Multiple open job offers in a DFG Research Unit Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Plasmasphere, Thermosphere as a Coupled System (MIPT)

The overarching science objective of the research unit is to better understand how the magnetosphere, ionosphere, plasmasphere, and thermosphere are coupled to each other. The complexity of this system, which covers altitudes from tens to tens of thousands of km and time scales from minutes to decades, requires an interdisciplinary team with specialists in different domains, expertise in modeling and observations, as well as established collaborative ties to the international community.

The Research Unit is planned for 4 years with a possible extension for another 4 years. We offer 6 (postdoc/PhD) positions, one for each project of the Research Unit at 5 Institutions: German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), University of Bonn (Uni Bonn), Technische Universität München (TUM), Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), and German Aerospace Center (DLR).

All current job announcements and links to online applications can be found at: https://spaceweather.gfz-potsdam.de/mipt-job-center

For additional questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (yshprits-at-gfz-potsdam.de) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Job opening at CEA Paris-Saclay in France for 2+1 years on improving solar wind models for space weather forecasting

The Department of Astrophysics of CEA Paris-Saclay invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position to work in the framework of the WindTRUST project.

The WindTRUST project is dedicated to the improvement of solar wind simulations and space weather forecasting.

It aims at developing state-of-the-art 3D simulations and validation processes for the next generation of space weather forecasts (for future integration in ESA space weather portal). It will in particular address the capability to predict intense events at solar maximum. To do so, it will incorporate small-scale and highly variable magnetic structures using magneto-frictional methods, which will in turn be improved by novel comparisons with the most recent solar and heliospheric observations.

You can find more information about this project here: https://irfu.cea.fr/en/Phocea/Vie_des_labos/Ast/ast.php?t=fait_marquant&id_ast=5204

The position can start as soon as September 1st 2024. The appointment will be for 2+1 years (depending upon satisfactory performance).

Applicants should e-mail curriculum vitae, list of publications and contact information for two references to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (barbara.perri-at-cea.fr).

The position will remain open until filled, however, priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 30 2024.

For more details, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (barbara.perri-at-cea.fr).

Multiple open positions at GFZ-Potsdam

Space Physics and Space Weather at GFZ Potsdam, Germany is pleased to announce multiple open positions related to machine learning, numerical modelling, and data analysis.

Our section is working on understanding of the dynamical evolution of the hazardous space radiation environment and developing the tools for specification and prediction of the adverse effects of space environment using models and data assimilation. We study physical processes in the near-Earth space environment and focus on the understanding of fundamental processes responsible for the evolution of space radiation.

For more information about the section, please visit: spaceweather.gfz-potsdam.de

For additional questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (yshprits-at-gfz-potsdam.de) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (dedong-at-gfz-potsdam.de). 

All current job announcements and links to online applications can be found at: spaceweather.gfz-potsdam.de/job-openings

Prof. Dr. Ir. Giovanni Lapenta (1965-2024)

With extreme sadness, we announce the premature passing of Prof. Giovanni Lapenta, an eminent scientist whose groundbreaking contributions to space plasmas and computational plasma physics have left an indelible mark on the field.

Gianni, as he was known among friends and colleagues, received a Master's degree (Laurea) in Nuclear Engineering in 1989 and a PhD in Plasma Physics in 1993 from the Polytechnic of Turin (Italy). He spent one year as a visiting scholar at MIT, working with Prof. Bruno Coppi. He then moved to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, initially as a Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow and later as a Staff Member, where he worked until 2007. During those years, his interest shifted more and more from fusion to space plasmas. 

In 2007, he was appointed full professor of Mathematics of Space Weather in the Centre for mathematical Plasma Astrophysics at KU Leuven (Belgium). He recently held a dual affiliation with his alma mater, Polytechnic of Turin, where he was also appointed full professor. Sadly, his dream to spend the final years of his career and his retirement in his beloved Turin was cut short by a devastating illness.

Gianni made fundamental and everlasting contributions in the fields of space plasmas and computational plasma physics. In particular, he pioneered some of the early studies on kinetic instabilities driving collisionless reconnection by using state-of-the-art kinetic simulations. His seminal work on the fundamental mechanisms underlying magnetic reconnection, particularly the roles of drift instabilities such as kink, lower hybrid, and tearing modes, and the interplay with turbulent reconnection has significantly advanced our understanding of plasma dynamics, influencing both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in space and laboratory plasmas.

Equally important are his contributions to the field of computational plasma physics. During his early years in Los Alamos and under the guidance of Jerry Brackbill, he became one of the major proponents of the so-called implicit moment particle-in-cell (PIC) method. This method, which became a cornerstone of the “Lapenta school,” allows for the fully kinetic treatment of both ions and electrons without the numerical instabilities typical of explicit schemes (such as the CFL condition). A major milestone has been developing and releasing the 3D parallel version of the implicit PIC code, iPIC3D. Gianni was among the first in our community to embrace the philosophy of open-source code development, understanding the benefits of disseminating his computational works as widely as possible. In the last 15 years, iPIC3D has been used by a large number of researchers, all driven by Gianni’s vision of extending the reach of kinetic simulations.

Throughout his career, Gianni has mentored a large number of students and early career researchers, many of which have flourished into accomplished scientists. Those fortunate enough to have worked with him remember his passion for science and his ambition to push the boundaries of knowledge. 

Thanks to his clear vision, his excellent ability to communicate, and his charismatic leadership, Gianni was a leading figure in large European projects in the field of space weather and heliophysics. Among the many projects, Gianni has been a pioneer in understanding the disruptive potential of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in our field, leading the AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Data Analysis) project, possibly the first EU-funded project explicitly focused on the use of AI in heliophysics. This was followed by ASAP (Automatics in Space Exploration), which is still active and focuses on deploying AI in space for robotic exploration. Recently, Gianni received an Advanced ERC (European Research Community) grant called TerraVirtualE, which promised to simulate, for the first time, a full planetary space environment with kinetic ions and electrons. Central to this project was his latest breakthrough in computational plasma physics, the Energy-Conserving semi-implicit method (ECsim), which enhances the semi-implicit PIC method with energy conservation for long-term simulations.

The frequent jest among friends and colleagues about his apparent immunity to funding challenges highlighted his ability to embrace visionary projects and push the limits of what is possible.

Gianni’s untimely departure is a significant loss to the many projects he led. However, his love for science, visionary insights, leadership, and friendly demeanour will always be remembered by those who had the privilege of calling him a mentor, collaborator, and friend.