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

Annonce transmise par Barbara Perri (AIM)

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&...

It is led by Dr. Barbara Perri (https://barbaraperri7.wixsite.com/monsite ) who is a faculty member at CEA/OSUPS. As ISWAT co-team leader and VSWMC scientific consultant, Dr. Perri is involved in the latest space weather developments at an international level. The postdoctoral researcher will benefit from a rich scientific environment and thus collaborate with fellow researchers such as Dr. Allan Sacha Brun, Dr. Antoine Strugarek, Dr. Victor Réville and Dr. Éric Buchlin.

The postdoctoral researcher will in particular contribute to improve the solar wind model by making it time-dependent while remaining operational. They will also work with the most recent solar mission data (such as Solar Orbiter or PSP) to develop multi-instruments and multi-wavelengths validation techniques for forecasting facilities. The successful candidates will thus conduct research at the interface between numerical simulations and data analysis from current and previous solar missions, in a rich context of international collaborations. The project will lead to scientific publications to peer-reviewed journals, as well as presentations in international conferences.

The postdoctoral researcher will also have access to modern computing infrastructures. They will use state-of-the-art 3D MHD space weather codes such as Wind Predict (based on the multi-physics open-source PLUTO code) or EUHFORIA (official ESA forecasting model). These codes have already been validated extensively (Wind Predict has been compared with both in situ and remote sensing observations, for example), and thus the focus of the project will be on their improvement. The postdoctoral researcher will also have access to high-performance local and national supercomputers, and will be trained in the latest tools for scientific visualisation of 3D datasets.

Applicants should have a PhD in Astrophysics, Geophysics or Applied Mathematics. Knowledge in plasma, solar physics or space weather would be a plus. Likewise, research experience in running MHD simulations, or in spacecraft data analysis would be highly appreciated.

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 Dr. Barbara Perri at barbara.perri@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: barbara.perri@cea.fr.