Sophie Masson

Junior Postdoctoral Research Position for the MANTIS project at LPP

Multi-scale Simulations of Solar Energetic Particle Injection and inner heliopshere propagation
 

Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP), France

Applications are now open
 

Application deadline: September 30th, 2026
Starting date: Flexible, between November 2026 and March 2027

Contact: Sophie.masson@lpp.polytechnique.fr

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position to investigate one of the major challenges in heliophysics: how energetic particles are injected from the solar corona into the heliosphere and how their earliest propagation shapes the particle populations eventually detected near Earth and throughout the Solar System.
 

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) produced during flares and eruptive events can travel across the heliosphere within minutes, posing significant hazards to spacecraft, astronauts, and technological infrastructure. Yet, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. How do particles escape from their acceleration sites? How are they injected onto open magnetic field lines? How does the evolving coronal magnetic field modify their trajectories before they enter the solar wind? To what extent does the dynamic of the large-scale magnetic field during the eruptions influence the timing, intensity, and spatial extent of Solar Energetic Particle events observed near Earth?
 

To address these questions, we developed and a Particle-in-Cell (PIC) code that is now coupled  to the state-of-the art 3D MHD code ARMS dedicated to study solar eruptions. The successful candidate will use this new-generation multi-scale simulation framework in order to combine the global evolution of the corona with kinetic descriptions of energetic particles, this unique numerical approach enables the self-consistent study of particle injection and the earliest stages of heliospheric transport in realistic eruptive environments.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to both the development of advanced computational methods and to our understanding of the physical processes that govern the escape of energetic particles from their acceleration site close to the Sun into the open heliosphere.
 

Research objectives

The project will investigate how energetic particles are released into interplanetary space and how the evolving magnetic environment influences their propagation close to the Sun. 
The successful candidates will perform state-of-the-art HPC simulations using the newly developed code MHD-PIC and will focus on investigating :  
 

• The particle escape from magnetic reconnection regions and influence of dynamically evolving magnetic fields on particle beam evolution;
• The magnetic connectivity between solar source regions and near-Earth space
• The escape of solar energetic particles onto open magnetic field lines;
• The temporal dispersion of energetic particle populations, evolution of particle pitch-angle distributions, longitudinal and latitudinal spreading of SEP events;
• The comparison with observations from modern heliophysics missions by developing methods to produce synthetic observables from the simulations.

A particular emphasis will be placed on understanding how the dynamic evolution of the coronal magnetic field modifies the timing, anisotropy, and spatial distribution of energetic particle beams during the earliest phases of their propagation, before they enter the large-scale heliosphere. While the multi-scale code is developed by our computational scientist, the successful candidate will have to develop post-processing routines to create synthetic observables (X-rays and radio signatures) that can be compared with observations.
 

Within the MANTIS project, provisions have been made for the acquisition of computers to carry the work, to fund regular travels to few international workshops and conferences to present the research work.

The post-doc researcher will benefit from the team time allocation grant at the French National high-performance computers (e.g. Jean Zay @ IDRIS, ADASTRA @ CINES) in order to carry the numerical simulations.  

The research work will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences.

A unique multi-scale simulation capability
 

This project is built around a newly developed numerical framework designed to bridge the gap between global coronal dynamics and kinetic particle physics as part of the MANTIS project.
 

The simulation platform combines:
 

• The global MHD models, using the ARMS code, describing the evolving magnetic structure of the solar corona and solar wind; 
• fully kinetic Particle-in-Cell simulations resolving particle acceleration and injection processes;
• adaptive coupling strategies allowing energetic particles to evolve within realistic, time-dependent magnetic environments.

Unlike traditional test-particle approaches that assume prescribed electromagnetic fields, this framework captures the dynamic interaction between evolving magnetic structures and particle populations, enabling a much more realistic description of SEP injection and early transport. The MHD code used in the project is the ARMS code from DeVore 1991 which is dedicate to study magnetic reconnection and shocks during solar flares and eruptions.
 

The successful candidate will help extend and exploit this innovative tool to investigate fundamental questions at the frontier of heliophysics. The simulations performed during this project require state-of-the-art high-performance computing resources. The successful candidate will have access to National supercomputing facilities and will contribute to the development of highly scalable numerical tools capable of modelling coupled fluid-kinetic plasma systems.

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics is one of Europe's leading laboratories dedicated to plasma physics and space sciences. It brings together researchers studying plasmas across an exceptional diversity of environments, from laboratory experiments to the Sun, planetary magnetospheres, and the heliosphere. Expertise spans observations, numerical simulations, theory, laboratory plasma experiments, and the development of instrumentation for international space missions.
 

The LPP is implanted  within the Paris-Saclay scientific campus (Palaiseau, France), and within Sorbonne University (Paris, France) LPP benefits from one of Europe's most dynamic research ecosystems including  internationally renowned universities and research organizations (CNRS, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Institute d’Astorphysique Spatiale (IAS), CEA, and ONERA) It offers a vibrant scientific atmosphere with regular seminars, workshops, international visitors, and extensive interdisciplinary collaborations. 

The LPP solar physics team of LPP is based at Sorbonne University (Paris).
 

Living in the Paris region

The Paris region offers an exceptional combination of scientific excellence and quality of life.
Beyond its world-famous cultural heritage, museums, music, and gastronomy, the region provides:
a vibrant international scientific community; excellent public transportation; extensive parks and natural areas;

The salary depends on the experience of the candidate. French salaries already include employer-funded health insurance contributions so no additional cost should be added on the income.

Candidate profile

Applications are encouraged from early-career researchers seeking a first postdoctoral appointment (completed his/her PhD after 2025). Due to requirements of the funding contract, applicants must be national of an EU Member state, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
 

The PhD coud be in: Plasma Physics - Space Physics - Solar Physics - Astrophysics - Computational Physics
 

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:
 

• Solar energetic particle modelling or observations;
• plasma simulations;
• MHD;
• Particle-in-Cell methods;
• solar or heliospheric physics;
• magnetic reconnection;
• high-performance computing;
• scientific programming (C/C++, Fortran, Python, or similar).

Applicants from both numerical and observational backgrounds interested in connecting simulations with space observations. Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work collaboratively are valued as highly as prior experience with the specific numerical methods.
What we offer
 

The successful candidate will benefit from:
 

• participation in the development of a cutting-edge multi-scale MHD-PIC simulation framework;
• access to national and European supercomputing facilities;
• close collaborations with internationally recognized experts in solar and space plasma physics;
• opportunities to collaborate with teams involved in major space missions;
• funding to present results at leading international conferences and workshops.

Application
 

Applications are open now and will be reviewed starting September 1st, 2026 until the position is filled.

Applicants should submit by email to Sophie.masson@lpp.polytechnique.fr

• a full curriculum vitae;
• a publication list;
• a statement of research interests (1–2 pages);
• contact information for two or three referees.

The anticipated starting date is flexible between November 2026 and April 2027, depending on the candidate's availability.

LPP is an equal opportunity employer,  committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and supportive research environment and warmly welcomes applications from candidates of all nationalities and backgrounds. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

Postdoctoral Research Position for the MANTIS project at LPP

Multi-scale simulations of particle acceleration in solar flares and eruptive events

Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP), France

Applications are now open
 

Application deadline: September 30th, 2026
Starting date: Flexible, between November 2026 and March 2027

Contact: Sophie.masson@lpp.polytechnique.fr

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the acceleration of energetic particles during solar flares and eruptive events using a new generation of multi-scale numerical code.
Understanding how magnetic energy is transferred into energetic particle acceleration remains one of the major challenges of solar and astrophysical plasma physics. Despite decades of observations and theoretical work, the physical mechanisms responsible for accelerating electrons and ions to relativistic energies during eruptive events are still incompletely understood.
To address this challenge, the successful candidate will exploit and further develop an innovative numerical framework that bridges magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and kinetic (PIC) plasma descriptions. Unlike traditional approaches that treat fluid and kinetic processes separately, this new-generation simulation tool enables the self-consistent investigation of energy release across multiple spatial and temporal scales, opening exciting opportunities for studying particle acceleration in realistic solar environments.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to both the development of advanced computational methods and to our understanding of the physical processes involved in particle acceleration during solar eruptions.

Research Objectives

The project focuses on understanding how energetic particles are accelerated during solar flares and eruptions. 
The research work will consist of designing and performing state-of-the-art HPC simulations using the newly developed multi-scale code MHD-PIC and will focus on investigating :
 

• particle acceleration during solar flares and coronal mass ejections/
• magnetic reconnection and energy conversion;
• transport of energetic particles through reconnecting magnetic fields;
• The comparison of numerical results with observations from current space missions by developingpost-processing tools  to create synthetic observables.
• Potential  feedback between kinetic particle populations and global plasma evolution;

The successful candidate will work closely with researcher and computational scientist developing this unique multi-scale simulation capability and will contribute to expanding its scientific applications.
Within the MANTIS project, provisions have been made for the acquisition of computers to carry the work, to fund regular travels to few international workshops and conferences to present the research work.

The post-doc researcher will benefit from the team time allocation grant at the French National high-performance computers (e.g. Jean Zay @ IDRIS, ADASTRA @ CINES) in order to carry the numerical simulations.  

The research work will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences.

A unique multi-scale simulation capability
 

This project is built around a newly developed numerical framework designed to bridge the gap between global coronal dynamics and kinetic particle physics as part of the MANTIS project.
 

The simulation platform combines:
 

• The global MHD models, using the ARMS code, describing the evolving magnetic structure of the solar corona and solar wind; 
• fully kinetic Particle-in-Cell simulations resolving particle acceleration and injection processes;
• adaptive coupling strategies allowing energetic particles to evolve within realistic, time-dependent magnetic environments.

Unlike traditional test-particle approaches that assume prescribed electromagnetic fields, this framework captures the dynamic of the magnetic field from large-scale MHD simulations. The MHD code used in the project is the ARMS code from DeVore 1991. This allows to work with its AMR capability providing the adequate framework to get to small-scale physics, enabling to investigate particle physics at small scale where acceleration is believed to happen.
The successful candidate will help extend and exploit this innovative tool to investigate fundamental questions at the frontier of heliophysics. The simulations performed during this project require state-of-the-art high-performance computing resources. The successful candidate will have access to National supercomputing facilities and will contribute to the development of highly scalable numerical tools capable of modelling coupled fluid-kinetic plasma systems.

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics

The Laboratory of Plasma Physics is one of Europe's leading laboratories dedicated to plasma physics and space sciences. It brings together researchers studying plasmas across an exceptional diversity of environments, from laboratory experiments to the Sun, planetary magnetospheres, and the heliosphere. Expertise spans observations, numerical simulations, theory, laboratory plasma experiments, and the development of instrumentation for international space missions.
 

The LPP is implanted  within the Paris-Saclay scientific campus (Palaiseau, France), and within Sorbonne University (Paris, France) LPP benefits from one of Europe's most dynamic research ecosystems including  internationally renowned universities and research organizations (CNRS, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Institute d’Astorphysique Spatiale (IAS), CEA, and ONERA) It offers a vibrant scientific atmosphere with regular seminars, workshops, international visitors, and extensive interdisciplinary collaborations. 

The LPP solar physics team of LPP is based at Sorbonne University (Paris).
 

Living in the Paris region

The Paris region offers an exceptional combination of scientific excellence and quality of life.
Beyond its world-famous cultural heritage, museums, music, and gastronomy, the region provides:
a vibrant international scientific community; excellent public transportation; extensive parks and natural areas;

The salary depends on the experience of the candidate. French salaries already include employer-funded health insurance contributions so no additional cost should be added on the income.

Candidate profile

Applications are encouraged from early-career researchers seeking a postdoctoral appointment. Due to requirements of the funding contract, applicants must be national of an EU Member state, Switzerland or United Kingdom.
 

The PhD coud be in: Plasma Physics - Space Physics - Solar Physics - Astrophysics - Computational Physics
 

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:
 

• Solar energetic particle modelling or observations;
• plasma simulations;
• MHD;
• Particle-in-Cell methods;
• solar or heliospheric physics;
• magnetic reconnection;
• high-performance computing;
• scientific programming (C/C++, Fortran, Python, or similar).

Applicants from both numerical and observational backgrounds interested in connecting simulations with space observations. Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work collaboratively are valued as highly as prior experience with the specific numerical methods.
What we offer
 

The successful candidate will benefit from:
 

• participation in the development of a cutting-edge multi-scale MHD-PIC simulation framework;
• access to national and European supercomputing facilities;
• close collaborations with internationally recognized experts in solar and space plasma physics;
• opportunities to collaborate with teams involved in major space missions;
• funding to present results at leading international conferences and workshops.

Application
 

Applications are open now and will be reviewed starting September 1st, 2026 until the position is filled.

Applicants should submit by email to Sophie.masson@lpp.polytechnique.fr

• a full curriculum vitae;
• a publication list;
• a statement of research interests (1–2 pages);
• contact information for two or three referees.

The anticipated starting date is flexible between November 2026 and April 2027, depending on the candidate's availability.

LPP is an equal opportunity employer,  committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and supportive research environment and warmly welcomes applications from candidates of all nationalities and backgrounds. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.