PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 10, Number 39 (September 18, 2016) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Karen R. Stockstill-Cahill Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Tenure Track Assistant Professor at MIT 2. [NASA] JSC Curator Position (Reposting) 3. [NASA] Intent to Release a CAN for the NASA Astrobiology Institute 4. [NASA] Planetary Protection Research Deferred to 2017 5. Tenure Track W2/W3 Professorship in Experimental Planetology, University of Bayreuth 6. [NASA] Science Mission Directorate Is Seeking Volunteer Reviewers 7. [NASA] Science Instruments to Sponsor on Korean Space Agency Lunar Orbiter 8. [NASA] Physical Sciences Informatics System Research 9. [NASA] Rosetta Data Analysis Program 10. George Mason University Assistant/Associate Professor, Extrasolar Planets 11. Mission Concept Briefing on the Far-IR Surveyor at DPS/EPSC Meeting 12. Upcoming JWST events 13. Dust, Atmosphere, and Plasma Environment of the Moon and Small Bodies (DAP-2017) Workshop Call for Abstracts 14. Planetary Meetings 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 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts http://www.lpi.usra.edu/planetary_news/2016/09/05/job-opportunities- tenure-track-assistant-professor-at-mit/ 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 NASA JSC CURATOR POSITION (REPOSTING) The Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office at the NASA Johnson Space Center is reposting a position in the field of geomicrobiology or astrobiology. Qualified candidates who applied previously are encouraged to re-apply. The successful candidate will serve NASA as curator for biological components in astromaterials. We seek an individual with expertise in at least one of the following areas: (1) biological cleanliness and quantitative biological contaminant characterization; (2) chemical, mineralogical, or petrological consequences of microbial interaction with astromaterials, astromaterials simulants, and terrestrial analogs of astromaterials; (3) sample collection and handling (including transport, containment, preservation, and curation) of geological materials that contain microbial matter. The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. and at least 2 years of relevant post-graduate experience, and a demonstrated record of contributions to the field. The candidate shall develop an externally funded research program in the area of geomicrobiology and/or astrobiology. This individual will also provide expertise in the area of contamination knowledge as it relates to biological cleanliness of NASA spacecraft at all stages of a mission. A complete description of the position is posted at USAJobs at: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/450322000 Applications due: 10/5/2016 [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 [NASA] INTENT TO RELEASE A CAN FOR THE NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE The NASA Science Mission Directorate Planetary Science Division intends to release a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) soliciting team-based proposals for membership in the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) in January 2017. Step 1 proposals will be due around March 15, 2017, and Step-2 proposals will be due in early June 2017. The NASA Astrobiology Institute (http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/) was established in 1998 as an institution of scientific collaboration across disciplines, across organizations, and within and among its participating Teams irrespective of their geographic distribution. The goal of this CAN (Cycle-8) is to maintain a multidisciplinary institute by selecting focused, interdisciplinary teams that compliment without replicating the strengths of the continuing teams. The teams selected this cycle will replace the teams selected in Cycle 6 and it is anticipated that the number of teams selected in Cycle 8 will be about the same number selected in Cycle-6 (five teams). Further information will be posted through the NSPIRES system at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com Questions and comments related to this announcement should be addressed to Mary Voytek, NASA Astrobiology Institute Program Scientist, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Washington DC 20546 (E-mail: mary.voytek-1@nasa.gov). [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] PLANETARY PROTECTION RESEARCH DEFERRED TO 2017 Program element C.15 Planetary Protection Research will not be solicited in ROSES-2016, but it is anticipated that it will be solicited in ROSES-2017. Questions concerning this program element may be directed to Catharine Conley at cassie.conley@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 TENURE TRACK W2/W3 PROFESSORSHIP IN EXPERIMENTAL PLANETOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BAYREUTH The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with internationally competitive and interdisciplinary profile fields in research and teaching. At the Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry & Geophysics (Bayerisches Geoinstitut) of the University of Bayreuth applications are invited for a tenure track W2/W3 professorship in Experimental Planetology. The position will be initially filled at the associate professor level (W2) but can be converted to a full professorship (W3) upon successful demonstration of excellence in research and teaching. The Bayerisches Geoinstitut is seeking an outstanding scientist with broad experience in experimental methods to investigate aspects of planetary formation, evolution and tectonic processes. Candidates are sought from the fields of experimental petrology, geochemistry and geophysics whose research interests embrace the study of the origin, composition, structure and dynamics of planets and, in particular, planetary interiors. Please send your cover letter, CV, a publications list, a list of courses taught, your certificates, and a description of your research to the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences by 26.10.2016. Please also submit an identical copy of your application as a single PDF file (up to 30 MB) to dekanat.bcg@uni-bayreuth.de. [Edited for length] 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] SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE IS SEEKING VOLUNTEER REVIEWERS NASA's Science Mission Directorate is seeking subject matter experts to serve as mail-in and/or panel meeting reviewers of proposals to ROSES and other solicitations. Just follow the links below to the volunteer review forms and click the boxes to indicate the topics in which you consider yourself to be a subject matter. If your skills match our needs for this review we will contact you to discuss scheduling. We are currently seeking reviewers for: Concepts for Ocean worlds Life Detection Technology Earth Science Applications: Ecological Forecasting Mars Data Analysis Planetary Science and Technology Through Analog Research Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) The names of the programs above should contain links to those individual review forms, but the landing page all of these forms may be found at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/ 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] SCIENCE INSTRUMENTS TO SPONSOR ON KOREAN SPACE AGENCY LUNAR ORBITER NASA is soliciting proposals for scientific instruments that might reveal answers about lunar resources that could support the agency's journey to Mars. NASA would sponsor the instruments to fly on a lunar orbiter designed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). The spacecraft, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), is scheduled to launch in December 2018, and is part of KARI's Korea Lunar Exploration Program, which aims to robotically explore the moon through a series of orbiter and lander missions, starting with the KPLO. This solicitation is being released under the SALMON-2 AO as solicitation number NNH12ZDA006O-KPLO. A virtual Industry Day/Question and Answer session will be held on September 23, 2016, see the KPLO homepage at: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/kplo-ao for logistical information. The solicitation information can be found on NSPIRES at: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method= init&solId={AF44B73B-7DBF-5540-1793-4C5491CFFE7C}&path=init. NOI due date: 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on September 30, 2016. Proposals due date: 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 28, 2016. Comments and questions may be addressed by E-mail to: Mr John Guidi, NASA Headquarters, Advanced Exploration Systems Division, Washington, DC 20546-0001, Tel: 202-358-1644, E-mail: john.guidi@nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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] PHYSICAL SCIENCE INFORMATICS SYSTEM RESEARCH The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released Appendix C of the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH15ZTT001N, entitled "Use of the NASA Physical Sciences Informatics System." This NRA solicits ground-based research proposals to generate new scientific insights by utilizing experimental data residing in NASA's Physical Sciences Informatics (PSI) system (http://psi.nasa.gov), an online database of past and current physical science microgravity flight experiments conducted on the International Space Station and other platforms. The full text of the solicitation is available on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com The direct link to the umbrella solicitation is at: http://tinyurl.com/NRA-NNH15ZTT001N The direct link to the Appendix C webpage is at: http://tinyurl.com/NASA-15PSI-C. NASA plans to conduct a proposers' conference via WebEx at 1 pm Eastern Time on October 5, 2016, to answer questions about the proposal process and the use of the PSI. NOI due date: October 31, 2016 Proposals due date: December 15, 2016 [Edited for length] 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] ROSES DATA ANALYSIS PROGRAM Advance notice is given that C.25 Rosetta Data Analysis Program will be solicited as part of ROSES-2017. The objective of the Rosetta Data Analysis Program (RDAP) will be to enhance the scientific return of the Rosetta mission and broaden the scientific participation in analysis of archived data collected from the Rosetta and Philae spacecraft. The proposal due dates will be released with ROSES-2017, but the Planetary Science Division expects to schedule the Step-1 and Step-2 proposal due dates of RDAP to coincide with those of the Discovery Data Analysis Program (DDAP), and expects that RDAP proposals will be co-reviewed at the same time as DDAP proposals. However, RDAP awards will be funded from a source other than the Discovery Program. NASA expects to make approximately ten RDAP awards. This notice is posted as a Amendment to ROSES-2016 at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and will appear on the RSS feed at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ roses-2016 Questions concerning this program element may be directed to Thomas Statler at thomas.s.statler@nasa.gov. [Edited for length] 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, EXTRASOLAR PLANETS The George Mason University (htt://www.gmu.edu/) Department of Physics and Astronomy invites candidates a tenure-track faculty position in Extrasolar Planets. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment. Responsibilities: The successful candidate is expected to carry out a vigorous and externally funded research program; teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and provide service activities. Qualifications: Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or a closely related field, prior to the first day of this appointment. Well-qualified candidates will have postdoctoral research experience and show promise for developing an independent and externally funded research program. Consideration for expertise in observational and theoretical studies of extrasolar planets including detection, characterization and formation and evolution. For a complete listing of duties and qualifications, and to apply for position F9967z, go to: http://jobs.gmu.edu/ George Mason University is an EO/AA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 MISSION CONCEPT BRIEFING ON THE FAR-IR SURVEYOR AT DPS/EPSC MEETING Latest updates on the mission concept for the Far-IR Survey will be presented at the upcoming DPS 48/EPSC 11 Meeting on Monday, October 17 from 12:30pm-2:00pm in Ballroom F at the Pasadena Convention Center. NASA initiated a community-based process to identify Mission Concepts for candidate large missions to follow JWST and the WFIRST. The Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) has been organized for the Far-IR Surveyor (http://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/firs/) and has a charter to deliver a competitive mission concept for the next Astrophysics decadal survey. Members of the Solar System Community are encouraged to participate in this meeting to hear about the anticipated mission architecture, key science goals, and future activities to help define a competitive mission concept for the next generation space observatory. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 UPCOMING JWST EVENTS JWST is scheduled to launch in October 2018, and the first proposal deadlines are quickly approaching. A series of workshops and events to help prepare the community are being planned. At the DPS 48/EPSC 11 Meeting: Sunday, October 16 from 1:00pm-4:00pm there will be a JWST Early Release Science (ERS) Program Workshop. This workshop will help prepare the community for ERS proposals with proposal preparation demonstration and community discussion. The workshop will be available to individuals unable to attend the meeting via WebEx and connection details will be posted soon here: https://jwst.stsci.edu/science-planning/science-corner/planetary- systems-and-the-origin On Tuesday, October 18 from 12:00pm-1:30pm JWST will hold a Townhall event "Observing the Solar System with the JWST. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 participants. A special presentation will be given by Will Grundy (Lowell Obs) as well as status and updates for solar system observations. STScI has already begun a series of webinars which have been recorded and are available along with a future schedule: https://confluence.stsci.edu/display/JWSTLC/JWST+Community+Webinars To receive future announcements and reminders, please send a blank email to jwst_webinars-subscribe-request@maillist.stsci.edu. Subscribers will receive an email back with a link to click to confirm their intent to join. 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 DUST, ATMOSPHERE, AND PLASMA ENVIRONMENT OF THE MOON AND SMALL MODIES (DAP-2017) WORKSHOP CALL FOR ABSTRACTS The NASA/SSERVI Dust, Atmosphere, and Plasma environment of the Moon and Small Bodies (DAP-2017) workshop will be held at LASP in Boulder, Colorado on January 11th-13th, 2017. DAP-2017 will be a forum to (i) discuss current understanding of the surface environment of the Moon, the moons of Mars, and comets and asteroids, (ii) share new results from past and ongoing missions to airless bodies and comets, and (iii) describe expectations for planned upcoming missions to airless bodies and comets. The meeting web site is at: http://impact.colorado.edu/dap_meeting.html where you can learn more. DAP-2017 is soliciting meeting abstracts, with a abstract of September 30th, 2016; submit your abstract to dusty.meetings@gmail.com 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 September 24-25, 2016 SoCIA 2016: Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology http://kcs098.wixsite.com/socia Clemson, SC September 25-29, 2016 4th International Serpentine Days Workshop http://serpentines2016.gm.univ-montp2.fr Sete, France September 26-28, 2016 Fourth Annual GMT Community Science Meeting http://www.gmtconference.org Pacific Grove, CA September 27-30, 2016 16th European Astrobiology Network Association (EANA) Astrobiology Conference http://www.astrobiology.gr/eana16/ Athens, Greece October 18-22, 2016 III Congreso Internacional de Astrobiologia http://www.astrobiologia.org Manizales, Columbia November 3-4, 2016 The Landscape of the Emergence of Life http://www.nor-hgt-luca.com/conference-2016-.html Milton Keynes, UK April 3-5, 2017 Titan Through Time 4 http://ssed.gsfc.nasa.gov/titanworkshop/ Greenbelt, MD May 7-12, 2017 Radio Exploration of Planetary Habitability https://aas.org/meetings/aastcs/radiohab Palm Springs, CA July 3-8, 2017 International Symposium on Education in Astronomy and Astrobiology (ISE2A) http://ise2a.uu.nl Utrecht, The Netherlands [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.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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