PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 34 (August 23, 2015) 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. PhD Position in Planetary Science – VU University Amsterdam 2. Lowell Observatory: Tenure-Track or Tenured Astronomer 3. PhD Position on UV Effects on Carbon in Meteorites 4. Mars Critical Data Products Request for Proposal 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. 41st Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and Associated Events 7. [NASA] PDS – Release of Cassini/Radio and Plasma Wave Science Data 8. NASA OPAG Meeting 9. [NASA] New volunteer Reviewer Forms Posted 10. [NASA] Undergraduate Student Instrument Solicitation Released 11. Aeolian Research Special Issue for The Fourth International Planetary Dunes Workshop 12. 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 PHD POSITION IN PLANETARY SCIENCE - VU UNIVERSITY AMSTERDAM The Department of Earth and Life Sciences at VU University Amsterdam, is offering a fully funded four-year PhD studentship focused on providing new constraints on the structure and evolution of the crust of Mars. The studentship is fully funded by a NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) User Support Programme Space Research grant. Within this international project you will collaborate with researchers at the University of Lyon, the University of Toulouse and at the IPGP (Institut de Physique du Globe) in Paris, France. Candidates need to have completed a MSc degree in the field of planetary science, physics, geophysics, geology, or similar relevant field. There is no constrain on citizenship, all applications are welcomed. More information can be found here: https://www.vu.nl/en/employment/vacancies/2015/15232.asp Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Gareth Davies, Prof. Wim van Westrenen and Dr. Jessica Flahaut for additional information (e-mails: g.r.davies@vu.nl; w.van.westrenen@vu.nl; jessica.flahaut@ens-lyon.org). To apply, email the department’s secretary Mrs. Fenny Bosse (f.bosse@vu.nl) with the subject "Vacancy #15232". Please provide a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information of at least two references. Deadline for applications is September 30, 2015. 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 LOWELL OBSERVATORY: TENURE-TRACK OR TENURED ASTRONOMER Lowell Observatory invites applications for one or more tenure-track or tenured research positions in astronomy or planetary science. We invite applicants at any career level who can build on current strengths or open new areas for Lowell. A Ph.D. in astronomy, planetary science, or a related field is required, as is an outstanding record of research and demonstrated ability or potential to obtain external research funding. Candidates are invited to describe how they would make use of our observational facilities, but we will give equal consideration to all research areas. The start date for this position is flexible but desired by Fall 2016. Additional position details can be found at: https://lowell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tenure-track- Astronomer.pdf To apply: Send applications electronically to: humanresources@lowell.edu Applications should include: (1) a cover letter and CV, (2) a research plan of 3 pages or less, and (3) names and mail/email addresses of three individuals who have agreed to serve as references. Do not ask for reference letters to be sent in advance. Applications must be received by November 1, 2015 for full consideration. Lowell Observatory is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. 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 PHD POSITION ON UV EFFECTS ON CARBON IN METEORITES A 4-year PhD position is open at the Institute of Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU) and the Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The goal is to investigate the full life cycle of meteoritic carbon under irradiation with high energy UV light. Measurements will be carried out using analytical techniques including NanoSIMS, SEM, CRDS, IRMS and other gas chromatographic techniques. Therefore the project requires a scientist with extraordinary experimental skills and interest and the capabilities to evaluate and interpret the results from multiple different analytical instruments. Apply at: http://www.peoplexs.com/Peoplexs22/CandidatesPortalNoLogin/Vacancy.cfm ?PortalID=4124&VacatureID=759084 Qualifications: - MSc degree in physics, chemistry or geosciences - Fluent in English - Particular interest and skills in experimental work - Experience in data analysis - Strong interest in astrobiology and/or meteorites. Offer: - Full-time 4-year position at IMAU. - Salary 2,125-2,717 Euro/month. - Holiday bonus 8%; end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year. Pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Application deadline: September 15, 2015 More information: Prof. Dr Thomas Röckmann (T.Roeckmann@uu.nl) or Dr. Inge Loes ten Kate (i.l.tenkate@uu.nl) 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 MARS CRITICAL DATA PRODUCTS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Mars Exploration Program has issued a Request for Proposal for the Mars Critical Data Products program. This RFP provides support for landing site surface, and atmosphere characterization for the Mars 2020 rover mission. The intent is to convert mission data and numerical simulations into products focused on specific landing site targets (to be provided by the program) that will be useful for reducing the risk to the Mars 2020 rover mission. Details of this RFP are posted at: https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/rfp/NT-2692-081715/default.htm or https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/bizops/ Requested data products are for (1) Radar Reflectivity, (2) Surface Thermophysical Properties, (3) Surface Pressure Predictions, and (4) Dust Events during Mars 2020 Entry Descent and Landing (EDL). Proposals are due Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 3:00 PM (Pacific). 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) 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. An example of one of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://apps.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/17736 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/1UA7aHs For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: 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 41ST SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) AND ASSOCIATED EVENTS COSPAR 2016 30 July – 7 August 2016 Istanbul, Turkey http://www.cospar-assembly.org Abstract Deadline: Mid-February 2016 Topics: - SC A: The Earth's Surface, Meteorology and Climate - SC B: The Earth-Moon System, Planets, and Small Bodies of the Solar System - SC C: The Upper Atmospheres of the Earth and Planets Including Reference Atmospheres - SC D: Space Plasmas in the Solar System, Including Planetary Magnetospheres - SC E: Research in Astrophysics from Space - SC F: Life Sciences as Related to Space - SC G: Materials Sciences in Space - SC H: Fundamental Physics in Space Panels: - Satellite Dynamics (PSD) - Scientific Ballooning (PSB) - Potentially Environmentally Detrimental Activities in Space (PEDAS) - Radiation Belt Environment Modelling (PRBEM) - Space Weather (PSW) - Planetary Protection (PPP) - Capacity Building (PCB) - Education (PE) - Exploration (PEX) - Exoplanetary Exploration (PEPE) - Special events: interdisciplinary lectures, round table, etc. Selected papers published in Advances in Space Research and Life Sciences in Space Research, fully refereed journals with no deadlines open to all submissions in relevant fields. Scientific Program Chair: Prof. Ersin Gogus, Sabanci University cospar@cosparhq.cnes.fr 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 – RELEASE OF CASSINI/RADIO AND PLASMA WAVE SCIENCE DATA The Planetary Data System (PDS) announces the release of Cassini/Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) higher level Langmuir probe (LP) data. This release includes electron densities and temperatures derived from the analyses of LP sweeps for targeted Titan flybys through T93, electron densities using spacecraft potential as a proxy for data into mid-2010. Calibrated current-voltage data for all sweeps through 2014 day 119 are included for those who wish to do their own sweep analyses. And, a fourth data set including calibrated currents vs. time at fixed probe potentials are available as a product which reflects higher temporal resolution variations of the electron density than that available from the sweeps. However, one would likely use densities derived from nearby sweeps to convert the relative densities to calibrated densities. Additions to these data sets will occur periodically until the data coverage is complete. To access the above data, please visit: http://ppi.pds.nasa.gov/search/view/?id=pds://PPI/CORPWS_1001 For information about this release, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20150820.shtml To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html All available PDS data may be downloaded from: 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 OPAG MEETING Monday to Wednesday, August 24-26, 2015, 8:00 am Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00) Join WebEx meeting: Meeting number: 994 163 298 Meeting password: W@lc0m31 Join by phone Conference Number: 877-951-7311 Passcode: 3021523 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] NEW VOLUNTEER REVIEWER FORMS POSTED The Planetary Science Division is now seeking volunteers to serve as reviewers for proposals from the following ROSES-2015 programs: ROSES 2015 C.19 Hayabusa2 Participating Scientist Program ROSES 2015 C.14 Planetary Science and Technology Through Analog Research ROSES 2015 C.9 Mars Data Analysis Program ROSES 2015 C.3 Solar System Workings All volunteer review forms are available at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels/ 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] UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT INSTRUMENT SOLICITATION RELEASED The Undergraduate Student Instrument Project (USIP) Student Flight Research Opportunity solicits proposals from U.S. educational institutions to develop and fly a science and/or technology payload on a sounding rocket, balloon, aircraft, suborbital reusable launch vehicle (sRLV), or CubeSat launched on an orbital launch vehicle. NOIs are due 10/1/2015 and proposals 11/20/2015. For more information see: http://tinyurl.com/USIP15 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 AEOLIAN RESEARCH SPECIAL ISSUE FOR THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY DUNES WORKSHOP The Fourth International Planetary Dunes Workshop: Integrating Models, Remote Sensing, and Field Data was held May 19–22, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. See: http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/dunes2015/dunes20153rd.shtml More than 60 researchers and students participated in two and a half days of presentations and lively discussion, plus a full day field trip to Bruneau Dunes State Park. The workshop focused on the many landforms and deposits created by the dynamic interactions between granular material and airflow (aeolian processes). These processes are known to occur on several planetary bodies, including Earth, Mars, Titan, Venus, and most recently the surface of a comet. A special issue in Aeolian Research is planned to highlight the results presented at the workshop, in addition to other recent aeolian studies of planetary surfaces. Manuscripts on any topic within planetary aeolian studies are solicited, but those focusing on planetary dune systems are particularly encouraged. While terrestrial analog studies are welcome for the special issue, these manuscripts should include discussion of how the results relate to the analysis of features in planetary environments. Please send an email (as an indication of interest) that includes a working title, proposed author list, and two-sentence description of the manuscript to chojan1@pirl.lpl.arizona.edu by August 29, 2015. Deadline for submission of final manuscripts is February 1, 2016. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS November 16-18, 2015 Enabling Transiting Exoplanet Science with JWST http://www.cvent.com/events/enabling-transiting-exoplanet-science- with-jwst/event-summary-122488a7d40e4953adc6dda02f02a643.aspx Baltimore, MD February 8-12, 2016 The Astrophysics of Planetary Habitability http://habitability.univie.ac.at Vienna, Austria [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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