Announcements about early careers Job opportunities can be provided by e-mail: mentors@europlanet-society.org .
To the Mars Science Community,
The Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) and the NASA Astrobiology program have chartered the Search for Life Science Analysis Group (SFL-SAG). The purpose of the SFL-SAG is to refine the recommendation for a ‘Search for Life’ mission in the 2023-2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey by narrowing down the type of environment to which the SFL mission will be delivered, identifying the specific science and technology needs for a mission to that location, and identifying those mission elements that will offer the most conclusive answers, for a mission of this class, to the question of ‘Are we alone?’.
To maximize the value of the SAG’s final report, the chartering organizations are seeking representation across a broad range of scientific and technical fields, including, but not limited to:
* Astrobiology and origin of life
* Geology (geochemistry, geobiology)
* Biology (biochemistry, microbiology)
* Chemistry (organic chemistry, prebiotic chemistry)
* Climate and atmospheric science
* Planetary protection
* Technology (robotics, landed and mobility systems, instrumentation, life detection, subsurface access, mission architecture and operations) Self-nominations for participation on SFL-SAG are being solicited through June 26, 2024, with selections occurring soon thereafter. The anticipated period of SAG activities will be July 2024-March 2025.
Applicants should anticipate a regular meeting cadence during this period, with meetings done chiefly by Microsoft Teams or Zoom, and communications by email.
Applicants are asked to submit their CV of no more than 2 pages, and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages (as a single, combined document), indicating interest in SFL-SAG participation, and touching upon those evaluation elements listed in the SFL-SAG Charter under ‘Methods/SAG Member Selection’ and listed on the application website. As we seek a balance of experiences and expertise, selection to the SAG does not require knowledge of, or experience in, all evaluation elements. Applications are encouraged from candidates whose primary expertise is not based in Mars research, and applicants from all career levels.
Applications should be uploaded at the Google Form
https://forms.gle/pYLUyyDMLijPxMTd7 in PDF or DOC file format by 5pm PDT
on June 26, 2024.
If you have questions, or difficulty uploading your application, please contact Jonathan Bapst at jonathan.bapst@jpl.nasa.gov
Call for 6 Predoctoral Contracts at the IAC (2024 Resident Astrophysicist Program)
The call for 6 Predoctoral Contracts (5 Astrophysics Research Speciality and 1 Instrumentation Speciality) within the “2024 Resident Astrophysicist Program” has been published on the IAC website.
The deadline for submitting applications ends on Monday, July 15th at 23:59 Canary Islands time.
You can see everything related to this call at: https://www.iac.es/en/employment/six-phd-fellowships-iac-astronomical-reserarch-ps-2024-036
Two postdoctoral positions in moon environments and magnetospheric interaction at DIAS
Two new postdoctoral positions are available within the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) Planetary Magnetospheres Group: dias.ie/planetary
The positions are available for 2 years in the first instance, with scope for extension, starting as soon as possible. One of the positions is focused on Ganymede’s aurora and spacecraft charging of the JUICE mission, the other focuses on moon-magnetosphere interaction and machine learning.
Closing date May 17th 2024.
Both vacancies can be accessed through this link: https://www.dias.ie/vacancies/
Prospective applicants are encouraged to directly contact and discuss scientific opportunities with Dr. Mika Holmberg (mika@cp.dias.ie) regarding Ganymede’s aurora and spacecraft charging position and Dr. Hans Huybrighs (hans@cp.dias.ie) regarding the moon-magnetosphere position.
Postdoctoral Positions in Simulation of Planetary and Inertial Fusion Energy Materials
Several postdoctoral research associate (PDA) positions are available in the group of Prof. Ivan Oleynik at the Materials Simulation Laboratory, University of South Florida (http://msl.usf.edu ). We are looking for enthusiastic team members with significant expertise in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of materials including both classical and quantum MD.
The successful PDAs will work on one of the following projects. The first project focuses on studying planetary materials under high pressure-temperature conditions of the Earth’s and exoplanetary cores. The second project investigates the behavior of inertial confinement fusion materials during the initial stage of implosion. The projects involve significant collaborations with leading experimental groups. The PDAs will perform predictive machine-learning molecular dynamics simulations on exascale supercomputers Frontier and Aurora to inform the design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments at national and international dynamic compression facilities (NIF, Omega, and EuXFEL). The PDAs will also be involved in the development of advanced materials simulation techniques including development of machine learning interatomic potentials.
Minimum job requirements:
- PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a closely related field obtained within the last 5 years
- Significant experience in materials simulations using classical and/or quantum MD (LAMMPS, VASP)
- Demonstrated record of research productivity including peer-reviewed publications
- Programming experience (C++, Python, Fortran)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work independently as well as within collaborative team environment
For full consideration, applicants must send a CV including list of publications and names of 3 references, as well as a one-page description of prior research experience to Prof. Ivan Oleynik (oleynik@usf.edu) . PhD studentship positions are also available.
Observational Data and Development Officer.
Liverpool John Moores University
Fixed term for 5 years
Closing date 29/04/2024
Job Summary:
- Develop a programme of educational resources that makes use of new observational and astronomical opportunities.
- Lead the integration of the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust UK presence and associated Las Cumbres Observatory network telescope time into
The Schools’ Observatory platform, in partnership with the project manager and director. - Carry out astronomical observations that aid in the expansion of the catalogue of objects schools can observe in the southern hemisphere
and larger fields of view. - Help to integrate these observations into the Go Observing platform on The Schools’ Observatory website.
- Undertake periodic reporting on the use of telescope time and other key metrics to the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust.
- Support the development of educational resources using real data from professional telescopes. Assist in the evaluation of the impact of
educational resources on target audiences.
For more information see here: Job description.
ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme
To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc).
The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) and PhD students are particularly encouraged to apply. We encourage applications from women and minorities. The evaluation process is anonymised to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants.
During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.
Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.
Applications received before 1 May 2024 will be considered for visits in autumn and winter 2024/2025.
For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to:
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme
or write to the programme coordinators at arvp@cosmos.esa.int
Associate Professor in experimental atomic, molecular and cluster physics at Stockholm University
Applications for a permanent Associate Professor’s position at Stockholm University are welcome between February 23rd and April 15th (deadline) 2024.
At Stockholm University there is an opening for an Associate Professorship in Experimental Atomic/Molecular/Cluster Physics. It is a permanent academic staff position, which we hope can be of interest to yourself—or to someone in or nearby your research group.
The successful candidate will be able to apply for promotion to Professor when sufficient experience within the areas of research and teaching has been acquired. Funding from the Physics Department for one PhD student will be available, and it is a possible to ask for additional startup support from the Faculty of Science. The successful candidate will be encouraged to apply for external funding from for examples the Swedish and European Research Councils, which can be used in part to reduce teaching obligations in order to have more time for research.
The atomic, molecular and optical physics research environment at the Physics Department is vibrant and dynamic with many new and exciting results. The department hosts the National Research Infrastructure, DESIREE, which is a double electrostatic ion-beam storage ring, and it will be possible for the successful candidate to initiate research activities in this domain. Furthermore, it will be possible to work with and/or develop other experiments and to perform research at other national or international research facilities. More information about the DESIREE Infrastructure is found following this link.
You can also find further details including instructions on how to apply by following this link.
Henning Zettergren (henning@fysik.su.se), Henrik Cederquist (cederq@fysik.su.se), Eva Lindroth (lindroth@fysik.su.se), and Henning Schmidt schmidt@fysik.su.se
Post-doc position in STEM education. University of Groningen
The deadline: 15 May 11:59pm / before 16 May 2024 Dutch local time (CEST)
We are seeking candidates with a Ph.D. in STEM education or related field; a background in any of the STEM disciplines or education and a strong interest in gender inclusivity framed in queer theory, professional development training, and mixed-methods research approached. The physical work location for this position will be Groningen, The Netherlands at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. This position is a collaborative project between Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM) and the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) at the University of Groningen.
This postdoctoral position is part of the Erasmus+ Programme ‘Partnerships for Innovation – Forward Looking Projects’, which involves a consortium of ten partners, both universities and NGOs in Europe. Forward-Looking Projects are large-scale projects that have the potential of becoming mainstream and giving input for improving education, training, and youth systems, as well as bringing a substantial innovative effect in terms of methods and practices.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Develop a framework for gender and sexual diversity-inclusive STEM education
- Develop a training toolkit for gender and sexual diversity-inclusive STEM education
- Carry out professional development workshops for school teachers and university instructors
For information you can contact:
- Dr. Dina Maniar, d.maniar@rug.nl
- Prof. dr. Lucy Avraamidou, l.avraamidou@rug.nl
Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications. See here for more info.
Applications for the postdoc position should include:
• curriculum vitae (name, address, degree(s) with transcript(s) of grades, research experience, educational and employment history, etc.)
• list of publications
• motivation letter (2 pages)
• name and (email) address of three professional references
• vacancy number of this position.
The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute at the University of Groningen is hiring an assistant or associate professor in Astronomical Data Science.
The deadline 24 March
For more information please contact Prof. Filippo Fraternali (fraternali@astro.rug.nl), who is coordinating the search.
Post-doctoral position offered to work at IAA/CSIC on NOMADACS-2 project
The Group of Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Planets of the IAA-CSIC in Granada (Spain) offers a postdoctoral position to work on the analysis of data on the Martian atmosphere obtained by the instruments NOMAD and ACS on board the ESA ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) mission. This position is for two years, with a possible extension contingent upon funding availability and performance.
Experience in planetary atmospheres is desired, and a good command of English is necessary.
The position can be started as soon as possible, and the offer will remain available until a suitable candidate is found.
More details can be found at:
https://gapt.iaa.es/content/post-doctoral-position-offered-work-iaacsic-nomadacs-2-project
Please contact Miguel Angel López Valverde (valverde@iaa.es) and
Francisco Gonzalez Galindo (ggalindo@iaa.es) for more details.
The Europlanet Society, through its Spain & Portugal Regional Hub, announces the following
Europlanet Early Career Prizes:
From the Iberian hub of the Europlanet Society we want to support and motivate the new generation of planetary scientists and engineers in Spain and Portugal, therefore we announce the first call for the awards:
- “Abraham Zacut” Prize for the best PhD Thesis in planetary sciences and exploration
- “Pedro Nunes” Prize for the best Master’s Thesis in planetary sciences and exploration
The awards are named in honour of astronomers who lived and worked between Spain and Portugal, with key scientific and technical contributions to the era of maritime exploration in both countries.
We invite you to distribute this call to your groups and encourage all doctoral or master’s students who have submitted their Thesis/TFM in 2023 to participate.
Deadline for applications is February 28, 2024.
Detailed rules: https://spainportugal-eps.org/images/web/2024-enero/EPS-Early-Career-Prize-in-Spain-Portugal.pdf
“Experimental activity on space instrumentation for the study of Mercury’s planetary environment: SERENA-ELENA (Emitted Low-Energy Neutral Atoms) in flight on the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo space mission”
A new selection procedure by qualifications and interview for the assignment of one research grant of the duration of one year renewable based on projects “BepiColombo/ SERENA” entitled: “Experimental activity on space instrumentation for the study of Mercury’s planetary environment: SERENA-ELENA (Emitted Low-Energy Neutral Atoms) in flight on the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo space mission” is open at INAF/IAPShttps://www.iaps.inaf.it/en/lavora-con-noi/bandi-di-concorso/assegno-di-ricerca/bando-2023-48-arorhttp://www.inaf.it/it/lavora-con-noi/assegni-di-ricerca/assegno-di-ricerca-dal-titolo-201cattivita-sperimentale-su-strumentazione-spaziale-per-lo-studio-dell2019ambiente-planetario-di-mercurio-serena-elena-emitted-low-energy-neutral-atoms-in-volo-sulla-missione-spaziale-esa-jaxa-bepicolombo201d
Deadline for application is 29 Feb 2024
Research will be carried at INAF-Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology in Rome. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with staff of the projects “BepiColombo/ SERENA”. Description of the research activity to be carried out: • support for the experimental laboratory activity for the ELENA experiment with particle beams. • support for the control and command activity of ELENA, both for the laboratory instrument and the one aboard the BepiColombo mission. • support for the analysis of tests conducted on ELENA, both on the instrument in flight and in the laboratory.
Requirements: Master degree (or 2nd level Laurea degree, if issued by an Italian University) in Physics, or Astrophysics, or Astronomy, or Planetary Sciences, or Sciences of the Universe. or Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, or Electronic Engineering, or Computer Engineering, or Telecommunications Engineering or equivalent degree issued according to the previous or actual Italian University regulations
The annual gross salary of the grant is 26.000,00 Euros.
Reference person: Elisabetta De Angelis (elisabetta.deangelis@inaf.it) or Roberto Sordini (roberto.sordini@inaf.it)