January 20, 2023
Volume 33, Number 04
Table of Contents
- 2023 Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School
- URSI GASS 2023 – Session G05 – Advances in Irregularities and Scintillation Studies
- GeoDAWG Seminar Series
- NSF Partnerships for Innovation webinar on Feb 21
- JOB OPENING: Research position in GNSS/RO data assimilation and evaluation
- JOB OPENING: Research Astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
1. 2023 Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School
From: Gian Luca Delzanno (delzanno@lanl.gov)
Dear colleagues,
a friendly reminder that the deadline for application to the Los Alamos National Laboratory Space Weather Summer School is Jan 31st 2023 … and is fast approaching!
Information about the school can be found at:
https://www.lanl.gov/projects/national-security-education-center/space-earth-center/space-weather-school/index.php
Note also that additional projects and mentors have been added recently and can be found at the following link:
https://www.lanl.gov/projects//national-security-education-center/space-earth-center/space-weather-school/mentors-projects.php
Please do not hesitate to contact the school for any clarifications.
Sincerely,
Gian Luca Delzanno
Mike Henderson
LANL Space Weather Summer School co-directors
2. URSI GASS 2023 – Session G05 – Advances in Irregularities and Scintillation Studies
From: Kshitija Deshpande (deshpank@erau.edu)
Dear Colleagues,
This is a reminder about the call for papers for the URSI 2023 General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (Sapporo, 19-26 August 2023) that is open until 25 January 2023 [https://www.ursi-gass2023.jp/].
Please consider submitting a paper to our Session G05- Advances in Irregularities and Scintillation Studies
The formation of ionospheric irregularities results from dynamical processes in the ionosphere, including transport processes, instabilities, and turbulence, being driven, and modulated by Space Weather phenomena and by the forcing from the neutral atmosphere. Ionospheric irregulars affect radio waves’ propagation (e.g., scintillation), posing a threat to modern radio systems. Among these are Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) critical applications, for which accuracy, availability, continuity, and integrity are mandatory, and HF/VHF/UHF radio communications that exploit reflection and refraction by the ionosphere. This session emphasizes the latest developments in modeling and diagnostic measurements of driving processes, dynamics, and morphology of ionospheric irregularities. Papers that analyze scintillation effects on satellite-based communication, navigation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and other systems at low and high latitudes are encouraged. The scope of this session also includes new developments in the theory of scintillation, statistical studies of scintillations, multi-frequency studies and multi-technique observations of irregularities, including in situ observations, relevant to the possible prediction of scintillations.
Please submit your abstract to our session by following this link [https://www.ursi-gass2023.jp/paper_submission.html].
We kindly ask you to spread the word about the session with colleagues potentially interested in submitting a paper.
Looking forward to receiving your contribution,
Luca Spogli, Yuichi Otsuka, Kshitija Deshpande, P. T. Jayachandran
3. GeoDAWG Seminar Series
From: Tomoko Matsuo, Anthony Sciola, Adam Michael (adam.michael@jhuapl.edu)
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to attend the monthly seminar series of the IAGA “Geospace Data Assimilation Working Group” (GeoDAWG). GeoDAWG’s purpose is to provide a forum to aid in the discussion of data assimilative modeling methods across the geospace sciences. More information can be found on our website: https://sites.google.com/view/geodawg/home
Seminars are held virtually at 11 am Eastern Time on the first Tuesday of every month.
The next seminar will be held on February 7th by Chih-Ting Hsu titled “Impact of Thermospheric Data Assimilation with ICON MIGHTI wind data on Thermospheric and Equatorial Ionospheric Weather Monitoring.”
A link to join the seminar via Zoom can be found on the GeoDAWG website: https://sites.google.com/view/geodawg/seminars, along with the current GeoDAWG seminar schedule.
You can request to join our mailing list, https://sites.google.com/view/geodawg/mailing-list, if you would like to receive our regular newsletter where we share research highlights and information relevant to the community.
Speaker suggestions or questions can be also submitted online: https://sites.google.com/view/geodawg/contact-us, or you can email us directly at iaga.geodawg at gmail.com
4. NSF Partnerships for Innovation webinar on Feb 21
From: Mangala Sharma (msharma@nsf.gov)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is hosting a Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) webinar on February 21, 2023 at 2pm EST specifically targeted at plasma science & engineering and space weather communities.
Registration is required in advance for this webinar: https://nsf.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_GgO-BKe0TlG1zrmj7RxsBg
The NSF PFI program is managed by the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) at NSF and offers researchers from all disciplines of science and engineering funded by NSF the opportunity to perform translational research and technology development, catalyze partnerships and accelerate the transition of discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace for societal benefit.
Partnerships for Innovation program has five broad goals:
(1) identifying and supporting NSF-sponsored research and technologies that have the potential for accelerated commercialization;
(2) supporting prior or current NSF-sponsored investigators, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations that partner with an institution of higher education in undertaking proof-of-concept work, including the development of technology prototypes that are derived from NSF-sponsored research and have potential market value;
(3) promoting sustainable partnerships between NSF-funded institutions, industry, and other organizations within academia and the private sector with the purpose of accelerating the transfer of technology;
(4) developing multi-disciplinary innovation ecosystems which involve and are responsive to the specific needs of academia and industry;
(5) providing professional development, mentoring, and advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and technology and business development to innovators.
The webinar will describe the PFI program and project / principal investigator eligibility, as well as allow for extended Q&A. Note that the definition of projects “derived from NSF-sponsored research” is expected to include research funded by NSF, as well as by our Partner Agencies as a result of proposals submitted to and reviewed by NSF. The webinar will be recorded.
5. JOB OPENING: Research position in GNSS/RO data assimilation and evaluation
From: Halley Thompson (halleyt@umbc.edu)
Research position in GNSS/RO data assimilation and evaluation
The Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research II (GESTAR II) consortium at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) invites applications for a research position in the field of atmospheric sciences, physics, or related fields.
This scientist will initially focus on the impacts of Global Navigation Satellite System/Radio Occultation (GNSS/RO) observations in GEOS (Goddard Earth Observing System) data assimilation systems. The work will begin with collaborative studies that isolate the impacts of these data in the the production version and pre-production upgrades of the GEOS-FP (Forward Processing) weather analysis and prediction system, specifically investigating impacts of “operational” and “commercial” GNSS-RO datasets in the global atmosphere.
Additionally, the incoming scientist will participate in the examination of improvements as the GEOS-FP system is upgraded with substantial enhancements to the vertical resolution (changing from 72- to 181-layer versions of the model) and the transition to the “Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration” (JEDI) assimilation framework.
It is expected that the work will evolve in directions determined by the intersection of needs of the Global Modelling and Assimilation Office (GMAO – to effectively use observations in the data assimilation system) and skills of the incumbent as the project progresses. Potential new directions include the design of Observing System Simulation Experiments to optimally design new observing systems, the development of more sophisticated observation operators for GNSS-RO observations that provide more accurate information at higher or lower altitudes, or detailed assessments of the impacts of these observations on forecast skill computed through adjoint- or ensemble-based metrics.
Responsibilities also include contributing to the publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals describing the research results and contributing to writing proposals to support the research.
Required Qualifications:
PhD in atmospheric sciences, physics, or related fields
Experience in data assimilation and/or GNSS/RO observations is required
A publication record that aligns to the career stage
Ability to work productively as a member of a research team
Expertise in modern computer programming, including Fortran and Python
The successful candidate will join the GESTAR II Consortium which supports over 120 researchers based primarily at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). GESTAR II researchers work to create extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in earth and atmospheric science research, carrying out observational, experimental and theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth Science mission objectives.
Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.
The nominal starting date is early spring, but alternate dates are possible depending on availability.
Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list) and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Task 168: Researcher Position to: Halley Thompson (halleyt@umbc.edu)
Completed applications received by February 3 will receive full consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The GESTAR II consortium and NASA GSFC are committed to building a diverse research community and encourages applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. All GESTAR II institutions are Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employers.
For more information about the proposed research, contact Dr. Steven Pawson (steven.pawson-1@nasa.gov).
6. JOB OPENING: Research Astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
From: Eftyhia Zesta, Menelaos Sarantos (eftyhia.zesta@nasa.gov)
The Science and Exploration Directorate, Heliophysics Division, Geospace Physics Laboratory (Code 673) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is seeking a Research Astrophysicist with a focus on flight mission management. The successful candidate would join NASA as a civil servant scientist to perform research investigations in magnetospheric physics, to support mission operations and management, and to define science and mission requirements for future missions. The Geospace Physics Laboratory manages the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, and its members are currently developing instruments for the Lunar Gateway, the International Space Station, the Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission, cubesats, sounding rockets, balloons, and payloads and services for the Moon to Mars program. The position ID is GSFC-23-DE-11790668-DT, and applicants must describe experience that demonstrates competencies in leadership, research, and space science mission operations. On expression of interest, qualified candidates will be considered for mission science roles such as that of Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Project Scientist or Deputy Project Scientist.
The full vacancy announcement will be posted on or about January 30
to https://www.usajobs.gov/ and will close on February 10 at 11:59pm EST. Interested applicants should create a profile at usajobs.gov and begin preparing their CV, to be ready when the application period opens. This is a GS-14 or GS-15 level position (US citizens only) with annual salary in the range $132,368 -$183,500 depending on experience and qualifications. The work location is NASA-Goddard in Greenbelt, Maryland near Washington, DC. The successful candidate will work as part of a diverse and agile team whose core values include excellence, integrity, transparency, teamwork, and a growth mindset toward stewarding the nation’s Heliophysics program.
For additional information contact: Dr. Eftyhia Zesta (eftyhia.zesta@nasa.gov) and Dr. Menelaos Sarantos (menelaos.sarantos@nasa.gov)