UK Solar Physics Newsletter Lyndsay Fletcher & Duncan Mackay, Editors April 1st 2009 o News, Views and Gossip o UKSP Council - new PDRA representative sought. o Congratulations to Kenneth Phillips. o Albrecht Krueger (1933 - 2009). o Preliminary payload for Solar Orbiter. o New Highlight of Solar Radio Physics. o NESTA FameLab 2009. o Public Release of VAULT-II Data & Website Update o UK Research Councils' on-line Je-S system extended to include peer review o RHESSI Science Nugget - "Chree Analysis for Flares" o MIST business meeting and Space Weather Splinter meeting @ NAM o 2009 RAS Council election o Meetings, Conferences and Workshops o Chinese-British Summer School on Solar and Solar-Terrestrial Research o STFC International Undergraduate Summer School. o Solar analogs II -- First Announcement. o ST07: Magnetic structuring of the Solar Atmosphere as Drivers of Variability o Heliophysics Summer School (second announcement). o Solar Wind 12 International Conference - Third Announcement o SDO and the Lifecycle of the Solar Magnetic Field, a Session at the SPD Meeting o SOLAR CORONAL LOOPS WORKSHOP IV o UK MHD, June 3 - 4 2009 - Second Announcement o IAGA 11th Scientific Assembly, August 23-30, 2009: Session IV.01: "New Solar and Interplanetary Results" o Employment Opportunities o Post-doc position at Newcastle University o Postdoc position at Leicester o POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AT THE K.U. LEUVEN WITHIN THE SOLAIRE NETWORK o POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AT MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR SOLAR SYSTEM RESEARCH WITHIN THE SOLAIRE NETWORK o Job Announcement: Satellite Product Development Scientist/Developer o Postdoctoral Research Appointment in theoretical asteroseismology o Postdoctoral Position in Solar Physics at KIS, Freiburg, Germany o Tenure Track Position in Solar Physics at KIS, Freiburg, Germany o STFC-funded PhD Studentship at DAMTP, University of Cambridge Dear Colleague, Here are a few items which have come to our attention since the last Newsletter. You can find this newsletter also at the UKSP website: http://www.uksolphys.org Lyndsay (lyndsay@astro.gla.ac.uk) Duncan (duncan@mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk) ********************************************************************* * * * News, Views and Gossip * * * ********************************************************************* From: Lyndsay Fletcher UKSP Council - new PDRA representative sought Candidates are sought for election to a vacancy on the UKSP Council for a PDRA representative. Candidates should hold a PDRA position carrying out solar physics or closely-related research at a recognised UK institute and have at least one full year's funding remaining as of April 2009 Please send nominations (comprising name of candidate, name of proposer, contact information, and a short statement from the candidate) to the UKSP Secretary (Duncan Mackay, duncan@mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk) by Monday 6th April. The election will take place by electronic ballot shortly after the JENAM meeting. The UKSP Council would like to take the opportunity to thank the outgoing PDRA representative, Michelle Murray, for her invaluable contribution to the council over the last year. ************************************ From : Lyndsay Fletcher Congratulations to Kenneth Phillips for being awarded the Gold Medal of Wroclaw University. ***************************************** From: Klein Karl-Ludwig Albrecht Krueger (1933 - 2009) Dear colleagues, It is our sad duty to inform the solar physics community that our colleague Dr. habil. Albrecht Krueger died on March 15, 2009, after suffering from a long and heavy disease. He studied Geophysics at the Humboldt University of Berlin and worked thereafter all his life in the field of Solar Radio Astronomy. He began his scientific career at the Heinrich-Hertz-Institute Berlin-Adlershof, where he carried out his PHD research. Later, he was with the Central Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the German Democratic Republic. From 1992 until his retirement in the year 1998 Albrecht Krueger worked at the newly founded Astrophysical Institute Potsdam. He was involved in the observation of long time series of solar microwave emission on several standard single frequencies carried out at the observing site in Berlin-Adlershof. He got experienced about the observation and statistics of solar microwave bursts and was among the first to exploit spectral diagrams in flux and polarization degree in the microwave range, and broad band spectral diagrams of complex solar outbursts from single frequency records in the microwave, decimeter and meter wave band. This research led to close and fruitful contacts with the staff of the Solar Radio Astronomy Observatory at Potsdam-Tremsdorf. His close contact with the observations led to his early and pioneering engagement in computer-based modelling of the slowly varying component of solar radio emission, as part of the idea of a so-called complex model of a solar active region. The results of these model calculations could be immediately compared with microwave imaging observations, and found expression in several well known research papers. Later on he extended these models to the microwave burst emission. Albrecht Krueger was author and coauthor of numerous publications in internationally renowned scientific journals. He wrote two monographs on Solar Radiophysics. Despite reduced possibilities of scientific exchange in the time before 1989, Albrecht Krueger was a well known expert and colleague in East and West. We, his colleagues in Potsdam and Europe, will respectfully remember him. Dr. Karl-Ludwig Klein and Dr. Henry Aurass (CESRA), Prof. Gottfried Mann (Head of Solar Physics group at AI Potsdam) ************************************ From: Stephane Regnier ESA has announced the preliminary payload selected to fly on Solar Orbiter: http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=44469 [sci.esa.int] Cheers, Stephane ************************************* From: Silja Pohjolainen A New Highlight of Solar Radio Physics is announced at http://www.lesia.obspm.fr/cesra/highlights/ by Monique Pick and Nicole Vilmer, titled "Sixty-five years of solar radioastronomy - review paper published" --- New highlight material is always welcome, see instructions at the bottom of the highlights page or contact Silja at silpoh@utu.fi ************************************* From: "Illsley, M (Melanie)" *Share your scientific passion with the world! * *Break down the barriers of science and inspire the public* *NESTA FameLab is back!* We are looking for people who are studying or working in science, technology, engineering or mathematics to enter our competition to find the country?s most talented communicators. *You could win:* § £10,000 § Cash prizes for 9 runners up § Your own Channel 4, 3 Minute Wonder § International speaking engagements § MasterClass training in science communication *Let's talk science!* All it takes is three minutes! Inspire and excite our expert judges with your three minute presentation, there are two ways you can enter: Submit a video entry, visit famelab.org for details OR Audition live at one of our Regional Heats: 4 April Manchester Museum of Science & Industry 18 April Bristol At-Bristol 25 April London Wellcome Collection 28 April Oxford Science Oxford 9 May Edinburgh Our Dynamic Earth Grand Final: 5 June Cheltenham Cheltenham Science Festival Free presentation mini-MasterClass sessions at each heat For full details of how you can enter, including competition closing dates and terms & conditions of entry, visit our brand new website_famelab.org_ The public can watch the Regional Finals for free so come along to one near you to see a showcase of the best new science communicators. Tickets to watch the Grand Final will be on sale from 30 March through the Cheltenham Science Festival,_ cheltenhamfestivals.com_ We look forward to seeing you at NESTA FameLab 2009! -------------------------------------- *Dr Kaa-Sandra Chee* NESTA FameLab Manager Cheltenham Festivals +44 (0) 1242 775874 (Office) ************************************* From : Angelos Vourlidas Public Release of VAULT-II Data & Website Update We would like to inform the community that the data from the 2nd flight of the VAULT sounding rocket is now publicly available at the updated VAULT website (http://wwwsolar.nrl.navy.mil/rockets/vault/index.html) under 'Data Archives'. VAULT is an ultra high-resolution (0.2 arcs/pix) Lya (1216A) spetrocheliograph with a relatively large field of view (384 x 256 arcs). In two flights, VAULT acquired the first sub-arcsecond images of the solar atmosphere. The best quality images were obtained during the 2nd flight on June 14, 2002. The target was a complex of old active regions near the east limb. These images have been processed (dark current, flatfield, pointing, etc) and are now available in both FITS and PNG formats at the website. They are fully compatible with the Solarsoft routines. A set of wavelet-enhanced images using G. Stenborg's technique is also available. We would like to thank J. Koza, R. Rutten, G. Stenborg, K. Battams for their support. We invite all interested parties to make use of the data and images. For further questions and information please contact the following VAULT team members: Angelos Vourlidas (vourlidas@nrl.navy.mil) Bruno Sanchez-Andrade Nuño (bsanchez@ssd5.nrl.navy.mil) *************************************** From: "Illsley, M (Melanie)" The UK Research Councils' on-line Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system provides a common interface to all Councils for applicants, research organisations, and reviewers. STFC currently uses the system for proposal submission, grant reporting (both academic and financial) and status reporting. This is now being extended to peer review, so that referees' reports will also be handled via the Je-S system. STFC will be using this system for refereeing applications to their 2009 Astronomy Grants Panel round. Further information can be found at http://www.scitech.ac.uk/SciProg/PP/Grants_guidelines/grants/PPRG.aspx **************************************** From: Steven Christe Announcing a new RHESSI Science Nugget "Chree Analysis for Flreas" by Hugh Hudson Exploring Chree analysis as applied to total solar irradiance measurements of flares. It can be found here http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets We publish these at roughly two week intervals. S. Christe H. Hudson ***************************************** From: "Abel, Gary A" Dear Colleagues, At the JENAM meeting in a few weeks time we will hold a MIST business meeting on Monday (20th) lunchtime. Also there will be a splinter meeting for a discussion on recent developments in Space Weather (Tuesday Lunchtime, 21st). Lunch will be provided at these lunchtime meetings (for registered participants). So as I can provide an estimate of how many people will be attending to the organisers for catering needs can you please email me (gaab@bas.ac.uk) by 10 AM on Monday 6th April indicating if you are interested in attending either/both of these meetings. Regards, Gary. ****************************************** From: Ronald Wiltshire 2009 RAS Council election Dear Colleague The ballot papers for the 2009 RAS Council election will reach you shortly. While you will be able to return them by post, you may find it easier to cast your vote electronically using our secure eVoting system. To this end in the week beginning 13 April you will be sent an email containing a unique link to the electronic form of the ballot paper containing a one-click link to your individual electronic ballot paper. In the meantime details of the candidates standing for election can be found on the home page of the RAS web site ( under 'RAS Council 2009 Elections'). Further information about eVoting can be found at www.ras.org.uk/evoting.htm [www.ras.org.uk] David Elliott Executive Secretary Royal Astronomical Society Burlington House Piccadilly London W1J 0BQ ********************************************************************* * * * Conferences, Workshops, Meetings * * * ********************************************************************* From: Robert von Fay-Siebenburgen Chinese-British Summer School on Solar and Solar-Terrestrial Research July 13-22, 2009, Nanjing, China Web: http://solar.nju.edu.cn/school09/index.htm On 2009 July 22, a total solar eclipse will be visible across China. Exploiting such an excellent opportunity for research training purposes, there is a Chinese-British Summer School on solar and solar-terrestrial research at Nanjing University, China. The School is financially supported by the Research Councils UK and Nanjing University. For the detailed programme and the scheduled lectures see the Shcool's website. Post-graduate students from UK and China are highly encouraged to apply and are welcome to attend. The local expenses for participants will be covered. Limited partial travel support is also available, on a first comes first serves bases, taking into account institutional balance. The deadline for registration is May 1, 2009. For further information, please visit the homepage of the Summer School at http://solar.nju.edu.cn/school09 or contact the Directors of the Schools. R. Erdelyi (U. of Sheffield): robertus [at] sheffield.ac.uk P. F. Chen (Nanjing U.): chenpf [at] nju.edu.cn Directors ********************************************* From: I Ballai STFC International Undergraduate Summer School University of Sheffield, 15 June - 10 July 2009 The 2009 International Undergraduate Summer School (IUSS09) aims to bring together young undergraduate students interested in particle physics and astronomy for the sharing of the latest research results and expertise. The summer school, in form of a four-week intensive course, is aimed at 30 bright and motivated students from around the world who are seriously considering a research career in the areas of astronomy and particle physics in STFC?s remit (www.stfc.ac.uk). It is expected that the selected participating undergraduate students for the course shall have at least two years studies completed in appropriate subjects and to be at least a year from receiving their undergraduate degrees. It is quite likely that many students have not yet firmly decided on their future career choice. The lectures and the project work will inspire the attendees to continue their studies at an advanced level. All accepted students will be eligible for financial support Further details and to register see: http://www.iuss09.group.shef.ac.uk/ ********************************************* From: Nicolas Labrosse Solar analogs II -- First Announcement In October 1997, astronomers from around the world attended the first Solar Analogs workshop at Lowell. Invited talks covered all aspects of the solar-stellar connection, and the working groups settled on 18 Sco as the then best solar twin. Much has transpired since then, and with Cycle 24 finally seeming to be sputtering into gear and many interesting new results appearing, it seemed timely to revisit the state of the art in a dedicated meeting. So, in fall 2008 we began planning Solar Analogs II, and registration is now open. Topics will proceed from broad overviews of solar and stellar activity to discussions of solar-stellar variations, solar and stellar grand minima, and the effects of variability on both Earth and exoplanet climate and environments. Already a number of very interesting talks are lined up, and after each talk, we will allow extended time for discussion and questions, in the spirit of the first Solar Analogs workshop. Extended breaks and poster viewing will allow ample time for informal discussions as well. All contributors will be encouraged to send electronic versions of the presentations for inclusion in an online proceedings, as well as a short summary of their presentation to include on its web page. The proceedings will also include transcripts of the discussions. We will strive to throw a fun and stimulating event for all our guests. The workshop will occur over the fall equinox, one of the most beautiful times of year to visit the high country of northern Arizona. Please consider joining us for some excellent science, good company, and enjoyable surroundings. Learn more and register at the workshop Web site: http://www.lowell.edu/workshops/SolarAnalogsII/index.php Please feel free to share this announcement with colleagues you think would find this meeting interesting. Best regards, Jeffrey Hall Sydney Barnes Wes Lockwood Lowell Observatory Flagstaff, AZ ********************************************** From: robertus [at] sheffield.ac.uk Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) 2009 Meeting August 11-15, 2009, Singapore ST07: Magnetic structuring of the Solar Atmosphere as Drivers of Variability AOGS 6th Annual General Meeting and International Exhibition At SUNTEC Singapore, August 11-15, 2009 Online abstract submission is now open. Go to the meeting web site at http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2009/index.asp for details. Early-bird Registration: By 1 June 2009 ST07. Magnetic Structuring of the Solar Atmosphere as Drivers of Variability Main Convener: Prof. S. Sirajul Hasan (Indian Institute of Astrophysics, India) Email: hasan [a] iiap.res.in Co-convener(s): Prof. Robertus Erdelyi (Sheffield University, United Kingdom) Email: robertus [a] sheffield.ac.uk Dr. Nat Gopalswamy (GSFC, NASA, United States) Email: Nat.Gopalswamy{a}nasa.gov Session Description: Dynamo generated magnetic field from the interior of the Sun controls a host of active phenomena in its outer layers by structuring and coupling them. This coupling extends all the way to the corona, into the solar wind, the Earth's magnetosphere and beyond. Sunspots, plages, and other small-scale structuring in the photosphere take various forms through the higher atmospheric layers, and modern solar observations dominated by space missions are providing unprecedented potential and opportunities to identify, relate and unify the various physical processes involved. In this session, we will focus on the role of physical processes that are dependent on such structuring and that drive the solar radiative variability, especially spectral irradiance variability: photospheric drivers such as convective flows and their interaction with magnetic field - emerging as well as pre-existing, shearing motions and explosive magnetic field reconnections leading to flares and eruptions, generation of magnetic field guided waves and their non-linear development into shocks and dissipation. Discussion of latest science from various cutting-edge observing facilities, including space missions such as Hinode and Stereo, and multi-wavelength observations would be given priority. We will also include discussions of physics-based modelling of the connected processes that account for the various signatures of solar variability observed through indirect proxies on Earth, such as, cosmogenic isotopes 14C and 10Be in ice cores and tree rings. You are cordially invited. The Conveners. *************************************** From : Karel Schrijver Heliophysics Summer School (second announcement) The third of a three-year NASA-sponsored Heliophysics Summer School will be hosted by the UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs in Boulder, CO, 22-29 July 2009. The summer school has two principal aims: 1) to deepen the appreciation of the basic science of heliophysics for a select group of students as teachers take them through highly interactive seminars and hands-on working groups, and 2) to produce a series of textbooks from which heliophysics may be taught at universities worldwide. The three-year program comprises three thematic clusters that together cover the scientific basis of the physical processes that play a role in coupling the Sun's interior to the planetary environments and atmospheres through the vast heliosphere. The third year of the program will focus on long-term processes, from the Sun's modulated activity to its influences on the climate systems of the heliosphere, Earth's atmosphere, and planetary environments. The first year covered the plasma physics of the local cosmos, i.e., the science that is uniquely enabled by our existence within an environment of ionized gases. The second year covered explosive energy conversion and energetic particles. Thus, the three-year program of the summer school encompasses the entire scientific discipline that is now called heliophysics, which was borne out of the need for interdisciplinary research in the context of NASA's Living with a Star (LWS) Program. Approximately 30 students (chosen from graduate students through first or second year postdoctoral fellows) will be selected each year through a competitive process to participate in the summer school. Each participant will receive air travel, lodging and per diem. Attendants will be selected for the 2009 summer school independent of their participation in earlier schools. Drs. Karel Schrijver (Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center) and George Siscoe (Boston University) are the Deans of the summer school. The summer school lectures will be given by teachers from the US, Canada, and Europe - see the schedule at the UCAR website: http://www.vsp.ucar.edu/HeliophysicsSummerSchool. The summer school is sponsored by the Living With a Star program of the Heliophysics Division in NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs office administers the summer school. The deadline for application submission by students is 1 April 2009. ******************************************* From : Milan Maksimovic Solar Wind 12 International Conference - Third Announcement Final deadline for abstract submissions : 22 March 2009 Dear colleagues, The final deadline for submitting an abstract to the Twelfth International Conference on the Solar Wind has been set to SUNDAY 22 MARCH. We remind you also that the deadline for the reduced registration fee (380 euros) is April 1st. After this deadline the registration will be 480 euros. For the Solar Wind 12 SOC & LOC M.Maksimovic http://www.lesia.obspm.fr/SW12 registration : http://www.lesia.obspm.fr/SW12/pages/inscript.html , abstracts submission: http://www.lesia.obspm.fr/SW12/pages/Absub.html ******************************************* From : W. Dean Pesnell SDO and the Lifecycle of the Solar Magnetic Field, a Session at the SPD Meeting A session entitled "SDO and the Lifecycle of the Solar Magnetic Field" is being organized for the SPD meeting in June. You are encouraged to submit papers that address the topics described below. Abstract deadline is April 9, 2009. The Solar Dynamics Observatory is designed to follow the solar magnetic field from the interior, through the corona, to its radiative output that can affect the Earth and our lives. This session invites talks on this lifecycle of solar magnetic field. A particular emphasis is on how to observe the creation, evolution, and destruction of the magnetic field. The end products of this evolution, including eruptions and variations in radiative output, will be addressed. Descriptions of models that can relate the photospheric observations to the complex loops, flares, and particle ejecta in the chromosphere and lower corona would be appropriate. Papers on our ability to predict changes in the magnetic field are also solicited. ******************************************* From: Joan Schmelz SOLAR CORONAL LOOPS WORKSHOP IV Tuesday, June 30 - Friday, July 3, 2009 Astronomy and Space Science Department, University of Florence Largo E. Fermi 2, Firenze, Italy As new results on coronal loops are revealed through Hinode and Stereo observations as well as sophisticated theoretical modeling, we announce the fourth coronal loops workshop which will be held at the Astronomy and Space Science Department of the University of Florence, June 30 - July 3, 2009. While the workshop will be focused on loops, it will also consider global structures (e.g., entire active regions) as viewed from the perspective of collections of loops (distinguishable or not). Topics include thermal and temporal properties, dynamics, and heating. http://www.astro.unifi.it/~clw09/ See you in Florence! The Scientific Organizing Committee: Markus Aschwanden Gianna Cauzzi Giulio Del Zanna Jim Klimchuk Massimo Landini Joan Schmelz (chair) Marco Velli Harry Warren The Local Organizing Committee: Gianna Cauzzi Giulio Del Zanna Luca Del Zanna Alessandra Giannini Simone Landi Massimo Landini Susanna Parenti Giannina Poletto Marco Velli ******************************************* From: Sergei Molokov UK MHD, June 3 - 4 2009, Coventry, UK Second Announcement Dear All, UK MHD meeting will take place at Coventry University on June 3 - 4, 2009 (Wednesday and Thursday). Registration details and further particulars may be found at the meeting website: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/amrc/mhd/UKMHD2009/ [www.coventry.ac.uk] Keynote Speaker: Prof Malcolm Haines, Imperial College, London "Ion viscous heating by MHD instabilities to over a billion degrees in a wire-array Z-pinch" It is advisable to book accommodation a.s.a.p. as the hotels at this time of year are running out of rooms fast. Regards Sergei Molokov ***************************************** From: Yuan-Kuen Ko IAGA 11th Scientific Assembly, August 23-30, 2009, Sopron, Hungary Session IV.01: "New Solar and Interplanetary Results" Continuous observations from solar and heliospheric missions have been advancing our knowledge of the physical and dynamical properties of the Sun and the solar wind. These observations, along with theory and models, continue to advance and pose challenges on our understanding of the responsible physical processes. This session invites contributions covering new results from observations from space and ground-based observatories, theory and modeling of different aspects of the Sun and the heliosphere, including its interior, extended atmospheres and the solar wind. This session is aimed at stimulating exchange and promoting discussion on the recent developments derived from observations and latest research in the field. Abstract submission deadline: April 30, 2009 (online) Meeting website: http://www.iaga2009sopron.hu [www.iaga2009sopron.hu] Session IV.01 will be held two full days on Aug.24-25. Confirmed invited speakers: 1) Solar interiors: Laurent Gizon (Max Planck Institute) Matthias Rempel (High Altitude Observatory) 2) Solar atmospheres and physical processes: Shinsuke Imada (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) Clare Parnell (U of St. Andrews) Spiros Patsourakos (Naval Research Laboratory) Bojan Vrsnak (Hvar Observatory) 3) Solar wind and heliosphere: Toni Galvin (U of New Hampshire) Emilia Kilpua (U of Helsinki) David McComas and the IBEX Team (Southwest Research Institute) Conveners: Yuan-Kuen Ko (Naval Research Laboratory, USA, yko@ssd5.nrl.navy.mil) Michael L. Kaiser (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA, Michael.Kaiser@nasa.gov) Takashi Sekii (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Japan, sekii@solar.mtk.nao.ac.jp) Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber (University of Kiel, Germany, wimmer@physik.uni-kiel.de) *********************************************************************** * * * Positions Vacant * * * *********************************************************************** From: Graeme Sarson Dear all, A 3-year post-doctoral RA position at Newcastle University is available, in Applied Maths and/or Statistics. It's part of a project mathematically modelling the development of Neolithic culture in prehistory. If you know of any suitable candidates, would you please bring this position to their attention? Brief details are below. For further details, please use the search facility at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/vacancies/jobs/ with Reference: D596R . Brief details: Based in the School of Mathematics & Statistics you will work on a Leverhulme Trust funded project which focuses on modelling the processes involved in the development of the Neolithic, and the study of the inter-relation between such models and the available archaeological data. The main modelling tool will be numerical and statistical simulations of the equations of population dynamics, under various approximations. You should have a PhD or equivalent (or be close to completion) in applied mathematics and/or statistics, or a related field. Experience of numerical simulations involving partial differential equations or stochastic models, and a willingness to develop the relevant knowledge of archaeology and related disciplines is essential. The post is fixed term for 36 months, expected to start in May 2009, or as soon as possible (by mutual agreement) thereafter. Shortlisting for this position will take place on 21 April 2009 with a view to holding interviews in the week beginning 27 April 2009. For informal enquiries, please contact either Dr Graeme Sarson (g.r.sarson@ncl.ac.uk) or Professor Richard Boys (richard.boys@ncl.ac.uk) . Salary: Up to 27,183 per annum Closing Date: 17 April 2009 Best regards, Graeme Sarson ******************************************** From: Tim Yeoman Applications are invited for a 2 year Research Associate position in the Radio and Space Plasma Physics Group. The Group's overall research programme is concerned with the outer environments of Earth and the planets, consisting of the atmospheres, ionospheres, and magnetospheres of these bodies, and their links with the Sun through the interplanetary medium. The post available is an STFC funded position to apply research knowledge of the variability of the Earth's space environment to applications in submarine magnetotelluric surveys performed by the oil exploration industry. The post is a collaboration with Schlumberger Cambridge Research via the STFC PIPSS scheme. Candidates should have a demonstrated record of productive research and hold (or expect shortly to hold) a PhD in a relevant research area. Salary Grade 7 - £30,594 to £35,469 p.a. Fixed Term Contract for 2 years Post to start before September 2009 Closing Date: 16 April 2009 See www.le.ac.uk/personnel/jobs or contact Tim Yeoman (tim.yeoman@ion.le.ac.uk) for details. *********************************************** From: Montserrat Regas POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AT THE K.U. LEUVEN WITHIN THE SOLAIRE NETWORK In the framework of the SOLAIRE Marie Curie Network, a position is available to carry out research at the recent postdoctoral level. The position will last for 18 months. Topic: This postdoctoral position is for a researcher with experience in computational physics and numerical MHD modelling. We are looking for a candidate with interest in solar and plasma physics, who will continue and extend our present numerical modelling of the physics of coronal mass ejections. In particular, the task is to link our MHD code AMRVAC to our kinetic code CELESTE3D and to develop a working AMR-PIC code based on the existing algorithms and code. Basic knowledge of parallelization and C++ will be of advantage. The Centre for Plasma Astrophysics (K.U.Leuven) is heavily involved in state-of-the-art numerical simulation techniques and its applications to solar and astrophysics, and has projects on multi-scale and multi-physics model development and applications. The postdoc will also directly benefit from the Solaire network research environment, which has the explicit aim of fostering research collaborations among its participating institutions and its five collaborative work packages. The activities of the network include network meetings, postgraduate schools and complementary-skills courses. Salary and additional benefits will follow the applicable national and European Union rules as well as the local regulations of the K.U. Leuven. The gross salary will be roughly 2900 Euro/month, plus a mobility allowance depending on the marital status of the applicant. The employee's contribution to social security as well as local taxes must be deducted from that amount. In addition, the appointees will receive career exploration and travel allowances in accordance with the European Commission's rules for Marie Curie Networks. Details about salary and benefits can be obtained through the contact address given below. At the time of appointment, applicants must be in possession of a PhD and have between 4 and 10 years of research experience after obtaining a degree that gives access to doctoral studies in the country in which the degree was obtained. The position is open to nationals of any European Union country (including associated states, but excluding Belgium). Additionally, at the start of their appointment, the candidate may not have resided or carried out their main activity in Belgium for more than 12 months in the previous 3 years. Further conditions and exceptions to these rules can be obtained in the contact addresses given below. The Solaire network especially encourages applications from women. For further information (description of the positions, application procedure, address for submission, etc) visit the Solaire web page: http://www.solairenetwork.eu Contact email addresses: -- Further details about the position: Prof. Stefaan Poedts, Stefaan.Poedts @wis.kuleuven.be -- General information about the Solaire Network: F. Moreno-Insertis, fmi @iac.es ******************************************** From : Montserrat Regas POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AT MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR SOLAR SYSTEM RESEARCH WITHIN THE SOLAIRE NETWORK In the framework of the SOLAIRE Marie Curie Network, a position is available to carry out research at the recent postdoctoral level: -18-month contract at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), Germany, financed through the Solaire European Commission funds. Topic: We are looking for a candidate with strong interest and background in solar and heliospheric plasma physics, who will continue and extend our present numerical and analytical theoretical studies on, and/or observational investigations of, the origin and acceleration of the steady and transient solar wind and various heating processes of the corona. The group's ongoing research concentrates on collisionless and microturbulent transport, and on reconnection, extrapolation and modelling of the coronal magnetic field The research of the appointee will benefit from the networking activities within SOLAIRE. The latter include network-wide research and research training, postgraduate schools, network meetings and complementary-skills courses. The Solaire network (http://www.solairenetwork.eu) is a joint initiative of 12 European Universities and Research Institutes and a private R&TD company. Salary and social benefits are based on the applicable EU regulations as well as the local regulations of the Max-Planck Society. Following the European Commission rules, the gross salary for this employment contract will be roughly 34150 Euro/year, plus a mobility allowance depending on the marital status of the applicant. From these amounts, local taxes and the employee's contribution to social security must be deducted. In addition, the appointees will receive career exploratory, travel and mobility allowances in accordance with the European Commission's rules for Marie Curie Networks. Details about salary and benefits can be obtained through the contact address given below. The position is open to nationals of any European Union country (including associate states but excluding Germany) with more than 4 years and less than 10 years of postgraduate research experience at the time of the appointment. At the start of their appointment, the candidate may not have resided or carried out their main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the previous 3 years. Further conditions and exceptions to these rules can be obtained from the contact addresses given below. The Solaire network especially encourages applications from women. For further information (description of the positions, application procedure, address for submission, etc) visit the Solaire web page: http://www.solairenetwork.net Contact email addresses: -- Further details about the position:. Eckart Marsch, marsch@linmpi.mpg.de -- General information about the Solaire Network: F. Moreno-Insertis, fmi@iac.es ******************************************** From : Janet Green Job Announcement: Satellite Product Development Scientist/Developer Janet Green 11 Mar 2009 The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) invites applications to fill up to two research associate positions to support space weather efforts at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in the area of Satellite Data Product Development. These positions will evaluate observational requirements, develop products and algorithms and establish calibration and validation schemes for the sensors flown on NOAA satellites. Possible NOAA satellite programs that may be involved include the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). These satellite programs support space weather by carrying instruments to sense the local in situ environment (magnetometer and particle sensors) as well as the Sun (X-ray sensor, EUV sensor, and EUV imager). For the complete job description and application process please see http: //cires.colorado.edu/jobs/. ******************************************** From : Guenter Houdek Postdoctoral Research Appointment in theoretical asteroseismology Institute of Astronomy, University of Vienna, Austria Applicants are invited to apply for a postdoctoral research appointment in asteroseismology, helioseismology or related astrophysical fluid dynamics, supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), University of Vienna. The appointment will be for two years, starting preferably in October 2009. This is an exciting time for the field of asteroseismology. The recently launched space missions CoRoT and Kepler will provide crucial data to test and calibrate the theory of the structure and evolution of stars. The IoA undertakes a range of research activities including stars and planets, asteroseismology, late stages of stellar evolution, and galaxies and the cosmic matter cycle (http://www.astro.univie.ac.at). The successful candidate will work on the theoretical interpretation of solar-type oscillation data, with emphasis on pulsation mode physics, obtained from ground-based observations and from the space missions CoRoT and Kepler. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in astrophysics or a related field, and have the ability to work independently within strategic guidelines. Experience in stellar structure, astrophysical fluid dynamics and computational physics would be advantageous. Salary will be on the postdoctoral scale of the FWF (about Euro 42,300 pa before tax). Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, publication list and research statement electronically by 15 June 2009 to Dr Guenter Houdek (guenter.houdek@univie.ac.at) to whom they should ask two referees to write by e-mail by the same date. He would welcome informal enquiries at any time. Closing date: 15 June 2009 ******************************************** From : Reiner Hammer Postdoctoral Position in Solar Physics at KIS, Freiburg, Germany Kiepenheuer-Institut Postdoctoral Research Programme in Solar Physics: Applications are invited for the position of a Postdoctoral Scientist at the Kiepenheuer-Institut fuer Sonnenphysik (KIS) in Freiburg, Germany. KIS is a Foundation of Public Law of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg with the mission to perform fundamental astrophysics research with an emphasis on solar physics. Current research foci include fine structure of photosphere and chromosphere, dynamics of the outer atmosphere, global magnetic activity and high resolution spectropolarimetry. KIS operates the German solar facilities at the Teide Observatory on Tenerife, including the new 1.5m Gregor solar telescope, to carry out observations at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, and pursues a forefront instrument development program including solar adaptive optics. Further information can be obtained via the world-wide web (http://www.kis.uni-freiburg.de/). Candidates are required to have a PhD in physics or astrophysics when assuming the postdoctoral scientist position. We expect an independent research programme and original ideas with a focus on experimental research with the German facilities and other solar observatories, cooperation in a team of scientists, and participation in acquisition of third-party funding. KIS is committed to increasing the number of female scientists and therefore encourages qualified women to apply. The appointment will be for 2 years. The salary and benefits are according to the rules for government employees of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg (TV-L). Qualified handicapped people are employed with preference. The application should include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a list of three potential referees, and a description of the research planned at KIS. Please send your application before April 30, 2009 to Prof. O. von der Luehe Kiepenheuer-Institut fuer Sonnenphysik Schoeneckstr. 6 D-79104 Freiburg Germany Tel.: +49-761-3198-0 E-mail: secr@kis.uni-freiburg.de ******************************************** From : Reiner Hammer Tenure Track Position in Solar Physics at KIS, Freiburg, Germany Applications are invited for the position of an Astrophysicist at the Kiepenheuer-Institut fuer Sonnenphysik (KIS) in Freiburg, Germany. KIS is a Foundation of Public Law of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg with the mission to perform fundamental astrophysics research with an emphasis on solar physics. Current research foci include fine structure of photosphere and chromosphere, dynamics of the outer atmosphere, global magnetic activity and high resolution spectropolarimetry. KIS operates the German solar facilities at the Teide Observatory on Tenerife, including the new 1.5m Gregor solar telescope, to carry out observations at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, and pursues a forefront instrument development program including solar adaptive optics. Further information can be obtained via the world-wide web (http://www.kis.uni-freiburg.de/). Applicants should have a PhD in physics or astrophysics and a record of several years of postdoctoral research in astrophysics, preferentially in the area of solar physics. We expect an independent research programme and original ideas with a focus on experimental research with the German facilities and other solar observatories, cooperation in a team of scientists, engagement in the acquisition of third-party funding, and participation in the education of students and young scientists. KIS is committed to increasing the number of female scientists and therefore encourages qualified women to apply. The initial appointment will be for 5 years; a decision about promotion to an indefinite appointment will be made based on an evaluation. Depending on the expertise and scientific standing of the successful applicant, this period can be shortened. The salary and benefits are according to the rules for government employees of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg (TV-L). Qualified handicapped people are employed with preference. The application should include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, copies of three relevant publications, a list of three potential referees, and a description of the research planned at KIS. Please send your application before April 30, 2009 to Prof. O. von der Luehe Kiepenheuer-Institut fuer Sonnenphysik Schoeneckstr. 6 D-79104 Freiburg Germany Tel.: +49-761-3198-0 E-mail: secr@kis.uni-freiburg.de ******************************************* From: Giulio Del Zanna An STFC-funded PhD studentship is available at the Astrophysical Fluid dynamics and Atomic Astrophysics groups at DAMTP, University of Cambridge, to start in October 2009, on a wide range of topics, from the solar dynamo to the solar corona. Interested candidates should contact Miranda Canty mlc59@cam.ac.uk See http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/research/astro/ and http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/astro/ for the research topics in the groups. -- Dr Duncan H Mackay Mathematical Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, Scotland. Tel 01334 463760 Fax 01334 463748 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 _______________________________________________ uksp mailing list uksp@physics.gla.ac.uk http://www.physics.gla.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/uksp