Status Report

Planetary Exploration Newsletter Volume 1, Number 31 (November 18, 2007)

By SpaceRef Editor
December 2, 2007
Filed under ,

PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org
Editor: Nic Richmond
Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matt Balme
Email: pen_editor at psi.edu

o————————-TABLE OF CONTENTS—————————o

1. [NASA] HQ Seeks Visiting Astrophysicists (including exo-planet exploration)
2. 39th LPSC First Announcement Online Now
3. Special Session on Comparative Planetology
4. Professorship in Experimental and Analytical Planetology
5. Job Announcement, University of Texas
6. Faculty Position in Remote Sensing (including planetary/Earth remote missions)
7. Become an Intern at the Lunar and Planetary Institute!
8. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions

o———————————————————————o


[NASA] HQ SEEKS VISITING ASTROPHYSICISTS (INCLUDING EXO-PLANET EXPLORATION)

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is seeking up to five experienced scientists to fill visiting scientist positions within the Astrophysics Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC. These positions are normally filled for two years, extendible to six years, by individuals on leave from their home institution. Positions are available in the following science areas: 1) physics of the cosmos (exploring the fundamental physics of the universe and the extremes of space-time); 2) cosmic origins (the origins and evolution of stars, galaxies, and cosmic structure); and 3) exo-planet exploration (the search for and characterization of extra-solar planetary systems and potentially habitable environments around other stars).

Visiting scientists participate in the planning, development and management of NASA missions and in the management of the astrophysics grants program. They serve as Discipline Scientists to develop research solicitations, conduct scientific peer reviews, and recommend highly rated proposals for selection, serve as Program Scientists for NASA space missions, and participate in the selection of Explorer missions. Visiting scientists play a leadership role in developing budgets, program plans, designing and participating in E/PO activities, and long range strategic plans to define the future NASA astrophysics program. They can make a difference in the execution of the overall SMD science mission and are expected to demonstrate a high degree of initiative in doing so.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in astronomy or physics plus relevant experience in instrumental, observational and/or theoretical research. Applicants should be familiar with the U.S. grants programs and possess an ability to communicate effectively with the scientific community, educators, and the media. Positions are available beginning March 2008, though the starting date is negotiable. Expressions of interest should be forwarded to Sheila Gorham, Suite 3W39, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546; sgorham@nasa.gov; 202-358-0032.


39TH LPSC FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT ONLINE NOW

The 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will be held at the South Shore Resort and Conference Center in League City, Texas, March 10-14, 2008. This conference brings together international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present the latest results of research in lunar and planetary science.

To be added to the mailing list to receive electronic reminders or special announcements via e-mail, please submit the electronic Indication of Intent form:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/iofi/

by November 30, 2007.

Further details regarding special sessions, guidelines for abstract submission, and registration will be included in the second announcement, which will be available on the website by December 14, 2007.

View the Announcement Now!!

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008


SPECIAL SESSION ON COMPARATIVE PLANETOLOGY

Contributions are solicited for a full-day Special Session on Comparative planetology: Exploring other world’s by exploring Earth, as part of the Joint Annual Meeting for the Geological Association of Canada, the Mineralogical Association of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists, and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, May 26-28 2008. This will be one of the largest conferences of its kind to be held in Canada in recent years – during the year when Quebec City will celebrate its 400th anniversary!

Contributions are sought from those working in the fields of geobiology and astrobiology, comparative planetary geology, cosmochemistry (meteorites). Submissions dealing with exploration related activities are also welcome!

Full details can be found here:

http://www.shortenurl.com/1jqnp

Abstract submission and registration details should be online on the Quebec 2008 website by the beginning of December.

http://www.quebec2008.net

Contact Gordon “Oz” Osinski for further details: gosinski@uwo.ca


PROFESSORSHIP IN EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL PLANETOLOGY

The Institut fuer Planetologie Muenster invites applications for a tenure position:

W3-Professorship Experimental and Analytical Planetology

to begin October 1st, 2008.

Applicants are expected to represent experimental and analytical planetology in teaching and research in all fields of planetology, including dust research, impact research, cosmic mineralogy, cosmochemistry, and planetary and cosmochronology. It is expected that candidates will participate in space missions and have demonstrated expertise in planetology.

The candidate is expected to establish an externally funded research program, direct students, and participate in teaching planetary and earth sciences courses at all levels.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D, will have demonstrated scientific expertise, will have an excellent record of research and teaching accomplishments, leadership skills for interdisciplinary research, and commitment to engagement in professional service.

Applications from women and handicapped individuals are strongly encouraged.

Candidates should submit a complete CV, a list of publications, copies of the three most important publications, and a two-page letter of application outlining future research and teaching interests.

Closing date is January 15th, 2008.

Applications to:
Prof. Dr. H. Kerp
Dekan des Fachbereichs Geowissenschaften
Robert-Koch-Str. 26
48149 Muenster

also electronically as a single PDF-file to dekangeo@uni-muenster.de.


JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas has a tenure-track faculty position available for Fall 2008. We are particularly interested in candidates in the fields of planetary systems science and observational high-energy astrophysics.

All application materials should be received no later than January 4, 2008. Consideration of completed applications will begin December 10, 2007.

Complete details may be found at:

http://www.as.utexas.edu/astronomy/people/employment.html


FACULTY POSITION IN REMOTE SENSING (INCLUDING PLANETARY/EARTH REMOTE MISSIONS)

The Rochester Institute of Technology is seeking applicants for a tenure-track faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor rank in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science (CIS) in remote sensing systems and applications. CIS is an interdisciplinary research and education center, dedicated to pushing frontiers of imaging science. Major research thrusts include: Astronomy, Biomedical Imaging, Color Science, Remote Sensing, and Vision. CIS offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Imaging Science with an emphasis on the physics of image formulation, the mathematics and systems engineering of image processing, analysis and information extraction, and the development of sensor systems and imaging instrumentation.

The person recruited for this position will be expected to work closely with other faculty and staff in the Laboratory for Imaging Algorithms and Systems and the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory, and make a substantial contribution to the generation and leadership of research projects, supervision of graduate research, and the development and teaching of related courses. RIT welcomes applications from individuals interested in contributing to a community committed to diversity.

Additional information: http://www.cis.rit.edu/facultysearch.


BECOME AN INTERN AT THE LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE!

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience research in the planetary sciences. As a summer intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist either at the LPI or NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in planetary science. The Summer Intern Program allows participants to experience a real research environment, to learn from top-notch lunar and planetary scientists, and to preview careers in science.

The 10-week program runs from June 2 to August 8, 2008. You will receive a $3500.00 stipend plus housing and a $1000.00 travel expense reimbursement.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 25, 2008

VIEW THE WEBSITE NOW! http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lpiintern.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Julie Moses
Program Manager
internprogram@lpi.usra.edu

Connie Edwards
Human Resources Specialist
edwards@lpi.usra.edu


PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html

October 5-9, 2007
2008 Joint GSA, SSSA, ASA, CSSA, GCAGS, HGS Annual Meeting
https://www.acsmeetings.org/2008/ Houston, TX

January 23-29, 2008
Polar Gateways 2008 Conference
Contact: John Cooper (John.F.Cooper@nasa.gov)
Barrow, Alaska

May 26-29, 2008
The Solar System Bodies: From Optics to Geology
http://www.astron.kharkov.ua/conference/ssb/08/index.php Kharkiv, Ukraine

September 8-12, 2008
Future Ground based Solar System Research: Synergies with Space Probes and Space Telescope
http://www.arcetri.astro.it/~elba2008/ Portoferraio, Italy

[Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop that you think your colleagues should be aware of, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor@psi.edu.]

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