The University of Iowa Howes Plasma Theory group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral position working on field-particle correlation analysis of observations of magnetic reconnection by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. The research is supported by a NASA Heliophysics Guest Investigator Open (H-GIO) grant to determine the velocity-space signature of particle energization by magnetic reconnection under a variety of conditions, in particular seeking evidence for Fermi acceleration of electrons under low-to-moderate guide magnetic field and parallel electric field energization under large guide magnetic field conditions.  The candidate will learn the kinetic plasma theory and application of the field-particle correlation technique using electromagnetic field and particle velocity distribution measurements from spacecraft observations.  It is expected that the postdoctoral research scholar will produce numerous first-author publications presenting successful applications of the field-particle correlation technique in the peer-reviewed literature and will present these results at national and international scientific conferences.

Candidates should instruct references to email letters directly to Professor Howes at gregory-howes@uiowa.edu.

• The successful applicant must have a PhD in Physics or a closely related field, awarded by the position start date. If the candidate can demonstrate that PhD degree requirements have been met, but that the degree will not be officially conferred until a later date (e.g., May 2025), the applicant may be considered to meet this requirement.

• Applicants should have a strong record of interest or experience in kinetic plasma physics and the exploration of plasma heating and particle acceleration by fundamental processes such as collisonless magnetic reconnection, kinetic plasma turbulence, collisionless shocks, or kinetic instabilities.

• Research experience in kinetic plasma physics using kinetic numerical simulations, spacecraft observations, or laboratory experiments.