PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 5, Number 36 (August 14, 2011) 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. Postdoctoral Researchers in Lunar Science 2. Postdoctoral Researcher: Petrology of Planetary Materials 3. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 4. [NASA] Upcoming Proposal Writing Workshop 5. [NASA] Job Announcement 6. Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award 7. AICAC II Second Announcement 8. 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS IN LUNAR SCIENCE The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites applications for lunar science and exploration postdoctoral fellowships. Opportunities include: Lunar Surface Geology and Remote Sensing - Using new LRO data; integrating it with existing lunar data to evaluate processes associated with impact cratering and/or planetary differentiation. Experience with orbital remote sensing methods, photometry of lunar materials, and photogeology of lunar or lunar-like terrains preferred. Experimental and/or Analytical Petrology and Geochemistry - Using Apollo and lunar meteorite samples (or synthetic analogues) to evaluate processes associated with impact cratering and/or planetary differentiation. Experience with electron and ion microprobes, and/or LA-ICPMS techniques preferred. Modeling of Impact Cratering Processes - Using hydrocodes and relevant analytical techniques to evaluate different cratering processes on the Moon, to model specific crater or basin-forming events, and potentially guide future exploration scenarios. The successful candidate will be a member of the new LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration (http://www.lpi.usra.edu/nlsi/), one of the core teams within the NASA Lunar Science Institute. Further information, including submission requirements are found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu Questions regarding science involved in the position, contact Dr. David Kring (kring@lpi.usra.edu). The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: PETROLOGY OF PLANETARY MATERIALS The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), part of the Universities Space Research Association, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the petrology of planetary materials. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Allan Treiman in NASA-funded efforts, focusing on planetary crusts and magmas, and their volatile constituents; target materials include lunar highlands rocks, Martian meteorites, and terrestrial analogs. These efforts focus on planetary samples, starting with analyses by optical microscopy and electron microprobe; other instruments are available at nearby Johnson Space Center or with external collaborators. The candidate will be encouraged to design and conduct their own research in planetary science, propose for external funding, participate in grant review panels and analysis groups, and become involved with spacecraft missions. The successful candidate will have a recent Ph.D. in petrology or geochemistry; experience with planetary materials is helpful, but not required. The position would be for two years, with possible extension to a third year. Review of candidates will begin on November 15, 2011, with a hiring decision as soon as possible thereafter. Further information can be found on our website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The next deadline to apply for a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) fellowship is November 1, 2011. These competitive one- to three-year appointments advance NASA's missions in space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, lunar science, and astrobiology. 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 and foreign nationals who hold Lawful Permanent Resident status or who are eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply. An H-1B Visa status is not acceptable because the NPP is not an employment program. Stipend rates for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $50,000 per year, with moderate supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Funds are available for relocation expenses, up to a specified limit, and health insurance is available through the program. Fellows also receive $8,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, and other activities that directly support their research. For further information about this opportunity and to apply online, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions regarding this opportunity may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.org [Edited for length.] 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] UPCOMING PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP Most planetary scientists depend on competitive NASA research grants to fund their work, and each year NASA receives thousands of proposals and selects only about one third of them. How will you fare in this competition? Do you know how to write a NASA proposal? Do you know where to submit it? Do you know the lessons your competitors have gleaned after years of writing their own proposals? If you are unsure of the answers to any of these questions please plan on attending the upcoming Proposal Writing Workshop. The workshop is sponsored by the Solar Systems Exploration Division at NASA GSFC and will be given by Curt Niebur, a program scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. The workshop is open to all and will focus on understanding NASA's research programs, including information on how to write a research proposal, where to apply for funding, and pathways for participation on missions. Workshop Details: Where: NASA GSFC Visitor Center When: August 22nd, 9 AM - 12 PM Directions can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/directions/index.html For questions, please contact: Dr. Terry Hurford (301) 286-4249 Terry.A.Hurford@nasa.gov 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 [NASA] JOB ANNOUNCEMENT The Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, is hiring five positions related to Planetary Exploration. Go to: http://goo.gl/3SWKM Computer Vision Researcher: http://goo.gl/hSE6p Applied Research Engineer: http://goo.gl/UCS8d Software Developer/Engineer: http://goo.gl/AW04H Planetary Data Engineer / Web Developer: http://goo.gl/a75Je Software Engineer / Roboticist: http://goo.gl/rIlXF 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 SHOEMAKER DISTINGUISHED LUNAR SCIENTIST AWARD G. Jeffrey Taylor, Professor in the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics & Planetology, University of Hawai'i (Manoa), was presented the 2011 Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award at the annual NASA Lunar Science Forum in July 2011. Go to: http://lunarscience.arc.nasa.gov/articles/g-jeffrey-taylor -receives-shoemaker-distinguished-lunar-scientist-award Stuart Ross Taylor has been selected to receive the Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award for 2012. He is Emeritus Professor in the School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University. He will be presented the medal at the annual NASA Lunar Science Forum in July 2012. Go to: http://lunarscience.arc.nasa.gov/articles/stuart-ross-taylor -receives-2012- shoemaker-distinguished-lunar-scientist-award The Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Medal is an annual award given to a scientist who has significantly contributed to the field of lunar science throughout the course of their scientific career. The first Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award was given posthumously to Gene Shoemaker and presented to his wife Carolyn Shoemaker. The award includes a medal with the Shakespearian quote "And he will make the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will be in love with night." [Edited for length.] 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 AICAC II SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT It's a great pleasure for us to send you the second announcement of the "Arab Impact Cratering and Astrogeology Conference" AICACII. Please find further information on the AICAC II website: http://www.fsac.ac.ma/aicaii/index.html Important Dates: 5 August 2011 Second Announcement 15 September 2011 Deadline for abstract submission 10 October 2011 Final Announcement and program with abstracts 15 October 2011 Deadline for early registration For further details please contact Dr. Hasnaa Chennaoui Hassan II University Casablanca Faculty of Sciences - Department of Earth Sciences Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry of Meteorites BP5366 Maarif Casablanca MOROCCO Phone: 00 212 522 23 06 80 Fax: 00 212 22 523 06 74 Mobile phone: 00 212 661 31 71 We are looking forward to see you in Casablanca in November 13th. Best regards Hasnaa Chennaoui Conference Chair 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 21 - December 2, 2011 School of Applied Mathematics and Innovation 2011 (SAMI 2011): Celestial Mechanics and Computing Orbits http://ima.usergioarboleda.edu.co/SAMI/SAMI2011.htm Bogota, Colombia December 11-20, 2011 Sao Paulo Advanced School of Astrobiology - Making Connections (SPASA 2011) http://www.astro.iag.usp.br/~spasa2011 Sao Paulo, Brazil June 16-17, 2012 9th International Planetary Probe Short Course (IPPW-9) http://www.planetaryprobe.eu/ Toulouse, France June 18-22, 2012 9th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW-9) http://www.planetaryprobe.eu/ Toulouse, France [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. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. Go to * http://planetarynews.org/submission.html for complete submission * directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (http://www.psi.edu). **********************************************************************