The successful candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team at several institutions in support of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) project. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance Sun-Earth connection studies by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through a dynamic interface region – the chromosphere and transition region – between the solar surface and the solar corona. Here all but a few percent of the non-radiative energy leaving the Sun is converted to heat and radiation. The remaining few percent create the corona and solar wind. Magnetic fields and plasma exert comparable forces in this region, and IRIS is uniquely suited to provide the observations necessary to pinpoint the physical forces at work in this little understood piece of real estate near the surface of the Sun.

The IRIS spacecraft will fly in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit for continuous solar observations on a two-year mission. It will obtain ultraviolet spectra and images with high resolution (1/3 arcsec) – with a cadence of as little as one second apart – focused on the chromosphere and the transition region. Spectra will cover temperatures from 4,500 K to 107 K, and images covering temperatures from 4,500 to 65,000 K.

This is an exciting time for this area of solar astrophysics, as the complex processes and enormous contrasts of density, temperature and magnetic field within this interface region require instrument and modeling capabilities that are just now becoming possible.

The Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, and a national and international team of co-investigators have been selected by NASA to develop this mission. Details are evolving as this project ramps up, but the nominal arrangements are as follows. The Lockheed Martin Space Systems Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Palo Alto has scientific payload and overall mission responsibility. Construction, integration and testing of the IRIS spacecraft will be done by the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Sensing & Exploration Systems (S&ES) organization. In addition, mission operations and some system engineering will be the responsibility of NASA Ames. The successful candidate will work closely with the IRIS team at NASA Ames in Mountain View, California and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, California, and will be expected to play a role in the organization of the scientific planning of the mission.

The NASA SMEX Program is designed to provide frequent, low-cost access to space for heliophysics and astrophysics missions using small- to-mid-sized spacecraft. The program also seeks to raise public awareness of NASA's space science missions through educational and public outreach activities. In addition to NASA Ames, the institutions include Lockheed Martin (Advanced Technology Center, and Sensing and Exploration Systems), Stanford University, Montana State University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the University of Oslo.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to conceptualize and perform theoretical and/or experimental research and development in solar physics, with emphasais on spectroscopy and imaging of the solar chromosphere and the transition region to the corona. This work will support the IRIS mission, the ultimate goal of which is understanding of: (a) the types of energy that dominate in the chromosphere and beyond, (b) how the chromosphere regulates mass and energy flow to the corona and heliosphere, (c) how magnetized plasma rises through the atmosphere, and (d) the role magnetic flux emergence plays in flares and mass ejections.

The selected candidate will be expected to work independently as well as interact with project staff and the several external IRIS collaborators. Specific areas of research could include: theoretical models of the relevant regions of the solar atmosphere, including the dynamical roles of electromagnetic radiation, magnetic field, plasma and plasma waves; numerical studies of the corresponding 3D magneto-hydrodynamical systems, including thermal and non thermal effects, plasma-neutral gas coupling, effects of non-LTE radiative transfer, wave propagation and damping, and wave-particle interactions; science and information technology links between the needs of such modeling work and the observables of the IRIS spacecraft. The latter could include massive parallelization of 3D radiative MHD and non-LTE diagnostic codes, visualization of 3D simulations, and development of novel data analysis methodologies and algorithms -- for application to the data that will be produced by the IRIS mission.

The candidate will fully document work in technical reports and publications, effectively interface with project sponsors, and participate in the identification and development of research proposals. The work assignment will be at the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA.

Qualifications: The successful candidate must have completed a Ph.D in Solar Astrophysics, Plasma Physics, Computational Science, or a closely related field. The applicant is expected to have experience in theoretical modeling, numerical modeling, and/or data analysis. Excellent verbal, presentation, and writing skills are required to enable effective interaction and communication with technical peers, program managers, collaborators, and sponsors.

Applicants cannot have received the most recent degree more than five years prior to the date of application. The fellowship is normally for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for a 3rd year.

Employer will assist with relocation costs. Competitive postdoctoral salary depending on qualifications.