The Department of Physics at Umeå University in Sweden invites applications for a PhD position in modeling Mercury’s magnetosphere using advanced numerical simulations and spacecraft observations.

The purpose of the PhD project is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interaction between the solar wind and Mercury during extreme solar events (e.g., Coronal Mass Ejections) using Amitis, a state-of-the-art hybrid-kinetic plasma model (https://www.amitiscode.com). By comparing model results with NASA’s MESSENGER and ESA’s/JAXA’s BepiColombo observations, the research aims to deepen our understanding of Mercury’s magnetosphere and its dynamic system. The project foresees ample collaborative opportunities with international research groups, including the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF, Rome) and the University of Michigan (USA).

– The application deadline is February 28, 2025.
– The expected start date is September 1, 2025, or as agreed.

For more information about the project and learn how to apply for the position, please visit:
https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/phd-position-in-experimental-physics-with-focus-on-mercurys-magnetosphere_783546/… continue to the full article

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Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate position at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The successful applicant will use theory, data analysis, and computation to improve our ability to model the dynamical evolution of solar active regions, which are responsible for solar activity including solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Flares and CMEs are the most energetic events in the solar system and can create hazardous conditions in our local space environment.

This project involves: developing a predictive capability for the evolution of the Sun’s surface magnetic field, using physical models, machine learning and observational data; creating ensemble data-driven simulations of active regions in the Sun’s atmosphere; applying the ensemble modelling to predict solar eruptions from first principles, and forecasting their physical properties. The project is funded by the Australian Research Council through a Discovery Project grant on “Ensemble Modelling of Space Weather Drivers”. The successful applicant will work within a research team that includes Prof David Pontin and Dr Hannah Schunker (Univ. Newcastle), Prof Michael Wheatland (Univ. Sydney) and Dr Mark Cheung (CSIRO).

As the ideal candidate, you will have a PhD in solar physics, (space) plasma physics, astrophysics, weather/climate modelling, applied mathematics or similar subject. Key responsibilities:
• analyse solar data, develop numerical models for coronal magnetic fields, and apply and test the models
• collaborate closely with members of the research team and external researchers, and assist students in research projects
• undertake domestic and international travel to meet the goals of the project
• publish results in high-impact journals
• communicate results at local and international meetings.

For the full advert and a link to the position description and application procedure, see
https://www.livehire.com/careers/universityofnewcastle/job/RK3FP/4BAMJ6GOA0/postdoctoral-research-associate

The position is available until August 2026 in the first instance, with possibility of extension, and the closing date is the 22nd of January (Australia Eastern Time). Preference will be given to applicants who are eligible to work in Australia and/or are available to start in the near future. Enquiries should be directed to Prof David Pontin (David.Pontin@newcastle.edu.au)… continue to the full article

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Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position in Solar Physics for up to 1.5 years in the first instance, beginning on 1st April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is funded by STFC and an extension will be contingent upon future funding and performance. The post is within the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) in the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). The successful candidate will work primarily on the analysis and interpretation of Lyman-alpha observations of solar flares from space-based observatories such as SORCE/SOLSTICE, GOES-R/EXIS, MAVEN/EUM, Solar Orbiter/EUI, ASO-S/LST, and SDO/EVE, in preparation for the launch of Solar-C in 2028.

More details can be found at https://hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=036226Pv7F&WVID=6273090Lgx&LANG=USA

Deadline is 20th January 2025.

Please contact Ryan Milligan (r.milligan@qub.ac.uk) for more information.… continue to the full article

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Please find information via the link below about a research assistant position at the University of Glasgow to work on the project “Hybrid dynamo models of magnetic cycles in the solar convection zone.” The deadline is January 3rd.

https://my.corehr.com/pls/uogrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=161612

For any informal inquiries, please contact radostin.simitev@glasgow.ac.uk or david.mactaggart@glasgow.ac.uk.

Best wishes,
David MacTaggart… continue to the full article

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The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship (up to 4 years) and a 4-year Hamilton PhD Scholarship focussed on geomagnetic storms and their technological impacts using data from the Magnetic Network of Ireland (www.magie.ie). The researchers will undertake data analysis and modelling of magnetic and electric fields in Ireland, and how they respond to solar activity on short-timescales. In addition, they will be involved in modelling geomagnetically induced currents in the Irish power grid.

More information can be found at https://www.dias.ie/magie-postdoc and https://www.dias.ie/magie-postgrad. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2025.

At DIAS we are committed to building an inclusive scientific community, distinguished by scientific excellence, gender balance, and diversity.… continue to the full article

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The Department of Physics at Umeå University is offering two full-time PhD positions (100% for 4 years) focused on advancing our understanding of the icy moons of the Solar System.

– PhD Position on Modeling Water Plumes on Icy Moons. Supervisor: Dr. Shahab Fatemi (shahab.fatemi@umu.se)

– PhD Position on Investigating Aurora on Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede. Supervisor: Dr. Herbert Gunell (herbert.gunell@umu.se)

We are seeking two exceptional candidates to join our dynamic research group. Both projects will leverage advanced numerical models combined with spacecraft and telescopic observations to explore water plumes on icy moons and aurora on Ganymede. The findings will contribute to the growing field of icy moon science and provide essential insights for planning future observations and missions (e.g., ESA’s JUICE mission). Applicants should have a documented background in one or more of the following topics: Space Physics, Plasma Physics, Astrophysics, Engineering Physics, Computational Physics, Electrodynamics, Statistical Physics, and Fluid Dynamics. Previous experience or knowledge in data analysis and programming skills (e.g., Python, Matlab, Fortran, and/or C/C++) is essential. Fluency in English is mandatory.

The application deadline is February 28, 2025, and the expected start date is September 1, 2025 (or as agreed).

Interested candidates should apply for each position separately via the Umeå University e-recruitment system Varbi. For more information and to submit your application, please visit the following links:

PhD Position on Investigating Aurora on Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede
https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/phd-position-in-experimental-physics-with-focus-on-the-aurora-at-jupiters-moon-ganymede_781300/

PhD Position in Modeling Water Plumes on Icy Moons:
https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/phd-position-in-experimental-physics-with-focus-on-modeling-water-plumes-of-the-icy-moons—_781375/… continue to the full article

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Full-time fixed-term contract (until 31 March 2026 with the possibility of extension contingent on further funding)

Closing date: 7-Jan-2025

For full details and to apply, please visit https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=22251

The Department of Physics at Imperial College London is recruiting two postdoctoral positions in space plasma physics in the following areas:

•       Magnetic reconnection, working with Prof. Jonathan Eastwood (jonathan.eastwood@imperial.ac.uk). You will address critical, fundamental questions about how magnetic reconnection works, and how it releases stored magnetic energy. More specifically, you will examine the nature of magnetic reconnection energy transport and conversion in different plasma regimes, and how energy partition is modified within reconnection exhausts. The work will contrast heliospheric observations from ESA’s Solar Orbiter and NASA’s Parker Solar Probe with magnetospheric measurements made by NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. In doing this work you will collaborate with a variety of international partners based around these mission teams and wider activities in reconnection theory and modelling.

•       The near-Sun solar wind, working with Prof. Tim Horbury (t.horbury@imperial.ac.uk). Using data from Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo, you will study the structure and dynamics of the inner heliosphere, including transient phenomena such as switchbacks, and large-scale magnetic field morphology as Solar Orbiter moves out of the ecliptic. You will combine both remote sensing and in situ data to link events to their solar origins. You will be joining an active group in solar wind physics, and collaborate widely with the wider heliospheric community in Europe and the USA.

For further questions or queries about each role, please contact the relevant PI of the position you are interested in and please visit https://www.imperial.ac.uk/space-and-atmospheric-physics/research/ for more information about space physics research at Imperial.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. You can read more about our commitment here https://www.imperial.ac.uk/equality/.

Imperial is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation.

For full details and to apply, please visit https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=22251… continue to the full article

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The rise of satellite mega-constellations in low Earth orbit is unlocking the possibility of ubiquitous global monitoring of our planet. This Research Associate in Mega-Constellation Space Physics will explore the potential of harnessing mega-constellations for monitoring the solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere interaction to advance space weather science and operations.

By becoming a key member of the exciting UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project “Harnessing mega-constellations to probe space weather globally” in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London (UK), you will undertake original research exploring how satellite mega-constellation could dramatically improve upon current capabilities. You will develop global spatiotemporal fitting and data assimilation methods for mega-constellation magnetic field observations to unveil the dynamic magnetosphere – ionosphere current systems present. These methods will be tested using Imperial’s global magnetospheric simulations to understand the capabilities of current and future satellite constellations for space weather operations and science. Ultimately the methods will be applied to data collected from Eutelsat OneWeb’s Gen1 mega-constellation of over 630 satellites to advance our current scientific and operational capabilities in space weather. Through this work you will not only set new directions for space missions and satellite operators, but also improve our understanding of the dynamics of the solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere interaction in general.

We are looking for people with knowledge of the solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere interaction, and practical experience in a broad range of techniques including satellite observations, computer simulations, or theoretical analysis.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 5 January 2025.

The post is for 3 years, with possibility of extension subject to funding.

For full details see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=21670&jobTitle=Research+Associate+in+Mega-Constellation+Space+Physics

If you are thinking of applying, you are encouraged to contact the project PI Dr Martin Archer (m.archer10@imperial.ac.uk).… continue to the full article

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Applications are sought for a Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work with Prof Ineke De Moortel and Dr Paolo Pagano (University of Palermo) conducting research for a Leverhulme Trust funded project entitled Joining up an Unprecedent View of our Sun. The successful applicant will have (or be near to completion of) a PhD in Solar Physics with expertise in MHD code development and running and analysing 3D numerical MHD simulations. Experience in observational data analysis is also desirable.

The post is fixed term for 3 years starting as soon as possible.

The application deadline is 5th January 2025 – https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/4317/0/441844/889/research-fellow-ar2594rh… continue to the full article

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Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Solar Physics and Space Weather Research Group at Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers locally and internationally as part of the EU Horizon Europe ARCAFF project on the preparation of data for and the development and training of deep learning models for flare forecasting. The position is available for up to one year.

The deadline for applications is 5 December – check out https://dias.ie/arcaff-postdoc for more details!

At DIAS we are committed to building an inclusive scientific community, distinguished by scientific excellence, gender balance, and diversity.… continue to the full article

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