Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Development of Structure in Sunspots
This PPARC-funded post is available from 1 October 2003, or as soon as
possible thereafter, for up to 36 months, depending on age and experience.
You will work with Dr A M Rucklidge as part of the astrophysical fluid
dynamics group; the aim of the project is to study the development of
structure in sunspots. You will be expected to develop axisymmetric and
three dimensinal codes to investigate the onset of penumbral structure in
sunspots, and to incorporate models of coronal heating into nonlinear
convection calculations. You will also conduct comparisons between the
numerical models and satellite observations of flows around sunspots and
coronal activity above active regions. The overall aim of the project is to
improve our understanding of the basic physical mechanisms that are
responsible for the observed structure of sunspots.
You should have (or be about to complete) a PhD, and should have experience
in numerical solution of partial differential equations. A background in
magnetohydrodynamics, with particular emphasis on astrophysical fluid
dynamics, would be useful. The group has extensive expertise in numerical
techniques and access to high performance computing facilities.
Research IA (18,265 - 27,339 pounds p.a.)
Informal enquiries to, and application packs from:
Dr A M Rucklidge (A.M.Rucklidge at leeds.ac.uk)
Department of Applied Mathematics,
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
+44 113 343 5161
Applications forms are available online from Human Resources
or here,
and should be returned to Dr A M Rucklidge at the above address, along with a
CV and the names of three referees. Please also complete an Equal Opportunities Form.
Job ref 051-095-004-027 Closing date 16 May 2003
Job specification for PDRA on Development of Structure in Sunspots
- Conduct of research projects directly linked to the PPARC proposal.
- Development of new codes using existing numerical techniques.
- Presentation of written results in scientific journals.
- Presentation of reports to other members of the team.
- Presentation of research results at conferences.
Personal specification for PDRA on Development of Structure in Sunspots
- Sound basic education in physics/mathematics
- PhD (or about to receive a PhD) on a relevant topic
- Experience of solving nonlinear differential equations.
- Expertise in high performance computing.
- Effective team worker
- Good time management
- Good interpersonal skills
Disabled Applicants: The post is located on Level 8 of the Mathematics
Building, which, during normal working hours, is accessible via an elevator
without steps. Disabled applicants are welcome to review the building and
its access. Disability Services are happy to provide advice if required tel:
0113 233 3927. Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employees of
their disability but will still be covered by the Disability Discrimination
Act once their disability becomes known.
Data Protection:
The information you provide in your application will be used to consider
your suitability for the post for which you have applied. If your
application is not successful the information will be disposed of
confidentially within 8 months. If your application is successful and you
are appointed, your information and future data will be processed in
accordance with the University's Data Protection Code of Practice. A copy
of this code can be obtained from either the University's Human Resources
Department or by visiting http://www.leeds.ac.uk/hr/policy/policies.htm
References
- Complete models of axisymmetric
sunspots: magnetoconvection with coronal heating, by
N.E. Hurlburt,
D. Alexander
and A.M. Rucklidge.
Ap. J.,
577 (2002) 993-1005.
- Compressible magnetoconvection
in three dimensions:
pattern formation in a strongly stratified layer, by
A.M. Rucklidge,
N.O. Weiss,
D.P. Brownjohn,
P.C. Matthews and
M.R.E.Proctor.
J. Fluid Mech.
419 (2000) 283-323.
- Solar
magnetoconvection, by
N.E. Hurlburt,
P.C. Matthews
and A.M. Rucklidge.
Solar Physics
192 (2000) 109-118.
- Development of structure in pores and sunspots:
flows around axisymmetric magnetic flux tubes, by
N.E. Hurlburt
and A.M. Rucklidge.
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.
314 (2000) 793-806.
- Numerical studies of pattern formation in
three-dimensional magnetoconvection, by
N.O. Weiss,
A.M. Rucklidge,
M.R.E.Proctor,
P.C. Matthews and
D.P. Brownjohn.
Prog. Theor. Phys. Suppl. 138 (2000) 674-683.
- Heating the atmosphere above
sunspots, by
D. Alexander,
N.E. Hurlburt
and A.M. Rucklidge.
In Plasma Dynamics and Diagnostics in the
Solar Transition Region and Corona
(Proceedings of the 8th SOHO Workshop)
(eds. J.-C. Vial and B. Kaldeich-Schurmann)
ESA SP-446: Noordwijk (1999) 117-122.
- Modelling photospheric
magnetoconvection, by
S.M. Blanchflower,
A.M. Rucklidge and
N.O. Weiss.
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.
301 (1998) 593-608.
- The abrupt development of penumbrae in
sunspots, by A.M. Rucklidge, H.U. Schmidt and
N.O. Weiss.
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.
273 (1995) 491-498.
This page last modified March 2003.