*Editor's Note* The GemWiki site is currently down due to technical difficulties. While we are trying our best to bring GemWiki back online we will provide updates on the GEM Focus Groups and other relevant activities through this newsletter. Information about the upcoming GEM Mini-workshop in San Francisco can be found at http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem-mini/index.html . *************************** ** THE GEM MESSENGER ** *************************** Volume 18, Number 34 December 1, 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USU Space Weather Initiative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Shawna Johnson Utah State University has created an International Center for Space Weather Forecasting under USTAR (the Utah Science, Technology And Research initiative). Several new research faculty, postdoctoral fellow, and graduate student positions are currently available, and the goal is to expand our space weather team by 12-15 new members during the next 3-5 years. The USTAR program provides the funding for all of the new positions for a period of up to five years. The pillars for the expanded space weather program are the USU physics-based and data assimilation models for the global thermosphere, ionosphere, plasmasphere, polar wind and electrodynamics. The Center activity will focus on commercialization and research involving specifications and forecasts that are relevant to a wide range of applications, including those relevant to the international airline industry, disaster relief, surveying, oil drilling, electric power companies, and HF communications. The USTAR program was created by the State of Utah because it recognizes the importance of research to growing and maintaining a vibrant economy. The goal of the USTAR program is to bolster Utah's high-tech industry by investing in, and recruiting new, high caliber faculty and university research programs. USTAR is designed to increase the flow and commercialization of university discoveries, inventions, and innovations. To meet the goals of the USTAR program, candidates from outside of the State of Utah are strongly encouraged to apply. Positions are immediately available for a Center Director and/or a Space Weather Expert at the middle/senior level, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. The Center Director should have a Ph.D. degree in engineering or physics and should have experience with data assimilation techniques, handling diverse data sets, or running space weather models. He/she should also be able to demonstrate an ability to acquire research funding, have a strong record of collaborative research, and have interest in technology commercialization. The new USTAR positions will be in the Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences at USU. Salaries are very competitive and are commensurate with experience. Also, USU offers an impressive package of fringe benefits. For further information contact either R. W. Schunk (Robert.Schunk@usu.edu ) or J. J. Sojka (Jan.Sojka@usu.edu ). Applicants should submit resumés, contact information for three references, and a statement of research/ commercialization interests. To apply, go to: http://jobs.usu.edu (req. ID 051579). Nominations and inquiries should be sent to Shawna Johnson, USTAR Search Committee, Utah State University, Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405, USA. USU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |To subscribe GEM Messengers, send an e-mail to | | with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: | | subscribe gem | |To remove yourself from the mailing list, the command is: | | unsubscribe gem | | | |To broadcast a message to the GEM community, please contact Peter Chi at | | | |Please use plain text as the format of your submission. | | | |URL of GEM Home Page: http://aten.igpp.ucla.edu/GemWiki | |Workshop Information: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem/index.html | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+