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Postdoctoral Research Assistant III, S1

Apply now Job no: 501974
Department: Center for Space Plasma & Aeronomic Research
Work type: Postdoctoral Student Employee
Location: Alabama
Categories: Research - Other

Purpose of the Position:

The Postdoctoral Research Assistant III will carry out NASA sponsored research on the interaction of energetic charged particles with small scale magnetic flux ropes in the large-scale solar wind. The research methodology includes both numerical and observational analysis.

Duties/Responsibilities
Perform research and numerical simulations of energetic charged particle acceleration by a collection of dynamic small-scale flux ropes (SMFRs) in the large-scale solar wind and by nearby heliospheric shocks.
• Develop a kinetic-focused transport equation for energetic particle interaction with numerous SMFRs and a traveling shock will be solved numerically using existing numerical codes employing finite difference and finite volume, or stochastic differential equation methods.
• Utilize numerical model to study: (1) The radial evolution of energetic particle acceleration by SMFRs in the inner heliosphere between the Sun and Earth, (2) the ability of energetic particle stage 1 acceleration by SMFRs in the vicinity of inner heliospheric shocks to form a seed population of suprathermal particles for injection into stage 2 diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) at these shocks and, (3) the impact of the injection process on the accelerated particle spectrum generated by stage 2 DSA and the associated levels of energetic particle fluxes at nearby heliospheric shocks.
• Identify enhanced energetic particle flux events in inner heliospheric spacecraft data generated by dynamic SMFR acceleration in the vicinity of inner heliospheric shocks.
• Use numerical modeling to reproduce the observations, validate the kinetic transport theory, identify the most important SMFR acceleration mechanisms, and better understand the importance of SMFR-accelerated particle populations for injection into DSA at inner heliospheric shocks.
• Assist the supervisor in research activities involving graduate students; Specific duties include guiding in developing and -or using analysis tools and computing codes for relevant research needs.
Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Space Science, Physics, or Astronomy or Astrophysics;
• 2 - 2 1/2 years of full-time verifiable research work experience in heliophysics or astrophysics
• Proficiency in related computer software
Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with remote-sensing solar observations is desired
Published Salary (if available):

$52,216 - $55,000

Advertised: Central Standard Time
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