January 2017
Application Deadline: January 15, 2017
Northern Arizona University is recruiting excellent undergraduates for their PhD program in Astronomy and Planetary Science. The department is rapidly growing, and their new PhD students will join students, postdocs, and faculty working on telescopic observations of our Solar System and other planetary systems; spacecraft explorations of Mars and other bodies in our Solar System; “big data” science, in preparation for LSST; and astrophysical laboratory experiments, among other topics. The program allows students to enjoy unparalleled telescope access and rich collaborations with neighboring institutions Lowell Observatory and the US Geological Survey/Astrogeology Branch.
Flagstaff is a beautiful four seasons mountain town that is surrounded by national forest; nearly every kind of outdoor activity takes place within minutes of downtown’s excellent food/coffee/beer/art scene.
Applications are due January 15, but preference will be given to applications that are received by January 1. For more information, including list of current faculty and their research interests, as well as how to apply to the program, please see: http://www.physics.nau.edu/AstroPhD
For additional information. send queries to astronomy.grad@nau.edu.
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Application Review Begins January 15, 2017
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the new Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences (QCBio) at the University of California, Los Angeles are searching for a joint faculty appointment at the level of Assistant Professor. Candidates must have a PhD within the field of Biology, Microbiology and/or Computational Sciences. Quantitative and computational biologists working on the ecology or evolution of terrestrial or aquatic (including marine) microbiomes, microbial symbionts, and/or pathogens, at the level of populations or communities, are invited to apply. The competitive applicant will conduct conceptually oriented research that uses quantitative or computational approaches such as mathematical modeling, genomics/metagenomics, or network science. Research on naturally-occurring or laboratory systems will be considered, and experimental approaches and use of emerging technologies are encouraged.
For more information and to apply, go to: http://www.microbe.net/2016/12/10/assistant-professor-in-quantitative-ecology-or-evolution-of-microbes-ucla/
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Application Review Begins January 15, 2017
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the new Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences (QCBio) at the University of California, Los Angeles are searching for a joint faculty appointment at the level of Assistant Professor. Candidates must have a PhD within the field of Biology, Microbiology and/or Computational Sciences. Quantitative and computational biologists working on the ecology or evolution of terrestrial or aquatic (including marine) microbiomes, microbial symbionts, and/or pathogens, at the level of populations or communities, are invited to apply. The competitive applicant will conduct conceptually oriented research that uses quantitative or computational approaches such as mathematical modeling, genomics/metagenomics, or network science. Research on naturally-occurring or laboratory systems will be considered, and experimental approaches and use of emerging technologies are encouraged.
For more information and to apply, go to: http://www.microbe.net/2016/12/10/assistant-professor-in-quantitative-ecology-or-evolution-of-microbes-ucla/
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Application Deadline: January 16, 2017
The Department of Geology at the University of Georgia seeks to fill a position for a tenure-track assistant professor in the field of petrology/mineralogy, welcoming applications from scientists in both the Earth and Planetary sciences to complement the department’s growing focus in planetary sciences. We encourage applications from petrologists/mineralogists with strong backgrounds in chemistry and physics who may employ unconventional and interdisciplinary approaches to address big-picture questions including but not limited to petrologic and/or mineralogical aspects of planetary evolution involving core, mantle, and/or crustal processes.
The successful candidate must be comfortable teaching our undergraduate core curriculum classes in mineralogy and/or petrology, a graduate course in their specialty, as well as introductory courses in geology. The successful candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program to attract outstanding graduate students in their field, and our core electron microprobe facility with dedicated, long-standing technical support may be critical to that effort.
Find more information on the application materials, which should be submitted by 5 PM January 16, 2017, at: https://facultyjobs.uga.edu/postings/1336
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Application Deadline: January 17, 2017
Foothill College, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, has a full-time, tenure-track astronomy instructor position available beginning fall 2017. Foothill is an award-winning community college with over 15,000 students during the day and evening. It has a small campus observatory operated by the local amateur astronomy club. The job involves teaching introductory courses and labs for non-science majors; there are separate intro courses on planetary science/astrobiology and on stars/galaxies/cosmology. The position is the only full-time astronomer at the college, although several part-time instructors teach as well.
Foothill College is committed to student success for all learners and candidates should be proficient with a range of effective pedagogical practices for larger and smaller classes; they should also be committed to helping to build a culturally diverse learning environment. Candidates should have an enthusiasm for teaching at the introductory astronomy level, a familiarity with astronomy education research and its implications for student success, and experience teaching non-science majors.
Foothill offers some of the highest salaries in community-college teaching and an excellent program of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, etc. for employee and eligible dependents. There is also a retirement benefit through the California State Teachers Retirement System. The college has funding for professional development leaves (sabbaticals) and funding for conference and other professional development activities.
Please use the Foothill-DeAnza District web page for this job to apply; do not email applications: http://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm04/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=FHDA&cws=1&rid=2350
Questions can be sent to Andrew Fraknoi at: fraknoi@fhda.edu.
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Application Deadline: January 18, 2017
NASA’s Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) will provide travel grants for a limited number of interested Early Career participants to attend the OPAG meeting February 22-23 in Atlanta, GA. OPAG plays a key role in sculpting the planetary science community’s input into NASA activities for outer planets science and exploration. Thus it is critical for Early Career scientists to attend these meetings both to learn how NASA and Planetary Science programs operate and to represent the community that will work on OPAG-relevant projects in the coming decade. Selected individuals will present a poster at the meeting on a topic of their choosing. Interested graduate students, postdocs, and other Early Career scientists (within 5 years of PhD/MS/BS) should submit a one page letter of interest and a CV to britneys@eas.gatech.edu by Jan 18, 2017. Recipients will be notified by Jan 23.
For more information, email Britney Schmidt at the address above.
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Application Deadline: January 26, 2017
This project will investigate the structure and dynamics of Saturn’s ionosphere and its interaction with the charged dust and plasma near its rings. The Cassini mission will end in 2017 with close orbits through the ring systems and passages through the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of Saturn. The Radio & Plasma Wave Science instrument package includes IRF’s Langmuir probe. Data from this will be analysed in order to study the ring dust and plasma and make the first detailed in-situ measurements of Saturn’s ionosphere.
Candidates should have completed a PhD in space physics or a related field during 2013 or later. Candidates planning to obtain their PhD before April 2017 may apply. If the candidate has an older degree and wants to refer to special circumstances, this should be clearly stated. Candidates should demonstrate experience in spacecraft data analysis, as part of national and international collaborations. Experience with theoretical modelling is an advantage, as is an interest in developing instrumental techniques and methods, and experience in coordinating scientific activities.
Further details are available at: http://www.irf.se/jobb
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Application Deadline: January 31, 2017
The International Space Science Institute (ISSI), Bern, Switzerland is seeking to appoint a post-doctoral researcher for 2 years primarily to work on a Horizon 2020 project, MiARD, the Multi Instrument Analysis of Rosetta Data. The post will involve two main strands, namely:
1. Assessment of the potential dangers to interplanetary spacecraft from cometary dust through the use of existing models such as ESA’s “Interplanetary Meteoroid Environment Model” (IMEM) by the updating of such models with new information derived from Rosetta data.
2. Study of the development of gas and dust activity triggered by different volatiles when comet 67P was approaching the Sun through the analysis and interpretation of data from various Rosetta instruments.
These activities will involve working with collaborators at partner institutes in Switzerland, France and Germany and with staff at ISSI. The successful candidate will ideally have experience of relevant aspects of cometary science with most likely a background in planetary science, physics, chemistry or related subjects. A small amount of time will also be available for the candidate’s personal research. Involvement in ISSI’s programme of activities would also be possible (details at www.issibern.ch). This position is available for an immediate start.
Salary and conditions of employment will be similar to those provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The application should include a motivation letter, the curriculum vitae, the list of publications and the names, addresses and means of contact of three references, not exceeding 7 pages in total. It shall be addressed to ISSI, attn. Professor John Zarnecki, Hallerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland; email: john.zarnecki@open.ac.uk and John.Zarnecki@issibern.ch with copy to: Professor Rafael Rodrigo; email: r.rodrigo@issibern.ch.
Submissions by email are preferred provided all the documents are in the form of a single PDF file. All applications must be received by ISSI no later than January 31st, 2017.
For informal discussion and further details, please contact Professor John Zarnecki or Professor Rafael Rodrigo.
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Application Deadline: February 1, 2017
AGU is accepting applications for the 2017-2018 AGU Congressional Science Fellowship program at: http://sciencepolicy.agu.org/congressional_fellows/
The fellowship offers scientists the opportunity to work in the field of science policy in Washington, D.C. The two AGU-sponsored fellows attend an intensive two-week course on politics and the legislative process run by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) before spending one year in either the personal office of a senator or representative or on a House or Senate committee in the U.S. Congress. Fellows serve as staff members in their assigned offices, and their responsibilities may include writing legislation, preparing for congressional hearings, meeting with lobbyists and constituents, and more.
The fellowship carries a stipend of $68,000, as well as health insurance, moving expenses, travel to the 2017 AGU Fall Meeting, and a work-related travel allowance.
The application period opens 1 November 2016, and all submissions are due by 1 February 2017. For more information on the fellowship, application requirements, and past fellows, visit the website above.
AGU members are also eligible for the Congressional Science Fellowship sponsored by American Geosciences Institute (http://www.americangeosciences.org/policy/internships-and-fellowships#PolicyFellowship) and are encouraged to apply.
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Application Deadline: February 1, 2017
The AAAS Pitts Family Foundation Minority Science Writers Internship is for undergraduates who are interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing. In addition to improving their skills, the program seeks to make a dent in the demographics of the profession: Although science is a global activity, the journalists who cover it don’t reflect that diversity.
Funded by the Pitts Family Foundation, the internship takes place each summer at the Washington, D.C. headquarters of AAAS’s Science magazine, the largest interdisciplinary journal in the world. Interns spend ten weeks at Science under the guidance of award-winning reporters and editors practicing what science writers do for a living. They have a chance to meet leading scientists, attend conferences and hearings, and cover breaking news. Interns are expected to contribute to all facets of the news operation, including writing bylined articles for the print magazine and online news service, engaging in social media, and contributing to other news products.
Interns receive a weekly stipend as well as the cost of a round-trip ticket to and from Washington, D.C. The internship runs from early June to mid-August. This year’s application deadline is Feb. 1, 2017. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate academic program at the time they submit their application.
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Application Deadline: February 3, 2017
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. The program is the U.S. component of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Fellowships program. Celebrating its thirteenth year in the U.S., the For Women in Science program has awarded 65 postdoctoral women scientists over $3 million in grants. L’Oréal USA partners with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to manage the program’s application and peer-review process. Each year, the program attracts talented applicants from diverse STEM fields, representing some of the nation’s leading academic institutions and laboratories. The 2017 L’Oréal USA for Women in Science application period is now open and will close on February 3, 2017.
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Application Deadline: February 3, 2017
The Technologies for Exo/Planetary Science (TEPS) NSERCCREATE program is seeking graduate student applicants for funding. TEPS is an interdisciplinary program that brings together researchers in planetary science, exoplanetary astronomy and those involved in instrument development across academia, industry and government. The term length of funding is 2 years for MSc and 4 years for PhD. Eligible MSc and PhD candidates are students that will be accepted for graduate studies at one of the participating universities between January 2017 and December 2017. In this cycle, TEPS has funding for 4 MSc and 2 PhD trainees.
The application package should include:
- Names of confirmed supervisor and co-supervisor. Potential applicants are required to have their supervisors confirmed before submitting their application.
- one-page (max) description of the research project
- Transcript of academic records
- CV, including a publication list
- One Letter of reference
The applications and letters of reference should be sent electronically in pdf format to teps@yorku.ca no later than February 3, 2017. Results will be released towards the end of February 2017. For more information about the TEPS program and for a complete list of participating institutions and potential supervisors, please visit: http://teps.science.yorku.ca
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Application Deadline: February 15, 2017
The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland (in College Park, MD) invites applications for a faculty position as a research scientist at a level (assistant, associate, senior) determined by the applicant’s qualifications. The position includes oversight of the Minor Planet Center (located at the Center for Astrophysics) as it is merged into the Small Bodies Node of NASA’s Planetary Data System.
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in an appropriate scientific area, will have expertise in orbital dynamics, knowledge of many aspects of NASA’s Near-Earth Object program and of the worldwide NEO community, and experience in management, whether of projects or of groups. The person will be expected to interact regularly with the staff and particularly with the director of the Minor Planet Center (Dr. Matt Holman) and to provide continuity in this activity beyond Professor A’Hearn’s active role in the Planetary Data System. The person would also be expected to support NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office for interactions involving the MPC and SBN with both domestic and international activities of the small bodies community. Research related to the MPC’s activities or the broader NEO program is welcome and separately funded research in other areas is also welcome as the lesser portion of the job.
The Department of Astronomy includes a large number of planetary scientists working primarily on small bodies and on dynamics, and with participants in a variety of missions including Rosetta, OSIRIS-REx, and New Horizons as well as many research projects (see http://www.astro.umd.edu/rareas/). The Small Bodies Node of NASA’s Planetary Data System is led by Professor A’Hearn and has major operations both at the University of Maryland and at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson (locally headed by Eric Palmer). There are many other nearby institutions that are also active in various aspects of both planetary science and astronomy and with varying degrees of direct collaboration with UMD.
For more information, visit: http://www.astro.umd.edu/employment/index.html#planetary-mpc
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Application Deadline: February 15, 2017
Applications are invited for multiple postdoctoral positions working on research topics related to planetary physics (solar system or extrasolar) in Prof. Sabine Stanley’s group in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (http://eps.jhu.edu) at Johns Hopkins University. Areas of interest include theoretical, observational or computational studies in planetary magnetic fields, planetary interior structure and evolution, dynamo theory, or other topics where a strong collaboration with Prof. Stanley’s group is beneficial. In addition to members of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, there are also opportunities for interactions with planetary scientists at the Applied Physics Laboratory (http://civspace.jhuapl.edu) and the Space Science Telescope Institute (http://www.stsci.edu/portal). One position will involve spending the majority of time at the Applied Physics Lab.
Applicants should submit a short research statement (up to three pages) describing their previous research work and proposed research plans, along with a C.V. and publication list directly through Interfolio. Applicants should arrange for three reference letters to be submitted directly by letter writers to sabine@jhu.edu. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2017. Any questions about the position can be sent to Prof. Stanley via email at sabine@jhu.edu.
For more information and to create an application account, go to: https://apply.interfolio.com/39656
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Application Deadline: February 27, 2017
NASA announces its intent to participate in the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and requests that full-time U.S. graduate students attending U.S. universities respond to this “Call for Abstracts.”
The IAC – which is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) – is the largest space-related conference world-wide and selects an average of 1000 scientific papers every year. The upcoming IAC will be held September 25-29, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. NASA’s participation in this event is an on-going effort to continue to bridge NASA with the astronautical and space international community.
This “Call for Abstracts” is a precursor to a subsequent submission of a final paper, which may be presented at the 68th IAC. Student authors are invited to submit an abstract regarding an original, unpublished paper that has not been submitted in any other forum. A NASA technical review panel will select abstracts from those that have been accepted by the IAF. This opportunity is for graduate students majoring in fields related to the IAF research topics. Students may submit technical (oral) presentations and/or posters. Students may submit abstracts that are co-authored with their Principal Investigators. However, the student must be the “lead author,” and only the student will present at the IAC. Students must be available to travel to the conference to represent NASA and their universities. Students must be U.S. citizens, attending a U.S. university, who plan to enter a career in space science or aeronautics. Pending the availability of funding, graduate students selected by NASA to participate in the IAC will be considered for subsidy funding from NASA.
Further information about application requirements are available at: https://iac.nasaprs.com/iac/home/index.cfm
NOTE: If you plan to seek assistance from NASA, you must submit to the IAF and to NASA. NASA abstracts must be received no later than 11:59 PM EST on February 27, 2017.
Submit your abstract to the IAF at their website, http://www.iafastro.net by Tuesday, February 28, 2017 (11:59:00 CET).
Submit your abstract to NASA at https://iac.nasaprs.com no later than 11:59 PM EST on Monday, February 27, 2017.
Check the IAF website (www.iafastro.org) regularly to get the latest updates on the Technical Programme.
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Application Deadline: March 31, 2017
The Department of Physics and Space Sciences at Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for a permanent faculty position beginning August 2017. This position is at the rank of assistant professor, but higher ranks may be considered for senior or well-established candidates. While applicants from all branches of planetary science will be considered, those with active research involving Mars are strongly encouraged to apply. We are especially interested in applicants with experience that overlaps other research areas in our department, and that can make best use of our available research facilities. These facilities include a large Mars atmospheric simulation chamber and 1-m class telescopes in Florida, Tucson, Chile, and La Palma. Candidates should be committed to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and to developing or bringing a leading research program in planetary science. The candidate will also mentor and train students in our Space Sciences masters and doctoral programs, and work closely with the Buzz Aldrin Space Institute. Review of applications will begin immediately, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Florida Tech hosts one of the largest physics and space sciences programs in the U.S. The Department of Physics and Space Sciences has 130 undergraduates and 35 graduate students. Being founded to support NASA, and being only a few miles from the Kennedy Space Center, we are tightly integrated into the federal and private space industry. Information about the department and its current research activities can be found at http://cos.fit.edu/pss/. For more information interested candidates should contact Dr. Daniel Batcheldor. To apply email searchpss@fit.edu with the subject “Position # PSS705”. In a single PDF provide a cover letter, CV, statements of research and teaching experience and interests, and the names and contact information of at least three references. Review of applications will begin immediately, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Florida Tech is an equal opportunity employer.
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Registration Deadline for 4th UK Exoplanet Community Meeting 2017 (ukexom2017)
January 15Registration Deadline for Red’17 Astrobiology Introductory Course
January 15Application Deadline for 2017 Exoplanet Summer Program (Rolling)
January 18Abstract Submission and Student Travel Grant Application Deadline for AbSciCon 2017
January 19Early Registration Deadline for Workshop on Chondrules and the Protoplanetary Disk
January 20Notice of Interest Deadline and Pre-Proposal Conference for New Frontiers 4
January 23Registration Deadline for Ushering in the New Age of Microlensing from Space
January 31Registration Deadline for 3rd Landing Site Workshop for the 2020 Mars Rover Mission
January 31Early Registration Deadline for Humans to Mars Summit (H2M) 2017
January 31Seminar: “Serpentinizing Systems Science”
February 01Application Deadline for the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology
February 01Application Deadline for Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) Short Course: Microbial Diversity
February 15Application Deadline for NextProf Science – Future Faculty Workshop