Spectroscopic Diagnostics of Processes in Collisionless Plasma
This grant studies plasma heating & acceleration in the solar corona/wind & supernova remnants using spectroscopic data & modeling to understand plasma physics.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical fellowship duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research analyzing spectroscopic data of solar and astrophysical plasmas to study particle heating, acceleration, and plasma physics modeling.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within last 5 years; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on the spectroscopic diagnostics of collisionless plasma processes in astrophysical environments. The research aims to analyze spectroscopic data from the solar corona and solar wind to investigate particle heating and acceleration mechanisms. The program also involves modeling efforts to better understand and constrain plasma physics phenomena.
Key research areas include:
- Electron heating processes in the solar wind inferred from ionization balances measured in situ and spectroscopically.
- Element abundance fractionation in the solar corona and wind, likely influenced by plasma waves.
- Comparative studies of particle heating and acceleration at supernova remnant shock waves versus the solar wind.
- Examination of element abundance anomalies in late-type stellar coronae using data from Chandra and XMM-Newton satellites.
This research contributes to advancing knowledge of plasma physics in collisionless environments relevant to solar and broader astrophysical contexts.
