Issue 38, November 15th, 2022 | |
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We hope you're keeping well. This month's newsletter is packed with opportunities, so please take a look and consider sharing it with someone who may benefit from our programs.
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IceCube neutrinos give us first glimpse into the inner depths of an active galaxy | |
The skymap of high-energy neutrinos around NGC 1068 vicinity | |
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IceCube Neutrino Observatory located at the South Pole has detected neutrino emission above 1 TeV from active galaxy NGC 1068 with 4.2 sigma significance above the background expectation. IceCube first discovered the existence of high-energy neutrinos in 2013. Since then, there has been a continuous effort to determine the origin of these high-energy neutrinos.
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The first evidence of a potential source was revealed by multi-messenger observations of a high-energy neutrino event reported by IceCube in 2018 in the direction of a blazar TXS 0506+056, where coincident very-high-energy gamma-ray activity was detected. The measurement of high-energy neutrinos from NGC 1068, announced by IceCube in 2022 on November 3rd, marks the report of a second potential neutrino source. However, the emission from NGC 1068 shows different properties than what we have seen from TXS 0506+056. First, this is the first time neutrino emission is detected over a long period of 10 years. Second, there was no detection from high-energy gamma-ray observations despite 125 hours of deep exposure time. | |
The energy spectral distribution for NGC 1068 obtained by the multi-messenger observations, electromagnetic wave and neutrino observations. 1 TeV measured by IceCube in the vicinity of the active galaxy NGC 1068 is inconsistent with the background hypothesis by 4.2 sigmas | |
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As NGC 1068 is only 47 million light-years away, the absorption of high-energy gamma-ray cannot be explained by inter-galactic propagation loss. This indicates that the neutrino emission may come from an obscure environment where high-energy gamma rays generated together with high-energy neutrinos could not escape.
With a cubic kilometre active volume, IceCube remains the first neutrino telescope capable of measuring the high-energy astrophysical neutrino flux.
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Professor Park at Queen's University comments,
Neutrino astrophysics can offer unique information about the universe as neutrinos only weakly interact with matter and can travel a much longer distance and probe obscure regions of the astrophysical objects. This new result is exciting as this is the first evidence of neutrino from an obscure environment. The flux estimated from TXS 0506+056 and NGC 1068 is only a few % of the total astrophysical neutrino flux measured by IceCube. This shows that rich science is waiting for us in the neutrino sky.
Read the full paper here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abg3395
Thank you Dr. Nahee Park for this article, republished from the Queen's Phyics website: https://www.queensu.ca/physics/evidence-neutrino-emission-ngc1068
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The Professional Development Opportunities Program (PDO) is now offering hybrid workshops for community members this semester. Participants will have the option to attend either in person (which includes delicious snacks!) or join us online. Upon registration, guests will receive the Zoom link and the in-person location.
POSTPONED: Project and Time Management Part 2: Facilitated Session
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Please note, the November 17, 2022 hybrid session with Mitacs facilitator Kirby James will be postponed until the winter semester of 2023. That means there’s additional time for members of the astroparticle physics community to enrol and prepare for this new opportunity.
What can you expect when you register? To participate in Project and Time Management Part 2, you must complete the asynchronous Mitacs session “Spur up your project management and time management skills” prior to joining the facilitated session. The Project Management and Time Management facilitated session is designed to provide learners with the opportunity to practice delivering project status updates to their stakeholders (i.e., supervisors, collaborators, funders, etc.). Learners will draft and present their updates to small groups and receive feedback from their peers. These are skills that will help you stay focused, gain alignment, and work efficiently.
Graduate students and postdocs who participate will earn recognition for their skills through the Mitacs Edge program (something to add to your CV and resume!)
Follow the Mitacs Registration Guide for the Mitacs sessions here: Mitacs Registration_Guide.pdf
If you have any questions regarding registration, please feel free to reach out to Max Edgington (HQP Coordinator) at max.edgington@mcdonaldinstitute.ca.
December 1st - Excel Fundamentals
For good reason, scientists rely on advanced tools for managing large datasets and analysis, including python and R. Nevertheless, Excel is an exceptionally nimble tool that has more to offer than most are familiar with. This session will go through some of the intermediate and advanced machinery or Excel, including pivot tables, data validation, cross referencing, and more. The session will take place on December 1st at 1:00 PM EST.
Click here to register:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ajpnsk6ab&oeidk=a07ejfpoyvae6b707b5
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GEnder MINorities In Physics - Call for Mentors
The GEnder MINorities In Physics (GEMINI-P) group, aims to promote and support the presence and contributions of gender minorities within the Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy Department at Queen’s University.
GEMINI-P is running a mentorship program aimed to provide diverse mentors with respect to both identities and fields of study.
Through the mentorship program the students, and mentees, will have the chance to meet virtually, learn, and be mentored by an established scientist from either academia or industry. This opportunity is designed and structured to support upper-year undergraduates, in discussing and overcoming hurdles they face today in physics, exploring career options, and connecting with interesting scientists and engineers.
The meetings will happen virtually so that mentors can apply from any location.
Please use this form to apply as a mentor and contact gemini-p@queensu.ca with any questions.
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OPEN CALL: Two Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) PhD Fellowships with the McDonald Institute at Queen’s University
The IBET PhD Project aims to encourage and support the pursuit of graduate studies by under-represented groups in Canada. This lack of representation has hindered the enrolment of Canadian Indigenous and Black graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. IBET recipients will receive funding support and a Momentum Fellowship which includes access to industry partnerships and additional networking opportunities. Access to mentorship and community support will also be an integral component of the program.
IBET Fellowship with the McDonald Institute will be based at Queen’s University. Fellows receive $30,000/year ($25,000 from the McDonald Institute and Faculty of Arts and Science, and a minimum contribution of $5,000/year from the host supervisor at Queen’s).
Ideal candidates are open to learning new techniques and must be motivated to solve problems in an interdisciplinary framework and collaboration setting. By the start date of the position, candidates should possess a PhD in physics or engineering with specialization in high-energy physics, nuclear physics, astroparticle physics or equivalent. A successful PDF candidate will be an expert in experimental particle physics, detector instrumentation, and data evaluation as demonstrated by their PhD research and any relevant subsequent appointments. Academic career interruptions for relevant work experience or personal obligations will also be taken into consideration. Experience with hardware installations, physics analysis, exposure to low background techniques, and/or research experience in these areas through previous PDF appointments or work experience is considered an asset.
If you have questions about the opportunity, or know of someone who may be qualified to apply, please reach out to Alexandra Pedersen (alexandra.pedersen@mcdonaldinstitute.ca) for further information and visit: https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/app-opportunities/opportunities/graduate-position-queens-university-ibet-phd-fellowships/.
This search will be ongoing until the positions are filled.
Please share this opportunity widely.
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2023 Cross-Disciplinary Internship Applications Open
The Cross-Disciplinary Internship (CDI) program provides a ($12,000 CAN) salary reimbursement for full- or part-time students registered in non-physics majors to participate in astroparticle physics research. Student applicants can be enrolled in any post-secondary level (college, undergraduate, or graduate studies). Supervisors must be faculty or postdoctoral scholars whose focus contributes to the advancements of astroparticle physics research. This program links students with leading astroparticle physics researchers in Canada for opportunities to expand research collaborations, knowledge, and research-based skills.
To learn more, visit: https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/cdinternship/
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Potential applicants and their supervisors must contact Dr. Alexandra Pedersen, the McDonald Institute’s Business Development Officer, at admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca prior to submitting an application to discuss the project. Please use “CDI Program – [LAST NAME]” as the subject line when reaching out.
Need inspiration? Check out our past CDI alumni page.
Deadline to apply: Friday January 20, 2023 by 4pm EST.
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Proof of Concept Seed Funding
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The McDonald Institute Proof of Concept Seed Fund Program provides early-stage support for technology innovation supervised by an awardee. Funding of up to $20,000 CAD is currently available to offset the real costs to an eligible astroparticle physics researcher developing an early-stage demonstration of practical technologies either adapted, or transferred from research-driven activities. Funding may be used for a portion, or the entirety of costs incurred for, prototype development, technology integration, or technology demonstration. The opportunity will close March 2023. Please contact Dr. Alexandra Pedersen (Business Development Officer) at admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca for additional information and application guidance.
For more information, please visit: https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/funding-opportunities/#seed-funding
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Commercialization Demo Fund
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The McDonald Institute is launching its Demonstration Fund, which complements the Proof of Concept Fund. Both funds are designed to help scientists and engineers explore alternative uses of existing research technologies and build partnerships with end-users and entrepreneurs.
The Demonstration Fund is tailored to meet the need for small-scale funding to address the gap between a bench-scale proof that alternative applications of research technology might work and the tangible demonstration that it can work reproducibly.
“Proofs of concept allow us to conduct very early stage tests with bench-top prototypes to answer the question: ‘Could Technology X possibly work for Application Y?’” says the Institute's Associate Director Edward Thomas. “Demonstrations answer the question: ‘Can Technology X be packaged into a format that can reliably benefit an Application Y end-user?’ Demonstrations typically require financial support to re-package or re-configure an often fragile or user-unfriendly benchtop prototype into a format that can reproducibly solve a problem.”
Please contact Dr. Alexandra Pedersen (Business Development Officer) at admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca for additional information and see the McDonald Institute's funding opportunities web page after November 21.
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Research Partnership-Building Workshop
We are still receiving applications for the Research Partnership-Building Workshops program. It aims to mobilize astroparticle physics researchers working in Canada by supporting novel workshops, training events, or short-term visits that either initiate or expand opportunities for eligible research or training partnerships.
To read more about eligible programs or to apply, visit the McDonald Institute webpage.
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McDonald Institute Award for Postdoctoral Fellows
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The McDonald Institute Postdoctoral Scholar award is a one-year top-up for postdoctoral fellows at a recognized Canadian academic institution. The award recognizes demonstrated excellence across a broad suite of contributions to astroparticle physics research in Canada (e.g., leadership roles in the community, innovation, scientific contribution). This opportunity is limited to postdoctoral fellows in Astroparticle physics.
The application deadline is January 15, 2023.
Learn more at: https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/funding-opportunities/#MIPostdocAwards
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Dr. Jodi Cooley named physics society fellow | | |
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The McDonald Institute congratulates SNOLAB Executive Director, Dr. Jodi Cooley on being selected for The APS Fellowship Program who was recognized for her “outstanding contributions to searches for dark matter particles,” the APS announced last month.
“It is a significant honour to be recognized by your peers in this way,” Cooley said. “This is a great way to cap off an exciting year me, and I am looking forward to a lot more success for the great team at SNOLAB.
Reposted from: https://www.snolab.ca/news/dr-jodi-cooley-named-physics-society-fellow/
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Thank you Sarah!
The entire McDonald Institute administrative team would like to thank Dr. Sarah Dawson for her excellent work while Communications Officer, Zachary Kenny was on parental leave this summer. Sarah was instrumental in the organization and operation of the McDonald Institute Un-Hackathon in February, the Summer Particle (Astro)Physics Workshop in May, and the community's national meeting in Toronto and the TeVPA 2022 conference in Kingston in August. She also edited this newsletter and managed the Institute's communications channels. Sarah began her studies in law in September and we wish her the best success!
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Thank you Diana!
Diana Turner has taken up new duties as the Human Resources and Staffing Officer at Queen's Faculty of Law. She was the Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator for the McDonald Institute from June 2018 until July 2022 and played a major role in supporting the Institute's growth and maintaining its operational scope. Diana was also the assistant to both the Scientific Director and the Managing Director of the Institute and handled HR responsibilities of the staff, faculty and HQP. Through her various other administrative roles, she facilitated the Institute's operational efficiency. The McDonald Institute administrative team has benefited mightily from her joyful presence and dedication to team building. We wish her all the best at Queen's Faculty of Law!
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Save The Date - CAPSS - May 7 - May 13 2023
The Canadian Astroparticle Physics Summer School (CAPSS) is a week-long undergraduate school that will introduce students to the current topics in the field of astroparticle physics at Queen’s University and SNOLAB. CAPSS 2023 will be held May 7 - May 13 2023. The application period is open and will close on Feb 10, 2023. More information can be found on the McDonald Institute webpage.
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Save The Date - (GRIDS) June 5th - 16th, 2023
The Graduate Instrumentation and Detector School (GRIDS) is a two-week summer school started in 2018 for graduate students and new post-docs in nuclear, particle, and astroparticle physics to get hands-on training with the detector and instrumentation technology used in modern experiments. It is aimed primarily at those students and post-docs with limited experience with experimental hardware.
GRIDS 2023 is expected to be held June 5th - 16th, 2023. The application period will open this winter and close in early March, 2023.
More information will be posted on the website as it becomes available: grids.trumf.ca.
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Explore opportunities in astroparticle physics! | |
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The Careers in Astroparticle Physics website features jobs, research positions, and other career-building opportunities in the field in a highly discoverable way. Prospective and current students can easily find current postings to take their careers to the next step, or just to keep them inspired and optimistic about their future.
View the Careers website at: https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/app-opportunities/
We hope you find this community resource helpful!
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Connect with the community:
Do you have a recent result or publication that you would like shared with the Canadian Astroparticle Physics network and beyond? Send your work to CJ (kts@mcdonaldinstitute.ca) to have it featured in our Science News series!
Science News is intended for students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and research associates actively working in astroparticle physics to quickly digest updates and progress in areas that are not directly connected to their specific project(s).
The McDonald Institute at Queen’s University is situated in the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee First Nations. The Institute is part of a national network of institutions and research centres, which operate in other traditional Indigenous territories. Visit www.whose.land to learn the traditional territories where astroparticle physicists are grateful to live and work across Canada.
Thank you for your support. If you would like to view past newsletters from the McDonald Institute, please visit the: Newsletter Archive.
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