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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Invitation: Abstract submission for EGU24 abstracts: ST4.4 session in Space Weather and Space Climate
2. Job opening: Permanent positions at University of Birmingham, UK
3. Invitation: Abstract submission for AOGS Session ST20 Observations and Modelling of Geomagnetic Sudden Commencements: the Effects of Solar Wind Pressure Pulses
4. Job opening: Space & Solar PhD Projects at University of Warwick, UK
5. Information: Summary and Recommendations from the Heliophysics in Europe now available to community!
6. Job opening: Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship in Space-related research and proleptic Professor / Associate Professor / Assistant Professor (Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK)
7. Job opening: Postdoc Position at INAF - Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology, Rome
8. Invitation: Call for Expressions of interest to become a member of the AWG/SSEWG and/or SSAC
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1. INVITATION: Abstract submission for EGU24 abstracts: ST4.4 session in Space Weather and Space Climate
From:  Guram Kervalishvili (gmk@gfz-potsdam.de)

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to bring to your attention and encourage you to contemplate submitting an abstract for the ST4.4 session in the Space Weather and Space Climate program programme group, scheduled for the EGU General Assembly 2024, April 14-19, Vienna, Austria and online.

Abstract submission: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU24/session/49723

(the deadline is Wednesday, 10 January 2024, 13:00 CET)

ST4.4 - Nowcasting, forecasting, operational monitoring and post-event analysis of the space weather and space climate in the Sun-Earth system

Session details:

Space Weather (SW) and Space Climate (SC) are collective terms that describe the Sun-Earth system interactions on timescales varying between minutes and decades and include processes at the Sun, in the heliosphere, magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere and at the lower atmosphere. Prediction of the extreme events (forecast and nowcast) and development of the mitigation strategy are vital as the space assets and critical infrastructures, such as communication and navigation systems, power grids, and aviation, are all extremely sensitive to the external environment. A post-event analysis is crucially important for the development and maintenance of numerical models, which can predict extreme SW events to avoid the failure of critical infrastructures.

This session aims to address both the current state of the art of SW products and new ideas and developments that can enhance the understanding of SW and SC and their impact on critical infrastructure. We invite presentations on various SW and SC-related activities in the Sun-Earth system: forecast and nowcast products and services; satellite observations; model development, validation, and verification; data assimilation; development and production of geomagnetic and ionospheric indices. Contributions to a cross-discipline and collaborative approach that supports and advances our understanding of SW and SC are encouraged. Talks on SW effects on applications (e.g. on airlines, pipelines and power grids, space flights, auroral tourism, etc.) in the Earth’s environment are also welcomed.

Confirmed invited speaker Anja Strømme (ESA's Swarm Mission Manager, ESRIN) will be delivering a talk on the status of the Swarm mission after 10 years in orbit, dedication to space weather, and the future direction of the mission.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and thank you very much for your attention.

Sincerely yours, session conveners,

Guram Kervalishvili,
Yulia Bogdanova,
Claudia Borries,
Therese Moretto Jorgensen

2. JOB OPENING: Permanent positions at University of Birmingham, UK
From: Oliver Allanson (o.d.allanson@bham.ac.uk)

Dear Colleagues

The University of Birmingham, UK (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/), launched a major recruitment campaign on 23rd November 2023, that may be of interest.

There will be a series of application windows, with the soonest having a deadline of 30^th January 2024.

***

(University of Birmingham to strengthen research excellence with 125 new Fellows and Chairs - University of Birmingham , https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/university-of-birmingham-to-strengthen-research-excellence-with-125-new-fellows-and-chairs)
The University of Birmingham today (23 Nov) launches a major campaign to recruit 125 new researchers and senior academics as it continues to build its strengths in key research areas, driving its ambition to become a Top 50 global university.

Commemorating the University’s 125th anniversary in 2025, recruitment will take place over five years – resulting in the appointment of 100 new Birmingham Anniversary Fellows and 25 Birmingham Anniversary Chairs.

The University is seeking diverse talent from amongst the world’s best researchers for the five-year positions.
There will be a series of application windows, with the soonest having a deadline of 30th January 2024.
***

The positions are permanent and are known as “Anniversary Fellows” and “Anniversary Chairs”. Please see job particulars and application information here https://fellowsandchairs.birmingham.ac.uk/

The University of Birmingham Space Environment & Radio Engineering Group (SERENE , https://spaceweather.bham.ac.uk/ ) would warmly encourage applicants to propose us as their academic home.

SERENE is a leading research group in space environment and space weather research. With a multidisciplinary approach, the group focuses on a wide array of topics such as upper atmosphere modelling—covering empirical, physics-based, and data assimilation techniques—radio propagation, satellite orbit determination, and HF engineering. Additionally, the group tackles fundamental physics problems concerning small-scale ionospheric structures and radiation belt dynamics.

Any additions will join a group at the forefront of innovation in its field. SERENE’s upper atmosphere models are employed by over 60 institutions in more than 25 countries around the globe. These models serve a dual purpose: advancing the state of the art in upper atmospheric science research and providing operational support for space weather products and services. Internationally and nationally, the SERENE group is actively engaged in shaping space weather policies and assessing associated risks. This group is committed not just to academic pursuits, but also to practical applications that have real-world impact. Their work informs decision-making processes at various governmental and industrial levels, thereby playing a crucial role in the broader space weather community.

Please contact members of the group individually (https://spaceweather.bham.ac.uk/group/people/) and the head of the group (Dr Sean Elvidge, s.elvidge@bham.ac.uk) to make any further enquiries.

With kind regards,

Oliver Allanson, on behalf of SERENE

Dr Oliver Allanson (he/him/his),

Assistant Professor, Uni. of Birmingham, Sch. of Engineering, Space Environment & Radio Engineering (SERENE)
-UoB research pages: centralised and group-run
Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Exeter (UoE page)
ORCiD , Scopus , UoB Research Portal

3.   INVITATION: Abstract submission for AOGS Session ST20 Observations and Modelling of Geomagnetic Sudden Commencements: the Effects of Solar Wind Pressure Pulses
From: Dr. Alexandra Ruth Fogg (arfogg@cp.dias.ie)

Dear Colleagues,

We warmly invite abstracts to our session at Asia Oceania Geosciences Society meeting (https://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2024/public.asp?page=home.asp) in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do (23rd-28th June 2024). Our session ST20 is entitled "Observations and Modelling of Geomagnetic Sudden Commencements: the Effects of Solar Wind Pressure Pulses". Abstracts are due for submission on 2nd January 2024.

Please see session abstract below:

Pockets of solar wind plasma that are faster and/or denser than the surrounding ambient plasma are known as solar wind pressure pulses. When these pressure pulses impact the terrestrial magnetopause, they rapidly compress the magnetosphere and excite the electrodynamics within. As the effects propagate inwards a well observed enhancement in the horizontal ground magnetic field occurs; this communication of pressure pulse effects into the magnetosphere is known as a geomagnetic sudden commencement (SC). SCs can be further subdivided into sudden impulses (SIs) and sudden storm commencements (SSCs), where in the latter case, the pressure pulse is followed by a geomagnetic storm. Even for small enhancements in solar wind dynamic pressure, the internal magnetospheric effects can be dramatic. Among these effects, observations and modelling suggest: enhancements and restructuring of high latitude ionospheric currents and convection; auroral emission excited by particle precipitation; energisation of the plasmasphere; excitation of magnetospheric current systems; enhanced ULF wave activity; space weather effects such as geomagnetically-induced currents (GICs).

In this session we warmly invite contributions based on either observations or modelling of the effects of geomagnetic sudden commencements on the coupled solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere system. Papers may present results on phenomena including (but not limited to): ULF wave propagation; ionospheric convection; ionospheric and magnetospheric current systems; auroral emission; terrestrial radio emissions; plasmasphere effects; GIC effects. We seek to facilitate cross-over discussion between the observational and modelling communities, and provide fertile ground for future collaborative work in the community.

We look forward to seeing you in Gangwon-do!

Session conveners: 

Dr Alexandra Fogg (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies)
Dr Igino Coco (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy)
Dr Andy Smith (Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)

4. JOB OPENING: Space & Solar PhD Projects at University of Warwick, UK
From: Ravindra Desai (Ravindra.Desai@warwick.ac.uk)

The Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics at University of Warwick welcomes PhD applications for an October 2024 start. Informal enquires to the PhD supervisors are welcome. The following projects are on offer:

Quantifying space weather turbulence and extremes and risk at Earth (Sandra Chapman: s.c.chapman@warwick.ac.uk)

Modelling extreme magnetosphere-atmosphere interactions (Ravindra Desai: ravindra.desai@warwick.ac.uk)

Seismic studies of solar and stellar magnetic activity (Anne-Marie Broomhall: a-m.broomhall@warwick.ac.uk)

Modelling energy transport in the Solar corona (Tony Arber t.d.arber@warwick.ac.uk)

 Funding is available for both national and international candidates. The full project descriptions and application instructions can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/cfsa/opportunities/study/

5. INFORMATION: Summary and Recommendations from the Heliophysics in Europe now available to community!
From: Matthew Taylor (Matthew.Taylor@esa.int)

Dear member of the broad Space Plasma Physics / Heliophysics community, 

In Autumn 2023, the Heliophysics in Europe workshop was held in ESTEC, in Noordwijk, 30 October to 3 November. 

The meeting was a place for the various part of ESA to present their Heliophysics activities to the community and in turn for the community to present their interests and activities, particularly focusing on cross cutting and inter disciplinary activities. 

A set of summaries was made available and also recommendations from the attendees to the broader community as well as to the ESA Heliophysics working group. 

These can be found below, along with other useful links, including the Zulip platform where discussions within the community continue. You are invited to join in!

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esa-heliophysics/sessions

If you have any comments or questions, please send them to Matt Taylor (Matthew.Taylor@esa.int) with Subject “ESA Heliophysics”

You are also encouraged to sign up to the European Heliophysics Community Newsletter, information here:

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esa-heliophysics/european-community

Regards

Matt Taylor on behalf of summary session leads, Rumi Nakamura, Charlotte Goetz, Manuela Temmer, Lucile Turc, Jonathan Rae and Daniel Verscharen and the SOC and LOC.

6. JOB OPENING: Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship in Space-related research and proleptic Professor / Associate Professor / Assistant Professor (Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK).
From: Jonathan Rae (jonathan.rae@northumbria.ac.uk)

Closing Date 8th January 2024

If you are interested in an academic career in space-related research, design and development of novel satellite payloads, Space Technology, Satellite Communications, Space-based Power, or Astronomical Instrumentation – then read on!

Northumbria University (Newcastle, UK) is advertising its “Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship” scheme. This is a permanent/tenured/proleptic Professor or Associate Professor or Assistant Professor appointment, that starts with a three-year Fellowship period during which you will have a research-focussed workload with no formal scheduled teaching in Year 1; 50% of typical teaching workload in one semester in Year 2; and 50% of typical teaching workload across full year in Year 3.

We seek to permanently appoint exceptional academics within all areas of Space-related research, such as Space Technology, Satellite Communications and Astronomical Instrumentation. These appointments are being made at every level and so we welcome applications for Professor, Associate Professor or Assistant Professor in any of the areas listed under the vacancy https://work4.northumbria.ac.uk/#en/sites/CX_1001/job/1997   There are multiple appointments available and we particularly welcome hearing from applicants from historically under-represented groups. 

More about the space-related research areas at www.northumbria.ac.uk/space

Deadline = Monday 8th January 2024

7. JOB OPENING: Postdoc Position at INAF - Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology, Rome
From: Raffaella D’Amicis (raffaella.damicis@inaf.it)

We are advertising a new postdoc position to join our Heliospheric Plasma group at INAF - IAPS. Details can be found below:

Linking fluid and kinetic properties in the solar wind with Solar Orbiter observations
Application deadline: 1st February 2024
Contact: Raffaella D’Amicis (raffaella.damicis@inaf.it)

Application link and more information: https://www.iaps.inaf.it/en/lavora-con-noi/bandi-di-concorso/assegno-di-ricerca/bando-2023-23-ar

Description: One position is available to work in Dr Raffaella D’Amicis’s research team on Solar Orbiter. The research involves primarily space data analysis produced by the Solar Wind Analyzer plasma suite, with particular reference to the Protons and Alpha Particles Sensor (PAS) that allows to study the dominant physical processes that govern the evolution of the microstructure of the solar wind as a function heliocentric distance and the different solar wind conditions. A particular attention will be devoted to a better understanding of the link between fluid and kinetic turbulence to shed light on the dissipation mechanisms responsible for heating the plasma in the solar wind. The work will also involve collaborations on other studies performed by our team devoted to the investigation of the origin and evolution of the solar wind.

8. INVITATION: Call for Expressions of interest to become a member of the AWG/SSEWG and/or SSAC
From: Matthew Taylor (Matthew.Taylor@esa.int)

Message sent on behalf of Prof. Carole Mundell, Director of Science 

Ref.: ESA-SCI-DIR-LE-063

To: SPC, SSAC, Working Groups and Scientific Community 

Dear Colleague, 

I am pleased to invite you to respond to the call for expressions of interest to become a member of the Astronomy Working Group (AWG)/Solar System and Exploration Working Group (SSEWG) and/or Space Science Advisory Committee (SSAC).

The Call, containing the necessary information about the SSAC, AWG and SSEWG, the tasks of the members of each committee/group, and the information needed by proposers, can be found at: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/expression-of-interest-for-science-advisory-members-2023

The Call will close on  22 January 2024 at 12:00 hrs (noon) CET. Applications must be submitted electronically to ESA as indicated https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/expression-of-interest-for-science-advisory-members-2023

I would appreciate if you could circulate this Announcement to interested colleagues within your institute.

Yours sincerely,
Prof. Carole Mundell 

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Editors Yuri Shprits, Dedong Wang and Jasmin Meiske