PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 20 (May 17, 2015) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Assistant Professor Position: Solar-System Exploration Science 2. Position Available: Imaging Processing at Caltech 3. FameLab 4. [NASA] 2015 MUREP Virtual MSI Symposium & Collaboration Videoconference 5. [NASA] Changes to the ROSES-15 Summary of Solicitation 6. [NASA] Pre-proposal WebEx/Teleconference: Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) American Indian and Alaskan Native STEM Partnership (MAIANSP) 7. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 8. Postdoctoral Research Position: Planetary Geochronology/Instrument Development 9. Postdoctoral Research in Core/Ocean Geomagnetism 10. Position Available: Planetary Radar Research Scientist at the Arecibo Observatory 11. Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate Conference 2015 - Announcement and Abstract Submission Deadline 12. Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Application Deadline Extended 13. Training Opportunity Photogrammetric Processing of Planetary Stereo Imagery using ISIS and SOCET SET 14. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcements C1. Polarimetry of Stars and Planetary Systems 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 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION: SOLAR-SYSTEM EXPLORATION SCIENCE The Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo invites applications for a position as an assistant professor in the area of Solar-System exploration science. We seek a creative individual with leadership ability in the field of solid planetary science based on planetary exploration and observations including instrumental development. The successful candidate can have a science background other than solid planetary science. The successful candidate will be appointed at the earliest possible date after September 1, 2015, and is expected to teach laboratory classes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A Ph.D. or equivalent qualification at the time of appointment is required. If not already fluent in Japanese, he or she will be expected to achieve fluency sufficient for giving lectures and performing administrative duties within several years. Applications must be received by June 22, 2015 via either e-mail or postal mail. More information is available at: http://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/open-positions/2458/ 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 POSITION AVAILABLE: IMAGING PROCESSING AT CALTECH The Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at Caltech seeks an experienced image processing technician or scientist to run the new Bruce Murray Laboratory for Planetary Visualization. The Murray Lab is will be a focal point for innovation in the use of remote sensing data sets and development of image processing tools to bring geospatial and three-dimensional information essential for geosciences into the hands of students and researchers. The development of techniques for the processing and use of planetary and terrestrial datasets will be the focus of the position. For more information on the opportunity, please see the full listing at: https://jobs.caltech.edu/postings/3010 (for further inquires, contact the GPS Division Administrator aleen@gps.caltech.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 FAMELAB Calling all early career scientists: Passionate about science? Love to communicate... or want to learn how? Join us at Phoenix ComiCon on May 30th for the 4th regional heat of FameLab USA's Season 3! FameLab is a fun-filled day of competition, coaching, and camaraderie that's all about science communication. You craft a 3-minute, powerpoint-free talk on your research or a related topic and deliver it in a supportive environment to judges who give only constructive feedback. No slides, no charts-just the power of words and any prop you can hold in your hands. The heart of the whole thing is a workshop conducted by communication professionals to help you enrich your skills. Everyone wins! All info about the Phoenix competition is here: http://famelab-eeb.arc.nasa.gov/competitions/season3-phx2015/ or email Daniella Scalice with any questions at: daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov 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] 2015 MUREP VIRTUAL MSI SYMPOSIUM & COLLABORATION VIDEOCONFERENCE Audience: Minority Serving Institutions Event Date: May 20, 2015 Time: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. EDT NASA's Office of Education will host this virtual symposium to provide an opportunity for Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) to receive in-depth information about current NASA EONS solicitations. MSI's will have an opportunity to listen to presentations from each NASA Center on Center strengths, core competencies and education interests. During the event, audience members may submit typed questions via chat box. After the presentation, there will be a brief Q&A via teleconference call line to provide real time answers to participant questions. In order to address as many participants as possible, questions should be clear and concise, and limited to general topics only. To join this symposium, connect to both the videoconference and teleconference number. Videoconference info: https://paragon-tec.adobeconnect.com/msi-symposium/ Teleconference info: Dial toll free: 1-844-467-6272 Enter participant passcode: 529064 A written transcript of this symposium will be posted to the NSPIRES website. Questions asked during the call will also be posted. Questions should be sent to Clarence.F.Jones@nasa.gov. At any time, you may test your system and internet connection at: http://admin.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm [Edited for length.] 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] CHANGES TO THE ROSES-15 SUMMARY OF SOLICITATION A number of corrections and clarifications have been made to the ROSES-15 Summary of Solicitation. In response to comments from proposing organizations, the ROSES-2015 Summary of Solicitation has been modified in a few ways. First, award dollar values are no longer required for the current and pending support section. Second, we have clarified the rules about the order of components of the Scientific/Technical section of the proposal, as well as the location of the Table of Personnel and Work Effort. Finally, new program elements previously added to ROSES via amendments now appear in the list of appendices. A more detailed description of these changes and comparisons to what appears in the guidebook for proposers appears at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ roses-2015 Proposers should also read the ROSES-2015 Summary of Solicitation. Questions concerning these changes may be directed to: Max Bernstein at sara@nasa.gov 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] PRE-PROPOSAL WEBEX/TELECONFERENCE: MINORITY UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECT (MUREP) AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKAN NATIVE STEM PARTNERSHIP (MAIANSP) Pre-proposal Teleconference/Webex Thursday, May 21, 2015 3:00 pm EDT You are strongly advised to check the MAIANSP page in NSPIRES webpage before connecting for any changes. Announcement Number: NNH14ZHA001N, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 43.008 The teleconference will provide an in-depth overview of the MAIANSP opportunity and proposal requirements. Please visit the MAIANSP page in NSPIRES for information regarding this NASA opportunity. After the presentations, there will be a brief Q&A session. Connection Instructions: WebEx (for the visua; component) Meeting Number: 395 781 200 Meeting Password: MAIANSP123! https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?MTID=m661bd1635c25281 4ff5b28d893d50ed7 To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?MTID=m3d02ab7a3671f4c 09e3427b69cd22ce6 Teleconference (for the audio component) Call-in number: 866-844-9416 Participant passcode: 9768771 If calling from outside the US, send an email to the NASAMAIANSP@nasaprs.com for an out-of-country phone number. Presentation slides and a written transcript of the teleconference will be posted to the NSPIRES website. Questions asked during the call will be part of the MAIANSP FAQ document. Questions regarding this session should be sent to: NASAMAIANSP@nasaprs.com [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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to conduct research largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research opportunities posted on the NPP Web site. Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA's missions in Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and operations, and space technology. A sample research opportunity is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18395 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. The latest NPP Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1JkwABH For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION: PLANETARY GEOCHRONOLOGY/INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18395 We are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to help develop our LIBS-MS geochronology instrument. Examples of projects that may be pursued include understanding how LIBS and mass spectrometry techniques can be used to understand planetary lithologies, comparing K-Ar and Ar-Ar ages of planetary samples with complex thermal histories, and/or investigating experimental conditions (pressure, temperature, viewing angle, measurement techniques, etc.) to optimize flight instrument workflow and hardware. Candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Barbara Cohen (barbara.a.cohen@nasa.gov) directly to develop a research proposal. Applications are due July 1 and must be submitted through the NASA Postdoctoral Program web site: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/ Dr. Barbara Cohen NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 256-961-7566 Barbara.A.Cohen@nasa.gov 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 RESEARCH IN CORE/OCEAN GEOMAGNETISM NASA-GSFC/CRESST/University of Maryland Applications are now being accepted for a Postdoctoral Associate, funded through the University of Maryland College Park and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST), to work in the Planetary Geodynamics Laboratory of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the area of core/ocean geomagnetism. Additional details are available at: http: //www.astro.umd.edu/employment/index.html#Geomag Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree (or expect to have the degree by the start of the appointment) in a related field of physics, geophysics, dynamical oceanography/meteorology, and/or applied mathematics. Applicants are expected to have strong quantitative analysis and modeling skills - in addition to knowledge of geomagnetic fields, satellite or ground observatory data, geomagnetic field models, and core dynamics. Familiarity with UNIX OS, FORTRAN, and parallel computing is a strong plus. The University of Maryland is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. All applications received by May 22, 2015 will receive full consideration. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 POSITION AVAILABLE: PLANETARY RADAR RESEARCH SCIENTIST AT THE ARECIBO OBSERVATORY The Arecibo Observatory has an opening for a postdoctoral or research scientist position in the Solar System Studies group studying near- Earth asteroids and other Solar System bodies with the Arecibo Observatory Planetary Radar system and the William E. Gordon Telescope. This position would involve observations, data processing, archiving, and modeling of near-Earth asteroids and other Solar System bodies with the Arecibo Planetary radar system. Experience with radar observations and techniques is not a prerequisite. Experience and interest in astronomical observations of Solar System objects, small-bodies geophysics, astronomical instrumentation, and / or numerical inverse modeling are desirable. The incumbent would be resident in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and be an employee of Universities Space Research Association. The incumbent would be expected to participate in radar observations and also carry out an independent research program, and would be encouraged to apply for partial funding support. The Observatory and the Solar System group have significant computing facilities. Conference travel and equipment support are available. To apply please visit: http://tinyurl.com/lgecxmp For further information, please contact Dr. Mike Nolan at: nolan@naic.edu 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 LUNAR AND SMALL BODIES GRADUATE CONFERENCE 2015 - ANNOUNCEMENT AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE Registration is now open for the 6th Annual Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate Conference (LunGradCon 2015) to be held on Monday, July 20, 2015 at the NASA Ames Research Center, preceding the NASA Exploration Science Forum (ESF). With the expanded interests of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), the scope of this year's LunGradCon is expanded to include both lunar and small bodies science. LunGradCon provides an opportunity for grad students and early-career postdocs to present their research on lunar and small body science in a low-stress, friendly environment, being critiqued only by their peers. In addition to oral presentations, the conference presents opportunities for professional development and networking with fellow grad students and postdocs, as well as senior members of SSERVI. A limited amount of funding will be provided for travel and lodging costs. The deadline for registration and abstract submission is June 5th 2015, 11:59 PM PDT. For more details, please visit: http://impact.colorado.edu/lungradcon/2015/ or email any questions to: lungradcon@gmail.com 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 DIRECTOR, NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE (NAI) APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED New deadline: July 10, 2015 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 or managing large interdisciplinary research programs or projects, possessed with a vision for leading the Institute into the future. Applicants for this position should have a broad scientific perspective on astrobiology, experience in conducting interdisciplinary scientific research, and demonstrated skills needed to harness the strengths of disparate research communities towards a greater goal. S/he should understand how to grow a research endeavor and respond to changing budget climates while focusing on maximizing the scientific return on NASA's investments in astrobiology. S/he should have experience in leading a diverse staff ranging from established scientists to support personnel, resource planning, and executing budgets and schedules. S/he should be comfortable with modern information technologies and distributed research teams. NASA is particularly interested in applicants who will find ways to infuse astrobiology into NASA flight missions. Interested individuals should apply at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/393518700 or at: https://www.usajobs.gov/ In the keyword search box, type vacancy number "AR15S0001". Select "Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute", then click "Apply Online". 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 TRAINING OPPORTUNITY PHOTOGRAMMETRIC PROCESSING OF PLANETARY STEREO IMAGERY USING ISIS AND SOCET SET The Planetary Photogrammetry Guest Facility at the Astrogeology Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey would like to announce its Call for Participation for a training opportunity on July 27-29, 2015. This training will cover photogrammetric processing of planetary stereo imagery using ISIS and SOCET SET software developed by BAE Systems. The training is FREE to participants, and will cover end-to- end, hands-on photogrammetric procedures for surface extraction (i.e., digital elevation model generation) from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE image pairs. For additional information and sign-up instructions, please see: http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/facilities/photogrammetry-guest-facility 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 October 20-22, 2015 Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/leag2015 Columbia, MD November 2-4, 2015 Workshop on Space Weathering of Airless Bodies http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/airlessbodies2015/ Houston, TX [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.] *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************************************************************** C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 POLARIMETRY OF STARS AND PLANETARY SYSTEMS Cambridge University Press is pleased to announce the publication of "Polarimetry of Stars and Planetary Systems" edited by Ludmilla Kolokolova, James Hough and Anny-Chantal Levasseur-Regourd. Summarising the striking advances of the last two decades, this introduction to astronomical polarimetry provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art techniques, models and research methods. Focusing on optical and near-infrared wavelengths, each chapter addresses a different facet of recent innovations, including new instrumentation, techniques and theories; new methods based on laboratory studies, enabling the modeling of polarimetric characteristics for a wide variety of objects; and emerging fields of polarimetric exploration, including protoplanetary and debris disks, icy satellites, TNOs, exoplanets, and astrobiological applications. With contributions from an international team of accomplished researchers, this is an ideal resource for researchers working in astrophysics, earth and planetary sciences, and remote sensing keen to learn more about this valuable diagnostic tool. The book is dedicated to the memory of renowned polarimetrist Tom Gehrels. More information and sample pages are available at: www.cambridge.org/9781107043909 *********************************************************************** * 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. 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) using no NASA funds. 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