Lectures
The lectures will encompass three main themes. The first part will be an overview of basic space physics concepts geared towards understanding how the magnetosphere works and how it is driven. This will include the use of modeling tools to explore the same concepts in a more quantitative way, exposing the strengths and weaknesses of available models. The second part of the lectures will bring these concepts together to explore how new space missions could be devised to help resolve longstanding scientific questions. The third part of the lectures will highlight on-going space science related activities at the laboratory and will include a "career day" to convey job opportunities and desirable skill-sets for a career in space physics. Lectures will be coordinated with "labs" to get more hands-on experience. Space data analysis and modeling will be the main themes of the labs. Several field trips will be organized to visit Los Alamos facilities and historic sites (examples could include LANSCE, electron accelerators, visualization and high-performance computing labs, etc.).
Research Projects
A unique aspect of the Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School is its emphasis on scientific research projects. Students team up with Laboratory mentors to work on unresolved scientific problems in space physics. The Laboratory is engaged in a wide variety of space-physics activities and offers a host of exciting research projects. Students can also propose their own ideas, which might include topics from their PhD thesis (contact the Space Weather Summer School management to find a suitable match to a Laboratory mentor). In the past, the majority of these projects led to presentations at major international conferences and, in some cases, to publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Students
Open to U.S. and foreign graduate students currently enrolled in PhD programs in space physics, planetary science, aerospace engineering, or related fields. Acceptance is based primarily on student’s academic record, list of publications and presentations, letter of nomination, and content of cover letter. Preference will be given to students pursuing careers in the space sciences and who have completed at least their first year of graduate school, but students in any year may apply.
Application Process
To apply, fill out the Application Form and, submit the following material to swx-school@lanl.gov
- Cover letter describing your research interests, why you would benefit, to attend, potential project ideas, and mentor requests
- A current CV including full list of publications and presentations
- Your undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- A brief description of your PhD program and current progress
- A nomination letter from your advisor
- Two additional letters of reference if not enrolled in U.S. PhD program
Before you begin:
The Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School is open to graduate students enrolled in a PhD program in space physics, planetary sciences, aerospace engineering or a related field.
- Only currently enrolled PhD students are eligible to apply. (Enrollment is verified from transcripts or an official letter from the university.)
- Students in any year of graduate studies are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to students that have completed at least their first year
- Students of all citizenships are eligible to apply. Non-U.S. citizens should read the information for non-U.S. citizens.
- Students enrolled in graduate programs both inside and outside the U.S. are eligible to apply. Non-U.S. citizens enrolled in graduate programs outside the U.S. should read the information for non-US citizens.
Application packages are reviewed by a panel of experts and acceptance into the program is based primarily on the student’s academic record, list of publications, presentations and nomination letter. Program acceptance is also based on the student's interest in attending a summer school about space weather and the benefit to the student of attendance, as demonstrated in the cover letter.
Attempts are made to identify highly qualified students from a diverse background, including academic, institutional, and cultural diversity.
Preference is given to students who have completed at least their second year of classes.
A limited number of students are accepted to the program each year, depending on funding.
All non-U.S. citizens
Non-U.S. citizens selected for admission to the summer school still need to be approved to visit the Lab. Approval in the FVTS (Foreign Visits Tracking System) is required. Students are not allowed to be on Lab property or receive fellowship payment until the FVTS is approved.
Be aware that approvals can 60-75 days to process, and may not be decided until right before the start of the summer school. In the unlikely event that a student does NOT receive FVTS approval, he/she will NOT be allowed to visit the Lab, participate in the summer school, or receive the fellowship.
If the FVTS is denied, the student cannot be reimbursed for any expenses (e.g. travel, housing) that he/she has already incurred in preparing to attend the summer school.
Non-U.S. citizens enrolled at non-U.S. universities
In addition to the FVTS requirement above, non-U.S. citizens enrolled in graduate programs outside the U.S. who are selected for admission to the summer school need to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. to attend the summer school and be paid the fellowship.
The Lab will sponsor the visa (prepare a document needed for the visa appointment), and will work with the student to apply, but the student will ultimately be responsible for submitting the application, paying all applications fees, and visiting the nearest U.S. embassy for his/her interview and to pick up the visa.
Note: if the visa is NOT approved, the student cannot receive the fellowship or be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in trying to obtain the visa.
We understand these rules make it difficult and more costly for non-U.S. citizens studying outside the U.S. to attend the summer school, so please be aware of them before applying.
Note that two additional letters of reference are required from non-U.S. citizens enrolled in graduate programs outside the U.S., as part of the application materials.
