Issue 20-22, May 20, 2020
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- MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: NOTICE REGARDING THE NEXT DPS/EPSC JOINT MEETING
- REGISTRATION BY MAY 21 REQUIRED FOR PLANETARY MISSION CONCEPT STUDIES (PMCS) WORKSHOP
- REGISTRATION BY MAY 22 REQUIRED FOR LUNAR SURFACE SCIENCE WORKSHOP
- SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) COMMUNITY SURVEY FOR DECADAL REPORT
- NASA NEXSS POSTDOCTORAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP
- JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR: NOTICE REGARDING THE NEXT DPS/EPSC JOINT MEETING
In light of the COVID-19 situation, the 2020 EPSC meeting, originally planned for
Granada Spain, will be held in a virtual format (https://www.epsc2020.eu). To maintain
contractual agreements, Europlanet will hold their 2022 meeting in Granada. The 2022
DPS meeting in London Ontario will no longer be a joint DPS-EPSC meeting. We are
looking into the possibility of converting the 2023 DPS meeting in San Antonio into a
joint meeting with EPSC. We will inform the membership once a decision is made.
We hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy during these trying times, and look
forward to meeting again in person.
Amanda Hendrix, DPS Chair
Nigel Mason, Europlanet Society President
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REGISTRATION BY MAY 21 REQUIRED FOR PLANETARY MISSION CONCEPT STUDIES (PMCS) WORKSHOP
The Planetary Mission Concept Studies Workshop previously scheduled for
March 15, 2020 at LPSC 51 will now take place virtually on May 26–27, 2020.
If you plan to join, you MUST register by Thursday, May 21, at:
https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/pmcs2020/registration/
The webcast link and password will ONLY be sent to those who register.
The link to watch/listen will be https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/pmcs2020/
The agenda can be found at: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/pmcs2020/format/
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REGISTRATION BY MAY 22 REQUIRED FOR LUNAR SURFACE SCIENCE WORKSHOP
The NASA-organized Lunar Surface Science Workshop originally scheduled for
April 28–30, 2020 in Denver, Colorado has been rescheduled as a virtual event.
The purpose is to discuss new scientific research that could be enabled by human
exploration near the lunar south pole. The workshop has been revised to consist of
a number of virtual sessions to cover some of the content of the original workshop,
followed by a new in-person workshop at a future date. The first virtual session is
scheduled for half days on May 28–29, 2020.
The May 28 program will consist of what would have been the initial Overview session.
It will contain presentations from multiple NASA mission directorates and international
space agencies. It will also include some overview talks of both the science value of the
Moon, as well as science that can be enabled by human missions to the lunar surface.
The May 29 program will mostly include the content that was originally planned for the
Tools and Instruments for Surface Science session. It will cover various aspects of the
instruments and tools that will enable EVAs for conducting scientific exploration. This
is meant to be a working meeting with a mixture of talks and discussion periods.
A revised program will be available by May 19.
Registration deadline — Friday, May 22, 2020 Registration
Attendance for May 28 is open to the community. Attendance for May 29 is limited to
people who submitted an abstract, or their delegates, and selected invitees.
Registration fees are not being collected for this virtual session, but registration is required
to continue receiving e-mail updates, including virtual access information. You will need to
register again if you were registered for the originally scheduled April workshop.
http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lunarsurface2020
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SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) COMMUNITY SURVEY FOR DECADAL REPORT
SBAG has posted a survey that queries the community for opinions on research priorities
and missions. Please fill it out BEFORE May 25, 2020. It should take about 10 minutes.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sbag_decadal
Bonnie Buratti, for the SBAG Steering Committee
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NASA NEXSS POSTDOCTORAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP
The NExSS (Nexus for Exoplanet Systems Science) has a new opportunity for a
NASA Postdoctoral Management (NPMP) fellowship. NExSS is an interdisciplinary
research network including experts in Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics,
and Astrophysics (http://nexss.info). The main goal of NExSS is to apply a “systems
science” perspective to the study of exoplanets, so we can study their diversity, histories,
and habitability. Teams extrapolate our knowledge of Earth as a planet and the examples
provided by the Sun and planets in our Solar System to better understand exoplanets,
and vice versa. As a coordinated network, NExSS fosters interdisciplinary, collaborative
work and facilitates access to diverse skill sets and a broad knowledge base.
This position will be split equally between research and policy/management work.
The research will be composed of an independent research project led by the postdoctoral
fellow, that leverages the NExSS science community. The management work involves
interfacing with the NExSS science community in the pursuit of strengthening and
expanding that community. Efforts in this area could include: facilitating collaborations;
coordinating webinars, workshops, and other virtual meetings; leading or organizing
the writing of white papers; improving communication both within and beyond the
network, and contributing to the strategies for pursuing the above goals.
The successful candidate will join the NExSS management team. This management
team is led by two co-directors, Victoria Meadows (University of Washington) and
Dawn Gelino (NExScI/Caltech/JPL). They work with two program managers,
Mary Voytek (NASA HQ) and Doug Hudgins (NASA HQ); and a program facilitator,
Shawn Domagal-Goldman (NASA GSFC), to enact programs that strengthen the
exoplanet and astrobiology communities. Shawn Domagal-Goldman will serve as the
NPMP’s host at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. We seek
creative individuals with leadership skills and a deep interest in strategic planning
and collaborative research.
Please see https://npp.usra.edu/opportunities/details/?ro=19326 for more information.
The deadline for applications is July 1, 2020.
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JOBS, POSITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES
A) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER AND DATA SCIENTIST IN PLANETARY MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS
Applications are now being accepted for two postdoctoral scientists to work with the
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory in Greenbelt,
MD. The positions are funded through CRESST II.
Position 1: The postdoctoral researcher will work for either the Juno project with the
primary responsibility of conducting analysis and publishing the magnetometer results.
In addition, the candidate will assist with the magnetometer data validation and calibration.
Position 2: The data scientist’s primary responsibility will be to develop a data
production pipeline for future magnetometer missions. This involves taking raw
magnetometer data, applying the appropriate transformations and calibrations, and
producing the final public data products. The data scientist is encouraged to pursue
their own research interest.
Candidates for these positions should have earned a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy,
planetary science, space physics, geosciences, or related fields. Successful candidates
should also have expertise with one or more programming languages commonly used
in space science and a demonstrated track record in analyzing spaceflight data, especially
magnetometer data and experience with the NAIF SPICE software package is highly desired.
Applications received by July 15, 2020, will receive the best
consideration. Link to full job posting: https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/bb0cf722
B) JET PROPULSION LABORATORY RESEARCH SCIENTIST II – PLANETARY INTERIORS AND GEOPHYSICS
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites applications for a Scientist who will bring new
expertise to and ensure continuity of existing capabilities at JPL in planetary science.
The successful candidate will develop models for the chemical evolution of Europa,
Enceladus, Titan, Ganymede, and other ocean worlds in support of the Icy Worlds, Titan,
and Vital Signs teams. The candidate will investigate the detailed chemical evolution of
Europa’s interior and its ice. Perform NASA funded research, including setting up and
conducting novel experiments to measure chemical properties and processes applicable
to planetary interiors. Investigate the metamorphic evolution of Ceres’ rocky mantle and
support mission formulation as a subject matter expert on ocean world chemistry.
This position requires the following qualifications:
– Ph.D. in geochemistry, planetary geophysics, or a related field.
– 3-4 years expertise in applying meteoritics, petrology, aqueous
geochemistry to problems in astrobiology.
The following qualifications are preferred:
– Knowledge of geophysical forward modeling and inverse theory,
high-pressure experimental design and implementation.
Applications are due by May 26, 2020 or until filled and should be
submitted at: https://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-11799-Research-Scientist-II
C) JET PROPULSION LABORATORY RESEARCH SCIENTIST II – OCEAN WORLDS
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites applications for a Scientist who will bring new
expertise to and ensure continuity of existing capabilities at JPL in planetary science.
The successful candidate will develop models for the chemical evolution of Europa,
Enceladus, Titan, Ganymede, and other ocean worlds in support of the Icy Worlds, Titan,
and Vital Signs teams. The candidate will investigate the detailed chemical evolution of
Europa’s interior and its ice. Perform NASA funded research, including setting up and
conducting novel experiments to measure chemical properties and processes applicable
to planetary interiors. Investigate the metamorphic evolution of Ceres’s rocky mantle and
support mission formulation as a subject matter expert on ocean world chemistry.
Qualifications: PhD in geochemistry, planetary geophysics, or a related field.
3-4 years expertise in applying meteoritics, petrology, aqueous geochemistry to
problems in astrobiology.
The following qualifications are preferred: Knowledge of geophysical forward
modeling and inverse theory, high-pressure experimental design and implementation.
Applications received by May 26, 2020 will receive full consideration.
D) JET PROPULSION LABORATORY RESEARCH SCIENTIST III – ASTROBIOLOGY AND OCEAN WORLDS
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites applications for a Research Scientist to
join the Astrobiology and Ocean Worlds Group within the Planetary Science
Section. You will do the following:
– Lead development of instrumentation and/or mission concepts to explore the
subsurface of Mars and other habitable environments.
– Write proposals for advancing research and instrument/mission development.
Required Qualifications:
– Ph.D. degree in Earth or Planetary Sciences or related scientific or technical discipline.
– Demonstrated working knowledge at the forefront in the fields of planetary habitability,
geophysics, geodynamics, aqueous geochemistry, modeling and biology/astrobiology,
including but not limited to the Mars subsurface.
– At least 5 years experience following the Ph.D. in research in one or more of the
aforementioned fields.
– Peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals in the aforementioned fields.
– Well-established record in obtaining funding as PI for scientific research and/or
mission/instrument development.
– Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to both work as
part of a team and lead a team.
To view the full description and apply, please visit:
http://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-11866-Research-Scientist-III-Astrobiology-and-Ocean-Worlds
Applications received by June 8, 2020, will receive full consideration.
E) PH.D. STUDENT IN SPACE PHYSICS FOR STUDIES OF SPACE PLASMAS
The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is looking for a Ph.D. student in Space
Physics. The position is related to studies of space plasmas.
Applications are invited for a Ph.D. student to study kinetic plasma processes operating
in space plasma regions of fundamental importance, such as magnetic reconnection sites,
shocks, and turbulence regions. Such processes operate in most astrophysical plasma
environments leading to plasma heating and production of energetic particles.
You will work directly with state-of-the-art experimental data from the NASA
multi-spacecraft (MMS) mission.
The position is available at the IRF-office in Uppsala, starting at the latest in the
second half of 2020 for a total of four years.
The Swedish National Space Agency, the Swedish Research Council and Uppsala
University fund the position.
Contact: Dr Emiliya Yordanova, [email protected]
Applications: [email protected]
Closing Date: May 31, 2020
Information:
https://www.irf.se/en/news/2020/05/11/phd-student-in-space-physics-to-studies-of-space-plasmas-ref2-2-1-146-20/
IRF is a government agency that conducts research and postgraduate education in
space physics, atmospheric physics and space technology. Many of IRF’s projects
are run as international projects in collaboration with other research institutes and
space agencies. IRF has about 100 employees and offices in Kiruna (headquarters),
Umea, Uppsala and Lund.
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