[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5

Newsletter Editor editor at igpp.ucla.edu
Thu Jan 14 06:50:53 PST 2021


AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVIII, Issue 5
Jan.14,2021

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Table of Contents

1. AAS Solar Physics Division Announces 2021 Hale Prize

2. AAS Solar Physics Division Announces 2021 Harvey Prize

3. SESSION: Mini-GEM Workshop Session "Self-Consistent Inner Magnetospheric Modeling (SCIMM)"

4. SESSION: Mini-GEM Workshop Session "Methods and Validation"

5. Summer School plus Conference on “Mathematics for Nonstationary Signals and applications in Geophysics and other fields” - L'Aquila (Italy) and online, July 2021

6. JOB OPENING: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Space Scientist, GS-1330-13/14

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

8. JOB OPENING: Magnetometer Data Support Scientist

9. JOB OPENING: Space Physics Research Scientist at Predictive Science Inc.

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

11. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Moon-Plasma Interactions

12. HAO: Newkirk Graduate Research Fellowship, application deadline March 1, 2021

13. Funded PhD Opportunity at the DLR Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Neustrelitz, Germany

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


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AAS Solar Physics Division Announces 2021 Hale Prize

From: Michael Kirk (michael.s.kirk at nasa.gov)

Dr. Russell Howard of the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, is awarded the George Ellery Hale Prize for his seminal work on the discovery, measurement, and understanding of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Dr. Howard has a rich legacy of influential contributions to the discovery, measurement, and physical understanding of CMEs and outstanding leadership in the development, deployment, and management of innovative space instrumentation to image the solar corona and inner heliosphere. Dr. Howard’s pioneering research has helped form the foundation of current heliophysics through the development of heliospheric imagers over the last 50 years. From the earliest days of CME observations with OSO-7, through the prolific SOHO LASCO coronagraphs, to the recently launched WISPR and SoloHI instruments on Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, Dr. Howard’s keen insight and strong leadership has illuminated the origin and effects of CMEs on space weather. In addition, his work on statistical properties of CMEs and on Earth-directed (halo) CMEs have been key to understanding their impacts on our planet’s upper atmosphere.The Hale prize is awarded for outstanding contributions to solar astronomy over an extended period of time and is presented in memory of George Ellery Hale (1868-1938). 


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AAS Solar Physics Division Announces 2021 Harvey Prize

From: Michael Kirk (michael.s.kirk at nasa.gov)

Dr. Lucia Kleint of the University of Geneva, Switzerland, is awarded the 2021 Karen Harvey Prize for her substantial contributions to solar polarimetry and radiative transfer modeling, and exceptional leadership in next-generation solar instrumentation. Dr. Kleint has made several significant contributions to the observation and understanding of solar flares and is currently leading a research group toward solving several important open questions on flares. Early in her career, she has already observed and modeled turbulent magnetic fields in the quiet Sun, led spectropolarimetric and spectroscopic observations and analysis of flares in the photosphere and chromosphere at an unprecedented high precision, and pioneered the application of machine learning techniques to solar flare data. Dr. Kleint coordinated the flight software team for the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) currently flying on Solar Orbiter and led the German Solar Telescopes where she was responsible for a major redesign of the optical system and operations for the GREGOR telescope. The Harvey Prize recognizes a significant contribution to the study of the Sun early in a person's professional career and honors the memory of Karen L. Harvey (1942-2002). 


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SESSION: Mini-GEM Workshop Session "Self-Consistent Inner Magnetospheric Modeling (SCIMM)"

From: Cristian Ferradas, Qianli Ma, Chao Yue, Jacob Bortnik (qma at bu.edu)

At the Mini-GEM Workshop, the GEM Focus Group “Self-Consistent Inner Magnetospheric Modeling (SCIMM)” will have a 2-hour online session from 10:00-12:00 AM (Eastern Time) on Thursday January 21. Please see below for the Zoom meeting information. 

We will start with a short discussion about our focus group activities. This will be followed by general contributions of presentations. Any topics related to ring current dynamics or wave-particle interactions will be welcome. 

If you would like to contribute a presentation, please reply to Chao Yue (yuechao at pku.edu.cn) or Qianli Ma (qma at bu.edu) with your presentation title before January 18th. 

Thank you!

Cristian Ferradas, Qianli Ma, Chao Yue, and Jacob Bortnik

       -  Topic: MINI-GEM SCIMM SESSION
       -  Time: Jan 21, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
       -  
       -  Join Zoom Meeting
       -  https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/96292252828?pwd=TUVPZHFOYkxzZGJ3bzdpUDBCTlpHZz09
       -  
       -  Meeting ID: 962 9225 2828
       -  Passcode: 253427


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SESSION: Mini-GEM Workshop Session "Methods and Validation"

From: Lutz Rastaetter, Mike Liemohn, Erin (Josh) Rigler, Alexa halford (lutz.rastaetter at nasa.gov)

At the mini-GEM (Jan. 19-22) there will be a 2-hour session hosted by the Methods and Validation Resource Group on Friday, Jan. 22. 

We would like to begin our work by gathering information from all Focus Groups on current validation studies and from leaders of past Focus Groups on studies completed during their tenure. During our session we will discuss a draft set of questions for a questionnaire to be used in this effort. In addition we would like to collect links to resources that groups have assembled for their validation studies.

Please contact Lutz Rastaetter (lutz.rastaetter at nasa.gov) to get on the schedule.

Lutz Rastaetter, Erin (Josh) Rigler, Mike Liemohn, Alexa Halford


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Summer School plus Conference on “Mathematics for Nonstationary Signals and applications in Geophysics and other fields” - L'Aquila (Italy) and online, July 2021

From: Mirko Piersanti (mirko.piersanti at roma2.infn.it)

A Summer School plus Conference on “Mathematics for Nonstationary Signals
and applications in Geophysics and other fields”, will take place at the
Dipartimento di Scienze Umane of the Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy, July 19-24, 2021.

The event will be hybrid, providing the opportunity to everyone to join either in-person or virtually.

During the Summer School young researchers and PhD students will have a chance to learn and deepen
their knowledge on Mathematics of Signal Processing, in particular on new data analysis tools/techniques
for non-stationary time series and their theoretical foundation.

The summer school will take place during the first 4 days and it will consist of three courses of 8 hours each.
Lecturers:
Patrick Flandrin - ENS Lyon
Yang Wang - HKSTU
Hau-tieng Wu - Duke University

At the end of the school there will be a 2 days and half conference during which the speakers will show both the applications
of these techniques to real life data and present the current frontiers of the theoretical research.

Some slots for contributed talks are still available, as well as for posters presentation.
Contributed talks will be 30 minutes long (25+5 for questions). Submission deadline is April 30, 2021.

Applications for prospective students of the Summer School, as well as speakers of the conference are now open.

Financial support is available for a limited number of participants.

For more information and to apply please visit www.cicone.com/NoSAG21.html

Best regards,
The local organizing committee

Antonio Cicone - DISIM - Università degli Studi dell'Aquila - L'Aquila
Giulia D'Angelo - INAF - Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali - Roma
Mirko Piersanti - INFN - Universita di Roma "Tor Vergata" - Roma
Enza Pellegrino - DIIIE - Università degli Studi dell'Aquila - L'Aquila
Angela Stallone - INGV - Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia - Roma 


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JOB OPENING: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Space Scientist, GS-1330-13/14

From: Michele Cash (michele.cash at noaa.gov)

This position is for a senior-level space scientist at SWPC to lead the development and transition of advanced space weather models and prediction tools from research into operations (R2O) within the Space Weather Prediction Testbed. The incumbent will serve as an expert providing guidance and direction in the model development, management, and maintenance of space weather models running on the National Weather Service’s supercomputers. The incumbent will work with research staff, space weather forecasters, and our national and international partners to better understand the needs and requirements of forecasters and the customers of space weather products and services. The incumbent will lead projects and activities to improve the products and services offered by SWPC, including the development and transition of advanced physics-based or empirical space weather models and prediction tools into real-time operations. The incumbent will also collaborate with national and international research and operational organizations to communicate service needs, to encourage the development of targeted capabilities, and to identify candidate models for transition.

The announcements will open on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, and close on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

For the General Public: 
Job Announcement # (DE): NWS-NCEP-2021-0022
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/589031600

For Current Federal Employees and Individuals with Status:
Job Announcement # (MAP): NWS-NCEP-2021-0021
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/589031100

For questions about the position, contact Dr. Michele Cash (michele.cash at noaa.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). 
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: Magnetometer Data Support Scientist

From: Paul Lotoaniu (paul.lotoaniu at noaa.gov)

The University of Colorado Boulder has an immediate opening for an Associate Scientist to support NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) work related to the magnetometers (MAGs) on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series-R (GOES-R) mission. The Scientist 
will be part of the CIRES-NCEI MAG team supporting all aspects of our GOES-R MAG efforts including pre-and post-launch calibration/validation activities, anomaly investigations, and attending/contributing to NASA/NOAA technical meetings.

Location: The position will be located within the Solar-Terrestrial Physics Branch of the NCEI at the NOAA David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado, USA. 

Minimum education requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Physics or similar Scientific or Engineering field required. Candidates applying with a Bachelor’s degree must also have at least 4 years of relevant experience beyond the degree.  

The selected applicant must pass a Federal laboratory background clearance for site access. U.S Citizenship or Permanent Residence (Green Card) is required.

For further details and to apply go to: 
https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-NCEI-Magnetometer-Data-Support-Scientist-Professional-Research-Assistant/28193

For questions email: Paul Loto’aniu (paul.lotoaniu at noaa.gov)


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JOB OPENING: Space Physics Research Scientist at Predictive Science Inc.

From: Pete Riley (pete at predsci.com)

Space Physics Research Scientist at Predictive Science Inc., San Diego, CA.

Predictive Science invites applications for an early career (0-5 years since Ph.D.) research scientist position in space plasma physics, with a focus on  solar and/or heliospheric physics.  Present/soon-to-be awarded projects at PSI include studies of coronal magnetic structure, origin/evolution of the solar wind, solar/ interplanetary coronal mass ejections, and modelling/analysis applied to Heliophyisics System Observatory missions, including Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter.  A review of applications will begin February 15th, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.

Salary and an extensive benefits package are competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Required Qualifications: (i) Ph.D. in solar/heliospheric physics, space physics, or a related field; and (ii) Strong programming expertise and numerical analysis skills.

Preferred Qualifications: (i) Experience in data-constrained modeling, forward modeling and/or data analysis; (ii) Experience with the application of computational fluid or MHD algorithms; and (iii) Experience running massively parallel computations on supercomputers. 

Duties: (i) Help support the activities of the solar physics group, including model and tool development; (ii) Pursue team and individual research in key areas of solar and heliospheric physics; and (iii) Presentation of activities at conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific publications. 

All applications must include a cover letter, CV, statement of research interests, and the names of three references.  Please send applications and/or inquiries to Meaghan Marsh at mmarsh at predsci.com.

Given the current situation with COVID-19, we anticipate that the successful candidate may need to work remotely, at least in the near term; however, the candidate must be currently eligible to work in the USA.

Predictive Science Inc. is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.


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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 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. 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR
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.

HOW TO APPLY
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: Postdoctoral Position in Moon-Plasma Interactions

From: Jasper Halekas (jasper-halekas at uiowa.edu)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa is searching for a postdoctoral research scientist to work with THEMIS-ARTEMIS data to study the interaction of plasma with the Earth's Moon in the solar wind and terrestrial magnetosphere. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with Prof. Jasper Halekas and other group members at the University of Iowa, as well as other researchers from the THEMIS-ARTEMIS team. More details and application instructions are available at (http://physics.uiowa.edu/~jhalekas/Moon-Plasma-Postdoc.html). Please contact Prof. Halekas (jasper-halekas at uiowa.edu) with any questions about the position.   


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HAO: Newkirk Graduate Research Fellowship, application deadline March 1, 2021

From: Matthias Rempel (rempel at ucar.edu)

The High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research announces the availability of Newkirk Fellowships. The Newkirk Fellowship provides financial support to graduate students for research visits to HAO, allowing for 3 to 6 months per year in a single visit. The total supported length is 9 months, which can be spread out over up to 3 years. Newkirk Fellows will work with guidance from HAO scientists and engineers on projects related to their thesis, qualifying exams, or other research projects within the scope of HAO research including study of the Earth's upper atmosphere, solar physics and solar-terrestrial physics through observation, theory and instrumentation.

To be eligible for the fellowship, the student must be enrolled full-time in a university graduate program having common interest with HAO research goals. HAO Newkirk Fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, scientific potential, and compatibility of student interest in current HAO research pursuits.

The application deadline for fellowships starting in 2021 is March 1, 2021.

Please see https://www2.hao.ucar.edu/partnerships/visitor-program/newkirk-fellowship for details on eligibility, financial support, and the application process. Contact Caitlyn Quinn Erdesz (cquinn at ucar.edu) or Matthias Rempel (rempel at ucar.edu) for further information. 


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Funded PhD Opportunity at the DLR Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Neustrelitz, Germany

From: Dimitry Pokhotelov (dimitry.pokhotelov at dlr.de)

Please find below a summary of the funded PhD study opportunity in the field of Ionospheric Plasma Physics and Radar Remote Sensing based at the Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics of German Aerospace Center (DLR). The Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics focuses on the observation, investigation and modelling of the near-Earth space weather. The PhD project focuses on the plasma-neutral interactions in the ionospheric dynamo region, where a transition from strongly collisional plasma to magnetized collisionless plasma takes place. The study involves remote sensing experiments with state-of-the-art radar systems located in Northern Scandinavia, including the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar. The proposed PhD starting date is 1 March 2021.

For further information and to apply:

https://www.dlr.de/dlr/jobs/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10596/1003_read-45608/


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