PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 14 (March 31, 2013) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Melissa Lane Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Postponement of the 8th International Mars Conference to 2014 2. Cosmochemistry and Planet Formation Theme at Goldschmidt 2013 Meeting 3. Research Positions at University of Oslo, Norway 4. Postdoc Available Researching Pluto's Extended Atmosphere 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. 10th International Planetary Probe Workshop 7. Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute 8. Planetary Atmospheres Researcher (GSFC/CRESST/University of Maryland) 9. Goldschmidt Session: Martian Evolution - Ancient Messengers and Modern Measurements 10. Staff Scientist Position Petrology/Meteorites 11. 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 POSTPONEMENT OF THE 8TH INTERNATIONAL MARS CONFERENCE TO 2014 The impacts of sequestration on the Federal budget have led to new travel policies that severely constrain the participation of NASA center employees, including JPL, and other government employees (e.g., the U. S. Geological Survey) in scientific conferences, including the planned 8th International Mars Conference set for July 15-19 on the Caltech campus. The current fiscal environment is sufficiently restrictive that we, the organizers of the conference, have decided to delay the meeting for one year, holding it instead in June/July of 2014. We sought advice from the MEPAG Executive Committee, which unanimously concurred with our decision. Although it was our strong preference to hold the conference this year, the meeting in 2014 will include even more results from Mars, including Curiosity’s further exploration of Gale Crater, as the rover will then be well into the second year of its primary science mission. We look forward to a full conference in June/July 2014 and hope to see you there. Dan McCleese / Dave Beaty / Rich Zurek 8th International Mars Conference conveners [Edited for length.] 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 COSMOCHEMISTRY AND PLANET FORMATION THEME AT GOLDSCHMIDT 2013 MEETING Goldschmidt 2013 will be held August 25-30 in Florence, Italy, and feature a Cosmochemistry and Planet Formation Theme, with the following special sessions: - Refractory Grains, Volatiles, and Organic Molecules Inherited from the Interstellar Medium - Martian Evolution; Ancient Messengers and Modern Measurements - Planet Formation and Bombardment - Comparative Planetology of Crust Formation - Accretion and Differentiation of Primitive Parent Bodies - Chronology of Molecular Cloud Collapse, First Solids Formation, and Earliest Accretion - Origins of Life: Environments, Mineral Surfaces, and Prebiotic - Dynamics and Chemistry in Protoplanetary Disks - The Volatile Inventory of the Moon and Mercury - In Situ, High Spatial Resolution Isotopic Measurements Applied to Extraterrestrial Materials Abstract deadline: April 12, 2013 Additional details available at: http://goldschmidt.info/2013/program/programViewThemes#theme02 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 RESEARCH POSITIONS AT UNIVERSITY OF OSLO, NORWAY Positions at the newly founded Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED) at the University of Oslo, Norway, include: 1 Research Associate position - Research Associate in Computational Mineral Physics (application deadline: May 6, 2013) 5 PhD fellowships- PhD Research Fellowship in Comparative Planetology PhD Research Fellowship in Deep Earth Mineralogy and Mineral Physics PhD Research Fellowship in Geological Processes and Earth Crises PhD Research Fellowship in Global Subduction Systems /or/ Evolution of Oceanic Regions, Palaeo-circulation and Climate PhD Research Fellowship in Numerical Modelling of Earth Processes For more information, please see: http://www.mn.uio.no/ceed/english/ The fellowships are for a period of 3 years. The start date is autumn 2013. The application deadline is May 15, 2013. CEED seeks candidates, who are willing to work in an interdisciplinary environment, and who want to study the link between surface evolution and interior dynamics of the Earth and planets. Informal enquiries are welcome and can be made to the director of CEED: Professor Trond H. Torsvik (t.h.torsvik@geo.uio.no) or any of the other contact persons specified in the separate announcements, which are listed here: http://www.mn.uio.no/ceed/english/about/vacancies/ [Edited for content.] 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 POSTDOC AVAILABLE RESEARCHING PLUTO'S EXTENDED ATMOSPHERE The University of Texas Center for Aeromechanics Research has a postdoc position available to develop a three dimensional DSMC simulation of Pluto's extended atmosphere. A researcher in the field of planetary atmospheres with a strong background in programming, especially on parallel architectures, is desired. Knowledge of the direct simulation Monte Carlo method or related molecular-based modeling would be very helpful. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant discipline and a strong interest in upper atmospheric physics. Position is available immediately. To apply, please contact David Goldstein at david(at)ices.utexas.edu. 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 10TH INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY PROBE WORKSHOP Sending space vehicles to other worlds is one of humankind’s most challenging and rewarding ventures. The 10th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW-10) will bring together engineers, technologists, scientists, mission designers, space agency leaders, and students from around the world for a compelling, week-long collaboration focused on exploring solar system destinations via in-situ missions. This 10th workshop will build upon the IPPW tradition by encouraging international cooperation in planetary probe missions, new technologies, and scientific discoveries. In addition, students from around the world will have a unique opportunity to present their work and to interact with the leaders in their discipline areas. Abstract Submission Deadline is Wednesday, 3 April 2013! 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 DIRECTOR, NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE NASA seeks a new Director for the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). The ideal candidate will be an internationally recognized scientist with proven experience in leading large, multi-disciplinary, multi-site research programs or projects, possessed with a vision for leading the Institute into the future. Established in 1998 as part of NASA’s Astrobiology Program, the NAI is a collaboration between NASA, US academic institutions, and foreign institutions, governments and research organizations. The NAI, currently headquartered at NASA Ames Research Center in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, functions as a virtual institute, its members linked by modern information technologies. The NAI Director, a member of the federal Senior Executive Service (SES), is both the senior scientific officer and chief operating officer of the NAI. U.S. citizenship is required. Interested applicants should apply directly to USAJobs to vacancy number AR13S0001 at: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/339239100 This website also provides additional details and the application deadline. NASA Ames Research Center does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. 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 ATMOSPHERES RESEARCHER (GSFC/CRESST/UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND) The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) Planetary Environments Laboratory, in conjunction with the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST), is soliciting applications for a researcher in the field of Planetary Atmospheres to support Mars upper atmosphere investigations with the MAVEN mission. Additional details are available at: http://www.astro.umd.edu/employment/ Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with a strong and demonstrated interest in and understanding of upper atmospheric physics. IDL skills and experience in acquisition and analysis of data from space flight instruments are highly desirable. The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. All applications received by Monday, April 29, 2013 will receive full consideration. 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 GOLDSCHMIDT SESSION: MARTIAN EVOLUTION - ANCIENT MESSENGERS AND MODERN MEASUREMENTS We would like to encourage you to participate in the session 02b "Martian Evolution; Ancient Messengers and Modern Measurements" at the next Goldschmidt conference which will take place in beautiful Florence on August 25-30, 2013. Keynote speaker: Laurie Leshin (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) The deadline for submitting abstracts is Friday, April 12th, 2013, 23.59 GMT. For more information, see: http://goldschmidt.info/2013/index Our knowledge of formation and geochemical evolution of Mars is rapidly increasing through chemical, isotopic, and petrologic analysis of martian meteorites, direct analysis and modeling of modern surfaces, and studies of analogue sites such as impact and volcanic crater environments. Deciphering these records and place them in proper context on Mars is particularly important to enhance our understanding of the conditions for the formation of interior and surface of planets present within the habitable zone. We strongly encourage a broad participation of planetary scientists to present new mineralogical, geochemical, geophysical, and biogeochemical studies relevant to terrestrial planet evolution and astrobiological processes related to Mars in order to better portray these systems in depth and through time. We hope to see you in Florence! Audrey Bouvier (University of Minnesota) and Desmond Moser (University of Western Ontario) 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 STAFF SCIENTIST POSITION PETROLOGY/METEORITES The Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM), Austria, announces the availability of a staff scientist position in petrology with a focus on meteorite research at the museum's Department of Mineralogy and Petrography. This position involves research, curatorial work on the rock and meteorite collections, as well as museum-related outreach activities. Preference will be given to candidates with several years of post-doctoral experience, proven research funding record, and knowledge of German. Application deadline May 17, 2013. For details, and information on how to apply, see: http://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en/information/jobs 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 2-6, 2013 First Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) Meeting http://aas.org/aas-222nd-meeting/laboratory-astrophysics-division- sessions Indianapolis, IN [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which you think 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.php, 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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