PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 43 (October 7, 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. Tenure Track Faculty Position in Theoretical Astrophysics at University of Maryland 2. Permanent Faculty Positions in Planetary Sciences at Florida Institute of Technology 3. Tenure-Track Faculty Position at Case Western Reserve University 4. Assistant Professor Position at Boston University 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. [NASA] PDS - Odyssey Data Release 41 7. [NASA] PDS - Cassini Data Release 31 8. [NASA] Latest Discovery and New Frontiers News Now Online 9. [NASA] Civil Service Research Scientist Position - Johnson Space Center 10. [NASA] The Kepler Guest Observer Program 11. The Present-Day Habitability of Mars 12. October 2012 Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter Available 13. New PDS Search Capability for Cassini Planet and Satellite Data 14. 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 TENURE TRACK FACULTY POSITION IN THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland College Park invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position. Outstanding theorists in any field of astronomy including planetary science, will be considered. A PhD in physics, astronomy or a related discipline is required, and the successful candidate must have an established record of research excellence. As the duties of this position include undergraduate and graduate teaching, a potential for teaching excellence is necessary. We are searching for candidates at the Assistant Professor (tenure-track) level, but will consider applications for a more senior (tenured) rank in exceptional cases. Applications must be submitted through: http://jobs.umd.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=57797 A complete application must include a CV, a statement of research interests and plans, and a statement of teaching philosophy. In addition, the candidate must arrange for 3 letters of reference to be sent by e-mail to profsearch@astro.umd.edu. For full consideration, all application materials (including letters) must be received by 30 November 2012. Any queries concerning this position can be directed to the chair of the search committee, Prof. Derek Richardson (dcr@astro.umd.edu). 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 PERMANENT FACULTY POSITIONS IN PLANETARY SCIENCES AT FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY The Department of Physics and Space Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for up to two permanent faculty positions in planetary sciences. These positions may be at any rank: assistant through full professor. We seek to expand our current space sciences program to include planetary geology, atmospheres, magnetospheres, or interiors and/or exoplanets. For both positions, candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics, planetary sciences, space sciences, astronomy, or a related discipline. Successful candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop a vigorous externally funded research program as well as the enthusiasm and drive to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates with experience in space instrumentation are particularly encouraged to apply. Information about the department and current research activities can be found at: http://cos.fit.edu/pss/ Please send a cover letter, CV, statement of research and teaching experience and interests, and the names of at least three references, preferably in a single PDF file, to searchpss@fit.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Florida Tech is an equal opportunity employer. [Edited for length] 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 TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION AT CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Case Western Reserve University seeks candidates for a tenure-track faculty growth position. We seek outstanding candidates who will complement existing departmental strengths in planetary sciences, geochemistry, and surficial processes. It is anticipated that the position will be filled at the Assistant Professor level, but senior candidates are also encouraged to apply. Candidates at the Assistant Professor level should demonstrate promise for research and teaching excellence; Associate Professor candidates should have established a significant professional reputation; candidates for Professor should be internationally recognized for leadership and scholarship in their discipline. All positions require completion of the PhD degree by July 1, 2013 and a competitive record of research commensurate with rank. The successful candidate will be expected to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students within the department, including teaching both introductory and disciplinary courses, and to conduct a vigorous, externally-funded research program that involves post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students. The typical teaching load is 2-3 courses per year. Application deadline is November 15, 2012. A complete description of the position and application details is available at: http://bit.ly/CWRUsearch 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 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY The Department of Astronomy at Boston University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in fall 2013. Applications from scientists who would build new instrumentation for the Discovery Channel Telescope, or who would carry out substantial, long-term observational programs with the Discovery Channel Telescope would be viewed favorably. Planetary science work with the Discovery Channel Telescope is within the scope of the job announcement. https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/1985 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 [NASA] PDS - ODYSSEY DATA RELEASE 41 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Odyssey Data, Release 41, for the following instruments: GRS THEMIS RADIO SCIENCE, (Releases 121-123) SPICE The gamma sensor component of the GRS instrument suite will no longer return data. The HEND and neutron spectrometer components continue to operate. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20121001.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ 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 [NASA] PDS - CASSINI DATA RELEASE 31 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Cassini data, Release 31, October to December 2011, for instruments: CIRS ISS RADAR RPWS RSS SPICE UVIS VIMS (CDA, INMS, and MIMI data will be ready later this week, HRD delivered data for this period in release 30, and CAPS and MAG data are coming soon.) Please note that while the data products from this release are available online now through the links below, they may not be immediately accessible through PDS web services such as the Planetary Image Data Atlas. Large data sets may take as long as a few days beyond the formal release date to be incorporated into these services. Check each service's web site to see the status of the latest release. To access the above data, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20121002.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be found at: http://pds.nasa.gov/tools/data-search/ For further information, see the PDS Home Page: http://pds.nasa.gov/ 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 [NASA] LATEST DISCOVERY AND NEW FRONTIERS NEWS NOW ONLINE The September 2012 issue of the Discovery and New Frontiers News is now available at: http://discovery.nasa.gov/newsletter/newsletter.cfml Features include: - InSight Selected as 12th Discovery Mission - Dawn's Awesome Year at Vesta - MESSENGER: 8 Years and Going Strong - Synchronized Flying with Ebb and Flow - Salute to Sally Ride - New Horizons Plans for Encounter - Juno Performs Deep Space Maneuvers - NASA-BYTE Shows Science Can Be Fun - OSIRIS-REx To Stay Longer at Asteroid - Strofio Delivers Proto-Flight Model 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 [NASA] CIVIL SERVICE RESEARCH SCIENTIST POSITION - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, anticipates a civil service research scientist position in the Astromaterials Research Office in organic geochemistry of astromaterials. Advanced knowledge of organic geochemistry, US citizenship, and a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, geology, geochemistry, planetary sciences, or a related field are required. The position will be filled at the GS-13 level. The selectee will establish a strong, NASA R&A-funded research program that complements existing ARES strengths (studies of primitive materials, meteorites, comets, asteroids; Mars exploration and science research; experimental studies; astrobiology). ARES is well-equipped with state of the art laboratories. See: http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ares/index_krlab.cfm Participation in NASA-sponsored space science missions is strongly encouraged. Finally, the selectee will support ARES Curation for issues relating to organic geochemistry, such as organic contamination control, planetary protection, and procedures for curation of organic-bearing astromaterials, on an as-needed basis up to approximately one-fifth time. Applications must be made through: http://USAJobs.gov Search for Position Number JS13D0001. The position will be open to accept applications from 15 October through 5 November, 2012. Starting date is subject to negotiation. Please address inquiries to: Dr. David Draper, Manager, Astromaterials Research Office david.draper@nasa.gov 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 [NASA] THE KEPLER GUEST OBSERVER PROGRAM This program element solicits proposals for the acquisition and analysis of new scientific data from the Kepler mission, which is the tenth mission launched under NASA's Discovery Program. Cycle 5 will be the first full cycle of Guest Observer (GO) observations in Kepler's extended mission phase, and with that transition the scope of the program has now been expanded to include proposals for exoplanet and exoplanet-related scientific observations. Specifically, under Cycle 5, the Kepler GO program is open to: i) proposals addressing any area of astrophysics outside of the exoplanet Key Project study ii) proposals for short cadence observations of known exoplanet candidates that are not currently being observed in short cadence; and iii) proposals for long cadence observations of new targets for the identification of planets transits. Notices of Intent are requested by December 7, 2012, and proposals are due by January 18, 2013. Go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ Technical questions concerning this program element may be directed to: Martin Still Kepler Guest Observer Office (650) 604-2018 keplergo@mail.arc.nasa.gov NASA point of contact for programmatic information is: Dr. Douglas Hudgins NASA Headquarters (202) 358-0988 douglas.m.hudgins@nasa.gov [Edited for length] 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 THE PRESENT-DAY HABITABILITY OF MARS The UCLA Institute for Planets and Exoplanets, the UK Center for Astrobiology and the NASA Astrobiology Institute invite you to participate in a two-day conference in February 2013 that will examine the present-day habitability of Mars. Major topics to be considered include: Mars Salts and Perchlorates Current Mars Liquid Water Activity Early MSL Results Redox Potentials for Martian Life Active Martian Geochemical Cycles Implications for Mars Planetary Protection Policies The conference will be held in historic Royce Hall on the UCLA campus February 4-6, 2013. The first two days of the conference will consist of a set of 30-minute invited and contributed talks interspersed with discussions. The entire conference will be open to remote participation via NASA's Astrobiology Institute "Workshop Without Walls" webcast. On February 6th, there will be an optional field trip to JPL, which will include a tour of the Mars Science Laboratory facilities. For additional information, go to: http://planets.ucla.edu/meetings/mars-habitability-2013/ 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 OCTOBER 2012 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE On behalf of Dave Des Marais, the MEPAG Chair, Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Charles Budney of the Mars Program Science Office, the October 2012 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found on the web at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Please note the upcoming MEPAG meeting on October 4, 2012. If you plan to attend and have not already done so, please RSVP right away to Joyce.N.Pulliam@jpl.nasa.gov. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 NEW PDS SEARCH CAPABILITY FOR CASSINI PLANET AND SATELLITE DATA The PDS Rings Node has incorporated detailed metadata about Saturn and its satellites into OPUS, our search engine for outer planets data. OPUS now supports Cassini ISS, VIMS, UVIS and CIRS* data sets. Search constraints include latitudes, longitudes, viewing and illumination geometry, distances and resolution. Search capabilities for ring data sets have also been enhanced. For planet and satellite searches, select the body on the "Cassini Surface Geometry beta test" tab, and then select the new tab that OPUS will provide for the surface geometry for that body. Search results are updated with each additional constraint entered. Total hits are updated at the top of the page. Click "View Results" to preview and download data. OPUS is at: http://pds-rings.seti.org/search/ Feedback is strongly encouraged. *CIRS data are currently only indexed through June 2010; an update will follow. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html January 23-24, 2013 Calibration Targets for Astronomical Polarimetry for the 0.3 to 30 Micron Wavelength Range http://www.polarization.eu/index.php/meetings/calibration-workshop Zurich, Switzerland February 4-6, 2013 The Present-Day Habitability of Mars http://planets.ucla.edu/meetings/mars-habitability-2013/ Los Angeles, CA July 29 - August 2, 2013 2013 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop http://nexsci.caltech.edu/workshop/2013/ Pasadena, CA [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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