Issue #1, 2013

Back issues can be found at:
http://hydromag.eu

Contents

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  1. TWO POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS IN SOLAR MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE (UK)
  2. POST DOC POSITION (AT UNIVERSITY PARIS-SACLAY, INTERLABEX PROJECT): FUNDAMENTAL DYNAMO MECHANISMS: FROM VKS EXPERIMENT TO STELLAR MAGNETISM
  3. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW VACANCY AT DEPT OF EARTH SCIENCES, ETH ZURICH
  4. TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN ASTROPHYSICAL FLUIDS AT LEEDS, UK
  5. COSMIC MAGNETIC FIELDS: MATHEMATICAL AND OBSERVATIONAL DESCRIPTIONS
  6. SCHEDULE OF CONFERENCES ON MHD AND RELATED TOPICS
  7. NEXT HYDROMAG NEWSLETTER

Print Message
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(from David Pontin, UK)

Applications are invited for two three-year postdoctoral research positions in the area of Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The positions are available to work on two projects within an STFC consolidated grant to study the behaviour of complex magnetic fields in the solar corona. Topics will include studying the importance of the complex topology magnetic carpet on the dynamics and heating of coronal loops, and determining the constraints that govern the relaxation of coronal magnetic fields.

The successful candidates will join a young and growing MHD group at Dundee that currently consists of three permanent members of staff (Prof G Hornig, Drs D Pontin and A Wilmot-Smith) and three PhD students. The group has access to a large Beowulf parallel computer. The projects are funded as part of a Consortium that also includes Dr A Yeates at the University of Durham. Further details about our group in Dundee can be found here:

http://www.maths.dundee.ac.uk/mhd/

The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of MHD and will have extensive experience in either one or both of the following: (i) computational MHD/hydrodynamics and code development, (ii) mathematical modelling of plasmas or fluids. Experience in solar physics observations would also be beneficial. Applicants must hold a PhD in solar physics, plasma physics or applied mathematics by the start of the project.

The positions are available for three years, from April 1st 2013. The starting salary will be on Grade 7 of the UK Universities’ pay scale, typically around £29,249.

The formal advert will appear in the near future. Interested parties are encouraged to contact us (at e.g. dpontin(at)maths.dundee.ac.uk) to make us aware of their interest, and for further details.

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Dr David Pontin

Division of Mathematics
University of Dundee
Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland

Print Message
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(from Caroline Nore, France)

The von Karman Sodium (VKS) experiment is one of the three sodium laboratory experiments that have observed dynamo action. Moreover, when a small rotation is imparted to the experiment, a variety of dynamical regimes are observed, ranging from reversals, to oscillations or chaotic behaviours, following a universal scaling law comparable to cosmic field regimes. This makes VKS a unique tool to understand the origin of this scaling law, and the dynamo mechanism involved.

However, the detailed way of how these mechanisms work in the VKS dynamo is still subject to controversy. We propose to share a post doc between 3 teams of different labex, to tackle this problem through dedicated numerical simulations and data analysis. The results will be used to improve the models currently used for modelling of astrophysical magnetic fields.

Further Information: Postdoc Description (pdf)

Dates:

— beginning in June-July 2013 (negotiable)
— duration = 1 year (+1 year extension)

Please contact:

    Caroline Nore
    Professeur à l’Université Paris Sud 11,
    Membre de l’Institut Universitaire de France LIMSI-CNRS, batiment 508,
    BP 133 91403 ORSAY cedex
    tél: 01 69 85 80 90/
    fax: 01 69 85 80 88
    http://www.limsi.fr/Individu/nore
    http://www.masterpam.u-psud.fr/

Print Message
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(from Andrew Jackson, Switzerland)

The Earth and Planetary Magnetism Group have a vacancy within their experimental fluid mechanics and MHD laboratory. We seek a motivated scientist with an interest in participating in ongoing experiments, and in developing research interests of their own. Present facilities include a water laboratory and the ability to perform liquid metal experiments.

Experiments are aimed at understanding the rapidly rotating regime of Earth’s core dynamics, in the presence of magnetic fields. Future experiments will include current-driven flows (Dean flow) in both non-rotating and rapidly-rotating regimes.

Details of work can be found at http://www.epm.ethz.ch/mfece.

The position is nominally for 2 years, with a possibility of subsequent renewal subject to funding constraints.
ETH Zurich offers excellent work conditions at the heart of Europe. Interested candidates should send a CV (including publication list), a statement of research interests and the names of 3 referees to Andrew Jackson ajackson(at)ethz.ch.

Andrew Jackson

ETH Zürich
Institut für Geophysik
Sonneggstrasse 5
CH-8092 Zürich
Switzerland

Print Message
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(from David Hughes, Leeds, UK)

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Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds

School of Mathematics
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Research Fellow 1

Project Title: Dynamos in Giant Planets and Rapidly Rotating Stars

Fixed term until 31 March 2016

Applications are invited for a research fellowship funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The project will investigate the convectively driven dynamos of the Giant Planets and of Rapidly Rotating Stars. In particular we shall investigate the dynamics of convection and its interaction with rotation; and how the dynamo properties change as the level of turbulence is increased. You will work in close contact with the investigators Professors Steven Tobias, Chris Jones and David Hughes in the Department of Applied Mathematics.

A PhD (or PhD submitted) in the relevant discipline, e.g.
Computational Fluid Dynamics, Applied Mathematics, Planetary Science, Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics or Astrophysical Fluids with computational experience is essential. You will also have experience in Dynamo theory and good organisational skills. Applications from women, who are currently under-represented in this area, will be particularly welcome; however, the final recruitment decision will be based solely on merit.

Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Steven Tobias,
tel +44 (0)113 343 5172,
email smt(at)maths.leeds.ac.uk

or

Professor Chris Jones,
tel +44 (0)113 343 5107,
email cajones(at)maths.leeds.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 1 February 2013

Interviews are expected to be held 26 February 2013

For more information go to

http://jobs.leeds.ac.uk

and search for reference MAPMA0042

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Research Fellow 2

Project Title: Hall Magnetohydrodynamics in Neutron Stars

Fixed term until 31 March 2016

Applications are invited for a research fellowship funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The project will investigate Hall MHD in neutron stars. In particular we shall develop three-dimensional numerical models of the evolution of crustal magnetic fields under the influence of the Hall effect, including realistic density and conductivity profiles. Coupling between the magnetic field and the temperature will also be included. You will work in close contact with the principal investigator (PI) Professor Rainer Hollerbach in the Department of Applied Mathematics.

A PhD (or PhD submitted) in the relevant discipline, e.g. Computational Fluid Dynamics, Applied Mathematics, Planetary Science or Astrophysical Fluids with computational experience or Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics is essential. You will also have experience in Dynamo theory and good organisational skills.

Applications from women, who are currently under-represented in this area, will be particularly welcome; however, the final recruitment decision will be based solely on merit.

Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Rainer Hollerbach, email rh(at)maths.leeds.ac.uk

Closing Date: 1 February 2013

Interviews are expected to be held 26 February 2013

For more information go to

http://jobs.leeds.ac.uk

and search for reference MAPMA0043

Print Message
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(from Graem Sarson, UK)

We’re organising a short meeting to celebrate the 60th birthday of Professor Anvar Shukurov. Anvar Shukurov moved to Newcastle University in 1996 and is an internationally recognised authority on astrophysical magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) and dynamo theory. He has collaborated with many mathematicians, physicists and astronomers from around the world, many of whom will be attending this event.

The meeting will therefore bring together applied mathematicians and theoretical physicists working on astrophysical magneto-hydrodynamics and dynamo theory, and radio astronomers working on the observation of magnetic fields and turbulence. The event is particularly timely as a significant worldwide expansion in radio astronomy is currently underway, driven in part by the topic of cosmic magnetic fields,

which requires new mathematical models and methods for the planning and interpretation of observations.

The meeting website is at http://www.mas.ncl.ac.uk/as60/, and registration is open. We hope that many from the UK MHD community will be able to attend, and look forward to seeing you in Newcastle next year.

Best wishes, Andrew Fletcher, Graeme Sarson ( magnetic.fields(at)ncl.ac.uk )

School of Mathematics and Statistics

Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 7RU

United Kingdom

Print Message

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will be issued by the end of April, 2013. Please send information you wish to be included into this issue to

       a.pedcenko(at)coventry.ac.uk

not later than 20 of April, 2013.

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If you have an urgent announcement, we can publish at http://hydromag.eu between the issues.



Alex Pedcenko

Coventry University
Applied Mathematics Research Centre
Department of Mathematical Sciences and Control Engineering
Priory Street
Coventry CV1 5FB
United Kingdom

Tel: +44-24-7688-8974
e-mail: a.pedcenko(at)coventry.ac.uk