Author: Alessondra Springmann

Issue 26-01, Jan 21, 2026

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1. IN MEMORIAM: LINDA FRENCH (1951-2025)

2. END OF NASA SUPPORT TO AGs

3. AAS POLICY UPDATE: CONGRESS PASSES BILLS FOR SCIENCE AGENCIES

4. PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR DPS MEMBERSHIP

5. 2026 DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
   
6. STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!
   
7. MESSAGE FROM THE DPS NOMINATING SUBCOMMITTEE
   
8. PS23 – PLANETARY SURFACE PROCESSES, COMPARATIVE GEOLOGY, AND ASTROBIOLOGY ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM – AOGS ANNUAL MEETING
   
9. NASA INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY STRATEGIC PLANNING: SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT

10. SAVE THE DATE: THE NEXT GENERATION OF IO SCIENCE WORKSHOP

11. APOPHIS T-3 YEARS WORKSHOP – SAVE THE DATE

12. LPI PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS

13. THE MANY PATHWAYS TO SPACE: FROM SUBTERRANEAN INDUSTRY TO INFRASTRUCTURE, ASTURIAS, SPAIN – NOTICE OF INTEREST OPEN

14. INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE STRATEGIC PROPOSAL PLANNING

15. GEOSCIENCES SPECIAL ISSUE: WORLDS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

16. CALL FOR STUDENT PROPOSALS: 2026 SCHWEICKART PRIZE

17. CALL FOR PROPOSALS: GRANTS SUPPORTING EARLY SCIENCE WITH LSST
    
18. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS
    
19. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

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IN MEMORIAM: LINDA FRENCH (1951-2025)

Dr. Linda M. French, 74, astronomer, educator, colleague, and friend to many, died on November 9, 2025 in Exeter, NH.

Linda received her PhD (1980) in Astronomy from Cornell University. Involved in research on the shapes, spin states, and surface compositions of small Solar System bodies, she emphasized the properties of Trojan asteroids in an effort to understand their origins. From 2017-2019, she worked as Program Director, NSF Astronomical Sciences Division. Linda served as Education Officer (1993-1997), Secretary (2003-2006), and Education Advisory Board member (2008-2010) for the Division for Planetary Sciences, American Astronomical Society.

A dedicated educator, Linda taught astronomy, physics, and life sciences to students of all ages throughout her career. She spent the last two decades of her professional life as a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, receiving the Kemp Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016. She also developed and taught a popular course on the music of the Beatles as part of IWU’s freshman writing program.

Linda made numerous trips to York, England, to research the life of 18th-century astronomer John Goodricke. She served on the AAS Historical Astronomy Division Committee (2012-2015).

In 1988, asteroid (3506) French was named in her honor; in 2020, she was named an AAS Legacy Fellow.  Her full obituary and a tribute wall can be found here.

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END OF NASA SUPPORT TO AGs

In a letter to the community from NASA Planetary Science Division (PSD) Director Dr. Louise Prockter entitled “The Future of Planetary Science Analysis and Assessment Groups” dated January 15, 2026, it was announced that the current grant mechanism that supports AG activities will cease toward the end of April 2026. PSD does plan to maintain some funding for specific community activities that are of the most value to PSD and NASA after that time. The director emphasized that the decision does not force the AGs to be dissolved—they have the opportunity to continue as self-organized entities that help advance planetary exploration. 

The DPS Committee shares the community’s disappointment with the loss of NASA financial support of AGs. For many years, the PSD AGs have served as community-supported, interdisciplinary bodies that have provided science input and analysis useful to plan and prioritize planetary science research and exploration. As the PSD announcement is further considered by the community, the Committee will discuss ways in which the DPS could facilitate continuation of AG functions into the future.

For more information see the letter from NASA Planetary Science Division Director Louise Prockter: https://tinyurl.com/3s4rc5v2 

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AAS POLICY UPDATE: CONGRESS PASSES BILLS FOR SCIENCE AGENCIES

The Senate passed three spending bills for Fiscal Year 2026, following their passage by the House last week. This package includes the bills that fund the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy Office of Science. In these bills, Congress showed strong support for the sciences, largely rejecting the cuts proposed in the President’s Budget Request and putting a number of guardrails in place to protect the work being carried out by our science agencies. You can read more about the provisions of the bills in the AAS blog post. 

This rejection of the devastating proposed cuts to science agencies was made possible by the advocacy of the scientific community. We must continue to remind Congress of the importance of federal support for science, so that this support continues in future years. Please take a few minutes today to thank your members of Congress for their rejection of the proposed cuts, and urge them to continue to provide robust and sustained support in the future.

https://aas.org/action-alert-thank-you-fy2026

If you are interested in meeting with your congressional offices this spring in Washington, DC and in learning more about how scientists can interface with the government, we encourage you to apply to our Congressional Visits Day program, a fully-funded three-day opportunity to experience science policy in DC. The deadline for applications is 1 February 2026.

https://aas.org/applications-now-open-congressional-visits-day-2026

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PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR DPS MEMBERSHIP

The DPS Committee and the AAS staff and community thank you for being an AAS/DPS member in 2025. For those who have not yet renewed for 2026, now is the time! DPS membership yields discounted registration for the Fall 2026 Annual Meeting to be held 25-30 October in Spokane, WA. The meeting will have a broad scope with a wide-ranging program of science and workforce topics, celebrating planetary exploration and mission anniversaries. DPS does not censor submissions – diverse perspectives are welcome.

If you are unsure of your membership status, it’s easy to check. Go to my.aas.org and log in with your AAS username and password. Look for the framed Profile-at-a-Glance section on the right and confirm the Paid Through date. If it’s 31 December 2025 or earlier, it’s time to renew.

Please note that anyone renewing both a full AAS and DPS membership is entitled to a 15% discount on page charges for one paper in any AAS journal, and this offer will be given to all those who renew by January 30, 2026.

If you have questions about your benefits or need assistance with your login or renewal, please email the membership team or call (202) 328-2010 x109. You can also send an e-mail to [email protected] 

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2026 DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

Every year the DPS recognizes exceptional achievement in our field. Please consider nominating a respected colleague for one of the annual DPS prizes. The 2026 Prize Nominations are due by March 13, 2026.

The DPS sponsors six prizes:

• The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/kuiper] recognizes and honors outstanding contributors to the field of planetary science.
• The Claudia J. Alexander Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/alexander] recognizes excellence and achievements by a mid-career scientist.
• The Harold C. Urey Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/urey] recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary research by an early-career scientist. (Note that the period of eligibility has changed from previous years, effective 2026: Candidates for the Urey Prize must have held a recognized doctorate for not more than 8 years at the end of the year of the award.)
• The Harold Masursky Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/masursky] recognizes and honors individuals who have rendered outstanding service to planetary science and exploration through – but not limited to – engineering, managerial, programmatic, editorial, or public service activities.
• The Carl Sagan Medal [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/sagan] recognizes and honors outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public.
• The Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart] recognizes and stimulates distinguished popular writing on planetary sciences.

DPS members and the planetary science community-at-large are encouraged to submit nominations.

A complete nomination submitted by the deadline will be considered by the DPS Prize subcommittee for 3 years (i.e. for this year’s award, next year’s award, and the year after that), or for the duration of a candidate’s eligibility, whichever is less. Please fill out the nomination form [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/nomination-form], and it will be submitted to the prize subcommittee. The Eberhart Award has different rules and procedures than the other DPS  Prizes, please see its page [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart-nomination-form] for more information.

Scroll to the bottom of https://dps.aas.org/prizes for rules and procedures.

Questions: Email [email protected] 

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STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!

In these times when funding for planetary science is increasingly scarce, DPS travel grants provide a lifeline to early career scientists just getting into the field. These grants are supported by dedicated endowments and each year the proceeds support attendance of students in need of funds to attend the DPS annual meeting. This can be a transformative experience, especially for those exploring STEM fields or who are new to research. Thirty-four travel grants were awarded to attend the 2025 joint DPS-EPSC meeting in Helsinki, Finland, but they met only about half of the need. Please consider a generous, tax-deductible contribution at DPS Donations to help support and grow our two travel grant programs and/or our dependent care grant program to enable those caring for others to attend.

1. Hartmann Student Travel Grants support student travel for presentations at the annual DPS meeting. Postdoctoral scholars may also be eligible, but students are prioritized. 
2. Underrepresented Minority (URM) Communities in Planetary Science Travel Grants support attendance by students and early career professionals who are members of groups that have had inadequate access to the planetary science community events, such as students and professionals hailing from colleges and non-R1 academic or research institutions that have not traditionally benefited from connections to the planetary science community, and/or students and professionals with degrees in broader STEM disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics) who are new to the planetary science community. 
3. The Susan Niebur Professional Development Fund provides financial assistance to DPS members in order to enable their attendance at the DPS annual meeting by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc. at the meeting location, or at home while a caregiver attends the DPS conference.

To donate, please log in to your AAS account, and select the grant you wish to support. Thank you SO MUCH in advance!

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MESSAGE FROM THE DPS NOMINATING SUBCOMMITTEE

Since its founding in 1968, the Division for Planetary Sciences has relied on volunteers from the planetary science community to lead and motivate the organization. Today, DPS needs your leadership to guide and advise on future DPS actions, pathways, and goals. Your perspectives and experiences are critical to the DPS’ ability to grow and reach its full potential as the premier professional organization for planetary scientists.

This year, the DPS Nominating Subcommittee seeks nominations for the positions of Vice Chair, two Committee Members, and Student Representative for terms to begin in October 2026. The requirements for the positions are stated in the official DPS Bylaws.

• Vice Chair: This is a three year total term (one year as Vice Chair, one year as Chair, one year as Past Chair). The role of Vice Chair is to identify future goals for DPS, plan major events, interface with AAS staff, and communicate DPS’ message beyond the planetary science community. Average of 25 hrs/month of work (with more hours needed as the Chair).
• Committee members: Committee members serve a three year term. The role of a Committee member is to provide feedback on DPS initiatives, strengthen the community through event participation, and vote on DPS matters as needed. Average of ~10 hrs/month of work.
• Student representative: One student representative is elected every two years to serve a two year term. The role of the student representative is to voice concerns for early career researchers to the DPS Leadership and provide feedback on DPS initiatives from a student perspective. Average of ~8 hrs/month of work.

The DPS Nominating Subcommittee invites you to nominate yourself or a colleague to one of these positions. Students are especially encouraged to self-nominate. Please email the Nominating Subcommittee ([email protected]) with the name of the potential nominee and a brief description of their eligibility and accomplishments that motivated you to nominate them before February 15, 2026. The DPS Nominating Subcommittee will then reach out to the potential nominee to confirm acceptance of the nomination and discuss the next steps with them.

We know that there are many members of this community that are juggling full responsibilities in uncertain circumstances, and that to serve in a prominent role in the DPS is not a trivial thing to add to a scientist’s workload. Still, we need community members to step into leadership so that DPS can continue to fulfill the purpose of advancing the investigation of the solar system and other planetary systems for decades to come.

With deep respect for you as humans and scientists, we thank you for your dedication to the DPS and its mission. 

Sincerely,

Jessica Noviello [Chair], Thérèse Encrenaz, and Jodi Berdis

DPS Nominating Subcommittee, 2025-2026

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PS23 – PLANETARY SURFACE PROCESSES, COMPARATIVE GEOLOGY, AND ASTROBIOLOGY ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM – AOGS ANNUAL MEETING

We are pleased to invite you to submit abstracts to our Planetary Sciences session at the upcoming AOGS Annual Meeting to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, 2-7 August 2026.

PS23 – Planetary Surface Processes, Comparative Geology, and Astrobiology Across the Solar System

DEADLINE for abstract submission and funding applications:January 23, 2026

https://www.asiaoceania.org/AOGS2026/Submit-and-Register-Abstract

Session description:
The surfaces of terrestrial planets and their satellites have been significantly shaped by diverse geological processes. In the outer Solar System, extreme conditions on the satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and the ice giants lead to the development of unique exogenic and endogenic features.

We invite contributions spanning a wide range of topics, including:

• Geomorphology and composition of volcanic deposits, edifices, and plumes
• Tectonic structures
• Crustal stress and strain analysis
• Fluvial and aeolian features
• Planetary endogenic and exogenic processes, Cryovolcanism

We also welcome studies exploring interactions between planetary interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres, and their implications for astrobiology and habitability. Comparative studies of Earth’s geological systems with a strong remote sensing focus, as well as investigations of terrestrial analogs, are strongly encouraged.

Conveners

Dr Anezina Solomonidou – Hellenic Space Center, Greece (Main Convener)

Dr Rosaly Lopes – Caltech/JPL, USA (Co-convener)

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NASA INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY STRATEGIC PLANNING: SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT

The NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) 10-year strategic plan is being developed. The plan will cover an important period for observatories on Maunakea. It will ensure that IRTF continues to be a leading facility for researchers in planetary science and astrophysics as JWST makes more groundbreaking discoveries and Rubin, Roman, NEO Surveyor, and other facilities, both ground and space-based, begin producing vast amounts of data.

IRTF is a facility open to anyone, regardless of affiliation. We are seeking broad community input on the evolution of the scientific landscape, science priorities and cases, the roadmap for new capabilities and ideas for new instrumentation, enhancements to operations and training, and improvements to the archive, to chart the course for IRTF for the next decade.

A survey has been developed to gather inputs from across the planetary science and astrophysics research communities. We encourage everyone with an interest in IRTF to provide their input.  https://forms.gle/kMDvFSwULkvyx5tw9

Everyone who completes the survey will be eligible to participate in a prize drawing for an observing session with IRTF, which includes full support and training for planning, conducting, and reducing the observations.

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SAVE THE DATE: THE NEXT GENERATION OF IO SCIENCE WORKSHOP

Io is the most volcanically active world in the Solar System, yet fundamental questions persist regarding its origin, evolution, present-day activity, dynamic atmosphere, and complex interactions with the rest of the Jovian system. Io’s extreme activity makes it an important analog for understanding processes relevant to the early Earth and Moon, and other tidally heated worlds across the cosmos.

The Next Generation of Io Science Workshop will be held from 4/22/26 to 4/23/26. The Workshop will be hybrid, with both in-person participation at the Applied Physics Laboratory (Laurel, MD) and online. Participation is free. Short abstracts are requested by 3/6/26.

The goal of this workshop is to bring together interdisciplinary scientists to discuss outstanding science questions about Io. We solicit participation from the broad community—whether you have worked on Io before or not! The meeting will include a combination of contributed talks, lightning talks (ideal for sharing new ideas or raising questions), and discussion about next steps for Io science.

More information: https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/EventLink/Event/610

Science organizing committee: James Keane, Laz Kestay, Fran Bagenal, Brett Denevi, Anton Ermakov, Ben Greenhagen, Katherine de Kleer, Alfred McEwen, and Ryan Ogliore.

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APOPHIS T-3 YEARS WORKSHOP – SAVE THE DATE

Save the date!  The Apophis T-3 Workshop will be held 18-19 June 2026, in conjunction with an ESA Ramses Mission meeting 15-17 June.  Both meetings will be hosted by the University of Padua (Italy).  The Apophis T-3 Workshop homepage with links to details and deadlines will be open soon. Abstract submission for the Workshop will be through the University of Arizona.  The Workshop will focus on ongoing theoretical modeling of measurable outcomes from the April 2029 safe near-Earth passage by the asteroid Apophis, measurement implementation from approved missions, newly funded mission concepts, the international coordination of space operations and Earth-based observations, and public education.  Workshop Contact: Richard Binzel, [email protected]

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LPI PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS

January 22, 2026   2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ 12 p.m. MT/ 11 a.m. PT

This virtual workshop will help planetary scientists and astrobiologists overcome the specific challenge of interviewing so that they can tell their story with confidence. It will combine practical tips, scenarios, and hands-on practice.

This workshop offers guidance on the purpose and structure of the interview process, the differences in communication styles between academia, research institutes, non-profits, private industry, and policy spheres, and a chance to apply this learning.  To register, visit https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_C0QKPV1LTpGVwR8yaMzKYA#/registration

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THE MANY PATHWAYS TO SPACE: FROM SUBTERRANEAN INDUSTRY TO INFRASTRUCTURE, ASTURIAS, SPAIN – NOTICE OF INTEREST OPEN

The organizing committee is pleased to announce that the Notice of Interest (NOI) is now open for the international conference “The Many Pathways to Space: From Subterranean Industry to Space Infrastructure”, https://www.paths2space.org, to be held in Oviedo, Spain, in 5-7 August 2026, during the week preceding the total solar eclipse of August 2026 crossing the region.

This three-day meeting aims to provide an interdisciplinary forum to discuss the multiple dimensions of the 21st-century space endeavor, spanning science, engineering, health, infrastructure, and policy. The conference will bring together experts from academia, space agencies, industry, and related fields to explore how emerging technologies and novel environments are shaping the future of space exploration and utilization.

The main scientific themes include:

Human exploration & space health: sustaining life beyond Earth, Space mining & resources: utilization of in-situ resources, Subterranean analogues & microgravity: use of underground infrastructure, Planetary defense: protecting our future, Cislunar space: the next frontier of operations, Aerospace technology: engineering the vessels of tomorrow

A number of invited speakers have already confirmed their participation, including representatives from major space agencies, universities, and research centers (see the conference website for the updated list), some of them are Pete Worden, chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of its Breakthrough Initiative; Dani M. DellaGiustina, professor at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and PI of the NASA OSIRIS-APEX missions; Francisco Córdova, Chief Operating Officer of the International Space Station (ISS); and Emmanuel Urquieta, Vice Chair of Aerospace Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Central Florida – College of Medicine.

To help with planning and logistics, particularly accommodation during a period of high demand in the region, interested participants are kindly asked to complete the Notice of Interest form available at:  https://paths2space.org/

The organizers aim to move forward rapidly over the next two months to finalize key arrangements. Further information, including important deadlines and program updates, will be posted on the conference website.

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INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE STRATEGIC PROPOSAL PLANNING

The Roman Space Telescope is preparing to launching in late 2026. Three core community surveys and one General Astrophysics Survey (GAS) have already been designed. Details can be found at: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The Cycle1 call for proposals solicits for: Analysis of Roman data, new GASs, theory and laboratory astrophysics, public ancillary data analysis and TOOs. It is due March 17th. While all the current surveys will produce data for solar system science, none are specifically designed for such. The Exoplanets and Solar System (SS) Working Group leads invite you to participate in discussion for proposal designs and preparation, which are structured differently than typical space-telescope calls. For new datasets science applications outside Exoplanest and SS are important factors and the data have NO proprietary period.

For analysis we desire input from the community to learn both what tools might already exist/can be adapted, and what tools need to be developed.

We meet the 1st Tuesday of each month and invite you to join us.

Our next meeting is 3 February 2026 from 3-4pm EST at:

https://osu.zoom.us/j/93405766421?pwd=sEKhbq64QfBcjv7fn62rHZsb67LvNn.1

If you want to connect before our next meeting or have questions, please contact:

Susan Benecchi, [email protected]

SS/Exoplanet Working group co-lead

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GEOSCIENCES SPECIAL ISSUE: WORLDS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The Special Issue entitled “Worlds of the Solar System: Geological Evolution and Habitability of Planets and Moons” aims to bring together the latest advances on the dynamic processes that have shaped planetary bodies and their potential to support life. We welcome submissions on comparative studies of Venus, Earth, and Mars, highlighting the divergent evolutionary pathways of terrestrial planets from Venus’ runaway greenhouse conditions to Earth’s long-term climate stability and Mars’ transition from a wetter, more habitable past to its current arid state.

Beyond inner planets, this Special Issue also aims to explore the icy worlds of the outer Solar System. We welcome investigations of Europa and Enceladus focusing, among other topics, on evidence for subsurface oceans, plume activity, and geophysical mechanisms that may create

niches for life beneath their ice shells, as well as studies of Titan emphasizing its unique methane-based hydrological cycle, organic-rich surface, and complex interactions between the atmosphere and surface chemistry. Other icy moons are also a topic of interest for

manuscripts submitted to this Special Issue.

For complete submission directions and to see confirmed invited papers, please go to:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/geosciences/special_issues/86M95CV534

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CALL FOR STUDENT PROPOSALS: 2026 SCHWEICKART PRIZE

The 2026 Schweickart Prize is now accepting applications from graduate students and recent postgraduate fellows with ideas that advance planetary defense and our understanding of near-Earth objects. The prize supports innovative proposals spanning asteroid detection and

mitigation, space policy and governance, and public engagement around planetary hazards. Application Deadline is February 4, 2026.

The selected winner will receive a $10,000 USD award, a museum-quality prize, public recognition through a dedicated press campaign, and mentorship from the Schweickart Prize Selection Committee, including Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart.

To support interested applicants, two information webinars with live Q&A will be held on January 21 and 22 at 9am PDT / 12pm EDT / 6pm CEST. These sessions will feature members of the Prize Committee alongside insights from the 2025 Schweickart Prize winner.

RSVP for webinar details:  https://bit.ly/4qko54N

Learn more:  Schweickart Prize

Sign up for updates:  https://bit.ly/3PKJvqJ

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS: GRANTS SUPPORTING EARLY SCIENCE WITH LSST

LSST Discovery Alliance is pleased to announce Fast-Turnaround Science Grants for Early Science with Rubin Observatory’s LSST (Legacy Survey of Space and Time).

This program seizes the scientific opportunity of Rubin Observatory’s early data by injecting fast turnaround grant funds into the US science community. Specifically, this program supports work aligned with Rubin’s early data releases, including Data Preview 2 (DP2), Data Release 1 (DR1), and prompt data products.

This program offers a novel model to advance early-stage science with Rubin LSST data while addressing common technical roadblocks to scientific research. Each grant award will include both financial support and built-in, no-cost professional software engineering support.

Program Overview

• Grant tiers: Up to $12,000 (small), $50,000 (medium), and $120,000 (large).
• Engineering support: Each project will automatically receive approximately 20 hours of customized software engineering assistance.
• Eligibility: Principal Investigators must be based at a US academic institution; co-Investigators welcomed from any institution. 
• Deadline to apply: Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 11:59 pm PT.
  

Complete application guidelines, review criteria, budget requirements, program background, and reference materials can be found at Early Science with LSST.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

The Planetary Science Journal:

Issue 1 – Volume 7 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience

Icarus:

Icarus | Vol 444, 15 January 2026 | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.

Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.

A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.

1. Tenure-track Faculty Position, Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder

The Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS) Department at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is conducting a search for a new faculty member. The search is targeted at the Assistant Professor rank. We are interested in candidates from a broad range of astrophysical and planetary sciences, including researchers specializing in instrumentation, observation, and theoretical and computational approaches. This position requires the ability to develop and conduct an innovative independent research program, dedication to teaching in our undergraduate and graduate programs, and commitment to supporting the diverse student populations in our department. The APS department recognizes that contributions from a broad range of perspectives strengthen the effectiveness and creativity of a group. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=69040

2. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Application Deadline March 1, 2026

The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals.  The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections. 

Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology.  Search for NPP research opportunities here: NPP Research Opportunities. 

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see current eligibility requirements. Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for travel and professional development. 

Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. 

For further information and to apply, visit: https://npp.orau.org/applicants/index.html.   

Questions: [email protected] 

3. Geospatial Scientist Position with Geocontrol Systems at NASA-JSC

The Geospatial Scientist will:

• Employ GIS and remote sensing techniques to Earth, Moon, and other planetary image data in support of International Space Station (ISS) and Artemis missions
• Provide science services and technology products to a range of human exploration organizations including Gateway, Orion, the lander/ascent systems, spacesuits, EVA, and ISS
• Interact with scientists, engineers, and managers in a highly dynamic and occasionally time critical environment
• Develop funding proposals for submission to relevant scientific and technology grant solicitations opportunities
• and more…

Details:  GeoControl Systems, Inc. – Geospatial Scientist (ADV000CAZ ) in Houston

4. Instructional Position at the University of Nevada, Reno

The Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering (DGSE) at the University of Nevada, Reno invites applications for a continuing, full-time (12-month, non-tenure track) Teaching Assistant Professor position starting in August 2026. We are looking for a candidate who can contribute to our mission by teaching a range of lower and upper division undergraduate courses and potentially contribute to graduate level instruction. Courses may include introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, petrography, geochemistry, earth resources, as well as service courses for non-majors, according to the candidate’s background. The position will also have a strong service component tied to the undergraduate Geology curriculum, including student advisement, overseeing teaching labs and associated teaching collections, curriculum development and enhancement.

For additional details and to apply visit:  https://tinyurl.com/4xachrjh

5. Professor in Planetary Sciences at University of Bern, Switzerland

The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences of the Physics Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for a full-time position as a Professor in Planetary Sciences. The initial level of tenure can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor depending on qualifications (open rank). We invite applications from candidates who conduct outstanding research, teaching, mentorship, and leadership in any area of experimental

planetary science. Areas of research could include, but are not limited to, the properties, origin and evolution of planets and minor bodies in the Solar System, the search for and emergence of life beyond Earth, the composition of surfaces and atmospheres, ongoing physical and chemical surface and sub-surface processes and the evolution of planetary interiors. A diverse spectrum of approaches and methodologies is welcome, including, but not limited to, the analysis and modeling of space probe datasets, instrumentation, and flight hardware development, experimental, observational and laboratory techniques, comparative planetology or the involvement, development, and leadership in space missions.

The application deadline is January 31, 2026.  The full announcement can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/2w4jdvue

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Send submissions to: Denise Stephens, DPS Secretary, at this address  [email protected]

Issue 25-28, Dec 28, 2025

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. 2026 DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
2. AAS RESPONDS TO REPORTED DISMANTLING OF NCAR
3. CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT NCAR
4. SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!
5. PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
6. CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR 2026 DPS ORGANIZING COMMITTEES
7. SOLICITING SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR 2026 DPS MEETING
8. AAS ACTION ALERT: PROTECTING ASTRONOMICAL PROGRAMS IN FISCAL YEAR 2026
9. EXCELLENT PLANETARY SCIENCE PRESENTATIONS AT THE 2025 NSBP-NSHP CONFERENCE
10. BRIAN JACKSON SELECTED AS EDITOR FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
11. EGU 2026 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS AND REGISTRATION
12. NASA IRTF STRATEGIC PLANNING – SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT
13. 34TH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG)
14. EUROPEAN LUNAR SYMPOSIUM (ELS) ANNOUNCEMENT
15. DEADLINE EXTENDED: ICARUS SPECIAL ISSUE – CARBON IN PLANETARY ENVIRONMENTS
16. ANNOUNCING THE SKYSCAPE ACADEMY
17. ABSCICON SESSION 07 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
18. ABSCICON SESSION 85 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
19. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: PRE-PROPOSALS DUE JANUARY 22, 2026
20. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR 5TH LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE
21. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
22. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

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2026 DPS PRIZE NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

Every year the DPS recognizes exceptional achievement in our field. Please consider nominating a respected colleague for one of the annual DPS prizes. The 2026 Prize Nominations are due by March 13, 2026.

The DPS sponsors six prizes:

• The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/kuiper] recognizes and honors outstanding contributors to the field of planetary science.
• The Claudia J. Alexander Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/alexander] recognizes excellence and achievements by a mid-career scientist.
• The Harold C. Urey Prize [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/urey] recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary research by an early-career scientist. (Note that the period of eligibility has changed from previous years, effective 2026: Candidates for the Urey Prize must have held a recognized doctorate for not more than 8 years at the end of the year of the award.)
• The Harold Masursky Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/masursky] recognizes and honors individuals who have rendered outstanding service to planetary science and exploration through – but not limited to – engineering, managerial, programmatic, editorial, or public service activities.
• The Carl Sagan Medal [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/sagan] recognizes and honors outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public.
• The Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart] recognizes and stimulates distinguished popular writing on planetary sciences.

DPS members and the planetary science community-at-large are encouraged to submit nominations.

A complete nomination submitted by the deadline will be considered by the DPS Prize subcommittee for 3 years (i.e. for this year’s award, next year’s award, and the year after that), or for the duration of a candidate’s eligibility, whichever is less. Please fill out the nomination form [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/nomination-form], and it will be submitted to the prize subcommittee. The Eberhart Award has different rules and procedures than the other DPS  Prizes, please see its page [https://dps.aas.org/prizes/eberhart-nomination-form] for more information.

Scroll to the bottom of https://dps.aas.org/prizes for rules and procedures.

 Questions: Email [email protected]

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AAS RESPONDS TO REPORTED DISMANTLING OF NCAR

“The AAS is deeply concerned by the recent announcement that the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to ‘restructure’ the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) by narrowing the scope of its scientific investigations and stripping it of key assets used in those investigations…” Read AAS President Dara Norman’s full statement at: https://aas.org/posts/news/2025/12/aas-responds-reported-dismantling-ncar

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CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT NCAR

Act now to urge your members of Congress to voice their support for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) by using the American Geophysical Union’s action alert.

Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), told news sources that the National Science Foundation (NSF) would be “breaking up” NCAR in Boulder, Colorado. According to Vought, “comprehensive review is underway” to determine what critical work, such as weather research, will be moved to other facilities. NCAR provides weather and climate research and data that is critical for businesses, the public, and advancing research. Its advanced computing allows it to run weather and climate models that help predict severe storms, allow farmers to prepare for long-term weather patterns and airlines to fly safely, and provide insights into future climate. We need this critical information now more than ever – speak up for NCAR before it’s too late.

Please take three minutes to support NCAR at https://agu.quorum.us/campaign/151565/. You will first be given the option to send an email. Personalize the action alert response to state how dismantling NCAR impacts your community, then click “Submit” and it will send emails to your Congressperson and two Senators. You will then have the option to call all three offices with one click. You will see a short call script that you can read if you would like. 

Please also consider, to maximize the impact of your written correspondence, using your congressperson’s own portal:

• Using the AGU form, create a starting copy of a letter to a congressional representative

• Copy and paste that into a Word document

• Personalized it further, emphasizing aspects that most concern you

• Google “[senator or congressman’s name] constituent services”

• Use THAT interface to submit the input

Thank you in advance for your action!

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STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!

In these times when funding for planetary science is increasingly scarce, DPS travel grants provide a lifeline to early career scientists just getting into the field. These grants are supported by dedicated endowments and each year the proceeds support attendance of students in need of funds to attend the DPS annual meeting. This can be a transformative experience, especially for those exploring STEM fields or who are new to research. Thirty-four travel grants were awarded to attend the 2025 joint DPS-EPSC meeting in Helsinki, Finland, but they met only about half of the need. Please consider a generous, tax-deductible contribution at DPS Donations to help support and grow our two travel grant programs and/or our dependent care grant program to enable those caring for others to attend.

1. Hartmann Student Travel Grants support student travel for presentations at the annual DPS meeting. Postdoctoral scholars may also be eligible, but students are prioritized. 
2. Underrepresented Minority (URM) Communities in Planetary Science Travel Grants support attendance by students and early career professionals who are members of groups that have had inadequate access to the planetary science community events, such as students and professionals hailing from colleges and non-R1 academic or research institutions that have not traditionally benefited from connections to the planetary science community, and/or students and professionals with degrees in broader STEM disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics) who are new to the planetary science community. 
3. The Susan Niebur Professional Development Fund provides financial assistance to DPS members in order to enable their attendance at the DPS annual meeting by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc. at the meeting location, or at home while a caregiver attends the DPS conference.

To donate, please log in to your AAS account, and select the grant you wish to support. Thank you SO MUCH in advance! 

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PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR DPS MEMBERSHIP

The DPS Committee and the AAS staff and community thank you for being an AAS/DPS member in 2025. For those who have not yet renewed for 2026, now is the time! DPS membership yields discounted registration for the Fall 2026 Annual Meeting to be held 25-30 October in Spokane, WA. The meeting will have a broad scope with a wide-ranging program of science and workforce topics, celebrating planetary exploration and mission anniversaries. DPS does not censor submissions – diverse perspectives are welcome.

If you are unsure of your membership status, it’s easy to check. Go to my.aas.org and log in with your AAS username and password. Look for the framed Profile-at-a-Glance section on the right and confirm the Paid Through date. If it’s 31 December 2025 or earlier, it’s time to renew.

Please note that anyone renewing both a full AAS and DPS membership is entitled to a 15% discount on page charges for one paper in any AAS journal.

If you have questions about your benefits or need assistance with your login or renewal, please email the membership team or call (202) 328-2010 x109. You can also send an e-mail to [email protected] 

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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR 2026 DPS ORGANIZING  COMMITTEES

The next DPS annual meeting will be held October 25-30, 2026 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington (https://www.spokanecenter.com/). The chair of the Local Organizing Committee is Dr. Jason Barnes of the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, and the chair for the Science Organizing Committee (SOC) is Dr. Abigail Fraeman of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. This year we’re expanding the scope of the former virtual organizing committee to cover issues pertaining to all aspects of accessibility to conference presentations: the virtual meeting including setup and staffing to handle questions; discoverability of information at the meeting and on the web site; and access at the meeting for disabled persons. This new Accessibility Organizing Committee (AOC) will be chaired by Dr. Jennifer Piatek of Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT. 

We are looking for volunteers for both the SOC and AOC. If you are interested in the SOC please email Abby ([email protected]) and Scott Murchie ([email protected]) and indicate the topics that you are interested in helping to shape into a meeting program. If you are interested in the AOC please email Jen ([email protected]) and Scott ([email protected]) and indicate the areas where you can help. Both committees will begin meeting in early 2026. Thanks in advance!

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SOLICITING SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR FALL 2026 DPS MEETING

The Fall 2026 DPS meeting will be held October 25-30 in Spokane, WA. As part of DPS’s commitment to sharing the interdisciplinary nature of planetary science, the Science Organizing Committee (SOC) is soliciting special session proposals focused on timely planetary topics.  Special sessions already planned include 5 Years of Perseverance at Jezero; Juno after 10 years at Jupiter; MESSENGER Orbit Insertion + 15 years and BepiColombo rising; 20 Years of MRO; 30 years of asteroid rendezvous missions; and Interstellar Comets. As always, recurring sessions (created around submitted abstracts) reflect the broad scope of planetary research covering observational, laboratory, and theoretical studies of solar system and exoplanetary bodies, formation of planetary systems, instrumentation, planetary art, and workforce development. If you have an idea for a special session, email SOC chair Abby Fraeman ([email protected]) and DPS chair Scott Murchie ([email protected]) with your proposal including convenors.

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AAS ACTION ALERT: PROTECTING ASTRONOMICAL PROGRAMS IN FISCAL YEAR 2026

oth the House and Senate have largely rejected the proposed major cuts to science agencies and programs in their FY2026 appropriations bills, but Congress must still reach a bipartisan agreement before these bills can be signed into law. We need your help to ensure that Congress completes its work and provides timely, stable funding for the scientific community. Every voice counts. 

Supporting the prompt passage of FY2026 appropriations for our science agencies, along with the Senate’s proposed funding levels of $7.3 billion for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and $9.0 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), will enable the astronomical sciences to continue making discoveries that expand our understanding of the universe while driving innovation, education, and economic growth across the nation. 

We have provided an example phone and email script to help you craft your message. Please share some details about the work you do that is enabled by federal funding in the “Personal message” box. The most effective action would be to both email and call your representatives, but if you can only do one, a phone call is more likely to have an immediate impact. Muster will connect you with all three of your representatives in succession, so please end each call with the star (*) button instead of the end-call button to be automatically directed to your next representative. 

Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions before reaching out to your representatives. Please note that any messages with crude or inflammatory language will not be passed on, and please be respectful during any communications with Congressional offices (messages should align with the AAS Mission and Vision Statement and AAS Code of Ethics).  

Thank you for advocating for your research and the U.S. astronomical community.  

https://aas.org/action-alert-protecting-astronomical-programs-fiscal-year-2026

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EXCELLENT PLANETARY SCIENCE PRESENTATIONS AT THE 2025 NSBP-NSHP CONFERENCE

The annual National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) conference, held jointly this year with the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP), was held in San Jose, California on November 19-23, 2025. Much top-notch planetary science research was presented, including by Jordan Tucker who is finishing his Masters degree at Stanford University. His presentation, “Utilizing the Cadmus Software Tool to Perform Geologic and Geospatial Investigations of Jupiter’s Icy Moons,” was awarded Best Graduate Student Oral Presentation within the Earth and Planetary Systems Sciences (EPSS) section. The 2026 DPS-NSBP Speaker Awardee was also selected and will be announced in the spring.

To support students and early career planetary scientists from underrepresented communities, and to support the DPS partnership with NSBP EPSS, please see https://dps.aas.org/Inclusivity/support-underrepresented-minority-communities-planetary-science. To support NSBP directly, especially as they have lost many of their usual conference sponsors due to changes in Federal funding, please see https://nsbp.org/donations/.

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BRIAN JACKSON SELECTED AS EDITOR FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL

Brian Jackson, Professor of Physics at Boise State University and Director of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, will serve as the next Editor of the Planetary Science Journal (PSJ) — a prestigious peer reviewed journal co-owned by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and its largest topical division, the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS). Jackson will assume the role on 1 January 2026, replacing Faith Vilas who served as the journal’s inaugural editor and oversaw the launch of the PSJ in 2019.  

https://aas.org/press/brian-jackson-selected-editor-planetary-science-journal

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EGU 2026 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS AND REGISTRATION

The 2026 EGU General Assembly, to be held 3–8 May 2026, both on-site in Vienna, Austria, and virtually. 

Abstracts: The call for abstracts is open, so it is time to check your favorite session! The abstract submission deadline is 15 January 2026, 13:00 CET. Did you know? You can submit an abstract in an EOS session in addition to a regular abstract, this is the only exception to the one abstract rule (unless you are a solicited speaker). If you have been invited as a solicited speaker, ensure you have the TAN number from your convener that you need to submit your solicited talk in addition to a regular abstract. Looking for tips on how to submit your abstract? Find instructions on how to submit on the EGU26 website: https://www.egu26.eu/authors/how-to-submit.html

Registration is now open for EGU26, and our volunteer Council voted to not increase any of the costs to attend the General Assembly, so the mandatory Abstract Processing Charges (APC) and the rates for various registration options and EGU membership are staying the same as in 2025. Read all the details at: https://www.egu26.eu/attendance/registration.html

Financial support: If you applied for Roland Schlich financial support, the results of your application will be available on 9 January 2026. Do you need to apply for financial support to attend EGU26 because of caregiving responsibilities, disability, career status, or other barriers to inclusion? Apply for our EDI participation support grant by 20 February 2026, 23:59 CET.

VISA: Do you need a letter of invitation for a visa application? Find out the ways we can, and cannot, help with your application, and request your letter of invitation at: https://www.egu26.eu/attendance/letter-of-invitation.html

And more:

– Support your colleagues at the General Assembly – the EGU26 Peer Support programme is now open for experienced attendees. Submit your name to take part by 31 March 2026!

– Curious about who contributes to the organization of the EGU26 General Assembly? Meet the Programme Committee: https://www.egu26.eu/about/programme_committee_composition.html

Prepare your calendar with all the EGU26 important dates by checking our Deadlines and Milestones page.

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NASA IRTF STRATEGIC PLANNING – SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT

The NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) 10-year strategic plan is being developed. The plan will cover an important period for observatories on Mauna Kea. It will ensure that IRTF continues to be a leading facility for researchers in planetary science and astrophysics as JWST makes more ground breaking discoveries and Rubin, Roman, NEO Surveyor and other facilities, both ground and space based, begin producing vast amounts of data. 

IRTF is a facility open to anyone, regardless of affiliation. We are seeking broad community input on the evolution of the scientific landscape, science priorities and cases, the roadmap for new capabilities and ideas for new instrumentation, enhancements to operations and training, and improvements to the archive, to chart the course for IRTF for the next decade.

A survey has been developed to gather inputs from across the planetary science and astrophysics research communities. We encourage everyone with an interest in IRTF to provide their input: https://forms.gle/kMDvFSwULkvyx5tw9. Everyone that completes the survey can participate in a prize drawing for an observing session with IRTF that includes full support and training for planning, conducting and reducing the observations.

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34TH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG)

The NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) meeting is scheduled for January 13–14, 2026, at the Johns Hopkins at Mt. Washington campus in Baltimore, Maryland. The meeting will be held in person with opportunities for virtual participation. The agenda is now available. Please check the website for updates as the meeting date approaches.Hotel room blocks have been reserved for this meeting. For more information, visit the SBAG website.

Registration fees are not being collected for this meeting, but registration is required. Registration will be available through January 14. Before the meeting, all registrants will receive an email from Houston Meeting Info with virtual connection information.

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/sbagjan2026

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EUROPEAN LUNAR SYMPOSIUM (ELS) ANNOUNCEMENT

The next European Lunar Symposium (ELS) will take place at the Aquarium Museum of Nancy, Nancy, France, from June 21–26, 2026.  The meeting is planned mainly as an in-person event with the possibility of remote presentations only under extenuating circumstances, so please plan your participation accordingly. For additional info: https://sservi.nasa.gov/els2026/

To plan logistics and catering, please complete the ‘Indication of Interest’ form by 31st January 2026, via the link below: https://sservi.nasa.gov/els2026/interest

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DEADLINE EXTENDED: ICARUS SPECIAL ISSUE – CARBON IN PLANETARY ENVIRONMENTS

Icarus is accepting submissions of manuscripts to be published in a special issue entitled “Carbon in Planetary Environments: Sources and Evolution”. Guest editors are Dr. Kelly Miller (SwRI), Dr. Nora Hanni (Univ. of Bern), Prof. Fabian Klenner (Univ. of California, Riverside),
Prof. Brett McGuire (MIT) and Prof. Joshua Krissansen-Totton (Univ. of Washington). This cross-disciplinary issue will cover topics related to carbon in the Solar System and beyond, including exoplanet and astrochemical environments. Submissions related to space missions,
modeling and laboratory work are welcomed. The extended submission deadline is 31 January 2026. Manuscripts will be published online when they are accepted, and we expect the print issue to be published in the first half of 2026. Submitted manuscripts must be unpublished and
should not be under consideration elsewhere. More information is available here: https://tinyurl.com/yc4kpspa

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ANNOUNCING THE SKYSCAPE ACADEMY

We are delighted to announce the launch of The Skyscape Academy, a new online platform offering accessible, inspiring, and rigorous courses on the study of ancient societies and the sky. Our classes are designed for both the curious learner and those wishing a thorough academic program.

Humans have always looked upward. Across cultures and through time, the sky has shaped our sense of rhythm, orientation, and identity. The relationship between people and the skyscape is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on archaeology, anthropology, art history, astronomy, religious studies, and beyond.

Our courses for 2026 span a range of offerings, taught as online courses which can be accessed live or asynchronously. All courses are taught to a rigorous academic standard while remaining accessible. Most require no prior astronomical or archaeological knowledge.

For those wishing to train as archaeoastronomers or skyscape archaeologists themselves, we also offer a 15-month full training program that includes extended tuition, additional resources, and exclusive perks to assist you in developing robust research projects.

For information and queries, check our website:   https://skyscape.academy

or contact us via: https://skyscape.academy/contact/

We look forward to welcoming you to The Skyscape Academy!

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ABSCICON SESSION 07 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We solicit abstracts for AbSciCon Session 07. If you are working on measurements, models or interpretation frameworks towards the search for life on exoplanets, please apply to our session! More details:

• Title: “Advancing the Search for Life on Exoplanets Through Improved Measurements, Models & Interpretive Frameworks”
• Organizers: Victoria Meadows, Edward Schwieterman, Sukrit Ranjan, Xinting Yu
• Invited Speakers: Maggie Thompson (Carnegie Science), Aoshuang Ji (UC Riverside)
• Session Description: The interpretation of exoplanet spectra—including potential atmospheric biosignatures—depends sensitively on forward and retrieval models of their atmospheres. The accuracy of this modeling infrastructure is constrained by a limited understanding of fundamental chemical inputs (e.g., line lists, reaction kinetics). We invite results from observational, laboratory, ab initio, or theoretical studies that deepen our general chemical understanding of exoplanet atmospheres and analogous solar system bodies. Solicited contributions may include advances in molecular opacities, haze formation and optical properties, photodissociation cross-sections, reaction rate constants, and computational studies that incorporate this new chemical data into exoplanet atmosphere models. We further welcome submissions focused on uniquely fingerprinting the characteristics of living worlds, including forward simulations of atmospheric biosignature accumulation and detectability, field, laboratory, or computational investigations of novel biosignature gases, theoretical studies of abiotic pathways, and improved frameworks for assessing biosignature confidence.
• Abstract Deadline: 1/14/26, at https://agu.confex.com/agu/abscicon26/prelim.cgi/Session/277008

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ABSCICON SESSION 85 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We solicit abstracts for AbSciCon Session 85. If you are working on prebiotic environments and their intersection with prebiotic chemistry on any planetary body but especially Mars, please apply to our session! More details:

• Title: “Planetary and Environmental Context for Prebiotic Chemistry”
• Organizers: Stephanie Olson, Ben Pearce, Sukrit Ranjan, Zoe Todd
• Invited Speakers: Steven Benner (FFAME; Urey & ISSOL Fellow), Skyla White (Cambridge University)
• Session Description: Prebiotic chemistry is inseparable from its environment. Recent advances have provided solutions to half-century-old problems in prebiotic synthesis in vitro. However, whether these prebiotic pathways can function in situ, under natural environmental conditions, remains unclear. This gap motivates the new concept of urability, which describes the proclivity of planetary environments to support an origin of life. We welcome laboratory, in situ, and theoretical investigations of urability that explore environmental conditions, both locally and globally. We particularly encourage submissions that consider a planetary system science perspective. We also encourage studies of planetary analogs for early Earth, such as early Mars. Much more of Mars’ earliest rock record is preserved thanks to the absence of hydrology and plate tectonics, making early Mars an ideal setting for testing origin of life hypotheses. This opportunity is especially relevant in light of ongoing discoveries by the Mars exploration rovers and the possibility of sample return.
• Abstract Deadline: 1/14/26, at agu.confex.com/agu/abscicon26/prelim.cgi/Session/275906

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: PRE-PROPOSALS DUE JANUARY 22, 2026

The Planetary Society invites proposals to its grants program: Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) Grants. These are planetary science and/or technology grants chosen from an open, international, competed proposal process. Proposals must fit within one or more of The Planetary Society’s core enterprises (Explore Worlds, Find Life, Defend Earth). All funding will come from Planetary Society members and donors. Preliminary proposals are due January 22, 2026. Based on the pre-proposal submissions, a small number of proposers will be invited to submit full proposals from which grant selections will be made. For this round of STEP Grants, the nominal expectation is two awards at approximately the US $50,000 level each. More information can be found at:  https://planetary.org/stepgrants

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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR 5TH LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE

The 57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas, and virtually on March 16–20, 2026. LPSC is a defining event in planetary research, bringing together a diverse group of international experts in a truly collaborative environment. For 57 years, LPSC has been convening the lunar and planetary science community to showcase the latest science, research, and discoveries in the field. To learn more, visit https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/.

A complete list of 2026 topics and submission instructions can be found on the Abstract Submission page of the conference website. The abstract submission deadline is January 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m. U.S. CST. No new or revised abstracts will be accepted after January 6.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

Icarus:

Icarus | Vol 443, In progress (1 January 2026) | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

The Planetary Science Journal:

Issue 12 – Volume 6 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.

Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.

A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.

1. Tenure-Track Faculty in Astronomy and Astrophysics University of Georgia

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Georgia invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in observational astronomy and astrophysics, with an anticipated start date of August 2026. We welcome applicants at both ranks, with encouragement for early-career scientists at the Assistant Professor level.

 We are especially interested in candidates whose research focuses on young stars, exoplanets, circumstellar disks (protoplanetary, transitional, or debris), or planetary sciences. However, exceptional candidates in all areas of observational, computational, or theoretical astronomy and astrophysics will be considered. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a closely related field and have at least one year of postdoctoral experience. The successful candidate is expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program, contribute to high-quality teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Applicants should only apply at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/458945. Applicants should prepare the following application documents: (1) a cover letter with brief summaries of their scientific background, strengths, plans, and teaching experience; (2) a complete curriculum vitae; (3) a statement of research interests, philosophy, and plan; (4) a description of teaching philosophy and mentoring plans; and (5) contact information only for three references.  References will be contacted later in the search process, but applicants are strongly encouraged to pre-arrange with references for letters of recommendation. 

Any other correspondence should be addressed to the search committee chair, Prof. Inseok Song ([email protected]).  All applications received by December 31, 2025 will receive full consideration, but review will continue until the position is filled.

2. Postdoctoral Fellowship Openings at UT Austin

The Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for two separate, but complementary postdoctoral fellowship programs:

1. The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
2. The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) Excellence in Earth & Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship

These highly competitive institutional awards are open to recent doctorates (degree within the past 5 years) in Earth, atmospheric, oceanic, cryospheric and planetary sciences or allied fields.

Appointments are for two years, contingent upon performance. Recipients of this fellowship will join a vibrant community of postdocs, students and faculty where they are expected to pursue self-directed research in any relevant scientific subfield. Salary is $72,000 per year and appointees are eligible for benefits; the appointment also comes with discretionary funds of $5,000 for research and travel expenses, as well as one-time relocation expenses of up to $3,000.

For full consideration, applications must be received by January 15, 2026. Additional information, including application instructions, can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/bd7rw8cy

For questions on these positions, please contact Dr. Chenguang Sun at [email protected] (EPS Program) or Dr. Duncan Young at [email protected] (UTIG Program).

3. 3 Year Postdoctoral Position in Mars Glaciology – Sheffield, UK

We are hiring a 3-year postdoctoral research associate in Mars glaciology at the University of Sheffield in the UK. We are seeking applicants with a background in Glaciology or Mars geomorphology to combine GIS-based mapping of Martian glaciers with either:

a) Numerical ice flow modelling experiments, for example using the Ice   Sheet and Sea Level System Model (ISSM) or a similar model.

and/or

b) The development of automated (e.g., deep learning) approaches to mapping and classification of glacier-surface morphologies and other ice-related terrains on Mars.

Applications are welcomed from individuals with relevant experience in terrestrial glaciology.

The 3-year role forms part of a Royal Society University Research Fellowship grant (2025-2033) led by Frances Butcher, entitled “Unlocking Martian Climate Archives: The Glaciological Groundwork for the First Ice Cores from Mars”.

The description of the role, and application information can be foundhere:

https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPR111/research-associate-in-mars-glaciology

Applications will close on 19 January 2026.

4. Geospatial Scientist Position with Geocontrol Systems at NASA-JSC

The Geospatial Scientist will:

• Employ GIS and remote sensing techniques to Earth, Moon, and other planetary image data in support of International Space Station (ISS) and Artemis missions
• Provide science services and technology products to a range of human exploration organizations including Gateway, Orion, the lander/ascent systems, spacesuits, EVA, and ISS
• Interact with scientists, engineers, and managers in a highly dynamic and occasionally time critical environment
• Develop funding proposals for submission to relevant scientific and technology grant solicitations opportunities
• and more…

Details:

https://geocontrol.zohorecruit.com/jobs/Careers/460115000020348052

5. Instructional Position at the University of Nevada, Reno

The Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering (DGSE) at the University of Nevada, Reno invites applications for a continuing, full-time (12-month, non-tenure track) Teaching Assistant Professor position starting in August 2026. We are looking for a candidate who can contribute to our mission by teaching a range of lower and upper division undergraduate courses and potentially contribute to graduate level instruction. Courses may include introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, petrography, geochemistry, earth resources, as well as service courses for non-majors, according to the candidate’s background. The position will also have a strong service component tied to the undergraduate Geology curriculum, including student advisement, overseeing teaching labs and associated teaching collections, curriculum development and enhancement.

For additional details and to apply visit:  https://tinyurl.com/4xachrjh

6. Professor in Planetary Sciences at University of Bern, Switzerland

The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences of the Physics Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for a full-time position as a Professor in Planetary Sciences. The initial level of tenure can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor depending on qualifications (open rank). We invite applications from candidates who conduct outstanding research, teaching, mentorship, and leadership in any area of experimental

planetary science. Areas of research could include, but are not limited to, the properties, origin and evolution of planets and minor bodies in the Solar System, the search for and emergence of life beyond Earth, the composition of surfaces and atmospheres, ongoing physical and chemical surface and sub-surface processes and the evolution of planetary interiors. A diverse spectrum of approaches and methodologies is welcome, including, but not limited to, the analysis and modeling of space probe datasets, instrumentation, and flight hardware development, experimental, observational and laboratory techniques, comparative planetology or the involvement, development, and leadership in space missions.

The application deadline is January 31, 2026.  The full announcement can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/2w4jdvue

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Send submissions to: Denise Stephens, DPS Secretary, at this address  [email protected]

Issue 25-27, Nov 30, 2025

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR DPS MEMBERSHIP

2. AAS ACTION ALERTS: SUPPORT THE US STEM WORKFORCE

3. REPORT ON MEETING OF AAS DIVISION HEADS

4. MESSAGE FROM THE DPS COMMITTEE: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR SPOKANE ORGANIZING  COMMITTEES

5. GIVING TUESDAY: STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!
6. AAS STATEMENT ON NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER

7. LUNAR SURFACE SCIENCE WORKSHOP (LSSW): EARLY SCIENCE RESULTS FROM CLPS DELIVERIES AND UPCOMING CLPS EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

8. SECOND WORKSHOP ON ICES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

9. ROSES-25: EXOPLANETS RESEARCH PROGRAM STEP-1 DUE DEC 3, 2025

10. PLANETARY RESEARCH: YEAR IN REVIEW WEBINAR DECEMBER 10, 2025

11. INTRODUCTION TO ARCGIS PRO FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE

12. PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL SCIENCE EDITOR

13. WEBINAR FOR FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATORS IN GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

14. 57TH LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

15. AGU LAUNCHES THE AGU GRANT FINDER 

16. INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE PROPOSAL PLANNING

17. LPI LAUNCHES 2026 EXTRATERRESTRIAL MATERIALS ACADEMY FOR UNDERGRADUATES 
18. CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS

19. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

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PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR DPS MEMBERSHIP

The DPS Committee and the AAS staff and community thank you for being an AAS/DPS member last year. For those who have not yet renewed for 2026, now is the time! DPS membership yields discounted registration for the Fall 2026 Annual Meeting to be held 25-30 October in Spokane, WA. The meeting will have a broad scope with a wide-ranging program of science and workforce topics, celebrating planetary exploration and mission anniversaries. DPS does not censor submissions – diverse perspectives are welcome.

If you are unsure of your membership status, it’s easy to check. Go to my.aas.org and log in with your AAS username and password. Look for the framed Profile-at-a-Glance section on the right and confirm the Paid through date. If it’s 31 December 2025 or earlier, it’s time to renew.

Please note that anyone renewing both a full AAS and DPS membership is entitled to a 15% discount on page charges for one paper in any AAS journal.

If you have questions about your benefits or need assistance with your login or renewal, please email the membership team or call (202) 328-2010 x109. You can also send an e-mail to dpssec.org

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AAS ACTION ALERTS: SUPPORT THE US STEM WORKFORCE

The past year has brought considerable uncertainty and cuts to the United States STEM workforce, including federal employees at science agencies as well as students and researchers across the nation. Congress has the opportunity to take action to support our national STEM talent and workforce by supporting two bipartisan bills: the Keep STEM Talent Act and the 

Protect America’s Workforce Act. Take a few minutes today to urge your members of Congress to support these bills: 

• Action Alert: Keep STEM Talent Act
• Action Alert: Protect America’s Workforce Act

Other active AAS action alerts can be found here.

Action Alerts to support US STEM Workforce

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REPORT ON ANNUAL MEETING OF AAS DIVISION HEADS

The annual meeting of AAS division heads was held in Washington on October 16, with AAS leadership and representatives of all divisions reporting on accomplishments and issues, and discussing AAS directions in the near future. DPS was represented by Chair Scott Murchie and Vice Chair JA Grier.

All society and division reports highlighted decreases in professional meeting attendance by government employees due to restrictions on travel. This reduction raises concerns about future conduct of meetings in the face of decreased funds to cover in-person attendance, especially by early career members of the community. Several mitigating approaches are being pursued. The Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) proposes to join the combined DPS / High-Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) Fall 2027 meeting in Providence, RI, to share expenses, defray costs, and build connections between divisions. The Division of Dynamical Astronomy (DDA) has pioneered low-cost virtual attendee registration for non-presenters. Dependent-care grants are available – but underutilized – and can be used for elder as well as child care. Fund-raising for early career travel grants – especially for grad students and postdocs – has intensified. The Summer 2027 AAS semi-annual meeting will be fully virtual, for funding equity and reduced carbon footprint. AAS President Dara Norman recently issued a call for proposals for synchronous and asynchronous activities at the meeting (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Innovative-Virtual-Activities).

There are widespread concerns about knowledge and information retention in the face of censorship of science and individuals leaving the field. Cross-divisional efforts are being considered to develop mitigating approaches, and members are asked to consider ways AAS can help capture information that can be reemphasized in the future (e.g. NASA educational material that references climate change or accessibility).

At the society level, AAS is healthy. Submissions to AAS journals as a function of time of year are up by ~35% from recent years, from both US and non-US contributors. The Planetary Science Journal has risen to the top of its field based on impact factor. Membership renewals and meeting registrations are on track with recent years. 

AAS is also undergoing transitions. President Norman is transitioning out of that role, and Marcel Agüeros is transitioning in. The leadership team roster is at https://aas.org/about/governance/current-board/. After over 25 years of service as CEO and numerous accomplishments, Kevin Marvel is moving on to his next challenge as Executive Director of the Society for Neuroscience (https://aas.org/press/aas-announces-resignation-chief-executive-officer-dr-kevin-b-marvel). 

Advocacy for the future of space science has been a major activity in 2025 including communication with elected representatives across the political spectrum. Members are reminded to share with their congressional representative personal stories about administration-imposed challenges in the profession – grant funding not be sent or cancelled, calls being delayed for review of compliance with executive orders, or unjustified terminations – representatives’ offices may be able to serve as advocates. 

Lastly, as always, ethics remain a focus, and there is ongoing consideration of society-wide standards for ethics, advocacy training, and avoidance of conflicts of interest in society matters.

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MESSAGE FROM THE DPS COMMITTEE: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR SPOKANE ORGANIZING  COMMITTEES

The next DPS annual meeting will be held October 25-30, 2026 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington (https://www.spokanecenter.com/). The chair of the Local Organizing Committee is Dr. Jason Barnes of the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, and the new chair for the Science Organizing Committee (SOC) is Dr. Abigail Fraeman of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. This year we’re expanding the scope of the former virtual organizing committee to cover issues pertaining to all aspects of accessibility to conference presentations: the virtual meeting including setup and staffing to handle questions; discoverability of information at the meeting and on the web site; and access at the meeting for disabled persons. This new Accessibility Organizing Committee (AOC) will be chaired by Dr. Jennifer Piatek of Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT. 

We are looking for volunteers for both the SOC and AOC. If you are interested in the SOC please email Abby ([email protected]) and Scott Murchie ([email protected]) and indicate the topics that you are interested in helping to shape into a meeting program. If you are interested in the AOC please email Jen ([email protected]) and Scott ([email protected]) and indicate the areas where you can help. Both committees will begin meeting in early 2026. Thanks in advance!

– Scott Murchie, DPS Committee Chair

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GIVING TUESDAY: STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!

In these times when funding for planetary science is increasingly scarce, DPS travel grants provide a lifeline to early career scientists just getting into the field. These grants are supported by dedicated endowments and each year the proceeds support attendance of students in need of funds to attend the DPS annual meeting. This can be a transformative experience, especially for those exploring STEM fields or who are new to research. Thirty-four travel grants were awarded to attend the recent joint DPS-EPSC meeting in Helsinki, Finland, but they met only about half of the need. Please consider a generous, tax-deductible contribution to help support and grow our two travel grant programs and/or our dependent care grant program to enable those caring for others to attend.

1. Hartmann Student Travel Grants support student travel for presentations at the annual DPS meeting. Postdoctoral scholars may also be eligible, but students are prioritized. 

2. Underrepresented Minority (URM) Communities in Planetary Science Travel Grants support attendance by students and professionals who are members of groups that have had inadequate access to the planetary science community events, such as students and professionals hailing from colleges and non-R1 academic or research institutions that have not traditionally benefited from connections to the planetary science community, and/or students and professionals with degrees in broader STEM disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics) who are new to the planetary science community. 

3. The Susan Niebur Professional Development Fund provides financial assistance to DPS members in order to enable their attendance at the DPS annual meeting by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc. at the meeting location or at home during the DPS conference.

To donate, please log in to your AAS account, and select the grant you wish to support. Thank you SO MUCH in advance! 

DPS Donations

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AAS STATEMENT ON NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) is deeply concerned by recent reports of numerous building closures at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, in addition to the severe loss of civil servant talent across our federal science agencies as a result of Reductions in Force and the Deferred Resignation Program. These losses compound the severe impacts of cuts at contractor-operated centers, universities, and other sites of astronomical research and education. 

Goddard — a government-owned and -operated center — has been and continues to be a critical facility for the development of our nation’s world-leading space science program. Goddard developed instruments for both Hubble and JWST and plays an important role in the awe-inspiring scientific discoveries that these missions continue to generate. Today, Goddard continues to shepherd the development of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to be both on budget and ahead of schedule. Heliophysics work at Goddard, including the development of the Parker Solar Probe, which made the closest ever approach to the Sun last year, is critical to defending our electrical grid and satellites against severe space weather events. Goddard is also carrying out important planetary science work, including the OSIRIS-REx mission, which is advancing our understanding of asteroids that can impact Earth.  

The closure of buildings housing essential labs and facilities for the development of US government missions could result in the loss of highly specialized and critical equipment that cannot be easily replaced. Any further large-scale layoffs and resignations across the astronomy enterprise will impact our nation’s ability to remain competitive in space science for decades to come, through the loss of a highly and uniquely skilled workforce. The AAS believes that it is critical to ensure that short-term actions, especially those taken to prematurely comply with budget proposals not ratified by Congress, do not have long-term negative impacts on our nation’s scientific capacity and competitiveness.  

AAS members interested in discussing these concerns can reach out to the AAS public policy team at [email protected]. 

 — Dara Norman, AAS President

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LUNAR SURFACE SCIENCE WORKSHOP (LSSW): EARLY SCIENCE RESULTS FROM CLPS DELIVERIES AND UPCOMING CLPS EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

Date Rescheduled: January 27-28, 2026 

Time: 11 am ET – 5 pm ET

Location: Virtual Workshop

Co-Chairs: Maria Banks (NASA); Ryan Watkins (NASA)

https://sservi.nasa.gov/lssw/results-from-early-clps-deliveries-and-upcoming-clps-exploration-activities

This Lunar Surface Science Workshop (LSSW) session will share results and lessons learned from early CLPS deliveries and provide updates from instrument teams on upcoming CLPS deliveries. Breakout sessions will solicit input from the community on future CLPS activities. The scientific community is invited to come hear exciting results from the first U.S. lunar surface measurements in over 50 years and contribute feedback on future CLPS scientific endeavors! Note that registration is free but is required to participate. Please ensure your registration is complete to receive meeting access details. If you have already registered no further action is required, you do not need to register a second time.

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SECOND WORKSHOP ON ICES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The Second Workshop on Ices in the Solar System: A Volatile Excursion from Mercury and the Moon to the Kuiper Belt and Beyond is scheduled for January 5–7, 2026, at Dawson College in Montreal, Canada.

Program and Presenter Information

Detailed information about the program is available by viewing the program and abstracts. Authors should review the author index for abstracts accepted for presentation to see where they have been scheduled. If authors’ names in the index need to be updated, email [email protected]. Authors should also review all presenter information for oral and/or poster presentations.

Registration:  Extended registration deadline: December 2, 2025

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ROSES-25: EXOPLANETS RESEARCH PROGRAM STEP-1 DUE DEC 3, 2025

The Exoplanets Research Program (XRP), element F.3 of ROSES-25, solicits basic research proposals to conduct scientific investigations that significantly improve our understanding of exoplanets and exoplanet formation. This program element is cross-divisional and jointly managed by three of the Divisions within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate: Astrophysics, Planetary Science, and Heliophysics. Proposed investigations that combine multiple scientific disciplines or cross traditional Divisional science boundaries, for example, by including topics or analysis techniques from Heliophysics, are highly encouraged.

ROSES-2025 Amendment 20 defers the Step-1 due date for F.3 XRP to December 3, 2025.

On or about November 18, 2025, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025” (NNH25ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025

and will appear on SARA’s ROSES blog at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2025

Questions concerning F.3 XRP may be directed to [email protected].

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PLANETARY RESEARCH: YEAR IN REVIEW WEBINAR DECEMBER 10, 2025

On December 10, 2025 at 1 PM Eastern, NASA’s Planetary Science Division (PSD) Planetary Research Programs will host a webinar to celebrate the accomplishments of Planetary Research over the last year, share some updates to Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) programs, discuss progress that has been made to address decadal survey recommendations, and answer research-related questions from the planetary science community.

In advance of and during the webinar, questions may be submitted and upvoted on at: https://nasa.cnf.io/sessions/zg88/#!/dashboard

Join link: https://nasaevents.webex.com/nasaevents/j.php?MTID=m7f5753ada6dbb0668e1b7e186b15cb48

Webinar number: 2819 758 3118

Webinar password: yFwDV2UVv48 (93938288 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone

+1-415-527-5035 United States Toll

+1-312-500-3163 United States Toll (Chicago)

Access code: 281 975 83118

Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to Dr. Kathleen Vander Kaaden, Director of Planetary Research Programs, at [email protected]. This presentation will not be recorded, but slides will be made publicly available after the presentation.

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INTRODUCTION TO ARCGIS PRO FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE

The Planetary Data Training Workshops program is pleased to announce our next Introduction to ArcGIS Pro for Planetary Science workshop, facilitated by Cornell’s Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility (SPIF), to be held on January 23rd, 2026, 10am-6pm EST.  This online workshop introduces participants to the basic tools available in ArcGIS Pro, focusing on tasks and features most relevant to planetary science and utilizing various planetary image datasets. Participants will learn to set up a project, load and manipulate image data, create and sketch features, and use data for optimization analysis. It is intended for participants with no prior experience in ArcGIS and for experienced ArcGIS users who are new to ArcGIS Pro. Access to ArcGIS Pro is required to participate.

Submit your notice of interest for this workshop here: https://forms.gle/e1h8kjvqvtENBm4y6. The deadline for filling out this form is January 14th. A Zoom registration link will be sent to all respondents to the NOI on January 15th by 1pm EST

Please read the instructions at the top of the form before completion. Note that filling out this form does not register you for the workshop.

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PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL SCIENCE EDITOR

Established in 2020, the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS) Planetary Science Journal (PSJ) has grown to one of the most impactful journals focused on planetary science in the world.

To continue that upward trajectory, the PSJ solicits applications to join the team of Scientific Editors (SEs). AAS SEs are expected to comply with the AAS Code of Ethics and commit about 10% full-time equivalent effort to their work for the Journals. Scientific Editors receive a grant of approximately $15,000 per annum for their services, plus travel support for the annual meeting.

To apply, submit a CV and 2-3 page cover letter describing your interest in the role and your related experience to the incoming PSJ Editor-in-Charge, Brian Jackson ([email protected]).

Additional information at  https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/f31fa9e4

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WEBINAR FOR FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATORS IN GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

The Working Group on Graduate Admissions will host a webinar on Friday, 5 December, for astronomy faculty and administrative staff involved with admissions this year.

Webinar Information

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57TH LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The 57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas and virtually, on March 16–20, 2026. LPSC is a defining event in planetary research, bringing together a diverse group of international experts in a truly collaborative environment. For 57 years, LPSC has been convening the lunar and planetary science community to showcase the latest science, research, and discoveries in the field. To learn more, visit https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/.

Abstract Submission Information:

• A complete list of 2026 topics and submission instructions can be found on the Abstract Submission page of the conference website.
• Abstract Submission Deadline: January 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m. U.S. CST
• No new or revised abstracts will be accepted after January 6.

Special sessions have been identified and are described on the Special Sessions page of the conference website.

Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities: 

LPSC invites exhibitors and sponsors to participate in this international gathering of planetary scientists. LPSC offers a unique opportunity to connect with a global audience of researchers, mission planners, students, and industry leaders. Align your organization with scientific excellence, raise your visibility in the planetary science community, and demonstrate your support for advancing space research and exploration. For more information, reference the 2026 Exhibitor and Sponsorship Prospectus and visit the Exhibitors and Sponsorships page.

Professional Development Center:

The 57th LPSC debuts the Professional Development Center, offering events and resources for students and early-career scientists. Sessions will be held throughout the week to support career growth, skill building, and networking. A full schedule will be posted in early 2026. For more information, visit the Professional Development Center page.

Submit an indication of interest to receive additional information about the conference.

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AGU LAUNCHES THE AGU GRANT FINDER 

Searching for research funding can be frustrating, especially during these unprecedented times—but it doesn’t have to be. 

We’ve launched the AGU Grant Finder, a powerful resource personalized to your research profile. 

AGU Grant Finder is your gateway to thousands of funding opportunities from 700+ sources. Get personalized recommendations that match your scientific background, or search on your own by keyword or funder.

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INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE PROPOSAL PLANNING

The Roman Space Telescope is preparing to launch in late 2026. Three core community surveys and one  General Astrophysics Survey (GAS) have already been designed. Details can be found at: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/

A call for additional GAS’s is expected soon. While all of these surveys will produce data for solar system science, none are specifically designed for such. The Exoplanets and Solar System Working Group leads invite you to participate in proposal discussion, design and preparation. The proposals are structured differently than typical space-telescope calls and need to be designed for optimal scientific return across the board for Solar System and/or exo-planet science.

A call for pipeline/analysis tools is also expected. We desire input from the community to learn both what tools might already exist/can be adapted, and what tools need to be developed.

We meet the 1st Tuesday of each month on Zoom and invite you to join us. We will add meetings as needed moving forward.

Our next meeting is 2 December 2025 from 3-4pm EST at:

https://osu.zoom.us/j/93405766421?pwd=sEKhbq64QfBcjv7fn62rHZsb67LvNn.1

If you want to connect before our next meeting or have questions, please contact:

Susan Benecchi, [email protected]

Solar System/Exoplanet Working group co-lead

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LPI LAUNCHES 2026 EXTRATERRESTRIAL MATERIALS ACADEMY FOR UNDERGRADUATES 

The LPI is now accepting applications for the 2026 Extraterrestrial Materials Academy (ETMA), a 10-week intensive paid summer academy for undergraduate students. The academy will run from June 8 to August 15, 2026.

The academy will provide training for participants to develop analytical and laboratory skills, build knowledge to be competitive for future careers in planetary science, with a focus on sample science, and equip participants with resources to help support their professional journey.

Students from colleges and universities that are not R1 institutions are highly encouraged to apply. Application deadline: January 16, 2026

For more information, visit https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/etma2026/.

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CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

The Planetary Science Journal:

Issue 11 – Volume 6 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience

Icarus:

Icarus | Vol 442, In progress (December 2025) | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.

Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.

A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.

1. NASA Postdoctoral Program Deadline Extended to Dec 19, 2025, 6 pm ET

If you’re an early-career or senior scientist, apply to the NASA Postdoctoral Program to help pursue NASA’s mission and experience the world’s most diverse technology and expertise. Become a part of the NPP and experience this unique educational program that is preparing future leaders for NASA and the academic community!

The November 2025 application cycle has been extended to Friday, December 19, 2025 at 6 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.  View current opportunities

Please see the How to Apply page for application instructions and be sure to check out the Application Tips.

2. Postdoctoral Fellowship Openings at UT Austin

The Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for two separate, but complementary postdoctoral fellowship programs:

1. The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
2. The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) Excellence in Earth & Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship

These highly competitive institutional awards are open to recent doctorates (degree within the past 5 years) in Earth, atmospheric, oceanic, cryospheric and planetary sciences or allied fields.

Appointments are for two years, contingent upon performance. Recipients of this fellowship will join a vibrant community of postdocs, students and faculty where they are expected to pursue self-directed research in any relevant scientific subfield. Salary is $72,000 per year and appointees are eligible for benefits; the appointment also comes with discretionary funds of $5,000 for research and travel expenses, as well as one-time relocation expenses of up to $3,000.

For full consideration, applications must be received by January 15, 2026. Additional information, including application instructions, can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/bd7rw8cy

For questions on these positions, please contact Dr. Chenguang Sun at [email protected] (EPS Program) or Dr. Duncan Young at [email protected] (UTIG Program).

3. Applications Open for ASPIRE Internship

Astrophysics Summer Program for International Research Experience (ASPIRE) will be an 8-week on-site programme in Amsterdam for highly-motivated MSc students to work at the cutting-edge of astronomical research at the Anton Pannekoek Institute (API), University of Amsterdam. Our goal is to give you the experience of astronomical research at a world-leading institute and help kick-start your journey into a science career and all the other avenues it can open. You’ll gain new research skills and an advisor who will be your guide and mentor. We are especially keen to welcome students from countries and institutes where opportunities for research experience are scarce, and we further specifically encourage applications from groups whose talents are typically untapped and under-represented by astronomical institutes, including, but not limited to: people of colour, women, and students whose socio-economic background is underprivileged.

Who can apply? Any MSc student not enrolled in a PhD program with a background in Physics, Astronomy or a closely related field. Check out the available projects on our website:

https://aspire.science.uva.nl

ASPIRE runs on-site in Amsterdam at the Anton Pannekoek Institute from 15 June to 7 August 2026. Application deadline is 17 December 2025.

4. PhD Position in Bepicolombo, Mercury’s Space Weather, and High-Performance Computing

We are seeking for a motivated doctoral researcher (PhD candidate) to work on the modelling of Mercury’s space plasma physics in a BepiColombo related project. The position is part of the MErcury in the sOlar Wind (MEOW) ERC project at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. You will use our global particle-based space weather models to study the solar wind influence on Mercury and its environment and interpret observations from the BepiColombo mission. Alternatively, you can focus on the development of simulation methods for supercomputer environments, depending on your skills and interests.

Apply here:  https://tinyurl.com/3uv9wxc4

More information:  https://planets.fmi.fi/

5. Instructional Position at the University of Nevada, Reno

The Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering (DGSE) at the University of Nevada, Reno invites applications for a continuing, full-time (12-month, non-tenure track) Teaching Assistant Professor position starting in August 2026. We are looking for a candidate who can contribute to our mission by teaching a range of lower and upper division undergraduate courses and potentially contribute to graduate level instruction. Courses may include introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, petrography, geochemistry, earth resources, as well as service courses for non-majors, according to the candidate’s background. The position will also have a strong service component tied to the undergraduate Geology curriculum, including student advisement, overseeing teaching labs and associated teaching collections, curriculum development and enhancement.

For additional details and to apply visit:  https://tinyurl.com/4xachrjh

6. Professor in Planetary Sciences at University of Bern, Switzerland

The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences of the Physics Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for a full-time position as a Professor in Planetary Sciences. The initial level of tenure can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor depending on qualifications (open rank). We invite applications from candidates who conduct outstanding research, teaching, mentorship, and leadership in any area of experimental

planetary science. Areas of research could include, but are not limited to, the properties, origin and evolution of planets and minor bodies in the Solar System, the search for and emergence of life beyond Earth, the composition of surfaces and atmospheres, ongoing physical and chemical surface and sub-surface processes and the evolution of planetary interiors. A diverse spectrum of approaches and methodologies is welcome, including, but not limited to, the analysis and modeling of space probe datasets, instrumentation, and flight hardware development, experimental, observational and laboratory techniques, comparative planetology or the involvement, development, and leadership in space missions.

The application deadline is January 31, 2026.  The full announcement can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/2w4jdvue

7. Postdoctoral Research Associate (Planetary Atmospheres)

Postdoctoral Research Associate I (Planetary Atmospheres)

The Lunar & Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate I in the field of modeling of planetary atmospheres. Research areas include hydrodynamic atmospheric escape from rocky exoplanets, nitrogen and sulfur cycling on early Mars and Earth, chemical kinetics of early Earth, Venus, Mars, and analogous exoplanets, and interior-atmosphere interactions on rocky worlds. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to Prof. Ranjan in advance of their application to cooperatively identify specific research topics of mutual interest. Applicants should have previous experience modeling the atmospheres of planets or exoplanets, although a variety of backgrounds may be relevant. Candidates with expertise in 1D hydrodynamic escape of rocky planet atmospheres and/or in modeling early terrestrial or Martian geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. The position is for a period of up to three years, renewable annually contingent on satisfactory performance reviews.

First review of applications will begin 12/15/2025. UA LPL is a stimulating, world-class department with strong connections to missions and the next generation of telescopes, as well as to our colleagues in Astronomy and Geoscience. Tucson is a great place to live, with excellent hiking, great food, and a low cost of living. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Web Link: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/23799

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November 7, 2025

Dear DPS Members,

Since its founding in 1968, the Division for Planetary Sciences has relied on volunteers from the planetary science community to lead and motivate the organization. Today, DPS needs your leadership to guide and advise on future DPS actions, pathways, and goals. Your perspectives and experiences are critical to the DPS’ ability to grow and reach its full potential as the premier professional organization for planetary scientists.

This year, the DPS Nominating Subcommittee seeks nominations for the positions of Vice Chair, two Committee Members, and Student Representative for terms to begin in October 2026. The requirements for the positions are stated in the official DPS Bylaws.

• Vice Chair: This is a three year total term (one year as Vice Chair, one year as Chair, one year as Past Chair). The role of Vice Chair is to identify future goals for DPS, plan major events, interface with AAS staff, and communicate DPS’ message beyond the planetary science community. Average of 25 hrs/month of work (with more hours needed as the Chair).
• Committee members: Committee members serve a three year term. The role of a Committee member is to provide feedback on DPS initiatives, strengthen the community through event participation, and vote on DPS matters as needed. Average of ~10 hrs/month of work.
• Student representative: One student representative is elected every two years to serve a two year term. The role of the student representative is to voice concerns for early career researchers to the DPS Leadership and provide feedback on DPS initiatives from a student perspective. Average of ~8 hrs/month of work.

The DPS Nominating Subcommittee invites you to nominate yourself or a colleague to one of these positions. Students are especially encouraged to self-nominate. Please email the Nominating Subcommittee ([email protected]) with the name of the potential nominee and a brief description of their eligibility and accomplishments that motivated you to nominate them before December 31, 2025. The DPS Nominating Subcommittee will then reach out to the potential nominee to confirm acceptance of the nomination and discuss the next steps with them.

We know that there are many members of this community that are juggling full responsibilities in uncertain circumstances, and that to serve in a prominent role in the DPS is not a trivial thing to add to a scientist’s workload. Still, we need community members to step into leadership so that DPS can continue to fulfill the purpose of advancing the investigation of the solar system and other planetary systems for decades to come. For a personal story of why running for a DPS leadership role matters now more than ever, please read the statement from the current Vice Chair, Dr. JĀ Grier, which is included after this email. 

With deep respect for you as humans and scientists, we thank you for your dedication to the DPS and its mission. 

Sincerely,

Jessica Noviello [Chair], Thérèse Encrenaz, and Jodi Berdis

DPS Nominating Subcommittee, 2025-2026

*****

Vice Chair Dr. JĀ Grier’s Message

This year has brought an unprecedented challenge to the very existence of the profession of planetary science—in fact, to all the sciences. You’ve seen requests for involvement before, but to say that our current circumstances are dire is an obvious understatement. Our professional societies must step up to see how they can best meet this moment, but a professional society does not exist outside of its members. You and I are the DPS, and each one of us is on the line to strive for, and to eventually benefit from, our collective engagement at this time. The leadership of the DPS, including Scott Murchie as our current Chair and with me as Vice Chair, are continuing to ramp up our efforts, and we need your help.  

I chose to run for the position of Vice Chair (and ultimately for Chair) understanding the environment into which I was committing myself to action. That is the reason I did it. There is a strong and experienced core of DPS members who have been working for change for many years, and this is manifestly the moment we’ve been most urgently called to put our learning and wisdom into service for our society and our profession. We have a vision and this is more than an invitation. It is a humble request that you join us in making this vision a reality.

I am not the only member who sees the DPS as the most effective lens to focus my present time, efforts, and advocacy. There are many ways in which members can make this vision their own. Please run for an elected office, volunteer time as a member of one of our subcommittees, stay informed about DPS activities on the hill and elsewhere, and keep leadership informed of situations as they arise and evolve. I look forward to working more closely with all of you in the upcoming months and years as we make an important and positive difference for all of science.

Issue 25-26, Nov 10, 2025

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1. MESSAGE FROM THE DPS COMMITTEE: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR SPOKANE ORGANIZING  COMMITTEES 

2. YEAR END DRIVE: STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!
3. AAS PUBLIC POLICY OFFICE  WANTS TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE STILL AWAITING THEIR FY 2025 GRANTS

4. AAS TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES 

5. ICES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON 

6. AGU LAUNCHES THE AGU GRANT FINDER 

7. INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE PROPOSAL PLANNING

8. 34TH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG)

9. OPAG VIRTUAL FALL MEETING

10. EARLY-CAREER SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) COORDINATION LEAD: DELAY OF APPLICATION DUE DATE

11. LPI LAUNCHES 2026 EXTRATERRESTRIAL MATERIALS ACADEMY FOR UNDERGRADUATES 
12. TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: ONLINE WORKSHOP

13. HOW TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: ONLINE WORKSHOP

14. AAS WORKING GROUP SHARES STATUS OF 2026 ASTRONOMY GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

15. NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR – TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
16. PIERAZZO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

17. CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL 

18. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

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MESSAGE FROM THE DPS COMMITTEE: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR SPOKANE ORGANIZING  COMMITTEES

The next DPS annual meeting will be held October 25-30, 2026 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington (https://www.spokanecenter.com/). The chair of the Local Organizing Committee is Dr. Jason Barnes of the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, and our new chair for the Science Organizing Committee (SOC) is Dr. Abigail Fraeman of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. This year we’re expanding the scope of the former virtual organizing committee to cover issues pertaining to all aspects of accessibility to conference presentations: the virtual meeting including setup and staffing to handle questions; discoverability of information at the meeting and on the web site; and access at the meeting for disabled persons. This new Accessibility Organizing Committee (AOC) will be chaired by Dr. Jennifer Piatek of Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT. 

We are looking for volunteers for both the SOC and AOC. If you are interested in the SOC please email Abby Fraeman and Scott Murchie and indicate the topics that you are interested in helping to shape into a meeting program. If you are interested in the AOC please email Jen Piatek and Scott and indicate the areas where you can help. Both committees will begin meeting in early 2026. Thanks in advance!

– Scott Murchie, DPS Committee Chair

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YEAR END DRIVE: STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!

In these times when funding for planetary science is increasingly scarce, DPS travel grants provide a lifeline to early career scientists just getting into the field. These grants are supported by dedicated endowments and each year the proceeds support attendance of students in need of funds to attend the DPS annual meeting. This can be a transformative experience, especially for those exploring STEM fields or who are new to research. Thirty-four travel grants were awarded to attend the recent joint DPS-EPSC meeting in Helsinki, Finland, but they met only about half of the need. Please consider a generous, tax-deductible contribution to help support and grow our two travel grant programs, or     our dependent care grant program to enable those caring for others to attend.

1. Hartmann Student Travel Grants support student presentations at the annual DPS meeting. Postdoctoral scholars may also be eligible, but students are prioritized. 

2. Underrepresented Minority (URM) Communities in Planetary Science Travel Grants support attendance by students and professionals who are members of groups that have had inadequate access to the planetary science community, such as students and professionals hailing from colleges and non-R1 academic or research institutions that have not traditionally benefited from connections to the planetary science community, and/or students and professionals with degrees in broader STEM disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics) who are new to the planetary science community. 

3. The Susan Niebur Professional Development Fund provides financial assistance to DPS members in order to enable their attendance at the DPS annual meeting by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc. at the meeting location or at home during the DPS conference.

To donate, please log in to your AAS account, and select the grant you wish to support. Thank you SO MUCH in advance! 

DPS Donations

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AAS PUBLIC POLICY OFFICE  WANTS TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE STILL AWAITING THEIR FY 2025 GRANTS

Are You Awaiting FY2025 Funds for Awarded Grants? If so, use the form at the following link to inform AAS if you have yet to receive grant funds: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfoi4DU99XRH1PPyAHufgnuBupA8fImiO11u-uYmOcrhfXwQ/viewform. 

The AAS Public Policy Office will privately contact those who respond to help connect you with your Congressional representatives and advocate for the release of awarded grant funds as soon as possible. All responses will remain confidential.

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AAS TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES 

Please take a few minutes today to encourage members of Congress to end the government shutdown, protect astronomical programs and facilities in Fiscal Year 2026, and defend STEM workforce programs. After completing these action alerts, we strongly encourage you to call or meet with your congressional offices using our suggested action items. 

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ICES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON 

The Second Workshop on Ices in the Solar System: A Volatile Excursion from Mercury and the Moon to the Kuiper Belt and Beyond is scheduled for January 5–7, 2026, at Dawson College in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Registration deadline: November 25, 2025

Second Workshop on Ices in the Solar System

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AGU LAUNCHES THE AGU GRANT FINDER 

Searching for research funding can be frustrating, especially during these unprecedented times—but it doesn’t have to be. 

We’ve launched the AGU Grant Finder, a powerful resource personalized to your research profile. 

AGU Grant Finder is your gateway to thousands of funding opportunities from 700+ sources. Get personalized recommendations that match your scientific background, or search on your own by keyword or funder.

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INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE PROPOSAL PLANNING

The Roman Space Telescope is preparing to launch in late 2026. Three core community surveys and one  General Astrophysics Survey (GAS) have already been designed. Details can be found at: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/

A call for additional GAS’s is expected soon. While all of these surveys will produce data for solar system science, none are specifically designed for such. The Exoplanets and Solar System Working Group leads invite you to participate in proposal discussion, design and preparation. The proposals are structured differently than typical space-telescope calls and need to be designed for optimal scientific return across the board for Solar System and/or exo-planet science.

A call for pipeline/analysis tools is also expected. We desire input from the community to learn both what tools might already exist/can be adapted, and what tools need to be developed.

We meet the 1st Tuesday of each month on Zoom and invite you to join us. We will add meetings as needed moving forward.

Our next meeting is 2 December 2025 from 3-4pm EST at:

https://osu.zoom.us/j/93405766421?pwd=sEKhbq64QfBcjv7fn62rHZsb67LvNn.1

If you want to connect before our next meeting or have questions, please contact Susan Benecchi.

Solar System/Exoplanet Working group co-lead

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34TH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG)

The NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) meeting is scheduled for January 13–14, 2026, at the Johns Hopkins at Mt. Washington campus in Baltimore, Maryland. The meeting will be held in person with opportunities for virtual participation.

This is one of SBAG’s biannual meetings, which addresses the community’s concerns and gathers reports on small-body missions, planetary defense, observing campaigns, and related topics from project leaders and NASA Headquarters. In addition, opportunities for early-career researchers, such as presentations, networking, and job searches, also exist. Finally, informal scientific and technical discussions around small bodies occur among the participants.

Registration fees are not being collected for this meeting, but registration is required. Registration will be available through January 14. Before the meeting, all registrants will receive an email from Houston Meeting Info with virtual connection information.

Early-career researchers and students are encouraged to apply for both early-career opportunities and travel support.

Invited Early-Career Speakers: We will select approximately two early-career researchers who will each give a presentation (approximately 15 minutes, including Q&A).

Lightning Talks: We will provide time on the agenda for additional early-career researchers and engineers attending the meeting to introduce themselves and their research to the community.

Meeting Mentor: Interested early-career members of the small body’s community will be paired with an SBAG meeting mentor to help broaden the networks of early-career researchers and engineers.

Travel and Participation Support: We will offer travel and participation stipends to support students and early-career researchers to attend the meeting.

Visit the SBAG website for more information about each opportunity and submission details.

Submission deadline: November 26, 2025 Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG)

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OPAG VIRTUAL FALL MEETING 

Dear OPAG Community,

We hope you are well. We wanted to reach out regarding our upcoming (virtual) OPAG Fall meeting, scheduled for November 17–19. We hope that the government shutdown does not impact our agenda (now available online here) and that our NASA and HQ colleagues will be able to participate as planned. If not, we will hold a science-focused meeting (essentially just Days 2–3, November 18–19) so that our community can still come together and share information, with plans to hold another meeting in early 2026 with NASA and HQ participation.

We plan to make a decision on Monday, November 10, regarding whether we proceed with our Fall meeting agenda as planned or defer to a science-only agenda. Given that this meeting is virtual, we feel this one-week notice is sufficient for you all to make other plans for that extra day.

So, look for an email from us by the end of the day on Monday, November 10.

Best regards,

Morgan and Carol, on behalf of the OPAG Steering Committee

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EARLY-CAREER SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) COORDINATION LEAD: DELAY OF APPLICATION DUE DATE

Earlier this month, the SBAG steering committee issued a solicitation for the next Early-Career SBAG Coordination Lead (formerly referred to as SBAG Early-Career Secretary). The application due date is being deferred to a TBD date—after the government shutdown ends—to enable as many interested people as possible to apply. A new application due date will be shared at a later time.

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LPI LAUNCHES 2026 EXTRATERRESTRIAL MATERIALS ACADEMY FOR UNDERGRADUATES 

The LPI is now accepting applications for the 2026 Extraterrestrial Materials Academy (ETMA), a 10-week intensive paid summer academy for undergraduate students. The academy will run from June 8 to August 15, 2026.

The academy will provide training for participants to develop analytical and laboratory skills, build knowledge to be competitive for future careers in planetary science, with a focus on sample science, and equip participants with resources to help support their professional journey.

Students from colleges and universities that are not R1 institutions are highly encouraged to apply. Application deadline: January 16, 2026

For more information, visit https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/etma2026/.

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TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: ONLINE WORKSHOP

AAS and the American Physical Society (APS) are pleased to share our free online workshop, “Teaching Strategies that Work,” on Nov 13, 2025 from 2:00–4:00pm ET.

Looking for ways to help your students improve their understanding of course topics, as well as their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities? In this two-hour online workshop, led by facilitators from the AAPT/APS/AAS Physics and Astronomy FTI, participants will learn the principles of teaching and learning to guide their teaching choices, gain access to valuable instructional resources, and receive support in planning a feasible classroom change that will improve learning for all students. This workshop is suitable for instructors of all levels of experience, regardless of whether your classes are large or small, introductory or upper-division, in-person, virtual, or hybrid. We look forward to working with the broader AAS education community on structuring their learning environments to support the success of all learners. Presenters: Rachel Scherr (University of Washington Bothell) and Ed Prather (University of Arizona).  Register Here

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HOW TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: ONLINE WORKSHOP

AAS and the American Physical Society (APS) are pleased to share our free online workshop, “How to Create a Supportive Research Environment for Graduate Students,” on Nov 20, 2025 from 3:00–5:00pm ET.

How does your program support graduate students as they navigate their growth as researchers? How do you structure the experience of graduate students in research groups to support their needs? How does the mission and vision of your graduate program contribute to the goals of you, your students, and your institution? How does it shape your mentoring of graduate students? In this two-hour, interactive virtual session, individuals associated with the EP3 Initiative will facilitate a panel discussion on strategies and practices for effective leadership of scientific research groups. The panel includes experts from a range of disciplines (physics, education research, and astronomy) and group sizes. Discussion topics will include the mission and vision of graduate programs and research groups; expectations for group leaders and members; career pathways for research students; mentoring and professional development of graduate students; transitions into and out of research groups; research group management; and group culture and environment. Participants will have opportunities throughout the session to ask questions to learn from the panelists’ expertise. (Please note: the workshop will not directly address seeking grant funding, student financial support, or graduate program admissions.)  Register Here

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AAS WORKING GROUP SHARES STATUS OF 2026 ASTRONOMY GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

As graduate programs continue to be impacted by the current fiscal and policy climate, the AAS has convened a new Working Group on Graduate Admissions (WGGA) to monitor the status of astronomy graduate admissions and produce recommendations towards their improvement. This summer and fall, WGGA has surveyed over 150 astronomy and physics graduate programs. We have now released a list of astronomy graduate programs and their intended plans for graduate admissions this fall: 

US Astronomy Graduate Admissions, AY 2025-2026

This list is meant to serve as a useful resource for applicants, advisers, and the astronomy community as a whole, offering clarity and a central information source to help understand the current state of graduate admissions in our field during an unusual year.

While a number of programs currently plan to proceed without any major changes, others intend to aim for a smaller-than-usual class size or have chosen to cancel/suspend admissions for this year; some are also still “TBD”. Due to ongoing uncertainty regarding the federal budget and other key issues that impact graduate program enrollment and funding, this list will continue to evolve over the coming days and weeks.

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NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR – TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

New Horizons spotlight seminars have been temporarily suspended, please feel free to avail yourself of previous recordings archived at:

https://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/index.php#Spotlight-Presentations

When seminars are resumed we will update both the website and via newsletters. Thanks for your continued interest.

For questions, contact New Horizons CoI Susan Benecchi.

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PIERAZZO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Each year, subject to receiving qualified applications, the Planetary Science Institute bestows two awards:  The first award supports a U.S.-based Ph.D. student to attend a planetary science-related conference or workshop located outside the U.S. The second award facilitates a non-U.S.-based Ph.D. student to attend a planetary science-related conference within the U.S. Eligible events include planetary-focused sessions at general meetings like AGU, GSA, EGU, and IAG. The event should be open to general participation by the planetary community.

Each award offers a certificate and up to $2,000 in travel support, to be presented by a PSI representative at a scientific conference or meeting. We believe these awards can foster international collaboration and broaden the horizons of aspiring planetary scientists.

For more information, go to:  The Pierazzo International Student Travel Award – Planetary Science Institute

Applications close at 9 PM MST, November 25, 2025 for meetings occurring in calendar 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. Winners will be announced on or before December 7.

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CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL 

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

Icarus:

Icarus | Vol 440, In progress (1 November 2025) | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

The Planetary Science Journal:

Issue 11 – Volume 6 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.

Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.

A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.

1. Postdoctoral Research Associate (Planetary Atmospheres)

Postdoctoral Research Associate I (Planetary Atmospheres)

The Lunar & Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate I in the field of modeling of planetary atmospheres. Research areas include hydrodynamic atmospheric escape from rocky exoplanets, nitrogen and sulfur cycling on early Mars and Earth, chemical kinetics of early Earth, Venus, Mars, and analogous exoplanets, and interior-atmosphere interactions on rocky worlds. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to Prof. Ranjan in advance of their application to cooperatively identify specific research topics of mutual interest. Applicants should have previous experience modeling the atmospheres of planets or exoplanets, although a variety of backgrounds may be relevant. Candidates with expertise in 1D hydrodynamic escape of rocky planet atmospheres and/or in modeling early terrestrial or Martian geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. The position is for a period of up to three years, renewable annually contingent on satisfactory performance reviews.

First review of applications will begin 12/15/2025. UA LPL is a stimulating, world-class department with strong connections to missions and the next generation of telescopes, as well as to our colleagues in Astronomy and Geoscience. Tucson is a great place to live, with excellent hiking, great food, and a low cost of living. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Web Link: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/23799

2. Assistant Professor, Computational Earth and Planetary Materials, Stony Brook University

The Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in computational Earth and planetary materials. We seek a candidate with the potential to carry out a program of research in the broadly-defined area of computational materials chemistry with applications to the geosciences that may complement one or more of the Department’s current and traditional

research strengths, and who will be an effective teacher in undergraduate and graduate courses. Details of the Department’s areas of research emphasis and current facilities can be found at:  Home | Department of Geosciences

Interested applicants can apply at:  Assistant Professor – Computational Earth and Planetary Materials, Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences

3. Positions at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics

PhD student in space physics (dnr: 2.2.1-362/25):

https://www.irf.se/en/karriar/861091

Postdoctoral position in space physics (dnr: 2.2.1-363/25):

https://www.irf.se/en/karriar/869052

Staff Scientist, Ionospheric Physics (dnr: 2.2.1-364/25):

https://www.irf.se/en/karriar/868274

4. UT Austin Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Astronomy Department and the Center for Planetary Systems Habitability (CPSH) at the University of Texas at Austin invite applications for an institutional prize postdoctoral fellowship. CPSH is an interdisciplinary organization at UT Austin that seeks to advance

our understanding of planetary habitability by bringing together members from three different Colleges within UT Austin (the College of Natural Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, and Cockrell School of Engineering):

https://habitability.utexas.edu

We are seeking candidates with knowledge and/or interest in habitability, broadly interpreted. Successful candidates will indicate two mentors associated with the Center, including one from the Department of Astronomy and another from a different department. The ideal candidate will work on a series of projects that intersect two or more disciplines.

The start date is September 2026. Before starting, the applicants should have obtained a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Planetary Science, or related field. Initial appointment is for 1 year, expected to be

renewed for up to 3 years. The deadline for applications is December 8, 2025. Application details can be found here:

https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/7c51f40c

5. McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship

Washington University in St. Louis invites applicants to conduct independent research as a postdoctoral fellow of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences (MCSS) in the broad field of space sciences. We welcome applicants with interests in Astromaterials, Cosmochemistry, or Meteoritics; Experimental, Theoretical, or Observational Astrophysics; Planetary Science; Particle and Nuclear Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation; and Earth as a Planet. In their application materials, the candidate should describe their research interests and list potential collaborators from among the faculty fellows of the MCSS.

Employment in this fellowship is planned to begin in July 2026 for an anticipated initial one-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.

Candidates must have a PhD or be a May 2026 degree candidate specializing in one of the fields listed above and have a record of excellent scholarship. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated expertise in relevant observational, lab-based, theoretical, and computational methodologies.

Applications and reference letters are due December 20, 2025.

More information:  Postdoctoral Fellowship Opening | McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences

For information about the MCSS, go to:  McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences

6. PhD and Postdoc Positions at Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute at the University of Groningen (Netherlands) invites applications for in total 7 PhD and 4 ERC-funded postdoc positions in our annual call.

All PhD positions:  7 PhD positions at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

All postdoctoral positions:  4 ERC-funded postdoctoral positions at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Planetary-themed positions spann topics from protoplanetary disks & planet formation to the theory and observation of rocky and gaseous exoplanets. Among these positions, we are looking to hire a postdoc and PhD within the context of the ERC MagmaWorlds project on exoplanet geophysics. For these positions we are in particular searching for researchers and students with a background in computational geophysics or planetary science. More details on these positions can be found here:  ERC MagmaWorlds Positions 2025 | Forming Worlds

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Issue 25-25, Oct 22, 2025

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 AGU UNION FELLOWS HONOREES

2. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 AGU SECTION AWARDS AND LECTURES HONOREES

3. AAS POLICY UPDATE – OCTOBER 15, 2025

4. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: LET AAS KNOW HOW YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED
5. APS WEBINAR ON US IMMIGRATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – NOV 5
6. AAS WORKING GROUP SHARES STATUS OF 2026 ASTRONOMY GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

7. NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR – TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
8. COSPAR SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE EXPLORATION: NOVEMBER 2025 IN NICOSIA, CYPRUS

9. TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: ONLINE WORKSHOP

10. HOW TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: ONLINE WORKSHOP

11. CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL 

12. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 AGU UNION FELLOWS HONOREES

An AGU Union Fellow is a member of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) who has made exceptional and notable contributions to Earth and space sciences through achievements in research, innovation, or leadership. It is AGU’s highest honor, recognizing scientific eminence, and the title is awarded to a very small percentage of members each year. 

This year we are excited to see our following DPS colleagues honored:

• Jon Linker, President of Predictive Science, Inc

• Agustin Sanchez-Lavega, Catedratico Emeritus Professor, University of The Basque Country

• Amy A. Simon, Senior Scientist for Planetary Atmospheres Research, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

https://www.agu.org/honors/announcement/union-fellows

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 AGU SECTION AWARDS AND LECTURES HONOREES

The AGU recognizes again in 2025 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Earth and space sciences through scientific research, education, science communication and outreach. 

https://www.agu.org/honors/announcement

In particular, in the section for Planetary Sciences we are excited to see our following colleagues honored:

• James F. Bell is the 2025 recipient of the Eugene Shoemaker Lecture

• Christopher R. Glein is the 2025 recipient of the Carl Sagan Lecture

• Joshua Krissansen-Totton is the 2025 recipient of the Ronald Greeley Early Career Award in Planetary Sciences

• Scott L. Murchie, the new DPS Chair, is the 2025 recipient of the Fred Whipple Award and Lecture

https://www.agu.org/honors-home/announcement/section-awards-lectures

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AAS POLICY UPDATE – OCTOBER 15, 2025

The federal government is still shut down, and it remains unclear when or how a resolution will be reached. Recent reports indicate that the Office of Management and Budget has begun laying off thousands of federal workers across multiple agencies. At the time of writing this post, none of the science programs related to the astronomical sciences have been targeted. For more information, please check out: 

• What’s Happening in Space Policy 12-18 October 2025 (SpacePolicyOnline) 
• What’s Ahead, The Week of 6 Oct 2025 (AIP FYI)

Use this Action Alert, led by the American Physical Society, to reach out to your members of Congress and urge them to support our federal science agencies by ending the government shutdown. It only takes a few minutes. 

Earlier this week, the AAS sent a letter to the leadership of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittees in the House and the Senate, urging them to reach a conferenced agreement for FY2026 appropriations that includes the Senate levels of $7.3 billion for the NASA Science Mission Directorate and $9 billion for the National Science Foundation. The letter also urges that any future Continuing Resolutions protect our science agencies from irreversible funding cuts until Congress has had a chance to finalize FY2026 appropriations. You can read the letter here.

The Federal Communications Commission released a new satellite licensing proposal last week that would create an expedited licensing framework for satellites and Earth stations. The AAS policy team is currently reviewing the proposed rulemaking and its potential impacts on astronomy. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) also released a Request for Information on regulatory reform related to artificial intelligence. OSTP is seeking input from any interested parties, including academia and the public. 

Dozens of AAS members joined the Save NASA Science Day of Action last week to advocate for strong congressional support for the space sciences. Marcel Agüeros, AAS President-Elect, gave remarks at the press event and held high-level meetings with members of Congress and their staff. AAS members also made their voices heard from around the country by sending over 300 messages to their congressional offices at the same time. Thank you to all those who participated in person or virtually! AAS members from Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia also visited the Hill this week to meet with their members of Congress, along with AAS President Dara Norman, and President-Elect Marcel Agüeros. 

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GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: LET AAS KNOW HOW YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED

Following the government shutdown on 1 October, the AAS policy team is closely monitoring its impact on our community. If you have been affected by the shutdown, e.g., through furloughs, reductions in force, grant cancellations, or otherwise, please share your story here. These stories will be crucial to our engagement with lawmakers in the coming weeks. All information gathered here will be used completely anonymously, unless you indicate that you are comfortable with your name being shared. 

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APS WEBINAR ON US IMMIGRATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – NOV 5

In response to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the student visa and immigration process, the American Physical Society (APS) will host a webinar to support prospective and current international students as they plan and pursue their studies in the US. Mentors who advise students are also encouraged to attend. The webinar will provide important updates on immigration matters, recent visa policy changes, and how those issues may impact international students as they navigate their academic journey in the US.

APS Webinar US Immigration for International students

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AAS WORKING GROUP SHARES STATUS OF 2026 ASTRONOMY GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

As graduate programs continue to be impacted by the current fiscal and policy climate, the AAS has convened a new Working Group on Graduate Admissions (WGGA) to monitor the status of astronomy graduate admissions and produce recommendations towards their improvement. This summer and fall, WGGA has surveyed over 150 astronomy and physics graduate programs. We have now released a list of astronomy graduate programs and their intended plans for graduate admissions this fall: 

US Astronomy Graduate Admissions, AY 2025-2026

This list is meant to serve as a useful resource for applicants, advisers, and the astronomy community as a whole, offering clarity and a central information source to help understand the current state of graduate admissions in our field during an unusual year.

While a number of programs currently plan to proceed without any major changes, others intend to aim for a smaller-than-usual class size or have chosen to cancel/suspend admissions for this year; some are also still “TBD.” Due to ongoing uncertainty regarding the federal budget and other key issues that impact graduate program enrollment and funding, this list will continue to evolve over the coming days and weeks.

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NEW HORIZONS SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT WEBINAR – TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

Our New Horizons spotlight seminars have been temporarily suspended, please feel free to avail yourself of previous recordings archived at:

https://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/index.php#Spotlight-Presentations

When seminars are resumed we will update both the website and via newsletters. Thanks for your continued interest.

For questions, contact New Horizons CoI Susan Benecchi.

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COSPAR SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE EXPLORATION: NOVEMBER 2025 IN NICOSIA, CYPRUS

COSPAR will hold its Sixth Symposium in Nicosia, Cyprus, 3 – 7 November 2025.  The general theme will be “Space Exploration 2025: A Symposium on Humanity’s Challenges and Celestial Solutions.” 

The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) is proud to announce the COSPAR 2025 Scientific Symposium in cooperation with the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO).

This Symposium, themed “Space Exploration 2025: A Symposium on Humanity’s Challenges and Celestial Solutions”, will delve into critical global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and space weather, while exploring how space exploration and technology can offer solutions. It will present various matters related to ongoing and planned space programs, fostering discussions on international collaboration, responsible space endeavors, and the role of emerging nations in space exploration.

The event will bring together a diverse audience from around the world, including representatives from space and non-space companies, space agencies, international organizations, researchers, and the wider public.

Register at : https://cospar2025.org

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TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: ONLINE WORKSHOP

AAS and the American Physical Society (APS) are pleased to share our free online workshop, “Teaching Strategies that Work,” on Nov 13, 2025 from 2:00–4:00pm ET.

Looking for ways to help your students improve their understanding of course topics, as well as their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities? In this two-hour online workshop, led by facilitators from the AAPT/APS/AAS Physics and Astronomy FTI, participants will learn the principles of teaching and learning to guide their teaching choices, gain access to valuable instructional resources, and receive support in planning a feasible classroom change that will improve learning for all students. This workshop is suitable for instructors of all levels of experience, regardless of whether your classes are large or small, introductory or upper-division, in-person, virtual, or hybrid. We look forward to working with the broader AAS education community on structuring their learning environments to support the success of all learners. Presenters: Rachel Scherr (University of Washington Bothell) and Ed Prather (University of Arizona).  Register Here

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HOW TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: ONLINE WORKSHOP

AAS and the American Physical Society (APS) are pleased to share our free online workshop, “How to Create a Supportive Research Environment for Graduate Students,” on Nov 20, 2025 from 3:00–5:00pm ET.

How does your program support graduate students as they navigate their growth as researchers? How do you structure the experience of graduate students in research groups to support their needs? How does the mission and vision of your graduate program contribute to the goals of you, your students, and your institution? How does it shape your mentoring of graduate students? In this two-hour, interactive virtual session, individuals associated with the EP3 Initiative will facilitate a panel discussion on strategies and practices for effective leadership of scientific research groups. The panel includes experts from a range of disciplines (physics, education research, and astronomy) and group sizes. Discussion topics will include the mission and vision of graduate programs and research groups; expectations for group leaders and members; career pathways for research students; mentoring and professional development of graduate students; transitions into and out of research groups; research group management; and group culture and environment. Participants will have opportunities throughout the session to ask questions to learn from the panelists’ expertise. (Please note: the workshop will not directly address seeking grant funding, student financial support, or graduate program admissions.)  Register Here

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CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL 

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

Icarus:

Icarus | Vol 439, October 2025 | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

The Planetary Science Journal:

Issue 10 – Volume 6 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.

Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.

A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.

1. Postdoctoral position in Planetary Astronomy and Public Outreach at Boise State University

Postdoctoral Position in Planetary Astronomy and Public Outreach at Boise State University | American Astronomical Society

The Department of Physics at Boise State University invites applicants for a postdoc in Brian Jackson’s group. Expertise in exoplanet transit photometry or martian atmospheric science desired. The postdoc will also participate in outreach efforts and student advising.

Intended start date is Fall 2025 but can be negotiated. Compensation includes about $55k in salary plus benefits, as well as conference travel, publication charges, and moving expenses. The appointment is for one year with a likely renewal for a second year subject to performance and funding availability. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, planetary science, or a related field at appointment.

Boise State University is located in downtown Boise, which is rapidly growing and frequently ranked among the best cities in which to live and work in the US.

Please submit a CV, a 3-page research statement, 1-page outreach statement, & contact information for professional references to https://jobs.boisestate.edu/en-us/job/499279/post-doctoral-research-fellow.

Application review is expected to begin the first week of November with an offer by the end of November. Direct questions to Prof. Brian Jackson – [email protected].

2. Postdoctoral Research Associate (Planetary Atmospheres)

Postdoctoral Research Associate I (Planetary Atmospheres)

The Lunar & Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate I in the field of modeling of planetary atmospheres. Research areas include hydrodynamic atmospheric escape from rocky exoplanets, nitrogen and sulfur cycling on early Mars and Earth, chemical kinetics of early Earth, Venus, Mars, and analogous exoplanets, and interior-atmosphere interactions on rocky worlds. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to Prof. Ranjan in advance of their application to cooperatively identify specific research topics of mutual interest. Applicants should have previous experience modeling the atmospheres of planets or exoplanets, although a variety of backgrounds may be relevant. Candidates with expertise in 1D hydrodynamic escape of rocky planet atmospheres and/or in modeling early terrestrial or Martian geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. The position is for a period of up to three years, renewable annually contingent on satisfactory performance reviews.

First review of applications will begin 12/15/2025. UA LPL is a stimulating, world-class department with strong connections to missions and the next generation of telescopes, as well as to our colleagues in Astronomy and Geoscience. Tucson is a great place to live, with excellent hiking, great food, and a low cost of living. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Web Link: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/23799

3. Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Earth and Planets Laboratory

Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships Starting in 2026 at the Earth and Planets Laboratory | AAS Division for Planetary Sciences

The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), a division of the Carnegie Institution for Science, invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships at its campus in Washington, DC. Multiple independent research fellowships are available in our interdisciplinary basic research laboratory covering a wide range of fields. EPL scientists engage in observational, experimental and theoretical research in fields including astronomy, cosmochemistry, data science, experimental petrology, geobiology, geochemistry, geodynamics, geophysics, mineral physics, planetary science, physics and chemistry of materials (including materials at extreme conditions, superconductors and ferroelectrics at the atomic scale), seismology, and volcanology. Applicants’ primary field of research should overlap with one or more of these areas. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with multiple research areas on campus is encouraged.

Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded once a year, with allowed start dates between July 1st and December 31, 2026. New fellows will join a supportive community of about 25 postdoctoral scientists and 30 staff and research scientists engaged in understanding the origin and evolution of Earth and planets and materials under extreme conditions. More information about our research and facilities can be viewed at https://carnegiescience.edu/epl and about our postdoctoral fellowships and postdoctoral experience at https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/epl.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of the start of the fellowship. The principal selection criteria will be research accomplishment, promise of future achievement, originality and achievability of the research proposal, independence, and relevance to the ongoing scientific pursuits at EPL. Advice for crafting a compelling application and sample applications are available on our postdoctoral website.

Web Link: https://apply.interfolio.com/172660

4. NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships

NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships | AAS Division for Planetary Sciences

The NOMIS Foundation ETH Fellowship Programme supports postdoctoral researchers at ETH Zurich within the Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL). The programme is intended to foster the development of young interdisciplinary researchers in the field of the origin and prevalence of life who have demonstrated scientific excellence in the early stages of their careers, and to enable the conditions necessary to conduct interdisciplinary, fundamental and high-risk research with some level of independence and autonomy.

Once appointed, NOMIS–ETH Fellows become an integral part of and have direct access to an international network of leading interdisciplinary researchers and institutions through the NOMIS collaborative research network and the Origins Federation.

The duration of a NOMIS–ETH Fellowship is three years plus one extension year and cannot be prolonged. The fourth year is granted only following a review 18 months after the start of the fellowship and must be funded by the host professor(s). The fellowship is competitive with a limited number of fellowships available each year. For a start in 2025, up to three new NOMIS– ETH Fellows will be selected.

Applications within three years of obtaining a doctorate will be considered. In duly justified cases, applications falling outside this criterium may also be considered. Preferably, you already will have acquired your first postdoctoral experience and/or interdisciplinary training. You must have an existing affiliation to an academic/research institution.

In each evaluation round, a professor may only submit one candidate as host. A potential host may be co-host of another candidate for the same evaluation round. At least one of the host or co-host professors (mentors) must have a guaranteed ETH position for the entire duration of the proposed fellowship. The hosts and co-hosts shall be members of the Centre; see the COPL website for affiliated professors.

Web Link: https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_F0rCyzUUQDlXzSHyku

5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Application Deadline November 1

The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals.

The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.

Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology.

Search for NPP research opportunities here: 

Current Fellowship Opportunities | NASA Postdoctoral Program

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see current eligibility requirements:  Eligibility and Requirements | NASA Postdoctoral Program

Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for travel and professional development.

Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1

For further information and to apply, visit:  

Information for Applicants | NASA Postdoctoral Program

Questions: [email protected]

6. NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) Application Open

On behalf of the NASA Astrophysics Division, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) announces the call for applications for postdoctoral fellowships under the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) beginning in the fall of 2026. http://nhfp.stsci.edu

The NHFP supports postdoctoral scientists performing independent research that contributes to NASA Astrophysics (see https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/ for more information). The research may be theoretical, observational, and/or instrumental. If your application is successful and you accept our offer, you will become an NHFP Einstein, Hubble or Sagan fellow depending on the area of your research. 

The NHFP is open to applicants of any nationality who have or will have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree on or after January 1, 2022 in astronomy, physics or related disciplines. 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. The NHFP is administered for NASA by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at the California Institute of Technology and the Chandra X-ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Important dates:

• Applications are due Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (7 PM EDT, 4 PM PDT, 23:00 UTC)
• Letters of reference are due Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Note that the applications are due one week before the letters.) Applicants should emphasize to their letter writers that the letters must be uploaded as PDF files by the November 5th deadline using the submission form (https://catcopy.ipac.caltech.edu/nhfp/letter.php). Letter writers will not receive an automated email with a link to upload their letter.
• Offers will be made in early February 2026 and new appointments should begin on or about September 1, 2026. NHFP Fellowships are open to English-speaking citizens of all nations.

We anticipate offering up to 24 NHFP Fellowships this year. The Fellowships are tenable at a U.S. host institution of the fellow’s choice, subject to a maximum of two new fellows per host institution per year, and no more than five fellows at any single host institution, except for short periods of overlap. Host institutions must have verified their compliance with the NHFP employment policy. The policy and a list of those hosts can be found at https://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research/fellowships/nasa-hubble-fellowship-program/nhfp-host-institution-employment-policy/host-institutions.

The Announcement of Opportunity, which includes detailed program policies and application instructions, is available at the NHFP website: http://nhfp.stsci.edu. The application submission page will be open from September 2 until the application deadline on October 29, 2025.

Applicants should follow the instructions given in the Announcement of Opportunity and also examine the Frequently Asked Questions linked from the main NHFP page. Please send any further inquiries about the NHFP to [email protected].

7. Assistant Professor, Computational Earth and Planetary Materials, Stony Brook University

The Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in computational Earth and planetary materials. We seek a candidate with the potential to carry out a program of research in the broadly-defined area of computational materials chemistry with applications to the geosciences that may complement one or more of the Department’s current and traditional

research strengths, and who will be an effective teacher in undergraduate and graduate courses. Details of the Department’s areas of research emphasis and current facilities can be found at:  Home | Department of Geosciences

Interested applicants can apply at:  Assistant Professor – Computational Earth and Planetary Materials, Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences

8. Spaceflight Operations Position at the Open University, UK

Do you like the idea of controlling spaceflight instruments that are many millions of kilometres away?

If so, we are delighted to advertise a Spaceflight Instrument Operations role. The group, led by Manish Patel at the Open University, UK, are involved in a range of missions, including co-leading the NOMAD spectrometer (ExoMars TGO), the CaSSIS stereo camera (also TGO), the JANUS camera (JUICE) as well as leading future instrument developments such as the ESA-funded Phase A study for a High-resolution Imager for Mars Exploration (HiRIME).

This post relates to the operations planning and observation strategy across the portfolio of spaceflight instruments that the group is involved with, including live operations of active missions as well as development of future operations strategies and systems.

Details here:  Spaceflight Operations Engineer Job Details | OU

Closing date for applications is Monday, 3 November at midnight (UK time).

This is a 1-year post in the first instance, with the possibility of longer-term continuation pending additional funding.

Come join our diverse, dynamic and daring group of scientists and engineers that are exploring the Solar System whilst having a lot of fun.

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Issue 25-24, Oct 16, 2025

+————————————CONTENTS—————————————-+

1. CHAIR’S REPORT TO MEMBERS: AAS DIVISION HEADS MEETING
2. ICE GIANT SYSTEMS SEMINAR SERIES

3. COSPAR SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE EXPLORATION: NOVEMBER 2025 IN NICOSIA, CYPRUS

4. TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: ONLINE WORKSHOP

5. HOW TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: ONLINE WORKSHOP

6. GEOSCIENCES SPECIAL ISSUE: WORLDS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

7. OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY TO A NEW IMWEG MARS SCIENCE SUB-WORKING GROUP

8. AOGS 2026, FUKUOKA, JAPAN: SESSION PROPOSALS

9. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 AGU HONOREES !

10. CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS

11. JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

+——————————————————————————————–+

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CHAIR’S REPORT TO MEMBERS: AAS DIVISION HEADS MEETING

Every Fall, leaders of the different AAS divisions meet at AAS headquarters in Washington, DC with each other and with key AAS leaders to review the past year’s progress and prepare for the coming year’s challenges. These include the Division on Dynamical Astronomy, Division for Planetary Sciences, High Energy Astrophysics Division, Historical Astronomy Division, Laboratory Astrophysics Division, and Solar Physics Division. This year’s meeting is Thursday, October 16, and DPS will be represented by Chair Scott Murchie and Vice Chair JA Grier. As we see things, DPS has made a lot of progress over the past year. Jointly with EPSC we organized a successful meeting in Helsinki, Finland September 7-12 and provided resources to support early career scientists to attend and network (34 travel grants, hosting and lunches for the Women in Planetary Science Luncheon). At the meeting awards were presented recognizing early, mid- and full career achievements, public service, and communication of science to the public. We’ve fundraised to support our colleagues in the Pasadena area who lost their homes due to fire. An update to the bylaws was approved by the Committee and membership to reflect the expansion of subcommittee activities. Critically, DPS and all of AAS have responded to the political threats to science by advocating loudly and clearly to Congress the importance of scientific research and space exploration for the nation’s technological and economic well-being. Over the coming year we’ll be continuing these efforts and innovating approaches to maintain scientific communication, publishing, and conferences at a time of diminished funding. 

– Scott Murchie, DPS Committee Chair

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ICE GIANT SYSTEMS SEMINAR SERIES

The Ice Giant Systems Seminar Series showcases recent developments in scientific topics covering all aspects of the ice giant systems, including atmospheres, satellites, rings, magnetic fields, interior structures, and science related to formation and evolution.

To access the virtual seminar, view the seminar schedule, and sign up for the listserv, visit our newly redesigned series website: https://icegiants.jhuapl.edu/Events-and-Updates/

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COSPAR SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE EXPLORATION: NOVEMBER 2025 IN NICOSIA, CYPRUS

COSPAR will hold its Sixth Symposium in Nicosia, Cyprus, 3 – 7 November 2025.  The general theme will be “Space Exploration 2025: A Symposium on Humanity’s Challenges and Celestial Solutions.” 

The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) is proud to announce the COSPAR 2025 Scientific Symposium in cooperation with the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO).

This Symposium, themed “Space Exploration 2025: A Symposium on Humanity’s Challenges and Celestial Solutions”, will delve into critical global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and space weather, while exploring how space exploration and technology can offer solutions. It will present various matters related to ongoing and planned space programs, fostering discussions on international collaboration, responsible space endeavors, and the role of emerging nations in space exploration.

The event will bring together a diverse audience from around the world, including representatives from space and non-space companies, space agencies, international organizations, researchers, and the wider public.

Register at : https://cospar2025.org

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TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: ONLINE WORKSHOP

AAS and the American Physical Society (APS) are pleased to share our free online workshop, “Teaching Strategies that Work,” on Nov 13, 2025 from 2:00–4:00pm ET.

Looking for ways to help your students improve their understanding of course topics, as well as their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities? In this two-hour online workshop, led by facilitators from the AAPT/APS/AAS Physics and Astronomy FTI, participants will learn the principles of teaching and learning to guide their teaching choices, gain access to valuable instructional resources, and receive support in planning a feasible classroom change that will improve learning for all students. This workshop is suitable for instructors of all levels of experience, regardless of whether your classes are large or small, introductory or upper-division, in-person, virtual, or hybrid. We look forward to working with the broader AAS education community on structuring their learning environments to support the success of all learners. Presenters: Rachel Scherr (University of Washington Bothell) and Ed Prather (University of Arizona).  Register Here

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HOW TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: ONLINE WORKSHOP

AAS and the American Physical Society (APS) are pleased to share our free online workshop, “How to Create a Supportive Research Environment for Graduate Students,” on Nov 20, 2025 from 3:00–5:00pm ET.

How does your program support graduate students as they navigate their growth as researchers? How do you structure the experience of graduate students in research groups to support their needs? How does the mission and vision of your graduate program contribute to the goals of you, your students, and your institution? How does it shape your mentoring of graduate students? In this two-hour, interactive virtual session, individuals associated with the EP3 Initiative will facilitate a panel discussion on strategies and practices for effective leadership of scientific research groups. The panel includes experts from a range of disciplines (physics, education research, and astronomy) and group sizes. Discussion topics will include the mission and vision of graduate programs and research groups; expectations for group leaders and members; career pathways for research students; mentoring and professional development of graduate students; transitions into and out of research groups; research group management; and group culture and environment. Participants will have opportunities throughout the session to ask questions to learn from the panelists’ expertise. (Please note: the workshop will not directly address seeking grant funding, student financial support, or graduate program admissions.)  Register Here

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GEOSCIENCES SPECIAL ISSUE: WORLDS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The Special Issue of Geosciences entitled “Worlds of the Solar System: Geological Evolution and Habitability of Planets and Moons” aims to bring together the latest advances on the dynamic processes that have shaped planetary bodies and their potential to support life. We welcome submissions on comparative studies of Venus, Earth, and Mars, highlighting the divergent evolutionary pathways of terrestrial planets from Venus’ runaway greenhouse conditions to Earth’s long-term climate stability and Mars’ transition from a wetter, more habitable past to its current arid state.

Beyond inner planets, this Special Issue also aims to explore the icy worlds of the outer Solar System. We welcome investigations of Europa and Enceladus focusing, among other topics, on evidence for subsurface oceans, plume activity, and geophysical mechanisms that may create

niches for life beneath their ice shells, as well as studies on Titan emphasizing its unique methane-based hydrological cycle, organic-rich surface, and complex interactions between the atmosphere and surface chemistry. Other icy moons are also a topic of interest for manuscripts

submitted to this Special Issue.

For complete submission directions, please go to:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/geosciences/special_issues/86M95CV534

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OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY TO A NEW IMWEG MARS SCIENCE SUB-WORKING GROUP

The IMEWG (International Mars Exploration Working Group) is planning to stand up a sub-working group to identify international science and planetary protection goals and scope priorities in the upcoming transition period to a future robotic and crewed synergistic exploration of Mars. This group will operate through regular virtual meetings over an approximately one-year period (through September 2026), with an in-person working meeting scheduled at the midpoint (in March/April 2026).

If you are interested in volunteering to be a part of this group, please prepare a motivation letter and brief CV (details below) and send by October 20, 2025 to [email protected].

Motivation Letter is no more than one page and includes:

• Your motivation to participate
• Your added value
• Recent and relevant expertise/experience
• Choice of science or planetary protection team

CV is no more than two pages and highlights:

• Current and recent (last 5 years) positions and responsibilities (e.g., leading or contributing to relevant teams or working groups), or significant activities beyond this time frame.
• Up to five most relevant publications.

Gerhard Kminek, ESA

Lindsay Hays, NASA

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AOGS 2026, FUKUOKA, JAPAN: SESSION PROPOSALS

From 02 to 07 August, 2026, a few thousand geoscientists across diverse disciplines will gather at the 23rd annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society at the Fukuoka International Congress Centre, Japan.

Session proposal submissions are open until 18 October 2025, 11:55PM (Singapore Time). 

https://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2026/public.asp?page=home.asp&utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=AOGS2026%20E-News%204&utm_medium=email

Session proposals should include:

• Title & short description (scope and motivation)
• Conveners & co-conveners (committed to promote and run the session)
• Suggested keywords / themes

Guidelines and proposal submission:

 AOGS 2026 Call for Sessions & Abstracts

Deadline: October 18, 2025

For PS: Zhonghua Yao, President, AOGS Planetary Science Division

Anezina Solomonidou, President-elect, AOGS Planetary Science Division

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 AGU HONOREES !

The AGU recognizes again in 2025 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Earth and space sciences through scientific research, education, science communication and outreach. 

https://www.agu.org/honors/announcement

In particular, in the section for Planetary Sciences we are excited to see our following colleagues honored:

• James F. Bell is the 2025 recipient of the Eugene Shoemaker Lecture

• Christopher R. Glein is the 2025 recipient of the Carl Sagan Lecture

• Joshua Krissansen-Totton is the 2025 recipient of the Ronald Greeley Early Career Award in Planetary Sciences

• Scott L. Murchie, the new DPS Chair, is the 2025 recipient of the Fred Whipple Award and Lecture

https://www.agu.org/honors-home/announcement/section-awards-lectures

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CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS

The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:

The Planetary Science Journal:

Issue 10 – Volume 6 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience

Icarus:

Icarus | Vol 439, October 2025 | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.

Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.

A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.

1. PROGRESS in STEM Education Postdoctoral Fellowship

Applications are now open for Weber State University’s first postdoctoral fellowship program, the PROGRESS Fellowship, which will help four postdoctoral fellows become independent teacher-scholars and prepare them for employment. Throughout a two-year fellowship at WSU, the fellows will interact with the College of Science, and the Jerry & Vickie Moyes School of Education, and foster engagement all across campus. Applications received by October 24, 2025 receive highest priority; learn more and apply here: https://www.weber.edu/cos/progress-fellowship.html

2. Postdoctoral position in Planetary Astronomy and Public Outreach at Boise State University

https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/f84b84dd

The Department of Physics at Boise State University invites applicants for a postdoc in Brian Jackson’s group. Expertise in exoplanet transit photometry or martian atmospheric science desired. The postdoc will also participate in outreach efforts and student advising.

Intended start date is Fall 2025 but can be negotiated. Compensation includes about $55k in salary plus benefits, as well as conference travel, publication charges, and moving expenses. The appointment is for one year with a likely renewal for a second year subject to performance and funding availability. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, planetary science, or a related field at appointment.

Boise State University is located in downtown Boise, which is rapidly growing and frequently ranked among the best cities in which to live and work in the US.

Please submit a CV, a 3-page research statement, 1-page outreach statement, & contact information for professional references to https://jobs.boisestate.edu/en-us/job/499279/post-doctoral-research-fellow.

Application review is expected to begin the first week of November with an offer by the end of November. Direct questions to Prof. Brian Jackson – [email protected].

3. Postdoctoral Research Associate (Planetary Atmospheres)

Postdoctoral Research Associate I (Planetary Atmospheres)

The Lunar & Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate I in the field of modeling of planetary atmospheres. Research areas include hydrodynamic atmospheric escape from rocky exoplanets, nitrogen and sulfur cycling on early Mars and Earth, chemical kinetics of early Earth, Venus, Mars, and analogous exoplanets, and interior-atmosphere interactions on rocky worlds. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to Prof. Ranjan in advance of their application to cooperatively identify specific research topics of mutual interest. Applicants should have previous experience modeling the atmospheres of planets or exoplanets, although a variety of backgrounds may be relevant. Candidates with expertise in 1D hydrodynamic escape of rocky planet atmospheres and/or in modeling early terrestrial or Martian geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. The position is for a period of up to three years, renewable annually contingent on satisfactory performance reviews.

First review of applications will begin 12/15/2025. UA LPL is a stimulating, world-class department with strong connections to missions and the next generation of telescopes, as well as to our colleagues in Astronomy and Geoscience. Tucson is a great place to live, with excellent hiking, great food, and a low cost of living. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Web Link: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/23799

4. Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Earth and Planets Laboratory

Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships Starting in 2026 at the Earth and Planets Laboratory | AAS Division for Planetary Sciences

The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), a division of the Carnegie Institution for Science, invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships at its campus in Washington, DC. Multiple independent research fellowships are available in our interdisciplinary basic research laboratory covering a wide range of fields. EPL scientists engage in observational, experimental and theoretical research in fields including astronomy, cosmochemistry, data science, experimental petrology, geobiology, geochemistry, geodynamics, geophysics, mineral physics, planetary science, physics and chemistry of materials (including materials at extreme conditions, superconductors and ferroelectrics at the atomic scale), seismology, and volcanology. Applicants’ primary field of research should overlap with one or more of these areas. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with multiple research areas on campus is encouraged.

Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded once a year, with allowed start dates between July 1st and December 31, 2026. New fellows will join a supportive community of about 25 postdoctoral scientists and 30 staff and research scientists engaged in understanding the origin and evolution of Earth and planets and materials under extreme conditions. More information about our research and facilities can be viewed at https://carnegiescience.edu/epl and about our postdoctoral fellowships and postdoctoral experience at https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/epl.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of the start of the fellowship. The principal selection criteria will be research accomplishment, promise of future achievement, originality and achievability of the research proposal, independence, and relevance to the ongoing scientific pursuits at EPL. Advice for crafting a compelling application and sample applications are available on our postdoctoral website.

Web Link: https://apply.interfolio.com/172660

5. NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships

NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships | AAS Division for Planetary Sciences

The NOMIS Foundation ETH Fellowship Programme supports postdoctoral researchers at ETH Zurich within the Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL). The programme is intended to foster the development of young interdisciplinary researchers in the field of the origin and prevalence of life who have demonstrated scientific excellence in the early stages of their careers, and to enable the conditions necessary to conduct interdisciplinary, fundamental and high-risk research with some level of independence and autonomy.

Once appointed, NOMIS–ETH Fellows become an integral part of and have direct access to an international network of leading interdisciplinary researchers and institutions through the NOMIS collaborative research network and the Origins Federation.

The duration of a NOMIS–ETH Fellowship is three years plus one extension year and cannot be prolonged. The fourth year is granted only following a review 18 months after the start of the fellowship and must be funded by the host professor(s). The fellowship is competitive with a limited number of fellowships available each year. For a start in 2025, up to three new NOMIS– ETH Fellows will be selected.

Applications within three years of obtaining a doctorate will be considered. In duly justified cases, applications falling outside this criterium may also be considered. Preferably, you already will have acquired your first postdoctoral experience and/or interdisciplinary training. You must have an existing affiliation to an academic/research institution.

In each evaluation round, a professor may only submit one candidate as host. A potential host may be co-host of another candidate for the same evaluation round. At least one of the host or co-host professors (mentors) must have a guaranteed ETH position for the entire duration of the proposed fellowship. The hosts and co-hosts shall be members of the Centre; see the COPL website for affiliated professors.

Web Link: https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_F0rCyzUUQDlXzSHyku

6. Assistant Professor Position – Brown University

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Planetary Sciences. We encourage candidates from all fields of planetary science and exploration to apply. The appointment will begin on July 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Review of applications will begin on October 20, 2025. To receive full consideration applicants should submit all materials by that date. For further information, contact the search committee chair, Chris Huber.

The successful candidate must be engaged in a strong research program with the potential to influence the field, demonstrate the intention to obtain external funding, and demonstrate potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and advising in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences. Candidates must have received a PhD by the time of appointment.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, the names and contact information for three reference letter writers, and statements describing their research and teaching experience. Candidates should address how they would contribute to the research and/or teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community.

To apply, you can go to this link:  Assistant Professor in Planetary Sciences

7. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Application Deadline November 1

The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers US and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals.

The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.

Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, astrophysics, biological and physical science, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration systems, space operations, space technology, and astrobiology.

Search for NPP research opportunities here: 

Current Fellowship Opportunities | NASA Postdoctoral Program

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Please see current eligibility requirements:  Eligibility and Requirements | NASA Postdoctoral Program

Stipends start at $70,000 per year, with supplements for higher cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for travel and professional development.

Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1

For further information and to apply, visit:  

Information for Applicants | NASA Postdoctoral Program

Questions: [email protected]

8. NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) Application Open

On behalf of the NASA Astrophysics Division, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) announces the call for applications for postdoctoral fellowships under the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) beginning in the fall of 2026. http://nhfp.stsci.edu

The NHFP supports postdoctoral scientists performing independent research that contributes to NASA Astrophysics (see https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/ for more information). The research may be theoretical, observational, and/or instrumental. If your application is successful and you accept our offer, you will become an NHFP Einstein, Hubble or Sagan fellow depending on the area of your research. 

The NHFP is open to applicants of any nationality who have or will have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree on or after January 1, 2022 in astronomy, physics or related disciplines. 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. The NHFP is administered for NASA by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at the California Institute of Technology and the Chandra X-ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Important dates:

• Applications are due Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (7 PM EDT, 4 PM PDT, 23:00 UTC)
• Letters of reference are due Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Note that the applications are due one week before the letters.) Applicants should emphasize to their letter writers that the letters must be uploaded as PDF files by the November 5th deadline using the submission form (https://catcopy.ipac.caltech.edu/nhfp/letter.php). Letter writers will not receive an automated email with a link to upload their letter.
• Offers will be made in early February 2026 and new appointments should begin on or about September 1, 2026. NHFP Fellowships are open to English-speaking citizens of all nations.

We anticipate offering up to 24 NHFP Fellowships this year. The Fellowships are tenable at a U.S. host institution of the fellow’s choice, subject to a maximum of two new fellows per host institution per year, and no more than five fellows at any single host institution, except for short periods of overlap. Host institutions must have verified their compliance with the NHFP employment policy. The policy and a list of those hosts can be found at https://www.stsci.edu/stsci-research/fellowships/nasa-hubble-fellowship-program/nhfp-host-institution-employment-policy/host-institutions.

The Announcement of Opportunity, which includes detailed program policies and application instructions, is available at the NHFP website: http://nhfp.stsci.edu. The application submission page will be open from September 2 until the application deadline on October 29, 2025.

Applicants should follow the instructions given in the Announcement of Opportunity and also examine the Frequently Asked Questions linked from the main NHFP page. Please send any further inquiries about the NHFP to [email protected].

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