Mars Institute Job Posting: Project Manager – Canada, Haughton-Mars Project
Posted: September 14, 2005
Status: Open
Closing Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 11:59 pm PST
The Mars Institute is seeking applications for a new position on the Haughton-Mars Project (HMP): Project Manager – Canada.
Qualified applicants must: a) be Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
b) be fluent in spoken and written English; c) hold at least a bachelor’s degree or
equivalent from an accredited academic institution, preferably in a scientific, engineering, technological, or
medical field; d) have significant logistics and operations management experience (including budget management);
e) be able to use Microsoft management software (e.g., Excel, Project, Visio); f) be able and willing to multitask,
travel globally (occasionally for extended periods of time, including to the Arctic), work long hours in preparation for,
and during field campaigns; g) be willing to acquire new knowledge, receive training, and offer assistance in diverse
areas of HMP operations activities; h) have good interpersonal and leadership skills and a strong commitment to
teamwork; i) be able to pass a Canadian Government Enhanced Reliability check; j) be able to be cleared through
the Canadian Government’s Controlled Goods Registration Process for access to space-related knowledge and
systems (requires disclosure of personal information regarding financial stability, travel and residence
history, alcohol and drug use history, and any criminal record).
The successful applicant will become directly engaged, and will play a key role, in an exciting, unique, and
cutting-edge international effort to advance the exploration of the Earth, moon, Mars and space. The
HMP Project Manager – Canada will be required to remain based in Canada and work mainly from his/her private home
in the Vancouver, BC, area. Home office connectivity and operations costs (except rent) will be supported directly
by the Mars Institute. Job start date is November 1, 2005 (some flexibility exists). Initial hiring contract
is for an evaluation period of 5 months (until Mar 31, 2006). Upon satisfactory performance during this initial
trial period, the hiring contract period would be extended to 1 year (until Mar 31, 2007). Further employment
would be contracted on an annual basis and is contingent upon continued satisfactory performance and the
availability of adequate external support for the HMP. Work hours will be flexible during most of the year.
During HMP field campaign periods (typically May through August each year), work load and schedule may be
demanding, and extended travel to, and stay in, the Arctic may be required, including in
Resolute Bay (Cornwallis Island) or at the HMP Research Station (Devon Island). Day to day work will be varied
and will center on supporting Canada components of HMP field activities and logistics planning and implementation.
Specific tasks will include: interfacing with HMP project leadership; organizing team meetings and teleconferences;
coordinating and scheduling project activities; arranging personnel travel; procuring, shipping, tracking, and
managing expeditionary and research equipment and supplies; interfacing with project personnel and partners,
including participating/sponsoring organizations; managing project budgets, including accounting, invoicing, and
making timely payments; preparing project documents, reports and presentations; managing project records and
backing up vital data; interfacing with media, schools, and other public outreach organizations.
Application Deadline (Electronic Submission Only) : Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 11:59 pm PST.
Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by e-mail within 24 hours. Interviews will be by invitation only
and will take place in downtown Vancouver, BC, between Saturday, October 8, 9:00am PST and Tuesday, October 12,
12 noon, PST. To apply, please send: 1) a short letter (1 page max) explaining why you are interested in this position and
why you might be well-suited for the job; 2) a current Curriculum Vitae (5 pages max); 3) the names and contact
information of three to five references, to:
mijobs AT marsinstitute.info
Subject: HMP PM Canada Job
Attn: Dr. Pascal Lee, Project Lead, Haughton-Mars Project
The HMP is an international, multidisciplinary, scientific field research project centered on the exploration of the
Haughton impact crater site on Devon Island, Nunavut, High Arctic, viewed as an analogue for Mars. The HMP research
program has two components: Science and Exploration. The HMP Science Program includes investigations in planetary
sciences, geology, astrobiology, microbiology, and environmental sciences, and is aimed at advancing our understanding of
the formation and evolution of the Earth and other planets, the adaptations of life in extreme environments, and the
possibilities and limits of life elsewhere in the universe. The HMP Exploration Program focuses on advancing the
development of new technologies and operational strategies for the future exploration of the Moon, Mars, and other
planetary bodies by robotic systems and humans.
The HMP was established in 1997 as a small pilot study with support from NASA, the U.S. National Research Council, and
the Geological Survey of Canada. The project has since grown to become the largest, most comprehensive, planetary
analogue field research program in the world. The HMP now represents the research interests of a consortium of
international partners including government agencies from the United States, Canada, Europe, as well as private
organizations, academic institutions, industrial corporations, and non-profit groups. Funding for the HMP’s research
program is provided mainly by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. The project is managed jointly by the Mars Institute
and the SETI Institute, in collaboration with Simon Fraser University. The Mars Institute manages and operates the HMP
Research Station.
The Mars Institute is a nonprofit public benefit organization whose stated mission is to further the scientific study,
exploration, and public understanding of Mars. The Institute aims to:
– develop, implement and support high quality peer-reviewed scientific research about the planet Mars, its present
nature, and its climatic, geologic and possibly biologic evolution, including through investigations of similarities and
differences between the Earth, Mars and other planets;
– analyze, develop and implement concepts, technologies and strategies for the exploration of Mars, by robotic systems
and humans;
– inform the public on the results, progress, and benefits to humankind of Mars exploration through the development
and implementation of educational and public outreach activities.
The Mars Institute is established and registered separately in both the United States and Canada. Mars Institute – Canada
is currently contracted by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to provide logistical support for CSA-supported analogue
research in planetary exploration at and around the HMP Research Station site on Devon Island. The present employment
opportunity is offered by Mars Institute – Canada.
