Issue 13-26, October 19, 2013
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1) MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
2) IN MEMORIAM : FEODOR VELICHKO
3) NEW BENEFITS FOR RENEWING AAS MEMBERS
4) JOBS/POSITIONS OPPORTUNITIES
5) UPCOMING MEETINGS
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back from the DPS meeting in Denver, welcome back to work for our government colleagues, and welcome all to a new fiscal year, with all its challenges and opportunities.
The DPS meeting in Denver was a great success, and I extend sincere thanks to Fran Bagenal, John Spencer, our AAS facilitators, and all of our colleagues who worked behind (and in front of) the scenes to make it happen. I also want to thank all of you, my colleagues, whose amazing science and other activities underpin the true success of the DPS.
We will face many hurdles in the coming year, not the least of which is the federal funding situation. I will be relying on the DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee, ably headed by Makenzie Lystrup, along with the AAS Director of Public Policy Joel Parriott, to craft a strategy to help us move forward on that front. Stay tuned for more details, and please be prepared to act on behalf of the DPS when asked.
The best thing we all can do in the short term is to stay focused on our science. Do good work. Publish papers. Make missions fly.
The next best thing we all can do is to share our science with our communities (large and small). Please consider taking some small step in the next month to reach out to non-scientist friends, relations, and co-workers. Draft a letter to the local paper. Talk to the local civic group. Volunteer at a school or library. Build connections now. That way, the connecctions will be there if and when we need them later on down the line.
Finally, enjoy participating in the great enterprise that is planetary science. We are very fortunate to be a part of this, and we should embrace that fortune and share it widely. I personally look forward to working with you in the coming months to advance planetary science and share its wonders.
Heidi Hammel
DPS Chair
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IN MEMORIAM : FEODOR VELICHKO
Feodor Velichko, the Leading Researcher of Institute of Astronomy of Kharkiv National University (Ukraine) died suddenly on Oct 1, 2013 in the age of 56. He was an expert in photometry and polarimetry of asteroids and comets and took part in many international observing programs devoted to physical studies of small bodies.
Feodor Velichko's personal page
http://www.astron.kharkov.ua/staff/Velichko_F/
(transmitted by Irina Belskaya)
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NEW BENEFITS FOR RENEWING AAS MEMBERS
For the first time ever, the Society is offering a two-year membership-renewal option, locking in the 2014 rate for 2015 as well! Also, you'll receive a 15% discount off your share of the author charges for one paper in any of the AAS journals! Both offers are good through 31 December 2013.
http://aas.org/posts/news/2013/09/new-benefits-renewing-aas-members
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JOBS/POSITIONS OPPORTUNITIES
A) POST-DOC POSITION AT UNIV. COLORADO BOULDER
The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position working with the Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph (IUVS) team. IUVS is an instrument on board the MAVEN mission (Mars Volatile and Atmosphere EvolutioN), slated for launch in November 2013. Minimum qualification is Ph.D. in Planetary Science or related field. Responsibilities and duties include:
(1) Numerical modeling of the Mars atmosphere, including atmospheric structure, photochemistry, escape and emission spectroscopy; (2) Preparation of automated data processing pipelines and observation plans; (3) Operations support during cruise and on-orbit operations; (4) Analysis of data obtained and publication of scientific results. Please view the online application process at https://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/72504. For more information, please contact Nick Schneider, nick.schneider@lasp.colorado.edu.
B) LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE POSITIONS
Florida Space Institute of the University of Central Florida (UCF),
Orlando, Florida
The Florida Space Institute (http://fsi.ucf.edu/), a multi-
disciplinary center devoted to facilitating and conducting leading
edge basic applied space research, and space education programs in
fields ranging from planetary science to space physics to Earth
science. FSI is now seeking applications for lunar, planetary and
extra-solar research scientist positions.
UCF and FSI have an outstanding group of planetary scientists,
primarily working in small body studies, Mars, and exoplanets, and we
are committed to becoming a premier institution in all aspects of
planetary science and education. See:
Of particular interest to FSI are Principal Investigators of lunar
planetary science research grants, centers, and mission experiments who
are seeking greater career opportunities and the low cost of living
enjoyed by Floridians.
Review of applications will begin October 31, 2013 and will continue
through December 31, 2013. Applicants should apply on line at:
http://wwww.jobswithucf.com and click on the 'Search Available
Positions' option on the top left. Once there, type in position
numbers 42117 (at least 3 years experience), 42554 (at least 5 years
experience), 42542 (at least 10 years experience) to search for these
positions.
C) JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: SSI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Start date: September 2014
Application period: October 2013 through January 2014
Further information:
http://www.spacescience.org
The Space Science Institute (SSI) in Boulder, CO, is seeking a dynamic,
forward-looking individual to lead the organization as Executive
Director. Qualified candidates will have a strong reputation within a
scientific field relevant to the institute (e.g., planetary science,
astrophysics, space physics, or Earth science) and will possess
excellent leadership, managerial, interpersonal, and administrative
skills. The Executive Director will be expected to maintain his/her
own independent research program to help support a dedicated portion
(ideally, no less than 25%) of time/salary. Candidates must have a
Ph.D. and approximately ten years of experience in project management.
Applications should include a cover letter, CV, description of current
research/education interests, and contact information for three
references. Inquiries and applications should be sent to:
searchcommittee@spacescience.org
SSI is a non-profit, public-benefit 501(c)3 corporation and operates
as an Equal Opportunity employer. This job description is general
in nature and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory
of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the position.
More information about SSI can be found at:
http://www.spacescience.org
D) PHD POSITIONS AT THE UNIV. OF AMSTERDAM
The Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek (API) at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for ten or more PhD positions in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The positions are open to candidates from all countries and the Institute provides a stimulating, international environment in a city where English is a common language.
University of Amsterdam PhD students are fully-funded for four years and earn competitive salaries. PhD students execute a vigorous research program, under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Positions will be available in all fields of research where the Institute is active, including exoplanets, protoplanetary disks and planet formation, massive stars and their formation, neutron stars and black holes, and cosmic explosions. These positions will also run alongside the PhD program of the GRAPPA (GRavitation and AstroParticle Physics in Amsterdam) centre, in which the API plays a key role (see http://grappa.science.uva.nl/phd/).
Application information and a list of available projects can be found at http://www.astro.uva.nl/jobs/phd-positions-at-the-astronomical-institute.... More positions may be added before the recruitment days in February. It is not necessary for applicants to express a preference for projects, but applicants with interests in specific areas are welcome to note this in the cover letter for their application.
Applications should be submitted via an online form. As well as providing details of at least two referees, applicants will need to upload a curriculum vitae, a transcript of university courses taken and grades obtained, and a cover letter which includes a brief statement of research interests and experience.
Applicants with interests in both API and related GRAPPA topics are encouraged to apply to both programs.
The successful candidates must have a MSc degree (or equivalent) by the starting date. Typically, the starting dates will be in Autumn 2014, but this is negotiable. Applications need to be submitted on or before December 1st, 2013. By mid-December we will invite promising candidates for a presentation and interviews to be held on February 13 and 14, 2014.
E) NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides opportunities for
scientists and engineers to conduct research largely of their own
choosing, yet compatible with the research opportunities posted on
the NPP Web site.
Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete
one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA's
missions in earth science, heliophysics, planetary science,
astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human
exploration and space operations, and astrobiology.
A sample research opportunity is:
https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18115
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before
beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree
requirements. U. S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign
nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply.
Stipends start at $53,500 per year, with supplements for high cost-
of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial
assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and
$8,000 per year is provided for professional travel.
Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1.
The latest NPP Newsletter:
http://bit.ly/14cNpfH
For further information and to apply, visit:
http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm
Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
A) EXOCLIMES III: THE DIVERSITY OF PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
The deadline for registration to the Exoclimes conference in Davos, Switzerland (9-14 Feb 2014) has been extended to 31 October.
The objective of this conference on planetary atmospheres is to bring together Earth, Solar System and exoplanet atmosphere specialists involved in the nascent field of comparative planetology outside the Solar System. Please see
for further details.
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Athena Coustenis, DPS Secretary (dpssec@aas.org)
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