Description
Would you like to participate as a postdoctoral fellow in cutting-edge space physics research?
Are you interested in understanding how the parts across the heliosphere function as a nested system and what fundamental processes govern its cross-scale coupling?
Can you imagine helping to characterize and predict how explosive phenomena are created and dissipated across the heliosphere, and what processes contribute to energy conversion and transport?
If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, we want you to work with us through the Krimigis Postdoctoral Scholarship (KPS) Program in the Solar & Space Physics Group at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). This program is named after Dr. Stamatios "Tom" Krimigis who was a team member on over 50 years of flight investigations of space science, from Mariner 4 to Mars in 1965 through New Horizons to Pluto in 2015. Krimigis Fellows will be hosted by one of the science groups in the Space Science and Instrumentation Branch of APL's Space Exploration Sector. Key features of this program include:
- partnering with a research advisor who will provide mentoring on development both as a researcher and a science professional;
- research in cutting-edge fields of space science aligned with the research group;
- support for travel to conferences and publications;
- membership in a postdoc cohort that builds a network among peers;
- training in "soft" professional skills, including proposal-writing;
- ability and support to submit grant proposals as a principal investigator;
- a salary that is competitive in the Baltimore-Washington area;
- and a generous benefits package.
Your professional outcome will include great research opportunities, a foundation for the rest of your career, and building connections with a variety of researchers and programs at APL, a premier space mission implementation center. We encourage students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Positions are for a 2-year term, with a possibility of extension to a third year. Most positions will be for full-time work, although part-time work (down to 50%-time) is possible by participant's request.
The SRP group consists of over 50 full- or part-time scientists, postdocs, and administrative staff with six thematic sections that focus on magnetospheres of the Solar System and beyond, geospace and cislunar environment, outer heliosphere and the interstellar medium, space weather origins, space plasma modeling and theory, and solar and coronal physics. Collectively we work on over 150 projects. The key science questions we address are how the solar wind is accelerated; how energy is transported through planetary magnetospheres; and how the large-scale structures of the heliosphere have influenced habitability of the Earth and other places in the solar system. Members of our group have worked on dozens of missions and hundreds of instruments over a period spanning five decades. Current active missions that group members are participating in through instrument or science affiliation include the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (JUICE), Europa Clipper, Juno, Solar Corona Ejection Tracker (SunCet), Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), New Horizons, Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), Advanced Composition Expolorer (ACE), and the Voyagers. Active data analysis programs also continue for past missions including Cassini, the Van Allen Probes, Geotail and others. You can learn more about us and our activities by visiting web pages describing Space Weather and Heliophysics.
Research opportunities in the Krimigis Postdoctoral Scholarship Program are primarily mentor-defined opportunities supported by funding from existing grants, missions, and other programs. The topics of the currently-available opportunities in the Solar & Space Physics Group are listed below. You should list which opportunities you wish to pursue in your cover letter.
- Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is a revolutionary mission that will simultaneously investigate two of the most important overarching issues in heliophysics--the acceleration of energetic particles and the interaction of the solar wind with the local interstellar medium. Aboard IMAP is IMAP-Ultra, an energetic neutral atom instrument that will measure the 5 - 40 keV neutral hydrogen atoms originating from the outer heliosphere. These measurements will advance our understanding of the temporal & spatial evolution of the heliospheric boundary region as well as advance our understanding of processes related to the interaction of the magnetic field of the Sun and the local interstellar medium. This project will consist of analyzing IMAP-Ultra data to support these science objectives.
- Parker Solar Probe is a scientific mission to unlock the mysteries of the Sun's corona and solar wind. The primary science goals for the mission are to trace the flow of energy and understand the heating of the solar corona and to explore what accelerates the solar wind. This project will consist of analyzing in-situ Parker Solar Probe data to support these overarching science objectives.
- Solar coronagraphs are instruments tailored to provide scientific and operational insight into the structure and activity within the solar corona. This project will focus on developing methodologies for the analysis of high-cadence data from the Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetry and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS) instrument on ESA's PROBA-3 mission, along with other coronagraphs, to capture shock formation in the inner corona. Additional opportunities will exist to help support the development of new instrumentation.
- Information theory is a powerful tool when integrated into machine learning. This position will apply information theory to analyze time series observational and simulation data for many different applications. This project will include studying the solar dynamo, Earth's ionospheric scintillation, solar wind interactions with the Earth's magnetosphere, and plasma transport at Saturn using this powerful analysis technique.
A small number of opportunities could be awarded for 50% coverage, in conjunction with the mentor-defined opportunities for postdoc-defined, original, high-impact research related to the fields of study described above. Include a 3-page proposal with your cover letter for a hypothesis-driven research program, that addresses an important issue in solar and space physics and can be completed and submitted for publication within a 50% effort over two years. Information on how to structure the research proposal can be found on the Krimigis Postdoctoral Scholars webpage.
The application deadline is April 15, 2025.
Qualifications
The Krimigis Postdoctoral Scholarship Program is open to recipients of a Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics or a related field, whose dissertation focused on research relevant to solar and space physics. Eligibility for the program requires:
- a Ph.D. in a relevant subject awarded after July 1, 2022 (or earlier if a leave of absence has been taken).
- demonstrated ability to do independent research, and submit results for publication by the expected start date
- ability to work well within a team
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have one or more publications, especially with a potentially high impact.
Why Work at APL?The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
About Us
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity of perspectives, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone's voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,300 Annually
Maximum Rate
$155,500 Annually
