (William.D.Pesnell at NASA.gov)

Pleae join us February 12, 2021, from noon to 3 pm ET, as the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) PI team provides results and updates via a virtual meeting. Each of the four speakers will speak for 25 minutes. There will be an hour after they finish to answer questions about the observatory, discuss ways to collaborate with the SDO team, and describe novel ways to use the observatory.

The speakers are:
Dean Pesnell, SDO’s View of Solar Cycle 24
Philip Scherrer, SDO's Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager: Progress in Solar Cycle 24 and plans for Cycle 25
Mark Cheung, The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly: Science Highlights, Analysis Techniques and Instrument Status
Tom Woods, Science Highlights and Discoveries from the SDO Extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE)

This is the first in a series of mini-workshops throughout the summer of 2021 to discuss SDO science and data analysis. Each mini-workshop will have introductory presentations and opportunities for you to participate in discussions on the topic. The first of these virtual mini-qorkshops will be announced at the February 12 meeting.

 Invitations with the Zoom meeting information will be sent emailed the first week of February. Please send an email to SDO2021vm at gmail.com to receive an invitation to this Zoom meeting.

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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Experimental Plasma Physics

From: Seth Dorfman (sethd at SpaceScience.org)

The Space Science Institute (SSI) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to be based in Los Angeles, CA. The selected candidate will take a leading role in experiments aimed at understanding the Alfvén wave interactions thought to be at the heart of solar wind turbulence.  This includes the unexpected generation of residual energy – excess energy in the magnetic fluctuations compared to the velocity fluctuations.

The goal of the project is to create strong, non-linear Alfvén wave interactions in the lab for the first time and characterize the residual energy and non-linear modes generated.  The postdoctoral scientist will be responsible for conducting experiments on the Large Plasma Device at UCLA, analyzing both experimental results and existing hybrid particle-in-cell simulations of the experiment, and preparing results for publication.  The selected candidate will work with SSI Research Scientist Dr. Seth Dorfman, who will be responsible for overseeing the project.  The postdoctoral scientist will also have the opportunity to work with remote collaborators Dr. Christopher Chen (solar wind observations), Dr. Luca Franci (hybrid simulations), and Dr. Stanislav Boldyrev (theory).  Results will have broad potential implications for the physics governing solar wind and other magnetized astrophysical turbulence.

Knowledge/Education: A Ph.D. in plasma physics or related fields is required prior to the start date of the position.  Applicants should demonstrate the potential to publish research results in peer-reviewed high-quality journals, good communication skills, and the ability to work independently.  No prior experience with the Large Plasma Device or hybrid simulation analysis is expected, but applicants should demonstrate skills that show they will be able to learn these tools quickly.  Experience with laboratory plasma experiments or space plasma physics is considered an advantage.

This is a full-time position with benefits and is expected to start in early or mid 2021.  As we are primarily interested in finding the right candidate for the position, the exact start date is flexible.   Please submit an application by January 31st, 2021 to ensure full consideration.

Contact Dr. Seth Dorfman (www.spacescience.org/bio.php?emp=SDORFMAN) with questions or to submit your CV for a preliminary evaluation.

For more information and details on how to apply, visit the full posting:
http://spacescience.org/opportunities.php

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JOB OPENING: Research Associate position for the Analysis of Solar Images Using Machine Learning and Computer Vision 

From: Melanie Burns (melanie at gfz-potsdam.de)

The work will be performed in the context of Helmholtz Imaging Platform-funded Solar Image-based Modelling project and uses highly detailed multi-spectral images of the sun to improve predictions of the solar wind close to earth and develop new methods utilizing data driven approaches. Specifically, we plan to exploit the capabilities of classical computer vision tools and modern deep learning algorithms to identify relevant structures on the sun, such as coronal holes and corona active regions.
Candidates should have min. MSc in physics (solar physics), computer sciences, maths or related natural sciences – Experience in working with solar images, several years of working experience with IT programming or scientific programming.
For more details, please see: https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en/career/job-offers/job-detail/4667/ 
For questions relating to these positions, please contact Prof. Yuri Shprits: yshprits at gfz-potsdam.de

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JOB OPENING: Research Associate: Scientific Programming

From: Melanie Burns (melanie at gfz-potsdam.de)

The work will be performed in the context of the EU Horizon 2020-funded consortium PAGER led by GFZ Potsdam The primary aim of PAGER is to provide space weather predictions initiated from observations on the Sun and to predict radiation in space and its effects on satellite infrastructure.
Candidates should have min. Master's degree in computer sciences, physics, maths or related natural sciences. Several years of working experience with IT programming or scientific programming, knowledge of Unix, Mac, and Windows operating systems, advanced knowledge of programming languages, such as C++, Matlab, IDL, Python, Fortran, experience in developing numerical codes and experience in maintaining Unix workstations.
For more details, please see: https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en/career/job-offers/job-detail/4731/
For questions relating to these positions, please contact Prof. Yuri Shprits: yshprits at gfz-potsdam.de

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JOB OPENING: Software Engineer Position at University of Colorado Boulder

From: Tzu-Wei Fang (tzu-wei.fang at noaa.gov)

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder is encouraging applications for a full-time Associate Scientist to work at the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Our team at SWPC has developed the coupled Whole Atmosphere Model and Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics (WAM-IPE) model to study the connection between the terrestrial and space weather. The successful candidate will work with the team at SWPC to manage the WAM-IPE code, contribute to develop and improve the model, and maintain the code on different computer platforms.

A B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in Physics, Space Physics, Meteorology, Computer Sciences or related field is required. Within 5 years of Work experience is preferred. U.S citizenship or permanent residence (green card) is required for this position.

Detailed job description can be found in this website. Applicants should submit a CV listing their qualifications along with a cover letter which includes contact information for three professional references. The position will remain posted until filled. Any questions please contact Tzu-Wei Fang (Tzu-Wei.Fang at noaa.gov).

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JOB OPENING: Scientist Position at the Royal Observatory of Belgium

From: Luciano Rodriguez (luciano.rodriguez at observatory.be)

The Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) is looking for scientists in the frame of research projects devoted to the validation of heliospheric simulations (EUHFORIA) on the basis of observations from recently launched space missions.

Thanks to the funding from the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and from the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union, two scientific positions have become available in the BRAIN-be project SWiM (Solar wind modeling with EUHFORIA for new heliophysics space mission), and in the H2020 project EUHFORIA 2.0.

The aim  of these projects is to validate and improve modeling of solar wind and its transients with the simulation code EUHFORIA, employing in particular in situ observations from the new heliospheric missions Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. These two projects build on the results obtained in the framework of ongoing networking BRAIN-be project CCSOM (Constraining CMEs and Shocks by Observations and Modelling throughout the inner heliosphere) lead by the ROB scientists. Studying dynamics of the ambient plasma characteristics will help us to  improve our understanding on the formation and evolution of solar wind and its transients, such as CMEs – Coronal Mass Ejections. This will result in better defined inputs to EUHFORIA, and accordingly improved forecasting capabilities of EUHFORIA. These results will be validated using corresponding metrics and statistical methods.

The candidate will contribute to the development of the mentioned research topics in collaboration with other ROB scientists. The candidate will also assist in the writing of peer reviewed publications and scientific reports.

The ROB (http://www.observatory.be/ ) is a Federal Scientific Institute in the outskirts of Brussels (Uccle).  The initial contract is for one year with a possibility for extension depending upon the available funding (salary level SW1 of the scientific personnel). Advantages include a flexible system of working hours.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in Science and combines many of the following characteristics:

    Knowledge in solar physics, in particular on solar wind and CMEs
    Experience in working with in situ observations and specifically with Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter observations
    Experience on the application of validation metrics and statistical methods
    Experience in working with Python
    Speaking and writing proficiency in English.

Send your CV with a motivation letter and names and coordinates of two referees before 15 February 2021 to Jasmina Magdalenic and Luciano Rodriguez, project responsible (jasmina.magdalenic at oma.be & luciano.rodriguez at observatory.be). The beginning of the employment will be on 1 April 2021 or later.

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JOB OPENING: Research Fellow in Solar Physics at Northumbria University (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)

From: Natasha Jeffrey (natasha.jeffrey at northumbria.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a three-year postdoctoral research position in the area of solar physics and in particular, the study of solar flare particle acceleration and transport. The successful candidate will conduct research relevant to understanding the link between flare-accelerated electrons at the Sun and those in the heliosphere using both numerical modelling and remote and in-situ observations (including data from Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter). This position is funded by STFC Grant ST/V000764/1 and you will work primarily with Dr Natasha Jeffrey (PI of the grant).

For more information and to apply for the vacancy please visit: 
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/work-for-us/job-vacancies/academic-3362-research-fellow-in-solar-physics

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Natasha Jeffrey (natasha.jeffrey at northumbria.ac.uk).

The successful candidate will join the Solar Physics research group. Further details about the research groups can be found here: 
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/mathematics-physics-and-electrical-engineering/research/solar-physics/

Please note this vacancy will close on 28th February 2021.

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JOB OPENING: Research Fellow in Space Plasma Physics

From: Suzanne Winter (s.winter at ucl.ac.uk)

The Space Plasma Physics group at the Department of Space and Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory) is at the forefront of space plasma physics research in the UK.  We seek to appoint a scientifically productive Research Fellow to undertake research in the general area of magnetospheric physics but with emphasis on the magnetospheric substorm.  This project is expected to utilise state-of-the-art data from the ESA Cluster and NASA THEMIS, Van Allen Probes and MMS missions, along with data from ground-based observatories and auroral observations. The post is available until 31st March 2022 with a possible extension subject to funding availability through the Solar System Research Consolidated Grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), or through additional national or international funding sources.   

The applicant will be expected and encouraged to participate in wider group scientific activities including preparations for future space plasma research missions.  The Space Plasma Physics group supports and encourages participation in public engagement, outreach and community service with the level of commitment agreed between the post-holder and their line manager. Access to Continuing Professional Development is also provided. This post also offers the opportunity for participation at relevant national consortium meetings and international conferences and workshops. 

HOW TO APPLY
Enquiries 
Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Colin Forsyth (colin.forsyth at ucl.ac.uk).
For the job description and person specification can be found on the following link. Applications should be completed on line https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTg3NDIyMCZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT05NjUmb3duZXI9NTA0MTE3OCZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZicmFuZF9pZD0wJmpvYl9yZWZfY29kZT0xODc0MjIwJnBvc3RpbmdfY29kZT0yMjQ=   . However if you are having difficulty accessing the on-line recruitment system please contact Suzanne Winter (s.winter at ucl.ac.uk) for advice.

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JOB OPENING: Post-doctoral Position in Space Physics to Study Auroral Ionosphere Dynamics with a Sounding Rocket 

From: Dr Tima Sergienko (tima at irf.se)

Post-doctoral position in Space Physics  

To study auroral ionosphere dynamics with a sounding rocket 

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position in a project related to experimental and modelling studies of the auroral ionosphere. You will be involved in analyses of observations of spectacular luminous clouds and ionized plasma using state-of-the-art research facilities such as a multi-station auroral imaging system and the international EISCAT UHF/EISCAT_3D research radars.

The postdoc position is related to a rocket mission to be launched from the SSC Esrange Space Centre near Kiruna, Sweden. The Barium Release Optical and Radio (BROR) rocket experiment aims to study small-scale processes and structures in the auroral ionosphere by means of an active modification of the ionosphere using multiple releases of barium.

The position is intended for modeling of auroral ionosphere dynamics and the interaction of the neutral and ionized barium clouds with the ambient ionosphere-thermosphere. Along with these core tasks, you will also be involved in activities related to the barium-thermite payload test. Relevant experience with processing experimental data from optical and/or radar auroral observations is a merit.

Candidates should have completed (or expect to complete) a PhD in space physics or a related field during 2018 or later. Candidates planning to obtain their PhD degree before February 2021 may apply for this position. If the candidate has an older degree and wants to refer to special circumstances, such as parental leave, this should be clearly stated. The candidate should not currently be an active researcher at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics.

The position, placed in Kiruna, is funded by the Swedish National Space Agency for 2 years.

For further information:
Dr Tima Sergienko: tima at irf.se, +46-980-790 71

Closing date for applications: 28 February 2021.

All information: https://www.irf.se/en/news/2021/01/25/post-doctoral-position-in-space-physic-2-2-1-14-21/

.......
Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is a governmental research institute that conducts postgraduate education and research in space physics, atmospheric physics and space technology. Many of IRF's projects are run as large international projects in collaboration with other research institutes and space agencies. IRF has about one hundred employees and offices in Kiruna (headquarters), Umeå, Uppsala and Lund. www.irf.se
........

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JOB OPENING: Assistant Professor Position at the University of California at Los Angeles

From: Jacob Bortnik (jbortnik at gmail.com)

This is a reminder that the UCLA Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) is now inviting applications for a tenure-track, assistant professor position in Space Physics.  Due to the unprecedented events occurring earlier this year and the difficult circumstances that we are all living through, the application deadline has been extended to March 5, 2021, to allow all interested applicants an opportunity to submit an application.

The Department is seeking outstanding candidates with the potential for exceptional research and the capacity for excellence in teaching. Individuals with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

The first five years of this position will be funded through the NSF Faculty Development in Space Sciences program. Candidates with research interests in any aspect(s) of Earth-based space physics are encouraged to apply. AOS is a vibrant and collaborative department with faculty interested in atmospheric, climate, and ocean science, as well as Space Physics.  Space Physics research and education at UCLA spans several departments, including faculty in the Departments of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences and Physics & Astronomy in addition to AOS.  These departments have active research programs in solar wind, inner and outer magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics (with connections to the neutral atmosphere), and space weather, utilizing numerical simulations, laboratory experiments, space-based and ground-based platforms. The ability of applicants to complement, and further contribute to UCLA’s long-standing strength in Space Physics will be a consideration in evaluation in addition to their commitment to enhancing the diversity of AOS faculty members, graduate student population, and majors within the field.       

The successful applicant must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree at the time of appointment and will be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the AOS department, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. They will also be expected to lead or develop a first rate research program in Space Physics, and are encouraged to interact with others of all levels within the UCLA Space Physics community. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The target start date is July 1, 2021, though a later start date can be accommodated if necessary.

Please submit your online application to the Search Committee for a faculty position in Space Physics at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06013. Please include: (1) curriculum vitae; (2) cover letter; (3) a statement of teaching; (4) a statement of research; (5) a statement of contribution to diversity, and (6) a list of 3-5 individuals who are familiar with your work and can serve as references.    

UCLA has programs to assist in partner employment, childcare, schooling and other family concerns. For additional information, visit the UCLA Academic Personnel Office website or the UC Office of the President’s website.        

Applications are due by March 5, 2021, but the position will remain open until filled. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy please follow this link: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.

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RHESSI Nuggets in January 2021

From: Hugh Hudson (hugh.hudson at glasgow.ac.uk)

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets

No. 398, “Observing Solar Flare X-ray Polarization with Prospective CubeSat Missions” by Natasha Jeffrey: The polarization of the solar X-ray images remains to be observed.

No. 399, “Richard Schwartz” by Brian Dennis and Hugh Hudson: Remembering a friend and colleague.

We welcome contributions to the RHESSI Nuggets, and the topics may wander some distance away from specifically RHESSI results if they are generally interesting. See http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets for these and others. Comments about specific flares can often be found by searching for their SOLyyyy-mm-dd identifier from this home pag

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