The Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), located in Preston, UK, is seeking to appoint a Research Associate to work within the Solar Physics Group. This is a 30-month position, funded by NERC, to work with Prof Silvia Dalla on improving models of Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) and applying them to Space Weather forecasting. The work will take place within the SWARM (SWIMMR Aviation Risk Modelling) project, involving a 5-member UK consortium led by the University of Surrey to deliver tools for nowcasting and forecasting of SEP radiation risk to the UK Met Office. The project is funded by the SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk) initiative, a four-year Strategic Priorities Fund programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Specific work at UCLan will involve high energy SEP data analysis and modelling. A number of solar eruptions will be analysed to gain better understanding of propagation of GeV-energy protons in these events. The results of the data analysis will be used to improve the SPARX model for SEP Space Weather forecasting, developed at UCLan (Marsh, et al (2015), Space Weather, 13, 386, doi:10.1002/2014SW001120), as well as producing a new tool to predict Ground Level Enhancement (GLE) intensity profiles and durations. As one of the main deliverables of the work, the software developed within the project will made available to the Met Office.
The appointee will also be required to contribute to teaching or demonstrating for not more than six hours per week as well as participating in targeted public engagement projects.
The planned job start date is 1st October 2020, due to the fact that the work takes place within a larger consortium project with fixed milestones and deadlines, but it may be possible to negotiate a slightly later start.
For full details and how to apply please see the following link:
https://recruitment.uclan.ac.uk/itrentlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=220579G6QF&WVID=7461800Yms&LANG=USA
Closing Date: Sunday 9 August 2020