PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 40 (September 16, 2012) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Melissa Lane, Susan Benecchi Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Women in Astronomy Discussion Hour at DPS 2. NASA Proposal Writing Workshop at DPS 3. PhD & Post-doctoral Positions Available 4. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 5. New Free NASA iPad Magazine Now Available in the Apple App Store 6. Faculty Opening - Physics Department of Washington University in St. Louis 7. Volcano-Lithosphere Interactions on the Terrestrial Planets Postdoctoral Fellowship: Lunar and Planetary Institute 8. Request for Coordinator for Planetary Astronomy Concepts with a Future 2.4-m Space Telescope 9. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions o---------------------------------------------------------------------o 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY DISCUSSION HOUR AT DPS Wednesday, Oct. 17th, 12:00-1:30 pm Join us for an informal meeting and discussion over lunch. We will have a focus on Work-Life Satisfaction with a brief presentation, and plenty of time for discussion of other relevant topics chosen by participants. Please feel free to bring any information/announcements related to women in astronomy and planetary science to share. Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the DPS committee, we will be able to provide lunch this year. All are welcome, but pre-registration at: http://bit.ly/WL_2012 is required by Oct. 1 due to space limitations. 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 NASA PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP AT DPS Sunday, Oct. 14th, 12:30-4:00 pm This NASA sponsored workshop is open to all interested planetary scientists at no cost. At some time in your career as a scientist, you will need to obtain funding to conduct your research. Perhaps that time is now, perhaps it is still a few years away, but that time will come. Are you prepared for it? Fortunately, NASA awards funding every year for research like yours. But even in the best of times NASA selects only one out of every three proposals submitted for funding. Proposal writing is a necessary skill for every scientist, and just like the rest of your skills it needs to be developed. The session will be presented by Dr. Curt Niebur, a program scientist and NASA HQ, and will focus on understanding NASA's research programs and will include information on how to write a research proposal, where to apply for funding, and pathways for participation on missions. Light refreshments will be provided during breaks. More information and registration: http://bit.ly/NGWW2012 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3 PHD & POST-DOCTORAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE The Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) seek to hire in the framework of the Interuniversity Attraction Pole "Planet Topers" Planets: Tracing Transfer, Origin, Preservation, & Evolution of their ReservoirS: http://iuap-planet-topers.oma.be The PhD contracts are for two years renewable up to 4 years, the postdoctoral positions for one or two years, with possible extension based on performance. We are looking for researchers interested in: cosmochemistry, geochemistry of (micro)meteorites, early planetary formation and conditions for the origin of life as well as impact cratering processes throughout Earth History. Enthusiastic and motivated scientists are encouraged to apply. The salary makes it possible to live comfortably in Brussels and includes many benefits. For questions contact: Vinciane Debaille (vdebaill@ulb.ac.be) at ULB and/or Philippe Claeys (phclaeys@vub.ac.be) at VUB per e-mail. Info on the research and positions can be found at: http://gtime.ulb.ac.be or http://we.vub.ac.be/~essc Send your CV with a cover letter and the names of three references (all in PDF) to Vinciane Debaille vdebaill@ulb.ac.be and Philippe Claeys, phclaeys@vub.ac.be and copy v.dehant@oma.be, Head of Operational Direction 'Reference Systems and Planetology', Royal Observatory Belgium. Applications are accepted until all positions have been filled. 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, exploration systems, lunar science, astrobiology, or astrophysics. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply. Stipends start at $53,500 per year, with supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $8,000 per year is provided for professional travel. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.org 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5 NEW FREE NASA IPAD MAGAZINE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE APP STORE Announcing "Space Place Prime," the new NASA iPad magazine. This brand new app gathers some of the best and most recent web offerings from NASA. It taps engrossing articles from The Space Place website, enlightening NASA videos, and daily images such as the Astronomy Picture of the Day and the NASA Earth Observatory Image of the Day at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/space-place-prime/id543935008?mt=8 Space Place Prime targets a multigenerational audience. Kids, teachers, parents, space enthusiasts, and everyone in between will find fascinating features on this new, free NASA app. Look for it in the Apple Store today. 6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6 FACULTY OPENING - PHYSICS DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS The Department of Physics at Washington University announces a faculty opening in experimental physics at the level of Associate Professor with tenure in space sciences, particularly cosmochemistry or extraterrestrial materials. Candidates at the Assistant Professor level who are exceptionally well qualified and who have a demonstrated aptitude for teaching and original research will also be considered. Duties include teaching and advising students, conducting original research, and participating in departmental and university service. A PhD in a relevant field is required. Demonstrated success in obtaining research funding is highly desirable. The appointment will begin fall 2013. Applications should consist of the following: cover letter, current resume including publication record, statement of research interests and plans (up to 5 pages), statement of teaching interests and approach (up to 3 pages), and names and complete contact information (including email addresses) of three references. Application materials must be submitted electronically by email as a single file in editable PDF format to: spacesciencesearch@wuphys.wustl.edu For full consideration applications should be submitted on or before November 15, 2012. Washington University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7 VOLCANO-LITHOSPHERE INTERACTIONS ON THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP: LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE The Universities Space Research Association - Houston invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in geophysical studies of the growth/evolution of large volcanic edifices and provinces on the terrestrial planets. The candidate will work with Dr. Patrick McGovern exploring mechanical interactions between intrusive and extrusive volcanic edifice growth, lithospheric flexural response, and magma ascent, using numerical modeling techniques, including Finite Element (FEM) and Distinct Element (DEM) Methods. Research will also entail analysis of imagery, topography, gravity, and spectral datasets for large planetary volcanoes in order to constrain the modeling efforts. Potential bodies of interest include Venus, Io, the Moon, Earth, and Mars. Requirements are a recent Ph.D. in geophysics or geology. Experience quantitative modeling of geophysical, geological, or magmatic processes with advanced codes as COMSOL Multiphysics (FEM) and PFC (DEM). Programming languages, MATLAB or FORTRAN 95 desirable. The position is two years with a possible extension to three years. Send letter of interest, curriculum vita with a list of relevant publications, brief statement of research interests, and three references to: https://usracareers.silkroad.com Further information may be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8 REQUEST FOR COORDINATOR FOR PLANETARY ASTRONOMY CONCEPTS WITH A FUTURE 2.4-M SPACE TELESCOPE NASA is exploring the use of a 2.4-m mirror system recently gifted to them by the National Reconnaissance Office; this system could be the nucleus of a new ultraviolet-optical (UVO) space telescope. Information is available at the website of a recent Princeton meeting: http://www.princeton.edu/astro/news-events/public-events /new-telescope-meeting/ including a program with links to the presented talks. The first letter of intent to use this system focuses on astrophysics applications. NASA has indicated that broader usage (including planetary science) will be considered in a future announcement. Paul Scowen (Arizona State University) has offered to coordinate initial studies for non-astrophysics uses. He requests information about the requirements planetary scientists would have for a 2.4m UVO space telescope. The task would be to outline what performance specifications planetary astronomers would like/need in terms of imaging quality, resolution, throughput, wavelength bandpass, spectral resolution and coverage, field of view, and limiting surface brightness detection in, say, 1000 seconds. Someone is needed to coordinate responses from the planetary community and provide them to Paul, and responses are needed for the coordinator to coordinate. If you are interested being this coordinator, please contact Heidi Hammel (hbh@alum.mit.edu). 9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html October 13-14, 2012 6th Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG6) http://www.agu.org/cgi-bin/gycal?details=1&file=2012101300160142965 Reno, NV March 10-15, 2013 Fundamental Properties and Processes of Magnetotails http://chapman.agu.org/magnetotails/ Reykjavik, Iceland [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which your colleagues should be aware, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor at psi.edu.] *********************************************************************** * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at http://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_subscribe.html, or * send a request to pen_editor at psi.edu * * To unsubscribe, send an email to pen_editor at psi.edu * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor at psi.edu. * Announcements and other messages should be brief with links to URLs * for extended information, including detailed descriptions for job * announcements. 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