PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 37 (August 26, 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. Workshop on the Evolution and Constitution of Mercury's Interior 2. Job Announcement: Director, Florida Space Institute, University of Central Florida 3. Resources for Addressing Student and Public Fears About Astronomical Causes for the End of the World in 2012 4. Faculty Opening: Physics Department of Washington University in St. Louis 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. Volcano-Lithosphere Interactions on the Terrestrial Planets Postdoctoral Fellowship: Lunar and Planetary Institute 7. 2012 Canadian Space Summit - September 14 Abstract Deadline 8. Job Description: Postdoctoral Researcher in Infrared Spectroscopy (Reference WC-R-7412-12-08-S) 9. Postdoctoral Position in Planetary Atmosphere Modeling at SwRI in Boulder, CO 10. 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 WORKSHOP ON THE EVOLUTION AND CONSTITUTION OF MERCURY'S INTERIOR October 30, 2012 - November 1, 2012 The workshop Evolution and Constitution of Mercury's Interior will be held on October 30 - November 1, 2012 at the Park Central Hotel in New York, NY. This international meeting will explore recent results from NASA's MESSENGER mission as well as implications for the forthcoming ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission. The workshop is organized around three thematic issues regarding Mercury's interior: Origin, structure, and bulk composition of Mercury Evolution of Mercury's crust and mantle Core evolution and magnetic field generation Registration and additional information is available at: http://bit.ly/mercuryinterior Registration deadline: September 21, 2012. 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 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: DIRECTOR, FLORIDA SPACE INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA The Florida Space Institute (FSI) of the University of Central Florida (UCF) seeks applications and nominations for its Director. FSI's charter is to support space research, development, and education activities within UCF and the broader State of Florida, and secondarily to support the development of Florida's space economy - civil, defense, and commercial. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent experience, demonstrated leadership and management ability, effective interpersonal skills, national and international recognition, a record of winning competitively funded space funding, an entrepreneurial mindset for building organizations, and past experience in academic programs. More information about FSI can be found at: http://fsi.ucf.edu Review of applications will begin 01 October 2012 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should apply on line at: http://www.jobswithucf.com before 01 October 2012; refer to position number 37346. Please direct any questions to the current FSI Director, Dr. S. Alan Stern, at astern@ucf.edu. 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 RESOURCES FOR ADDRESSING STUDENT AND PUBLIC FEARS ABOUT ASTRONOMICAL CAUSES FOR THE END OF THE WORLD IN 2012 As students return to school this fall and the media and web hype about Doomsday 2012 reaches a final, fevered pitch, all of us in science education will need to be prepared to respond to concerns from those who are genuinely worried or confused. Two new resources are now available for educators, parents, youth group leaders, and science communicators to address fears that world-wide disaster is coming on Dec. 21, 2012: A guide to accessible written and audio-visual materials (most of them freely available on the Web) has just been published in the journal "Astronomy Education Review": http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2012021 A video recording of the plenary session "Doomsday 2012 and Cosmophobia" at this summer's meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific has now been posted by NASA's Lunar Science Institute at: http://lunarscience.nasa.gov/articles/cosmophobia/ The panel, held Aug. 7, 2012 in Tucson, Arizona, includes astronomers, educators, and an expert on Mayan civilization. Panelists examine some of the key claims about end-of-the-world predictions and the more general idea of "cosmophobia" - fear of celestial events and phenomena. And they answer questions from educators in the audience. 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 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: http://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. 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 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 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 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 resume@lpi.usra.edu. Further information may be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 2012 CANADIAN SPACE SUMMIT - SEPTEMBER 14 ABSTRACT DEADLINE The deadline is approaching for abstracts and workshop proposals for the Canadian Space Summit! This Space Summit will be hosted at Western University, London, Ontario, home of the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX), from Nov. 14-16, 2012. The theme of the 2012 Canadian Space Summit is Bridging Communities: Unifying the Canadian Space Sector. The goal of this conference is to provide a venue for interdisciplinary networking and promote further connections between the various communities within the Canadian space sector. Please visit the conference website for more information on abstract submission, registration, accommodations, and more: css2012.uwo.ca 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 JOB DESCRIPTION: POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (REFERENCE WC-R-7412-12-08-S) The Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University has a need for a post-doctoral researcher. The successful candidate will work with Prof. Timothy Glotch and will use laboratory spectroscopic and modeling techniques to determine the optical constants of low symmetry minerals. The successful candidate will also use the Multiple Sphere T-Matrix (MSTM) and other models to investigate light scattering within planetary regoliths. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to pursue projects of their own design and submit grant proposals. The successful candidate must possess a Ph.D. in Geology, Physics, or Planetary Science and have experience working with infrared data from Mars, the Moon, or Earth. Ideally, the successful candidate will be highly experienced in the use of Fortran, Matlab, and/or other computer programming languages. Experience with laboratory spectroscopic instruments is also a plus. The appointment will be for 1-year with the possibility of renewal for up to 3 years. Those interested in this position can apply online by visiting: http://www.stonybrook.edu/jobs and clicking on "Category K." Applications may also be mailed to: Roberto Martinez, Recruiting Specialist Human Resource Services 390 Administration Building Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 11794-0751 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 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN PLANETARY ATMOSPHERE MODELING AT SWRI IN BOULDER, CO The successful candidate will work within the planetary atmospheres modeling group focusing on numerical simulation of Titan's clouds using the Titan Regional Atmospheric Modeling System, and on air-sea exchange with the NCAR Weather and Research Forecasting model. Responsibilities include designing model configurations to address identified science goals, and analyzing model results against available observational data sets; present results at meetings and conferences, assist in the preparation of manuscripts to be submitted for publication, and actively participate in proposal writing; additional research opportunities on topics covering Mars, Pluto and Venus are also possible. Requires a recent PhD degree in Atmospheric Science, Planetary Science, or related field with emphasis in the Atmospheric Sciences. Must have experience working in the Unix/Linux environment, programming in FORTRAN90, and using IDL or similar analysis tools; parallel processing experience with MPI/MPICH a plus; previous work with either general circulation models or mesoscale models for Earth or other planets is highly desired, but not required. Planetary atmospheric scientists and Earth atmospheric scientists with previous modeling experience are encouraged to apply. Additional info at http://www.swri.org/HR/ViewPosition.asp?JobID=2864&Type=Exempt 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html No new meetings. [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. 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