DPS Newsletter 25-27

Issue 25-27, Nov 30, 2025

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  1. PREPARE FOR THE DPS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING – RENEW YOUR DPS MEMBERSHIP
  1. AAS ACTION ALERTS: SUPPORT THE US STEM WORKFORCE
  1. REPORT ON MEETING OF AAS DIVISION HEADS
  1. MESSAGE FROM THE DPS COMMITTEE: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR SPOKANE ORGANIZING  COMMITTEES
  1. GIVING TUESDAY: STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, SUPPORT DPS TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS!
  2. AAS STATEMENT ON NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
  1. LUNAR SURFACE SCIENCE WORKSHOP (LSSW): EARLY SCIENCE RESULTS FROM CLPS DELIVERIES AND UPCOMING CLPS EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
  1. SECOND WORKSHOP ON ICES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
  1. ROSES-25: EXOPLANETS RESEARCH PROGRAM STEP-1 DUE DEC 3, 2025
  1. PLANETARY RESEARCH: YEAR IN REVIEW WEBINAR DECEMBER 10, 2025
  1. INTRODUCTION TO ARCGIS PRO FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE
  1. PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL SCIENCE EDITOR
  1. WEBINAR FOR FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATORS IN GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
  1. 57TH LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE CONFERENCE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
  1. AGU LAUNCHES THE AGU GRANT FINDER 
  1. INVITATION TO JOIN ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE PROPOSAL PLANNING
  1. LPI LAUNCHES 2026 EXTRATERRESTRIAL MATERIALS ACADEMY FOR UNDERGRADUATES 
  2. CURRENT TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL AND ICARUS
  1. 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: 

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. 
  1. 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. 
  1. 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.

  1. 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).

  1. 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.

  1. 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/

  1. 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

  1. 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

  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

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