IRAP (Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology) in Toulouse, France, is hiring a postdoctoral researcher for a duration of two years to work on solar energetic particles.
The position is funded through the Horizon Europe project SPEARHEAD (SPEcification, Analysis & Re-calibration of High Energy pArticle Data, https://spearhead-he.eu/, that aims at better understanding the origin of high-energy particle and electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. Key questions of interest to the project are: How are protons accelerated beyond 100 MeV and electrons beyond 1 MeV during solar eruptions? What are the release times and spectral characteristics of near-relativistic particles from solar eruptions? How do coronal and interplanetary structures and turbulence affect the acceleration and transport of very high energetic particles? To address these questions, the SPEARHEAD consortium combines eight European partners possessing key resources (in terms of data, models and infrastructure) in high-energy particle research. The project plan is to deliver consolidated datasets, methodology and open access tools to the community enabling breakthrough science on these open problems.
The project is led by the National Observatory of Athens and is organized in 8 work packages, IRAP coordinates the work package on the solar context for each solar energetic particle event. The IRAP part of the project is led by Alexis Rouillard, CNRS researcher at IRAP, in collaboration with the local heliophysics team (V. Réville, I. Plotnikov, P. Louarn, B. Lavraud, V. Génot).
The postdoc will work on the analysis of solar flares and CMEs using recent Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe data, modeling the expansion of CMEs and the associated energetic particles from the corona to the interplanetary medium. The postdoc will also liaise with the consortium exchanging information with the other European teams that are focusing on particle data recalibration and performing cross-calibration of datasets recorded in space and by ground-based neutron monitors.
The candidates shall possess a PhD in astrophysics, plasma physics or related field. We look for motivated, curious and physics driven candidates. Experience in numerical simulation of the solar corona/solar wind and/or energetic particle transport is a plus but not necessary. Applicants shall send an e-mail with a CV, publication list and references (at least two) to arouillard@irap.omp.eu. The position will remain open until filled, with priority for applications received before 6th of September 2024.
Gross salary: 35/45 k€/yr depending on experience.