Recent News Summary

General News/UKSP Business

Nuggets

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

Jobs/Studentships

General News/UKSP Business

  • Congratulations to Prof Helen Mason OBE, Dr Giulio Del Zanna, and their colleagues for receiving the NASA Group Achievement Award!
    Recently, the CHIANTI team has been awarded a NASA Agency Honor Award in the Group Achievement category “for outstanding contributions to the scientific productivity of NASA missions and the creation of a uniquely valuable tool for spectroscopic scientists worldwide.” CHIANTI is an essential atomic database for emission lines. For more information, please visit their website: CHIANTI Database If you are aware of any awards received by your colleagues, please do let us know. Best regards, UKSP Council Giulio Del Zanna now leads the CHIANTI effort in the UK, and heads the Atomic Astrophysics Group at DAMTP, Cambridge University. Version 11 of CHIANTI, which has some significant updates, is in press.
  • STFC final SBF community update
    Please see here the latest updates with regards to STFC’s transition to the new Funding Service and the overarching Simpler and Better Funding Programme. As we have now transitioned all of our regular funding opportunities, this will be our final community update.  
  • Orbyts Impact Report
    Please see below for an announcement on our outreach initiative, which includes major contributions from the UKSP community. We are delighted to present Orbyts very first Impact Report! Read the Orbyts Impact Report 2017-2023 here: https://www.orbyts.org/impact Over the past six years we have seen the programme enable a transformational impact on young people, researchers and teachers alike and we’re excited to share that with you here. To date, Orbyts has created 100+ research partnerships, empowering 1500+ school students. We’ve increased inclusivity in post-16 STEM uptake, where students Orbyts engaged are 50+% girls, 50+% pupil premium, and identified from 48+ ethnicities. We have grown with new Hubs in North East England and Leicester, alongside expansion of our London Hub. Read the report for all the statistics on Orbyts, spotlights on the ground-breaking research being led by students, and all the exciting plans for Orbyts in 2024! We’d like to extend our thanks to all those who have and continue to support Orbyts, without whom this work would not be possible. In particular we would like to thank all the researchers and teachers for all their time and hard work. We also gratefully acknowledge support from all of our funders, including the UCL Access and Widening Participation Office, the Ogden Trust, UK Space Agency, European Research Council, EPSRC, and STFC. Orbyts currently sits precariously positioned with no financial support beyond our upcoming 2024 programme. If you think that Orbyts might be something you would like to support, then we would love to hear from you at info@orbyts.org.
  • Call for Applications to STFC Advisory Bodies and Peer Review Panels, 2024
    Do you want to play a role in developing and delivering national and international science programmes? Apply now to become a member of STFC Advisory Bodies and Peer Review Panels! The details of the call on our webpage https://www.ukri.org/about-us/stfc/how-we-are-governed/advisory-boards/call-for-applications/ Deadline 20 May 2024 STFC and UKRI are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and the diversity of its panels is a key focus. If appropriate STFC may open the call up again to encourage a wider pool of applicants and to ensure that we have a balance across the different range of representation and experiences we are seeking. We encourage to share these details with everyone in your networks and teams. If you have questions about this call, please contact psg@stfc.ukri.org
  • Input Requested on Updated SunPy Governance Structure
    Hello all, Over the last few years, we have been working on a new governance structure for the SunPy Project. This determines the leadership structure for the SunPy Project and how decisions are made within the project. Having largely reached consensus on the original draft, we have now written up a final version of this revised governance structure on GitHub. You can read this version and provide comments here: A New Governance Structure: SEP 2 Revision. The objective is to get a final review on the text and to give the community a way to express their approval (or disapproval) of these changes before they are accepted. We are not expecting to make substantive changes to the text at this point. We invite the entire solar physics community to read and offer comments on this SunPy Enhancement Proposal and approve the revised governance plan if you think it is an improvement to the existing SunPy governance structure. We kindly request that you provide feedback prior to 26 April 2024. Thank you, Stuart Mumford Lead Developer, The SunPy Project

Nuggets

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

  • UKRI STFC Astronomy Community Meeting 29 April 2024
    Dear Colleagues, UKRI STFC Astronomy Community Meeting 29 April 2024 10am-12pm STFC is going to be holding an online Astronomy Community meeting on 29 April 2024, 10-12pm. The specific purpose of the meeting is to provide an update from STFC, in particular on the changes to Science Board (PPAN – Particle Physics, Astronomy, Nuclear Physics), the development of the PPAN Roadmap by Science Board (PPAN) this year and changes to the submission process for Statements of Interest for large projects. A full presentation will be given at the meeting, however attached are a few slides outlining some of the content which will be discussed at the meeting. The slides are here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JAND5tI1SQH5Ygt3Q6wdgTUkY3cB–aI/view?usp=drive_link The meeting is open to all, however you will need to register if you would like to attend. The registration link is here: https://ukri.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iS0NAnlKSQmuSS_GCLSZng Questions can be asked on the day or submitted in advance of the meeting to Kylie Collett, kylie.collett@stfc.ukri.org.   Kind regards, Jenny Hiscock jenny.hiscock@stfc.ukri.org Associate Director, Astronomy Programmes Directorate UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council
  • RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting – “Advances in Techniques in Space Plasma Physics”, 10th May 2024 (Second Call)
    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)
  • ESWW2024 session conveners: DEADLINES
    Dear Colleagues, the deadline for submitting session proposals to the European Space Weather Week 2024 (https://esww2024.org) is approaching rapidly! Submission for Parallel and Plenary sessions closes on April 5th 2024 (https://esww2024.org/call-for-sessions/parallel-and-plenary-sessions/). Submission for Topical Discussion Meetings closes on April 19th 2024 (https://esww2024.org/call-for-sessions/topical-discussion-meetings/). The selection of sessions takes place during mid-April, and participants will be able to submit abstracts to the sessions selected from April 23rd onwards (deadline for talks: June 6th 2024). 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. We strongly encourage you to contribute ESWW programme by proposing sessions on your topics of choice. Space weather and space climate science, data exploitation, observations, service development, operational models, engineering and industrial needs will all be given equal importance. Those interested in convening a session at ESWW2024 may submit a proposal in one of the following formats: – Parallel Space Weather Research (SWR) session; these are science sessions (orals and posters) that falls within the 6 general topics pre-selected by the Programme Committee (see the description on the link above). – Parallel 100% Community-Driven (100CD) sessions are similar to SWR but with a more focused topic chosen by the conveners. – Parallel Application Pipeline (APL) sessions are meant to focus on research, development and implementation of different application pipelines, data products, forecasting and modelling tools, monitoring facilities, and alerts for end-users. – Topical Discussion Meetings (TDM), a format meant to facilitate engaging debates within the heliospheric, and space weather and space climate communities Proponents of 100CD or APL sessions will have the opportunity to request the Programme Committee to consider the promotion of their session to a plenary of 90 minutes fixed duration. 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. Looking forward to seeing you in Coimbra, Portugal! ESWW2024 LOC & Programme Committee
  • ISSS-15 and IPELS-16 Joint Conference in Germany, August 1-9, 2024
    Register Now: ISSS-15 and IPELS-16 Joint Conference in Germany, August 1-9, 2024 We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 15th International School/Symposium for Space Simulations (ISSS-15) plus 16th International Workshop on the Interrelationship between Plasma Experiments in the Laboratory and in Space (IPELS-16). The School segment of ISSS-15 is scheduled for August 1-3, 2024, followed by the combined ISSS-15 and IPELS-16 Symposium, taking place from August 5-9, 2024. The entire meeting will be hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching near Munich, which is in the beautiful Bavarian region of Germany. Key scientific themes include: – Space Plasmas – Astrophysical Plasmas – Fusion Plasmas – Basic Plasma Experiments – New Simulation Methods We are also pleased to offer student travel support for those attending ISSS-15 and IPELS-16. For comprehensive details regarding the scientific and social program, registration, abstract submission, key deadlines, and student travel support applications, please visit our event website at: https://plan.events.mpg.de/event/152 [plan.events.mpg.de] We eagerly look forward to seeing you in Garching this summer!
  • PLASMAScience summer school – Porquerolles, France; 23-29 June 2024
    Dear colleagues, We are excited to welcome applications to the first edition of the EUR (Ecole Universitaire de Recherches) PLASMAScience summer school dedicated to astrophysical plasmas that will be held in Porquerolles, France, on June 23-29, 2024. The School is a one-week, charge-free, training program for highly-motivated PhD students, post-docs and early career scientists interested in space and astrophysical plasmas. The school will bring together world leading scientists to lecture on a broad spectrum of topics and methodologies (theory, numerical simulations, laboratory experiments, observations and modern techniques of data analysis, e.g. AI/ML). The topics include heliospheric plasmas (Sun, solar wind, planetary magnetosphere), the interstellar medium (ISM), Cosmic rays, disks around compact objects/black holes, Inter-Cluster medium (ICM), etc. More information and registration can be found here: https://plasmascience.fr/ Deadline for application: April, 30th, 2024 (the number of participants is limited). Julia Stawarz (on behalf of the SOC)

Jobs/Studentships

  • Two postdoctoral positions in solar and stellar physics at HIT Shenzhen, China
    Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HIT Shenzhen), China is hiring two postdoctoral researchers for a duration of two years. The postdocs will address the fundamental physical processes responsible for impulsive energy releases in the solar and stellar atmospheres, such as flares and coronal mass ejections (CME). The main emphasis will be put on the quasi-periodic pulsations in flares, the role of oscillatory processes in CMEs, and the exploitation of the solar-stellar analogy. The project is jointly led by Professor Ding Yuan (HIT Shenzhen) and Professor Valery Nakariakov (University of Warwick, UK). The project is dedicated to analysis of data obtained with modern EUV, X-ray, white light, and radio observational facilities, analytical studies, and high-performance numerical simulations, including forward modelling of plasma emissions. The postdocs will be based at the dynamic and cosmopolitan Shenzhen campus of Harbin Institute of Technology, located in one of the most modern and advanced cities in China. The annual salary is around 240k RMB. The candidates shall possess a PhD in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics, machine learning or related field. Experience in numerical simulation of plasma processes is a strong plus. Applicants shall send an e-mail with a CV, publication list and references (at least two) to yuanding@hit.edu.cn. The position will remain open until filled, with priority for applications received before end of August. Feel free to reach out with any informal inquiries to V.Nakariakov@warwick.ac.uk.
  • Applying for a Fellowship to be hosted at Northumbria University – Expressions of Interest – deadline 3rd June 2024
    If you would like Northumbria University to act as the host institution for your 2024 fellowship application, including for the STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, the Royal Society University Research Fellowship and the NERC Independent Research Fellowship, then an expression of interest (EOI) form is now open at https://forms.office.com/e/2H0zL8rjkP with an internal deadline of Monday 3rd June 2024. The Solar and Space Physics group (https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/mathematics-physics-and-electrical-engineering/research/solar-and-space-physics/ ) is a large and successful group, and currently includes 2x STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellows (Dr Stephanie Yardley, Dr John Coxon), 2x Royal Society University Research Fellow (Dr Julia Stawarz, Dr Luca Franci), 1x NERC Independent Research Fellow (Dr Andy Smith) and 1x Future Leader Fellow (Dr Richard Morton). All EOIs will be reviewed by senior staff within the University and candidates will be informed of the outcome in early July 2024 (so there is plenty of time to develop a successful application). Further information about each fellowship opportunity is available when you start completing the relevant section. If you are interested in more than one Fellowship, please start a new form for each opportunity. For informal questions, please contact a member of the research group and/or contact Professor James McLaughlin james.a.mclaughlin@northumbria.ac.uk
  • Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Reader in Applied Mathematics
    A permanent position in Applied Mathematics is now open at the University of Glasgow. The Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (GAFD) Group at Glasgow is keen to attract top candidates whose research can complement and expand our current expertise. For more details of the group’s activities, please follow the link: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/mathematicsstatistics/research/maths/gafluids/ To apply for the position, please follow the link: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DHF628/lecturer-senior-lecturer-reader-in-applied-mathematics The deadline is 19th May 2024. For informal information, please feel free to contact me, David MacTaggart, by email (david.mactaggart@glasgow.ac.uk).
  • Postdoctoral Researcher Position at the National Observatory of Athens
    We are looking for an expert to work on the “Scientific Analysis” of very high energy particles at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), Greece. Positions’ code: SPEAR1. Preferably this postdoctoral position seeks for candidates with relevant experience in research projects but also recent graduates, to be included in NOA’s research activities, can apply. Further details and how to apply: https://spearhead-he.eu/open-vacancy-at-the-institute-for-astronomy-astrophysics-space-applications-and-remote-sensing-iaasars-of-the-national-observatory-of-athens-noa/ This is a fixed term-position for an 18-months contract with possible renewal for another year (12 months). Closing date: 11 April 2024 Start date: 01 June 2024 For questions and inquires please contact spearhead@noa.gr
  • 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