[ASA] New post for list

[David Pontin]

We are seeking applications to fill two PhD Scholarships in solar physics in the dynamic and growing Centre for Space Physics under the supervision of Dr. Hannah Schunker and Assoc. Prof. David Pontin at the University of Newcastle, NSW.

PhD Scholarship details
Funding: $28,092 per annum (2020 rate) indexed annually. For a PhD candidate, the living allowance scholarship is for 3.5 years and the tuition fee scholarship is for four years. Scholarships also include up to $1,500 relocation allowance. The scholarship will be offered to the successful candidate subject to funding being fully established.
Available to: Domestic Australian students

Eligibility Criteria
We are looking for two motivated, independent students with a 1st class Honours (or expected) degree, or equivalent. Experience in coding would be an advantage. We pride ourselves on being a gender-balanced physics department. Women and applicants from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Project 1: The successful candidate will work towards solving one of the big problems in astrophysics: The Solar Dynamo.
Full details here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/loMVCZY1Nqi98ZB0uzmWzD?domain=newcastle.edu.au

The solar cycle varies with a period of 22 years, most clearly observed by strong magnetic field regions on the surface of the Sun that can produce massive solar flares that can impact Earth and our space-based technology. These active regions emerge from the interior of the Sun, but it is not known from what depth they emerge, nor when this will occur. By understanding the evolution of the magnetic field and near-surface flows before, during, and after the emergence, we will be able to better understand the physics of the dynamo process as a whole.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the dynamic and growing Centre for Space Physics at the University of Newcastle as well as:
• Contribute to solving this important science problem using both state-of-the-art simulations, and analysis of data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
• Share their research with the international astrophysics community via conferences, meetings, and peer-reviewed publications

Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send an email expressing their interest along with scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of their research interests and a proposal that specifically links them to the research project.
Please submit documents as ONE pdf file attachment with your surname as the filename (e.g. Schunker.pdf) and with a subject line of "PhD Application 2021".
Please send the email expressing interest to hannah.schunker at newcastle.edu.au<mailto:hannah.schunker at newcastle.edu.au>. We will begin to review applications after the priority deadline at 5pm on 06 December 2020. Applications will be accepted until the scholarship is filled.

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Project 2: The successful candidate will join the dynamic and growing Centre for Space Physics at the University of Newcastle and will undertake a project to study the structure and dynamics of energetic processes in the corona.
Full details here:  https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/D761C1WLPxcNByWliGsixt?domain=newcastle.edu.au

The corona - the outer atmosphere of the Sun - is a dynamic plasma permeated by a magnetic field. Energy stored in the coronal magnetic field powers a range of explosive phenomena such as jets, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. The release of this stored magnetic energy is also responsible for heating the plasma to millions of degrees Kelvin as well as accelerating the “solar wind” outwards across the solar system. Powerful explosions in the solar corona lead to major space weather events at Earth, creating the Northern and Southern lights. However, they also have potentially damaging economic impacts on engineered systems, ranging from satellites and communication systems to power grids and pipelines.
Whilst it is now known that the magnetic field of the Sun’s corona has a complex and continually evolving structure, the nature and implications of this complexity remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. Fundamental questions include how much magnetic energy is stored in the coronal field, and how this energy may be liberated on timescales of minutes as observed, for example, in flares.

Through the project, they will have the opportunity to:
• use a combination of theoretical techniques, computational modelling, and analysis of observational data;
• work in collaboration with colleagues both at Newcastle and internationally;
• share their research with the international astrophysics community via conferences, meetings, and peer-reviewed publications.
A student undertaking the project will gain skills and expertise in modelling and high-performance computing. The results will enhance our understanding of energetic events in plasmas on a range of scales throughout the universe.

Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send an email expressing their interest along with scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of their research interests and a proposal that specifically links them to the research project. Please send the email expressing interest to David.Pontin at newcastle.edu.au<mailto:David.Pontin at newcastle.edu.au>. We will begin to review applications after the priority deadline at 5pm on 10 December 2020. Applications will be accepted until the scholarship is filled.
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