October 2015

Application Review Begins October 15, 2015

The Departments of Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences of the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California) invite applications for an open-rank, tenured or tenure-track faculty position in geobiology anticipated to start Fall 2016.

The department is looking for an interdisciplinary scientist who will apply modern, quantitative and innovative techniques to solve major problems in any area of geobiology. Interests include but are not limited to candidates with expertise in geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and/or organic geochemistry, who combine field-based studies with state-of-the-art analytical capabilities and laboratory experimentation. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a transformative research program, to provide leadership in USC’s strong geobiology program, and to contribute to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The position can be filled at the Full Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor level. A Ph.D. or equivalent in the Geosciences, Microbiology, or related field is required. Candidates are encouraged to visit our websites in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at http://dornsife.usc.edu/earth/ and http://dornsife.usc.edu/bisc/meb/ and http://dornsife.usc.edu/bisc/meb/.

Applications must include a curriculum vitae, publication list, statement of teaching interests, and the names and contact information of at least four individuals who can provide letters of recommendation upon request. In addition, applicants should include in their cover letter a list of what they consider to be critical issues in geobiology today and a research statement that demonstrates how the candidate plans to address those issues.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit an electronic USC application at: http://jobs.usc.edu/postings/53260.

For further information, please contact the Chair of the search committee, Jan Amend at janamend@usc.edu.

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Application Deadline: October 31, 2015

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University invites applications for the position of Exploration Postdoctoral Fellow. The fellowship provides opportunities for outstanding early-career scientists and engineers emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Research areas within SESE encompass astrobiology, astrophysics and cosmology, earth and planetary sciences, instrumentation and systems engineering, and science education.

Incoming Fellows will receive an annual stipend of $61,000 with health benefits, plus $9,000 per year in discretionary research funds. A relocation allowance of up to $2,500 will be provided. Appointments will be for up to three years and shall commence on or around July 1, 2016.

A full description of the application process is available at: http://sese.asu.edu/ExplorationPostdocFellowships.

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Proposal Deadline: November 1, 2015

The NASA Postdoctoral Program will be accepting applications to the Astrobiology program opportunities on November 1. The NPP provides opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of the NASA Astrobiology Program. For more information see http://nai.nasa.gov/funding/postdoctoral-fellowship-program/.

To apply, go to http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/.

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Application Deadline: November 1, 2015

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.

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Application Deadline: November 5, 2015

The Sagan Fellowships support outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the science goals of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration program. The primary goal of missions within this program is to discover and characterize planetary systems and Earth-like planets around nearby stars. Sagan Fellowships are joined by two other NASA astrophysics theme-based fellowship programs: the Einstein Fellowship Program which supports the Physics of the Cosmos research, and the Hubble Fellowship Program which supports Cosmic Origins research.

We anticipate awarding 5 fellowships in 2016.

The proposed research may be theoretical, observational, or instrumental. This program is open to applicants of any nationality who have earned (or will have earned) their doctoral degrees on or after January 1, 2013, in astronomy, physics, or related disciplines. The fellowships are tenable at U.S. host institutions of the fellows’ choice, subject to a maximum of one new fellow per host institution per year (see note on host institutions below). The duration of the fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds.

We accept the submission of up to three host institutions. The purpose of designating of more than one host institution in the application is to provide the program with flexibility should there be several highly ranked applications at any single institution. Barring this circumstance, it is expected that awardees will use their Fellowships at their first-choice institutions.

More information and the application submission form are available at http://nexsci.caltech.edu/sagan/fellowship.shtml.

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Application Review Begins November 9, 2015

The University of Arizona announces coordinated hiring of five tenure-track or tenured faculty positions in Earth system remote sensing to establish the Earth Dynamics Observatory (EDO) to respond to global challenges in Earth and environmental science, planetary science, and hazards and resource assessment. EDO faculty will contribute to interdisciplinary research and educational programs oriented around remote sensing and Earth and planetary change, with the goal of developing instruments, deploying missions, and leading new research in applications of remote sensing. One position is in remote sensing of planetary surfaces, atmospheres, and/or interiors with relevance to multiple planets (including exoplanets) or solar system objects to astrobiology, to provide context for understanding the Earth. Experience in field and lab work and theory are also desirable. The scientist will have expertise in planetary science and observing techniques to a) develop instrumentation and techniques and lead experiments for planetary science (including Earth), and b) provide perspective on the implications for Earth of knowledge about other planets and vice versa. Inquiries should be directed to Tim Swindle (tswindle@lpl.arizona.edu), Director, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

More information is at: http://www.geo.arizona.edu/edo/

Candidates should apply for position F20164 at: https://uacareers.com/

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Application Deadline: December 1, 2015

We invite applications for multiple Postdoctoral Fellowships to be held in the McGill Space Institute at McGill University.

The McGill Space Institute is a newly formed interdisciplinary center that brings together researchers engaged in space-related research at McGill. Currently there are 17 active faculty members affiliated with the center, from the Physics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, and Natural Resource Sciences departments at McGill.

The successful applicant will have a strong research record in theoretical, observational, or experimental work in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, atmospheric science or astrobiology. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, list of publications, statement of research plans (not to exceed 2 pages) which demonstrates how the proposed research program complements current MSI activities, and contact details of 3 referees.

This position offers a competitive salary and will be for two years, with a possible renewal for a third year, dependent on supervisor approval and the availability of funds. Preference is given to applicants within 3 years of the PhD. All application materials including letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline of December 1, 2015.

Apply online at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/6521

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Screening Process Begins December 1, 2015

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate seeks one or more experienced scientists to fill Visiting Scientist positions within the Astrophysics Division of NASA Headquarters, located in Washington, DC. Visiting Scientists serve as Program Scientists for current NASA space missions and future missions in development, and Discipline Scientists for research solicitations. Visiting scientists play a leadership role in developing budgets, program plans, and long-range strategic plans to define the future NASA astrophysics program. They help execute the NASA science mission, and are expected to demonstrate a high degree of initiative in doing so.

The Astrophysics Division manages space missions, research and technology programs that include instrumentation, observation and theory, and which fall into three focused science programs. Physics of the Cosmos explores the fundamental physics of the universe and the extremes of space-time. Cosmic Origins is concerned with the origins and evolution of stars, galaxies, and cosmic structure. Exoplanet Exploration searches for, and characterizes, extra-solar planetary systems and potentially habitable environments around other stars.

Visiting Scientists take leave from their home institution and hold two-year positions, extendible to six years. Positions are available beginning April 2016, though the starting date is negotiable. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in astronomy or physics, plus relevant experience in instrumental, observational, or theoretical research, ideally related to the focused programs described above. They should be familiar with NASA grants programs, and be able to communicate effectively with the scientific community, educators, and the media. Visiting Scientists are normally funded via an Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreement with their home institution, which requires current employment with a US institution for at least 90 days.

The search will remain open to new applicants until the position is filled. A curriculum vitae and cover letter, including contact details for three professional referees, should be sent to the primary Point of Contact, Dr. Martin Still at martin.still@nasa.gov. Interested scientists are encouraged to talk to NASA HQ staff directly, or can contact Dr. Still by phone at (202) 358-4462 for additional details concerning this position.

Application Deadline: December 10, 2015

The University of Florida invites faculty applications for two available 12-month tenure accruing positions at the assistant professor level to solve fundamental problems in Environmental Microbiology with a focus on biological impacts associated with sea level rise and mitigation. The positions will be 70% research and 30% teaching and will be part of a larger interdisciplinary core team dedicated to addressing and developing mitigation strategies for sea level rise, an urgent problem in South Florida. The university is searching broadly for two faculty members that can build a research program related to the consequences of sea level rise from a microbiology perspective. Examples of microbiology-related research areas could include: identifying emerging infectious diseases affecting marine organisms under a rising sea level; characterizing mechanisms governing stability of microbiota associated with marine environments in habitats threatened by sea level rise; identifying and managing conditions that promote marine algal blooms; analyzing impact on coral reef ecosystems (e.g. ocean acidification); and developing economically feasible biological-based methods of carbon sequestration.

Tenure will accrue in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, however, the successful candidates will be located at the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center. The faculty members will participate actively in undergraduate education and graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing the results with his/her graduate students. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support his/her program. The faculty members will engage in Extension activities in his or her program area.

Qualifications: A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in microbiology or a closely related discipline is required. Postdoctoral experience is desirable. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.

The positions begin March 1, 2016. More information is available at: http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/494898

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Application Deadline: December 15, 2015

The Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at The University of Tennessee seeks to fill a faculty position in petrology/mineralogy/geochemistry with emphasis in planetary geoscience. The position is for an open-rank (tenure-track or tenured); we would prefer to select a candidate at the Associate or Full Professor level, but welcome applications for Assistant Professor. The position begins August 1, 2016. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a Research I University and the flagship campus of the UT system. Information about the department may be found at: http://eps.utk.edu.

It focuses on geology and has an active emphasis on planetary research through its Planetary Geosciences Institute: http://web.utk.edu/~pgi.

Requirements for the position are: Ph.D. in geology or a related field, and demonstrated research experience in planetary geoscience.

To apply, please email the following to mcsween@utk.edu: C.V., cover letter describing research and teaching experience and plans, and names of 4 references with contact information. Applications received by December 15, 2015 are ensured review, but earlier submission is encouraged. The position will remain open until filled. Questions about the position should be directed to H. McSween.

Application Deadline: January 15, 2016

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) is hosting a special Exploration Science Summer Intern Program to build on the success of the former Lunar Exploration Summer Intern Program that was designed to evaluate possible landing sites on the Moon for robotic and human exploration missions. Over a five year period (2008–2012), teams of students worked with Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) science staff and their collaborators to produce A Global Lunar Landing Site Study to Provide the Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon. The program for 2016 is designed to have the same impact on future exploration activities, but has a broader scope that includes both the Moon and near-Earth asteroids. It is a unique opportunity to integrate scientific input with exploration activities in a way that mission architects and spacecraft engineers can use. Activities may involve assessments and traverse plans for a particular destination (e.g., on the lunar farside) or a more general assessment of a class of possible exploration targets (e.g., small near-Earth asteroids).

The 10-week program runs from May 23, 2016, through July 29, 2016. Selected interns will receive a $5675 stipend to cover the costs associated with being in Houston for the duration of the program. Additionally, U.S. citizens will receive up to $1000 in travel expense reimbursement and foreign nationals will receive up to $1500 in travel expense reimbursement.

Applications are only accepted using the electronic application form found at the LPI’s Exploration Science Summer Intern website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration_intern/

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Application Deadline: January 29, 2016

The George Mason University, Department of Physics and Astronomy within the School of Physics, Astronomy, and Computational Science is accepting applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor-level in the field of Extrasolar Planets.

Responsibilities: The successful applicant will teach courses in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and develop an extrasolar planets research program.

George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Va., in the suburban Washington, D.C., area. This location offers prospects for collaboration at several nearby institutions and federal laboratories, such as the Goddard Space Flight Center, the Carnegie Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, the Space Telescope Science Institute, the National Institute of Science and Technology, and the Naval Research Laboratory.

Qualifications: Candidates with expertise in all areas of observational and theoretical studies of extrasolar planets—including detection, characterization, and their formation and evolution—will be considered. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or astronomy as well as postdoctoral experience, and show promise for developing an independent and externally funded research program.

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number F9967z at: http://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/36094

The Reaction Dynamics Group at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa invites applications for three postdoctoral positions. The appointment period is initially for one year, but can be renewed annually based on avail­a­b­ility of funds and satisfactory progress. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Successful applicants should have a strong background in one or more of the following: experimental reaction dynamics, molecular beams, low temperature condensed phase, soft matter, UHV tech­nology, pulsed laser systems. Programming experience in labview is desirable. A description of our current research group can be found at http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/welcome.html.

Position I: Reaction Dynamics. The prime directive of the experiments is to investigate the formation of carbonaceous and silicon-bearing molecules in extreme environments ranging from combustion flames, CVD processes, and interstellar/circumstellar environments exploiting the crossed molecular beams method.

Position II: Soft Matter & Material Sciences. The main objective of these experimental studies is to explore the fundamental mecha­­­­­nisms and electron transfer processes involved in the reaction and ignition of prototype boron-based energetic ionic liqui­ds (EILs) doped with passivated nanoparticles in levitated droplets.

Position III: Planetary Chemistry. The goal of these experiments is to probe the formation of water and/or hydroxyl radicals via interaction of the solar wind particles such as keV protons and deuterons with silicates at lunar temperatures. Reaction products will be probed via condensed phase spectroscopy and photoionization of the subliming molecules.

Solid communication skills in English (written, oral), a publication record in internationally circulated, peer-reviewed journals, and willingness to work in a team are man­da­to­ry. Only self-motivated an energetic candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants must demonstrate their capability to prepare manuscripts for publications independently. Please send a letter of interest, three letters of recommendation, CV, and publication list to:
Prof. Ralf I. Kaiser
De­partment of Chemistry
University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Honolulu, HI 96822-2275, USA
ralfk@hawaii.edu

The Science and Technology for Sustainability (STS) program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is recruiting a Senior Program Officer to contribute to the growth, management, and leadership of program activities. The program examines issues at the intersection of the three sustainability pillars—social, economic, and environmental—and aims to strengthen science for decision-making related to sustainability. We seek an individual interested in working on a broad range of activities and issues in support of the program’s mission. A full position description and application instructions are available at http://chk.tbe.taleo.net/chk02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=NAS&cws=1&rid=8201. More information about the STS program is available at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/sustainability/index.htm.

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The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado is seeking a minimum one-year Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of planetary science. A strong candidate will have experience with several of the following areas: planetary (Mars/Mercury/Moon) data processing and analysis, geologic mapping, research on fluvial/lacustrine processes on Mars, planetary volcanism, martian geochemistry/mineralogy/spectroscopy, field-based planetary analog studies, and/or hydrothermal systems.

Requirements:

- PhD related to planetary science with detailed knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: planetary geology, interpretation of spacecraft data, and Mars science.

- Experience analyzing and processing spacecraft data.

- Experience with Geographic Information Systems.

- Ability to conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and give presentations of research at science conferences.

- Preference for knowledge of and experience with: USGSISIS software, ArcGIS, IDL/ENVI.

Please submit your resume/vitae, list of three references, and a cover letter describing your research background and interest in this position to: http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/108117

Please contact Brian Hynek (hynek@lasp.colorado.edu) with any inquiries.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a dynamic research and teaching environment with state-of-the–art facilities for biochemistry, flow cytometry, genomics, proteomics, cell biology, microbiology and bioinformatics.

The faculty position to be filled is a full-time tenure track appointment with primary responsibilities in research, teaching, and service/outreach. The successful candidate will become an integral part of the Microbiology and Immunology department and potentially research centers on campus. The position is 50% research, 40% teaching, and 10% service and will be funded by the College of Agriculture and the College of Letters and Science. The new hire will be responsible for developing and obtaining extramural research funding for a nationally competitive, independent research program that will make significant contributions to the understanding of microbe-environment interactions, microbial biology/ecology, and/or microbial engineering. The faculty member will participate in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in their area of specialization and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. They will also be responsible for providing service as applicable to the department, college, university, and scientific community. Opportunities to participate in the cooperative human medical education program with the University of Washington (WWAMI program) or the Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine (WIMU program) may also be possible.

More information and application instructions are available at https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/2601.

There is an opportunity for a Postdoctoral Associate in Astrobiology, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), to work on research that will focus on analytical studies of organic matter in astrochemical analog materials such as meteorites and ices in order to identify amphiphiles. The position, which is associated with the Simons Foundation Collaboration on the Origins of Life and will require collaborating closely with researchers Drs. Roger Summons/MIT (lead), Scott Sandford/ARC, & Jason Dworkin/GSFC, as well as relevant MIT faculty, research staff, and postdoctoral associates in the geobiology and astrobiology community.

Job Requirements: a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, organic geochemistry, or analytical organic chemistry. Experience in the use of GCMS, LCMS, and pyrolysis techniques is essential. For all the information and to apply, visit: http://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_mit/external/jobDetails.do?functionName=getJobDetail&jobPostId=5601&localeCode=en-us

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