Recent News Summary

General News/UKSP Business

Nuggets

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

Jobs/Studentships


General News/UKSP Business

  • The deadline for two AGU award nominations is the 27th of March
    We strongly encourage our colleagues to nominate a deserving colleague for the following awards:

    Fred L. Scarf Award

    This prize is annually awarded to one honoree in recognition of an outstanding thesis result that contributes directly to solar-planetary science. Honours include a $1,000 monetary prize. (https://www.agu.org/honors/scarf)

    Nominees must be an active AGU member and completed requirements for a Ph.D. degree (or other terminal degree) during the 17-months prior to the award presentation year.

    Only the nominee’s research advisors are eligible nominators.

    AGU Union Fellow

    AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery, or innovation in their field. Fellows act as external experts, capable of advising government agencies and other organizations outside the sciences upon request. (https://www.agu.org/honors/union-fellows)

    Nominees must be an experienced scientist and an established leader in the field (minimum eligibility criteria is more than 10 years post PhD) and an AGU member for the past three consecutive years.

    Nominators/co-nominators must be active AGU members.

  • UKSA Mars Exploration Open Community Session
    The UK Space Agency Exploration Team is hosting a Mars Exploration open community session to look back at past Mars Exploration endeavours significant to the UK as well as looking ahead, to help UKSA shape the future of UK Mars Exploration Science. UKSA Mars Exploration Open Community Session Thursday 6 June 2024 10:00-16:30 Natural History Museum, London This event will also be an opportunity to celebrate and thank Sue Horne MBE, former Head of Space Exploration at UKSA, who is retiring at the end of March. Agenda Morning: Overview of key missions, and their UK Science community Afternoon: Looking at future opportunities for the Mars Science community & Discussion session on the future of Mars Science in the UK To ensure we are able to cater appropriately, please include your contact details in this form to indicate you are attending, and to receive further information about the event. Many thanks and best regards, Alma Puts Keren
  • EC-ORP Multi-Facility – Call for Proposals – Single-point access to multiple world-leading Optical/IR/Radio astronomy facilities
    Dear all, We are pleased to announce you the launch of the new ORP Multi-Facility call for proposals! This call for proposals is aimed at observing programmes that require multiple astronomical observing facilities to deliver unique scientific programmes. It is an opportunity to request observing time on multiple facilities through a single scientific proposal and evaluation process. Access is provided to more than eighteen individual facilities, including world-class optical, radio and infrared telescopes. Deadline for submission: 9 April 2024 – at 14:00 UTC/15:00 BST/16:00 CEST There are no constraints on the scientific areas that can be proposed. Observation programmes must involve at least two ORP facilities. Requests for non-simultaneous (non-time-critical) or time-critical/sensitive observations (e.g. contemporary or with the requested cadence) will be considered. For more information about the call and how to submit a proposal, please visit : https://www.orp-h2020.eu/ORP-multi-facility-call [orp-h2020.eu] This call, including radio facilities, is run in coordination with the ORP-CTAC optical facility call for proposals which can be found here : https://www.orp-h2020.eu/optical-call-2024B [deadline 11-March-2024] Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone who might be interested. Thank you for your attention. Contact ta-call@orp-h2020.eu for any advice, technical or scientific questions. On behalf of the Opticon-RadioNet Pilot project. Rob Beswick Professor of Astrophysics, The University of Manchester Joint-Director, UK’s SKA Science Regional Centre – https://www.uksrc.org Head of Science Operations & Support, e-MERLIN/VLBI National Radio Astronomy Facility – www.e-merlin.ac.uk
  • Access to High Performance Computing facilities 2024
    Please be advised EPSRC, on behalf of the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI), has launched an opportunity on the UKRI Funding Service for access to high performance computing facilities which STFC and other communities may like to apply to. This opportunity provides an open and flexible route to computational support for high quality projects across the entire UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) remit. The scope of the call includes but not limited to:
    • extended feasibility or proof of concept studies (at a larger scale than is possible in pump priming projects)
    • computational projects which may not warrant a full grant application
    • computational projects linking consecutive grant applications or aiding the preparation of a full grant or fellowship application
    • large amounts of compute for ambitious, computationally intensive simulations and calculations
    • collaborations with industrial and international partners
    • increase the development of computational science skills, such as allowing students to work jointly with project leads to achieve the aims of the proposed research, leading to improved software and coding skills, and career paths
    We particularly encourage applications that:
    • involve early career researchers
    • onboard and train new users
    • significantly push the boundaries in computational research using High Performance Computing (HPC) in your field
    This application process is purely for computing resources for up to 12 months. No funding is available to successful applicants. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. The opportunity closes on 23 April 2024 4:00pm UK time. A webinar will be held on 12 March 2024 at 11:00am
  • Congratulations to Mike Lockwood and Mat Owens for receiving the “Editors’ Choice” award from Solar Physics
    In each volume of the journal Solar Physics, a few articles are marked as “Editors’ Choice”. The primary criterion is original, high-quality research that is of wide interest within the community. Recently, Mike Lockwood and Mat Owens from the University of Reading had their paper marked as “Editors’ Choice”. We would like to congratulate them on their success. The paper itself: Lockwood, M., Owens, M. Reconstruction of Carrington Rotation Means of Open Solar Flux over the Past 154 Years. Sol Phys 299, 28 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-024-02268-0 Furthermore, if you are aware of anyone in our community who has been recognised or awarded in any way, please let us know. We are eager to share these achievements within our community.

Nuggets

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

  • Save the Date for SDO 2025 Science Workshop: A Gathering of the Helio-hive!
    The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) invites you to the SDO 2025 Science Workshop: A Gathering of the Helio-hive, to be held February 24-28, 2025, at the Center Green in Boulder, CO. All members of the science community are welcome and encouraged to attend. The fifteen years since the launch of SDO has seen papers describing wide ranges of science results from this mission. Join us during the maximum of Solar Cycle 25 to discuss what we have learned about the Sun and compare the new cycle and those in the past. To accommodate the interest in multiple research topics, SDO 2025 will include parallel sessions on developments in helioseismology and coronal modeling. Any research result using SDO data can be submitted as a contribution to the workshop. Invited speakers will introduce 7 themed sessions spanning SDO‘s wide range of research topics:
    • Solar Internal Dynamics and Structure
    • From Creation to Emergence: Magnetic Fields of the Sun
    • Coronal Dynamics: Unveiling the Origins of the Solar Wind
    • Energetic Outbursts: Deciphering Solar Flares, CMEs, and SEPs
    • Impacts of Solar Variability on Earth, Other Planets, and Space Weather
    • Next Horizon: the Future Solar and Heliophysics Missions
    • Stellar insights from the SDO Observations
    There will also be one day of parallel mini-workshops and an EUV calibration workshop. Registration, abstract submission, and other information about SDO 2025 will be available at http://sdo2025.sdo-workshops.org/. Please send a message to SDO2025sw@gmail.com to receive further information about this workshop. SDO 2025 Science Organizing Committee
  • RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting – “Advances in Techniques in Space Plasma Physics”, 10th May 2024
    Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a RAS Specialist Discussion meeting on “Advances in Techniques in Space Plasma Physics”. This meeting will be held on Friday 10th May 2024, 10:30 – 15:35 at Burlington House, London and online. https://www.ras.ac.uk/events-and-meetings/ras-meetings/advances-techniques-space-plasma-physics Space plasma is highly variable and susceptible to energy redistribution, acceleration, and transport due to space weather and physical phenomena. Understanding the response and conditions of space plasma is vital in understanding the dynamics of plasma regions, which stretch from the Sun far past the Earth. This meeting aims to understand how advances in techniques shape a global picture of the behaviour of solar-planetary interaction by bringing together a range of different emerging observational, numerical, and computational methods applied to different solar-planetary environments to gain a large-scale insight on the development of space plasma understanding using modern techniques. We invite abstracts pertaining to all topical areas of space plasma physics, with an emphasis on emerging techniques including, but not limited to, machine learning, numerical modelling, data assimilation and forecasting techniques. Confirmed invited speakers on techniques in space plasma physics include Connor O’Brien (University of Boston), Jonas Suni (University of Helsinki) and Sanita Vetra-Carvalho (Spire Global Ltd). The programme will feature talks and time for open discussion and a poster session. If you are working on space plasma physics (modelling or observational) then please consider submitting an abstract and attending the one-day meeting in London. To reduce the barriers in attendance this meeting has a hybrid option. There is funding available to attend for UK students who wish to present relevant work. Please get in touch ASAP if you are a student and need financial support to attend. The deadline for abstracts is the 12th April 2024: https://forms.gle/wPrB7DcXZM1oobpF9 Please note registration only opens a month prior to the meeting, and further details will be sent in due course. Thanks, Shannon Killey On behalf of convenors Shannon Killey (Northumbria University), Sarah Bentley (Northumbria University), Alexandra Fogg (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies), Matthew Lang (British Antarctic Survey), Rachel Black (British Antarctic Survey, University of Exeter)
  • European Space Weather Week (ESWW): Session and TDM call for ESWW2024 plus announcement of host city for ESWW2027
    The European Space Weather Week (ESWW) conference is an excellent opportunity for people from all over the world to gather and discuss the most recent insights in space weather and in space climate, and to address the emerging challenges and impacts. Science, data exploitation, observations, service development, operational models, engineering and industrial needs are all important aspects of space weather that are addressed. In line with this, the overarching theme for ESWW2024 in Coimbra (4th – 8th November 2024) is “20 years of expanding horizons, from fundamental science to protecting society”. The ESWW2024 website can be found here: https://esww2024.org As in previous editions, the conference will be held in hybrid format. One of the strengths of ESWW is that participants can contribute significantly to its content through parallel sessions, plenary sessions and Topical Discussion Meetings (TDM). Parallel and plenary session submissions are open until Wed 27th March 2024 (inclusive). Those interested in convening a session at ESWW2024 may submit a proposal in one of the following three formats:
    •  Parallel Space Weather Research (SWR)
    •  Parallel 100% Community-Driven (100CD)
    •  Parallel Application Pipeline (APL)
    Proponents of 100CD or APL sessions will have the opportunity to request the Programme Committee (PC) consider the promotion of their session to a plenary of 90 minutes fixed duration. More detailed information and submission instructions can be found on the website: https://esww2024.org/call-for-sessions/parallel-and-plenary-sessions/ A TDM aims at active and engaging participation and interaction between the participants. The participants work and discuss on a predefined theme or problem, ideally heading towards an outcome or target. TDMs at ESWW2024 will be 1 hour in duration and the call for convening TDMs is now open with a submission deadline of 10th April 2024 (inclusive): https://esww2024.org/call-for-sessions/topical-discussion-meetings/ The PC strongly encourages those who have not previously proposed a session, to do so. In line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we welcome and encourage applications from conveners of all backgrounds, including but not limited to, different career stages, geographical locations, ability, genders, and ethnicities. The website will be updated with additional guidelines for sessions and TDMs in the coming days. Additional events/meetings may be planned for the period preceding ESWW, more information is available here: https://esww2024.org/call-for-sessions/additional-events-around-esww2024/ Recently the European Space Weather Week (ESWW) Programme Committee (PC) announced that the 2025 and 2026 editions of the conference will be held in Umeå, Sweden and Firenze, Italy respectively. The ESWW PC is now pleased to announce the selected host city for ESWW in 2027 is Dublin, Ireland. As with Sweden and Italy, Ireland has an active and prominent space weather community, and this will be the first occasion that it will be host the event.
  • WISA Workshop 2025 — Call for Host Proposals & Committee Updates
    The Waves and Instabilities in the Solar Atmosphere (WISA) Committee announces a call for proposals to host the upcoming WISA workshop during the summer of 2025. Focused on the latest advancements in the observations and modelling of waves and instabilities in the solar atmosphere, WISA workshops (formerly known as BUKS) provide engaging forums with substantial opportunities for in-depth discussions. Previous workshops have successfully gathered around 80-100 participants, bringing together experts, researchers, and students in a collaborative and vibrant environment. We aim to continue this tradition of insightful exchange and learning in the 2025 workshop. If you are interested in hosting the workshop, please submit a single PDF (maximum 2 pages) describing:
    • The Location (the proposed venue)
    • Available Facilities
    •  Estimated Registration Fee (keeping in mind the goal of making the workshop accessible to a diverse range of participants)
    • Accommodation Options
    •  Any Additional Information (anything else you deem relevant to support your proposal)
    Please email your proposal to shahin.jafarzadeh@mps.mpg.de. The deadline for submission is June 30th, 2024. WISA Committee Updates We are pleased to announce composition of the new WISA Committee (in alphabetic order): Iñigo Arregui, Dipankar Banerjee, Anne-Marie Broomhall, Shahin Jafarzadeh (new member), Petra Kohutova (new member), Bo Li, Richard Morton. We extend our sincere gratitude to Tom Van Doorsselaere and Mihalis Mathioudakis for their dedicated service to the committee over the past years. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping WISA workshops.
  • Save the date: Solar MHD II 2024
    We are pleased to announce the second Solar MHD conference. This second meeting will focus on connecting MHD simulations to observations. Venue : Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain Date : First week of September 2024 The conference will be scheduled over 3.5 days, including a blend of hands-on sessions and talks. https://pdg.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/seminars-and-conferences/solar-mhd-2024 We will be announcing more information on the workshops and invited speakers soon! In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us: Malcolm Druett (malcolm.druett@kuleuven.be) Rahul Sharma (rahul4.sharma@northumbria.ac.uk) Suzana S. A. Silva (suzana.silva@sheffield.ac.uk)

Jobs/Studentships

  • Doctoral Researcher Position at University of Turku
    The Space Research Laboratory at University of Turku, Finland invites applications for contract-based, fixed term Doctoral Researcher (PhD studentship)/Project Researcher position for 3 years. The starting time of the position is 1st of September 2024 (or upon mutual agreement). The Space Research Laboratory in the Department of Physics and Astronomy is a leading European space physics group specialised both in observations and theoretical/computational modelling of space plasmas and solar energetic particles. We are now opening a doctoral researcher/project researcher position for 3 years, funded by a Research Council of Finland project ‘SolShocks’. This position will focus on imaging and spectroscopy of radio shock signatures from the Sun with the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR). Apply between 14 March 2024 and 28 March 2024 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki). For further information about the position, please contact: Academy Research Fellow Diana Morosan (diana.morosan@utu.fi). More details and the application form can be found on the following link: https://ats.talentadore.com/apply/vaitoskirjatutkija-projektitutkija/ZYkbV9?lang=en
  • Instrumentation Scientist III position in High Altitude Observatory
    Job Description Summary: We are excited to announce that the High Altitude Observatory (HAO), one of the NCAR’s seven labs, has an opening for an Instrumentation Scientist III position.  This position develops and operates state-of-the-art observational and experimental instruments in solar physics, with particular emphasis on their application to research. Application Notes Job Location: Boulder, CO Job Type: Hybrid (minimum of 2 days a week is required to be on-site) Position Type & Term:  This will be a full-time, regular position after Appointments Review Group (ARG)* ​approval.  Compensation Range- Annual salary range: $123,001 – $153,750 *Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.* NOTE: This position will be hired as Instrumentation Scientist III and moved to Research Engineer III after the Appointments Review Group (ARG)* ​approval is completed. *Appointments Review Group (ARG) is the NCAR ladder-track appointments process. Work Authorization: YES Visa sponsorship IS Available for this position Relocation Assistance: YES Relo IS Available for this position Apply here: https://ucar.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UCAR_Careers/details/Research-Engineer-III—Instrumentation-Scientist-III_REQ-2024-46-2 This position will receive applications until March 31, 2024  (may be extended)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher position in Solar Magnetohydrodynamics at the University of Dundee
    We are recruiting for an exceptional individual to join the Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and Astrophysics group at the University of Dundee as a Postdoctoral Researcher, to study the long-term evolution of the Sun’s global coronal magnetic field. The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of MHD and will have experience in computational MHD/hydrodynamics and code development. Topics will include setup and analysis of long-term surface flux transport and coronal magnetic field simulations constrained by solar observations. For further details and to apply: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DGF282/postdoctoral-research-assistant-uod1358 This is a fixed-term appointment for 17 months. Closing date: 1st April 2024 Start date: 6th May 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Karen Meyer: kmeyer001@dundee.ac.uk
  • PhD Studentship at UCLan on Forecasting Solar Energetic Particle Risk for Space Weather
    Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship in the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI), within the School of Engineering and Computing at the University of Central Lancashire, on Forecasting Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) risk for Space Weather. The successful candidate will work on a physics-based SEP forecasting tool, and analyse SEP events to investigate the significance of different physical processes on the accuracy of the SEP forecasts. The work is performed in collaboration with JHI and Met Office personnel. The studentship is funded through the UCLan Doctoral Training Centre for Industry Collaboration and is tenable for up to 3.5 years full-time [subject to satisfactory progress]. Both Home and EU/International Applicants may apply but EU/International Applicants will be required to pay the difference in tuition fees between the UK and EU/International fee rates. The studentship will provide successful applicants with an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (Currently £18,622 per year), subject to satisfactory progress. It is expected the successful applicant will commence in September 2024. Applications are due on 11th March 2024. To apply, see instructions at https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships Please quote the studentship Reference Number DTC12-22-34 For further information, see https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/forecasting-solar-energetic-particle-risk-for-space-weather/?p169004 Informal project-related enquiries about the post can be made to Timo Laitinen (tlmlaitinen@uclan.ac.uk).
  • Two Funded PhD Opportunities – Solar and Magnetospheric Theory at the University of St Andrews
    The Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group (SMTG) in the School and Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, is looking for applicants for two funded PhD projects for a start in September/October 2024. One project will be supervised by Dr Alexander Russell (ar51@st-andrews.ac.uk), funded by the School and Mathematics and Statistics, on the subject of either Turbulent magnetic reconnection or Waves and instabilities in weakly-collisional plasmas. The other project will be supervised by Dr Tom Elsden (te55@st-andrews.ac.uk), funded by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), in the area of Modelling ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves in Earth’s magnetosphere. Information about the PhD programme and application process, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/mathematics-statistics/prospective/pgr/ . The selection process will start on 1 March 2024 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified. Please find further details on the University of St Andrews and the specific research projects below: Supervised by Dr Alexander Russell:
    • A: Turbulent magnetic reconnection: Magnetic reconnection is responsible for many of the Sun’s most spectacular events including solar flares that affect technology at Earth. Understanding how magnetic reconnection works in the Sun, and especially the role of turbulence, is an important scientific goal that is currently making new progress thanks to insights from the latest-generation computer simulations. Your research in this area could include exploring how the reconnection process depends on global properties of the system or using mathematical tools to investigate the topology of magnetic fields inside the reconnection layer.
    • B: Waves and instabilities in weakly-collisional plasmas: The Sun’s corona (its outer atmosphere) has a temperature above one million Celsius, which is more than 100 times hotter than its visible surface. Maintaining this extremely high temperature requires heating, at least some of which is believed to be caused by waves and turbulence. Most mathematical knowledge about coronal heating by waves is based on a mathematical description called MHD, which unfortunately becomes invalid where key processes occur. The goal for this project is to investigate how coronal heating by waves extends to more suitable models that allow for pressure anisotropy.
    Supervised by Dr Tom Elsden:
    • Modelling ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves in Earth’s magnetosphere: ULF waves are large scale and low frequency oscillations of Earth’s magnetic field which transport energy and momentum throughout the magnetosphere. They also play an important role in the acceleration of particles trapped in Earth’s magnetic field to high energies, which create a dangerous environment for satellites and astronauts. This project will involve magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) computational modelling of these waves, as well as considering how they may contribute to particle acceleration. The emphasis of the project is computational/numerical and we expect the successful candidate to have coding experience or aptitude for numerical work.
    The minimum academic entry requirement is a UK upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Applied Mathematics, Physics or a closely related subject. Apart from excellent academic qualifications, we expect applicants to have the motivation and enthusiasm to enable them to successfully work on an extended research project in solar and magnetospheric theory. The SMTG currently has 8 academic staff, 5 PDRAs and 10 PhD students. It is one of three research groups in the Applied Mathematics Division of the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews. Both the SMTG and the Applied Mathematics Division run research seminar programmes during semester to help students develop a broad knowledge of their subject. The School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of St Andrews values diversity and nurtures an inclusive community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect regardless of individual characteristics such as age, gender, disability, religion or ethnicity. It is firmly committed to the progression of women, and other historically under-represented groups, in mathematics and holds a Bronze Award of the Athena SWAN programme for women in science. A growing proportion of our Ph.D. students are women, currently approximately 40%. The school supports the principles of the London Mathematical Society Good Practice Scheme.