The Deep Life Directorate of the Deep Carbon Observatory (sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation) will investigate the microbiology of the rock-hosted subsurface biosphere. Microbial communities contained within rock-hosted subsurface environments may be important conduits for the exchange of carbon and energy between the deep Earth and the biosphere- yet surprisingly little is known of their extent, their identities, or their activities. The research specifically addresses microbial carbon transformations in environments influenced by high hydrogen fluxes and abiogenic production of organic molecules. The research team consists of 17 scientists from 7 countries and contains both field and laboratory components. The Directorate seeks candidates for multiple Postdoctoral positions to work within this cooperative framework.

Continue reading "Postdoctoral Positions for the Deep Life Initiative of the Deep Carbon Observatory" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We need you in Houston! Sign up today to participate in FameLab Astrobiology at the Lunar and Planetary Institute on January 13th. FameLab is a science communication competition that focuses on building your skills with workshops on good communication practices. The workshop in Houston will be led by the Co-Directors of the National Association for Interpretation. Competitors will present a three-minute piece on their research or an astrobiology-related topic of their choosing. Those topping the competition in Houston will go on to the final at AbSciCon in April...the winner there will go on to the FameLab International final in the UK in June. Lodging and $500 in travel support are available--sign up today at http://astrobiologyfamelab.arc.nasa.gov/. Contact daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov with any questions.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Canadian Astrobiology Training Program (CATP) is the first Canadian cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral training program in Astrobiology and is a NSERC-funded Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) (2009-2015) located at McGill University, McMaster University, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, and the University of Winnipeg. CATP by its very nature will be accomplished through collaborative and integrative research approaches containing elements of geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, microbiology, and robotics. CATP trainees (~70 graduate & undergraduate students, PDFs over the next 5 years) will be exposed to innovative research and training approaches, combining fieldwork at unique Canadian analogue sites, including those in the high Arctic, with laboratory work at cutting edge analytical facilities at participating university, government, and industry partners.

Continue reading "Canadian Astrobiology Training Program MSc, PhD, Post Doctoral Fellow Positions Available" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harvard University is launching a research project to study living systems within its Harvard Origins of Life Initiative and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The work will be done under the direction of Dr. Juan Perez-Mercader, PI for this project, and brings together approaches for modeling life by using a combined transdisciplinary approach involving Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Science and Engineering. We invite applications for a number of Research Associate and Postdoctoral positions in the areas of Origin of Life, Information Theory, Synthetic/Artificial Life, Physics and Chemistry of Out-of-Equilibrium Phenomena and Chemical Engineering.

Continue reading "Research Associate and Postdoctoral Positions Available at the Harvard Origins of Life Initiative" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 24th Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (18-22 June and 16-20 July) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. During the program and pre-session webinars, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback.

By the end of the session, students will have a clearer understanding of the life cycle of a space mission; relationships between mission design, cost, and schedule; and the tradeoffs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the quality of science. Applications are due March 28, 2012. Partial financial support is available for a limited number of individuals. Further information is available at: http://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The international community is invited to participate in our academic activities of inspiration in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), that take place in Colombia and the USA. These activities will be held on the following dates in 2012: March 26 to April 8, June 11 to June 24, June 25 to July 8, October 1 to October 14, November 26 to December 9. For more information on costs and how to apply in this link: http://www.spaceschoolcolombia.org or email alexandro.gonzalez@me.com

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harvard University is launching a research project to study living systems within its Harvard Origins of Life Initiative and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The work will be done under the direction of Dr. Juan Perez-Mercader, PI for this project, and brings together approaches for modeling life by using a combined transdisciplinary approach involving Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Science and Engineering. We invite applications for a number of Research Associate and Postdoctoral positions in the areas of Origin of Life, Information Theory, Synthetic/Artificial Life, Physics and Chemistry of Out-of-Equilibrium Phenomena and Chemical Engineering.

It is anticipated that the Research Associate positions will be for at least 3 years with continuation contingent upon strong performance. Each of the Postdoctoral positions is awarded for one year with an option to renew for a second year dependent upon strong performance. All positions are available immediately.

Continue reading "Opportunity at the Harvard Origins of Life Initiative and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The summer school "Water, Ice and the Origin of Life in the Universe", which will be held in Iceland from 2 to 15 July 2012, aims to give participants a thorough high-level introduction into the role of water in the evolution of life in the cosmos, starting from formation of water molecules in space and ending with the evolution of the first organisms. It will bring together students and researchers from a multitude of different science branches, making it a truly multidisciplinary event. The event will be organized by the Nordic Astrobiology Network together with the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Field studies on the colonization of lava fields and glaciers will complement the lectures. The program of the summer school includes:

* lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of subjects in astrobiology
* investigation of colonization of volcanic rocks and glaciers with in-situ life detection techniques
* excursions to geologically and biologically interesting sites (lava caves, new lava fields)
* 2 poster sessions for students and early career scientists
* participant-led discussions about hot topics

The event is intended for graduate students and early career scientists (up to 5 years after their first Ph. D. in a related field) in fields related to astrobiology. Undergraduate students can also apply, and will be accepted under exceptional circumstances. The event is open to applicants from all nationalities.

Detailed information about the summer school and the application procedure (deadline 31 January 2012) can be found at http://www.nordicastrobiology.net/Iceland2012 .

Successful applicants accepted by the Scientific Committee as participants will receive free lodging, meals and excursions, but will have to organize financial means for their travel to and from Iceland themselves. Course credit awards (ECTS points) for undergraduate and Ph. D. students will be applied for by the course organizers.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The deadline for the 2012 MIRS Program is March 15, 2012.

The AB Program Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) program, administered by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, provides funded opportunities for researchers from minority institutions to initiate partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. Past MIRS Scholars have worked with researchers at UCLA, NASA Ames, the University of Hawaii, JPL, the University of Wisconsin, NASA Goddard, and Portland State University.

For more information: http://www.uncfsp.org/cms/default.aspx?page=program.view&areaid=12&contentid=811&typeid=NAIMIRS53345

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Application Deadline: February 1, 2012

The American Philosophical Society and the NASA Astrobiology Institute have partnered to promote the continued exploration of the world around us through a program of research grants in support of astrobiological field studies undertaken by graduate students, postdoctoral students, and junior scientists and scholars.

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology supports field studies in any area of interest to astrobiology by graduate students, postdocs, and early-career scientists and scholars who are affiliated with U.S. institutions. Grants may be used for travel and related expenses, including field equipment, up to $5,000. Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes members of the NAI, the APS, and the wider science community as needed. Recipients will be designated as Lewis and Clark Field Scholars in Astrobiology.

Additional information, including the application forms and instructions, is available at the APS's Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology website: http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ph.D. opportunities are available in the molecular geomicrobiology of the deep biosphere in the lab of Matt Schrenk at East Carolina University (North Carolina, USA). The research involves the characterization of high pH (>10), hydrogen and methane-rich ecosystems associated with the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks from the deep Earth and involves multi-disciplinary, international research projects in Canada, Italy, and California. These projects focus on advancing our understanding of the ecology and evolution of microbial communities in the deep biosphere using both molecular and culture-based approaches. Research combines bioinformatics analyses of (meta-) genomic and transcriptomic data with field work and laboratory characterization of novel extremophiles. Applicants with a background in Biology, Earth Sciences, Oceanography, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Applications for the Ph.D. program in Biology at ECU are due April 1, 2012 (http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/idpbs/admission.cfm). Please contact Matt Schrenk (schrenkm@ecu.edu) for further information.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The SETI Institute is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2012 REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program in Astrobiology and Planetary Science. Undergraduate students in fields such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a scientific research project in the field of astrobiology or planetary science. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due by February 1, 2012. For more information, visit http://www.seti.org/reu or contact Cynthia Phillips, phillips@seti.org, 650-810-0230.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Interns selected for the NSBRI's summer program join ongoing project activities and gain hands-on experience in space biomedical research at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas; Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio; or Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. The program is open to graduate students, medical students and undergraduate students who have completed their second year of studies.

Applicants are asked to send a curriculum vitae or resume, a letter of interest indicating available dates during the summer, two letters of recommendation, and college transcripts. The program is open to U.S. citizens.

Applications for the 2012 program are due Dec. 31, 2011.

For more information and to apply online, visit http://www.nsbri.org/summerinternship/. Questions about this opportunity should be directed to info@nsbri.org.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA announces a call for graduate fellowship proposals to the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) program for the 2012-2013 academic year. This call for fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines. The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA's scientific goals. Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities.

The deadline for NEW applications is February 1, 2012, and the deadline for RENEWAL applications is March 15, 2012.

The NESSF call for proposals and submission instructions are located at the NESSF solicitation index page at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ - click on "Solicitations" then click on "Open Solicitations" then select the "NESSF 12" announcement. Also refer to "Proposal Submission Instructions" and "Frequently Asked Questions" listed under "Other Documents" on the NESSF 12 solicitation index page.

All proposals must be submitted in electronic format only through the NASA NSPIRES system. The advisor has an active role in the submission of the fellowship proposal. To use the NSPIRES system, the advisor, the student, and the university must all register. Extended instructions on how to submit an electronic proposal package are posted on the NESSF 12 solicitation index page listed above. You can register in NSPIRES at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.

For further information contact Ming-Ying Wei, Program Administrator for NESSF Earth Science Research, Telephone: (202) 358-0771, E-mail: mwei@nasa.gov or Dolores Holland, Program Administrator for NESSF Heliophysics Research, Planetary Science Research, and Astrophysics Research, Telephone: (202) 358-0734, E-mail: hq-nessf-Space@nasa.gov.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Searches for exoplanets: The successful applicant to this position will contribute to an ongoing Doppler and transit search for exoplanets around cool stars, and characterization of transiting planets using Mauna Kea and other observatories.

Requirements: Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics, or astronomy, and previous observing experience.

2. Exoplanet atmospheres and interiors: The successful applicant will conduct research on one or more topics involving the incorporation of volatiles into planets, the formation and properties of primordial atmospheres, subsolidus convection and melting of the interior, and the
exchange of volatiles between the interior and surface.

Requirements:

Ph.D. in a relevant field (astrophysics, planetary science, geophysics), and strong numerical modeling skills.

Each postdoc will interact with other investigators in an interdisciplinary environment, and be encouraged to demonstrate leadership in a particular specialty. Each position is initially for one year, with a second year depending on research performance, and a third year depending on performance and funding. Each position offers an annual stipend of $52,000 and the opportunity to live in Honolulu, the top-ranked U.S. city in the 2010 Mercer Quality of Living Survey.

Starting date: January 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. To apply, send a 2-page CV, including publication list, and names and contact information of 2 references to Eric Gaidos (gaidos@hawaii.edu)

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Microbial Diversity Summer Course of the Marine Biological Laboratory welcomes applications from members of the Astrobiology community who are seeking to understand the microbial basis of life. The MBL Microbial Diversity course offered in Woods Hole, MA, since 1971, provides graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and established investigators with an unequaled opportunity to explore the diversity of the microbial world. The course is immersive, integrative, inter-disciplinary, and international in nature. The curriculum consists of lectures by foremost investigators, laboratory exercises, advanced technical training, field work, and substantial participant directed original research. Participants in the course traditionally represent a diversity of backgrounds and the course is open to all scientists who have a strong interest in microbes and their activities. The course is supported through funds provided by the NASA Astrobiology Institute, the Department of Energy, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Science Foundation, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Dates: June 9 - July 25, 2012
Application Deadline: February 1, 2012
More information at: http://www.mbl.edu/education/courses/summer/course_micro_div.html

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Astrobiology Program is pleased to announce the selection of five new NASA Postdoctoral Fellows:

Paula Welander
Advisor: Roger Summons (MIT)
Investigating the Biological Function of Sterols and Hopanoids in Methylococcus capsulatus

Matthew Herron
Advisor: Frank Rosenzweig (University of Montana)
Theoretical and Experimental Investigations into the Evolution of Complexity

Betul Arslan
Advisor: Eric Gaucher (Georgia Institute of Technology)
The Role of Chance and Necessity in Evolution: An Experimental Model to Discover Life's Solutions

Melissa Rice
Advisor: John Grotzinger (CalTech)
High-Resolution Mineral Stratigraphy of Mars

Arsev Aydinoglu
Co-Advisors: Suzie Allard (University of Tennessee) and Ed Goolish (NAI Central)
The Collaborative Practices of the NASA Astrobiology Institute: The Assessment of an Interdisciplinary Virtual Scientific Organization

More information about the NPP can be found at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Both the Call for Abstracts and Conference Registration will open at the AbSciCon website on Tuesday, November 22nd. Information on student travel grant applications will also be available, as well as updated logistics information.

For more information: http://abscicon2012.arc.nasa.gov/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New York Center for Astrobiology expects to hire two postdoctoral researchers in the areas of observational astronomy and astrochemistry. The successful applicants will join an existing research program that seeks to identify important chemical pathways that lead from simple molecules in the interstellar medium to complex organic molecules in protoplanetary disks around newly-born stars and in primitive solar-system materials. The project represents a collaboration between researchers in the New York Center for Astrobiology (NYCA), based at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, and the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in Mountain View, CA, led by Doug Whittet and Yvonne Pendleton, respectively. It is anticipated that one appointee will be based primarily at NYCA, the other primarily at ARC. The duties of the appointees will be matched to their prior expertise and may include: acquisition and analysis of new astronomical observations at infrared and/or radio wavelengths; research with existing databases such as the Spitzer Heritage Archive; related astrophysical and/or astrochemical modeling; interpretation of results and preparation for publication in the refereed literature. Positions will be for one year initially, with anticipated renewal for a second year dependent on availability of funds.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Astrochemistry, or a related field, and have strong research interests in studies of the molecular interstellar medium and/or protoplanetary disks. Preference will be given to applicants with prior experience and publications of direct relevance to the research project, including expertise in one or more of the following: ground-based observational infrared or millimeter-wave astronomy; spectroscopy of interstellar dust, ices and gas-phase molecules; data analysis, including interrogation of large databases; physical and chemical modeling of interstellar molecular clouds and/or protoplanetary disks.

To receive full consideration, applications, including curriculum vitae, publications list, one-page statement of research interests, and the names of at least three professional references should be submitted online as soon as possible at the following url: https://rpijobs.rpi.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1313683304474

Follow instructions for new users. Apply to the Postdoctoral Research Associate, NY Center for Astrobiology, search number 20110001 position. Applications may also be mailed to: Ms. Ann Marie Strack, Department of Astrobiology, Cogswell Lab, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180 or submitted by email to straca@rpi.edu.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In 2011, and for the fourth consecutive year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was chosen as one of 25 host institutions in the United States for the 2011 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp (BHSSC). The EMBHSSC is a free, academic program of The Harris Foundation, which takes an active role in shaping education in students entering grade 6,7, or 8. The program is named after Bernard A. Harris, MD, an accomplished NASA astronaut, physician and entrepreneur; Dr. Harris, the first African American to walk in space, plays an active role in the Summer Science Camp program and other programs for underserved youths.

Continue reading "ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are currently being accepted for the Origin of Life Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). The Origin of Life GRS is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas on origin of life research. The meeting will be held January 7th-8th at Hotel Galvez in Galveston TX, immediately preceding the Origin of Life Gordon Research Conference to be held January 8th - 13th at the same location. Participants in the Origin of Life Gordon Research Seminar are encouraged to participate in the associated Origin of Life Gordon Research Conference.

For more information please visit: http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2012&program=grs_origin

Source: NAI newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Locations: New York Center for Astrobiology (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and NASA Ames Research Center

The New York Center for Astrobiology expects to hire two postdoctoral researchers in the areas of observational astronomy and astrochemistry. The successful applicants will join an existing research program that seeks to identify important chemical pathways that lead from simple molecules in the interstellar medium to complex organic molecules in protoplanetary disks around newly-born stars and in primitive solar-system materials. The project represents a collaboration between researchers in the New York Center for Astrobiology (NYCA), based at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, and the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in Mountain View, CA, led by Doug Whittet and Yvonne Pendleton, respectively. It is anticipated that one appointee will be based primarily at NYCA, the other primarily at ARC.

The duties of the appointees will be matched to their prior expertise and may include: acquisition and analysis of new astronomical observations at infrared and/or radio wavelengths; research with existing databases such as the Spitzer Heritage Archive; related astrophysical and/or astrochemical modeling; interpretation of results and preparation for publication in the refereed literature. Positions will be for one year initially, with anticipated renewal for a second year dependent on availability of funds.

Continue reading "Postdoctoral Positions in Astronomy/Astrochemistry" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Institute for Astronomy (IfA) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship with interests in the origin of Earth's water to work with the University of Hawai'i's NASA Astrobiology Institute lead team (see http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/UHNAI/). The UH lead team maintains an innovative and multi-disciplinary research environment linking astronomical, biological, microbiological, chemical, and geological sciences to investigate the origin, history, distribution and role of water as it relates to life in the universe. The program centers around interactions with an interdisciplinary group of postdoctoral fellows. We have a particular need for an individual interested in the origin of Earth's water, and, by analogy, terrestrial planetary volatiles. The work involves geological field work to sample primitive, deep-mantle-plume materials, preparation of samples of melt inclusions in olivines from Hawaiian and Icelandic basalts for isotopic measurements using the petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope, and electron microprobe, and measurements of D/H ratios and hydrogen abundances in the melt inclusions using the UH Cameca ims 1280 ion microprobe. The Fellowship is for one year and may be renewable up to a total of 3 years assuming satisfactory progress and continued availability of funds. The fellow will receive a stipend of approximately $5,000 per month, a small relocation allowance and basic research costs.

Continue reading "Origin of Earth's Water - Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellow - Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawai'i Manoa" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Institute for Astronomy (IfA) at the University of Hawaii (UH) invites applications for the Beatrice Watson Parrent Postdoctoral Fellowship. We seek researchers displaying significant promise in any field of astrophysics or solar physics, including observation, theory, and instrumentation. The term of the fellowship is for up to 3 years, starting around Fall 2012. The IfA has guaranteed access to the entire suite of observational facilities on the summits of Mauna Kea and Haleakala. The IfA is also the lead institution in the Pan-STARRS PS1 wide-field optical telescope, which is carrying out a multiyear synoptic survey mission. More information is available at http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu.

The successful candidate will undertake a program of independent research and participate in the academic and scientific life of the IfA. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding promise as a researcher, as reflected by their publications and their letters of recommendation. They should have completed a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or equivalent areas by the start date of employment. The Fellow will be provided an annual salary of approximately $64,500, a research budget of $15,000/year, and assistance with relocation expenses to Hawaii. The Fellow will also be able to apply for UH telescope time and have access to the Pan-STARRS PS1 telescope and UKIDSS survey data.

Inquiries: Dr. Fabio Bresolin, bresolin@ifa.hawaii.edu, 808-956-8306 (Oahu).

For more information: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/position-vacancies/11433-20111230.shtml

Source: NAI newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Astrobiology Student Research Travel Awards offer research-related travel support for undergraduate, graduate students and early postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more laboratories supported by the NASA Astrobiology Program (ASTEP, ASTID, Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology and the NAI), however any travel that is critical for the applicant's research will be considered. Travelers must be formally affiliated with a U.S. institution. Requests are limited to $5,000.

For more information, see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-research-scholarships

Source: NAI newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The pool of candidates for the NAI/APS 2011 competition was the largest we have ever experienced. Typically six to seven selections are made annually, however for 2011 twelve young investigators were selected for the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology.

Congratulations go to:

Continue reading "NAI/American Philosophical Society Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research: 2011 Selections" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The InSPIRESS program at the University of Alabama-Huntsville is a spin-off of the highly successful JPL Planetary Science Summer School. InSPIRESS serves both high school and undergraduate students; science mentors are needed for the high school track only.

Since this coming school year's project will be to plan a mission to Titan, the program is seeking Titan scientists to mentor the 22 high school teams who will be participating in InSPIRESS. Following are details on the commitment:

* Two to three sessions with the student teams, about 30 minutes/week for a few weeks. Skype can be used, and/or email exchanges and phone calls. Science mentors are needed for the first two months of school (late August and into September) and then again in January/February with the new semester.

* Mentoring entails discussing a proper Titan science question and how to answer it. If the mentors wish to be more involved, that is most appreciated, but not required. An InSPIRESS Mentor Briefing document is available upon request.

Interested? Please contact

Michael "P.J." Benfield by Friday, August 19 at the latest.

Michael P.J. Benfield, Ph.D.
Deputy Center Director, Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
(256) 824-2976

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Planetary Group, Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park has an immediate post-doctoral position opening in infrared spectral data analysis from the Deep Impact prime mission to Tempel 1 (Jul. 2005) and the extended mission's flyby of comet Hartley 2 (EPOXI; Nov. 2010).

Successful applicants will join a team of researchers at UMD working with Deep Impact and EPOXI and a group of planetary scientists whose projects span from dynamical studies to observational programs and who hold major roles in several planetary missions.

Prospective researchers should have a strong background in surface and/or gaseous spectroscopy in addition to knowledge of and experience with small body research and/or remote sensing. Successful applicants are expected to be versatile, have a strong and broad interest in planetary science, and have relevant experience as thesis research or as other post-doctoral activities.

The position is open immediately.  Starting dates in late 2011 are preferable.  The University of Maryland is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Full text of the job description and application procedure is on the AAS Job Register: http://jobregister.aas.org/job_view?JobID=40095

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The next deadline to apply for a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) fellowship is November 1, 2011.

These competitive one- to three-year appointments advance NASA's missions in space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, lunar science, and astrobiology.

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 and foreign nationals who hold Lawful Permanent Resident status or who are eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply.  An H-1B Visa status is not acceptable because the NPP is not an employment program.

Stipend rates for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $50,000 per year, with moderate supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Funds are available for relocation expenses, up to a specified limit, and health insurance is available through the program.  Fellows also receive $8,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, and other activities that directly support their research.

For further information about this opportunity and to apply online, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm

Questions regarding this opportunity may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.org

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Teachers trekking to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa stop to pose for the camera in a scene from the documentary Inspire Me: Africa.

On May 31, 2011, Brad McLain and Mike Marlow of the University of Colorado, Denver delivered the first Astrobiology Education and Training (AbET) Seminar, entitled StoryTeaching: An Exploration of the Importance of Story & Narrative in Science Learning.

Abstract:

Humans are natural storytellers. We describe our experiences in terms of story. We recount our history in terms of story. We learn new things and construct new understanding through the reframing of old stories and the forging of new ones. We even describe who we are--to ourselves and others--in terms of story. When applied to science learning and science communication, the concept of "story" represents a powerful framework for making STEM relevant, meaningful, and exciting. This talk will explore StoryTeaching as the intersection of two fields of study: (1) Science Identity Construction through Experiential Learning, and (2) the Narrative Study of Lives. We will discuss the formation, maintenance, and maturing of positive science identities in the face of an often science-hostile youth culture, and the significance of personal ownership and integration of STEM into an individual's sense of self though the processes of interpretation and meaning making inherent in story. StoryTeaching is currently a research topic and methodology used at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Resources from the seminar can be downloaded here: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/articles/nai-storyteaching-seminar/

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Department of Geology at Kansas State University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Environmental Geobiology, at the rank of Assistant Professor. Compensation is based on the nine-month academic year, although two months summer salary may be negotiated for up to two years. A competitive startup package is available. The position will start no later than August 2012 and may begin earlier if mutually agreeable.

Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2011 and continue until the position is filled.

For more informaiton: http://www.k-state.edu/geology/department/geobioposition.html

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Extreme Chemistry group (X-chem) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Research Staff Member in the area of first-principles computational modeling of astrobiological phenomena for a project recently funded by the NASA Astrobiology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology program. The primary research thrust of this position involves molecular dynamics (MD) modeling designed to identify and understand chemical reactions and mechanisms of prebiotic materials in condensed phases under shock compression. The successful candidate will help elucidate the necessary thermodynamic and chemical conditions for the formation of species such as amino acids and lipids during impact events from comets and asteroids on early Earth. The technical goals of this work are to create computational models that will allow for the study of long time-scale reaction dynamics of astrobiological materials under high pressures and temperatures.

Please see https://careers.llnl.gov/ (posting #009956) for more information and to apply.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An award of $50,000 is being offered for the best original proposal pertaining to the study of the origin of life on Earth. Multiple awards may be made. "Life" is defined as a self-sustained chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution. The proposal should take into account the conditions, materials, and energy sources believed to have existed on the prebiotic Earth. Submissions should provide a cogent hypothesis for how life first arose, including its plausible chemistry, and for how primitive life could have evolved to modern biological cells, including the present genetic material and metabolism. Submitters are encouraged to offer unconventional hypotheses that nonetheless can be subject to experimental validation. Submissions will be accepted through December 31, 2011.

For further information and instructions on how to submit a proposal see http://www.originlife.org/ .

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new Astrobiology Centre will be started at Stockholm University this autumn. It will be a virtual Centre (with no separate administration) and comprise scientists engaged in physics, astronomy, geology, geochemistry and molecular biology. The centre will be carrying on the activities of the Astrobiology Graduate School at Stockholm Graduate School on a broader and larger scale. Although the training activities will continue, the scope of the Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre will encompass multidisciplinary science projects, outreach activities and co-operation with other astrobiology institutions. Four post-docs and 5 graduate students will be employed by the centre through funding from the Stockholm University Faculty of Sciences. Common interdisciplinary scientific projects of SU-ABC include:

* Siderophores as tool for dissolving, transport and reduction of crystalline material and properties of the organisms that produce them
* Serpentinisation on Earth and other objects in the solar system as a source for molecular hydrogen
* To find life at large distances - biomarkers
* Polyaromatic hydrocarbons in space
* Negative ions in the Universe
* Formation of complex molecules in the interstellar medium

The Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre will be officially launched on 2 September 2011. A programme of the opening day can be found here.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 8th annual Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) was held at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, MT from June 5-8, 2011. AbGradCon is unique in that it is organized by and targeted toward graduate students and postdocs, no more than three years from receiving their PhD, from across the sub-disciplines of astrobiology. This year's conference organization required two years of collaboration between students in Colorado and Montana, with great results.

In total there were 72 attendees at AbGradCon, including 8 international attendees from 7 different countries (Australia, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Scotland). The disciplines of the attendees were well distributed across astrobiology, with representation from the geological sciences (20 attendees), biological sciences (19), chemistry (15), astronomy and physics (12), and engineering/other (6). All attendees presented their work either with a 12-minute talk or a two-minute lightening talk and a poster.

The scientific program for AbGradCon 2011 consisted of two full days of talks, broken into eight different sessions on fairly broad topics, followed by afternoon poster sessions. All of the talks were broadcast live online in an Adobe Connect Meeting Room and recorded, and are now available on the conference website. The conference program also included three different career development activities. The first was "NASA Night", an informal and very popular presentation and discussion by Dr. Shawn Domagal-Goldman (NASA HQ) about opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, research grants and programs, missions, and other opportunities with NASA. Second, the invited speaker for the conference banquet, Dr. Kevin Hand (JPL), gave an inspirational talk about his career path titled "Adventures in Astrobiology: A Random Walk to a Known Goal." The third career development opportunity was the "Europa Collaborative Session." This was an informal presentation by Dr. James Kinsey (WHOI) titled "Analogues for Astrobiological Exploration in the Earth's Deep Oceans with the National Deep Submergence Facility Vehicles: Current ASTEP Programs and Future Opportunities". The feedback from conference participants was that these events were very useful for learning about opportunities, as well as for starting conversations with each other about future research and outreach projects.

Continue reading "8th annual Astrobiology Graduate Conference - AbGradCon - 2011" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The pool of candidates for the NAI/APS 2011 competition was the largest we have ever experienced. Typically six to seven selections are made annually, however for 2011 twelve young investigators were selected for the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology.

Congratulations go to:

Continue reading "NAI/American Philosophical Society Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research: 2011 Selections" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please join us as this year's students present the results of their summer's research.

The 2011 Summer Undergraduate Internship in Astrobiology is a ten-week internship in astrobiology held each year at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Date/Time: Thursday, August 11, 2010 11:00 AM Pacific

Presenters:

Wade Dauberman - Water on Mars: Measurements of H2O, HDO, and D/H using CRIRES at VLT
Natasha Batalha - Analyzing Spectra of a Transiting Exoplanet
Laura Beckerman - Analysis of Carbon Isotopes of Mars Analog Materials

For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/193

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Emily Knowles: The eighth annual Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) was held at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, MT from June 5-8, 2011. AbGradCon is unique in that it is organized and targeted toward graduate students and postdocs, no more than three years from receiving their PhD, from across the sub-disciplines of astrobiology. This year's conference organization required two years of collaboration between students in Colorado and Montana, with great results.

In total there were 72 attendees at AbGradCon, including 8 international attendees from 7 different countries (Australia, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Scotland). The disciplines of the attendees were well distributed across astrobiology, with representation from the geological sciences (20 attendees), biological sciences (19), chemistry (15), astronomy and physics (12), and engineering/other (6). All attendees presented their work either with a 12-minute talk or a two-minute lightening talk and a poster.

The scientific program for AbGradCon 2011 consisted of two full days of talks, broken into eight different sessions on fairly broad topics, followed by afternoon poster sessions. All of the talks were broadcast live online in an Adobe Connect Meeting Room and recorded, and are now available on the conference website. The conference program also included three different career development activities. The first was "NASA Night", an informal and very popular presentation and discussion by Dr. Shawn Domagal-Goldman (NASA HQ) about opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, research grants and programs, missions, and other opportunities with NASA. Second, the invited speaker for the conference banquet, Dr. Kevin Hand (JPL), gave an inspirational talk about his career path titled "Adventures in Astrobiology: A Random Walk to a Known Goal." The third career development opportunity was the "Europa Collaborative Session." This was an informal presentation by Dr. James Kinsey (WHOI) titled "Analogues for Astrobiological Exploration in the Earth's Deep Oceans with the National Deep Submergence Facility Vehicles: Current ASTEP Programs and Future opportunities". The feedback from conference participants was that these events were very useful for learning about opportunities, as well for starting conversations with each other about future research and outreach projects.

Continue reading "AbGradCon 2011" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Liza Coe: Many people who have not been to Death Valley think of it as an inhospitable patch of sand in the middle of a desert. Although it is one of the driest areas on the planet, the land supports so much life.

Interdisciplinary studies are an important way to bring together many concepts. Much of education today is very segregated, especially in high school: history, math, biology, earth science, and everything else is learned separately. However, it has been demonstrated that interdisciplinary studies can grab and maintain students' interests as well as helping them retain knowledge longer.

All of the places that we visited today can be used as an interdisciplinary site. We started off at Scotty's Castle and along the ride we noticed many significant geological formations. The history of Scotty's Castle can be tied into the time period, with a lesson about the other economic and historical events that happened in the 1930s and 1940s. Also, along the ride, the types minerals that are abundant in the desert area can be discussed, and students can learn how to identify geological features, such as alluvial fans and fault lines.

We then headed to the Ubehebe craters, which are a great analog to formations to look for on Mars. These craters are Maar craters, where magma meets groundwater. The water table boils and released pressure in a volcanic eruption. The craters are what are left over after such eruptions. Many students may believe a crater is only from an asteroid or from a mountainous volcano, so this site affords an opportunity to learn about all sorts of volcanic features.We ended our long day at Badwater Basin, which is one of the lowest places in the world, at -282 feet. This used to be a sea, and this place could be used to talk about watersheds and how desertification occurs over time. We can incorporate math into this by looking at negative numbers, and students can compare the sea levels of the lowest places in the world. This was a very long but rewarding day as we got to take in all the beauty of Death Valley.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The first day of our adventure in the Mojave took us from the plains of the desert to the highest peaks of the sand dunes to the depths of the underground volcanic caves. Driving over the day before, we were greeted by Soda Lake, a lake that instead of water has a film of bicarbonate salt covering a bed of sulfuric mud. Following the path to our home for the week, we drove by a man-made pond with a fountain in the middle inhabited by an endangered species of fish called a Chub. The backdrop of our new home was the endless plains of the Mojave Desert.

The rise of the sun over the desert heralded the first day of our five day journey to find the key to the possibility of alien life. We piled into five cars and caravanned, leaving civilization behind us in our search for biological soil crusts, referred to as BSC, in the vast plains of the desert. Though its appearance resembles that of black, squishy mold; BSCs are a complex community of cyanobacteria, moss and lichen that represent how life can survive in extreme environments. The objective was to find a large enough population that would allow us to take samples without decimating the population since they take about fifty years to resurface. The samples were retrieved and will be analyzed in a lab in order to discover the mechanisms by which life can survive in such an extreme environment. Our next task was to find a section of desert that would allow us to take a sample of barren land and compare this to the life element found in the BSC samples that we collected.

We continued our journey through the desert to the seaming oasis of Kelso, a World War II boomtown, for lunch and stumbled upon a gem in the form of an educational video. We learned a lot about our next stop, the Cima Sand Dunes. These dunes were beautiful but deceitful. Despite their seemingly serene exterior they soon proved to be our greatest challenge. Our mission was to reach the highest point of the dunes in order to survey the landscape. After about an hour of treacherous trekking, we reached the base of the highest peak. We thought the most difficult part was over, but the adventure had just begun. As we started trudging up the steep hill, soon to be nicknamed "Mt. Doom", we discovered that the sandy texture of the soil made it difficult to progress...for every step we took up, we slid down 0.75 steps. Although the environment proved to be too extreme for some, the majority persevered. After a strenuous combination of hiking and crawling, we conquered Mt. Doom and in doing so superseded our own perceived mental and physical limitations. After we recovered, we embraced the view and enjoyed our feelings of accomplishment. In surveying the land, we noticed that there was a distinct border of plants and shrubs along the base of the dunes. On our climb down, we encountered individual blades of grass-like plants growing in the middle of the sand. The roots appeared to be endless so we hope to return in order to further investigate the mechanism of their survival.

Our expedition continued through a rocky road to the Lava Tubes. We observed gaps in the Earth formed by geologically 'young' (approximately 10,000-15,000 years old) magma. We then climbed down into the caves and observed the geological formation of the caves. It is possible that life could have existed at one point but due to constant human traffic, none can be observed currently.

Upon returning, we enjoyed a hot shower and a delicious and hearty meal followed by a very stimulating presentation and discussion about microbialites. Then it was straight to bed to prepare for the next day. Thus ended the first day of our adventures in the Mojave.

~FIN~

Cal Poly Pomona
Andrea Gonzalez
Alexandra Olano
Amina Razzak
Kara Rotunno
Sarah Saleemi

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today I was able to spend time with Jane Curnutt and Ernesto Gomez and Keith Schubert from the Computer Science and Engineering program at San Bernardino working on the Cellular Automata. We started talking about the radius and the neighborhoods that surrounding each cell, which is represented by a square. Each square has a radius of either 1, 2 or 3, each having a different neighborhood size. A radius one has a length of a side of a neighborhood square of 3 squares surrounding it, counting itself and diagonals. A radius of 2 has a length of a side of a square of 5, and a radius of 3 has a length of a side of the neighborhood of 7. The cell looks around in the neighborhood and if they find a square within their radius neighborhood, then they follow the rules set. For example we set the rules for the neighborhood of 0 to be unchanging. The rule for the neighborhood of 1 for life and the neighborhood of 2 for death. There are more neighborhoods to be set, but for the sake of the example we just set those different. We put one center square in the sea of brown, and clicked the button for an iteration, and watched the square grow. The space around the square grew, all the surrounding squares filled in with green, including the diagonals, creating a 3x3 square. We continued pushing the iteration button to see what would happen and the patterns that were created were symmetrical. Jane pointed out that the square started out with a 1, would create the same pattern as a 3x3 starting square as long as the rules for the neighborhoods were the same.

In order to understand the working of the program, we talked about how to bring the program into a classroom. We created an activity involving chairs and people acting like the cells. We talked about how to teach a student to think about the radius and the neighborhoods. The activity would have a set of chairs set up like a square and have a person sit in the middle or somewhere in the square of chairs, acting like a cell. They would sit down and reach around to figure out how big the length of the neighborhood side is based on the rule of radius. We set it like a radius 1 and had one person sit in the square and look to see if they can reach out to the chairs that is 1 away. Since all of the chairs can be reached, they count themselves and say that has 1 which means that cell grew. We put in people where the squares that were empty. And continued the activity according to the rules we set up.

I really enjoyed working with these people. I learned a lot about working in a classroom and trying to make the program that was designed to mimic patterns of bacteria or any form of growth pattern, can be taught to first graders in relation to patterns and counting. The activity we created for the classroom helped me understand how the program works. I was able to continue playing with the program itself and figure out some more patterns just by playing around with the neighborhood rules.

Cassandra Guido, California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

5/31 NAI AbET Seminar: Brad McLain, 'StoryTeaching: An Exploration of the Importance of Story & Narrative in Science Learning'

Join us for the first Astrobiology Education and Training Seminar!

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 10:00AM Pacific

Presenter: Brad McLain, University of Colorado, Denver

Abstract:

Humans are natural storytellers. We describe our experiences in terms of story. We recount our history in terms of story. We learn new things and construct new understanding through the reframing of old stories and the forging of new ones. We even describe who we are--to ourselves and others--in terms of story. When applied to science learning and science communication, the concept of "story" represents a powerful framework for making STEM relevant, meaningful, and exciting. This talk will explore StoryTeaching as the intersection of two fields of study: (1) Science Identity Construction through Experiential Learning, and (2) the Narrative Study of Lives. We will discuss the formation, maintenance, and maturing of positive science identities in the face of an often science-hostile youth culture, and the significance of personal ownership and integration of STEM into an individual's sense of self though the processes of interpretation and meaning making inherent in story. StoryTeaching is currently currently a research topic and methodology used at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Bio:

Brad McLain is an educational researcher and co-director of XSci at the University of Colorado, Denver. XSci is the Experiential Science Education Research Collaborative focused on research into STEM learning theory and the field of experiential learning. McLain's research focus is on science identity construction and the role of narrative (storytelling) in content understanding and personal meaning-making. He is also an accomplished documentary filmmaker and multimedia designer, having been the lead for several NSF and NASA projects over the past 10 years. Prior to joining the faculty at UCD, McLain was an educational researcher at the Space Science Institute, a multimedia instructional designer in the online learning industry, a NASA educational lead, and a social science researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). McLain's NASA experience began in 2001 as an education lead for space shuttle mission STS 107, Columbia's final flight which ended in tragedy. Following his stint on the human space flight side of NASA, he became in involved is several educational efforts in space science and astrobiology. He is also a long-time partner of the NASA Astrobiology Institute and has served as an NAI presenter, reviewer, and project development partner in both NASA and NSF funded astrobiology education projects. McLain lives in Boulder Colorado with his family of 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 wife.

Participation Instructions:

TO JOIN USING A VIDEOCONFERENCING SYSTEM:

Please RSVP to Marco Boldt (Marco.Boldt@nasa.gov) if you will be joining by Polycom.

To view the slides, connect to http://connect.arc.nasa.gov/storyteaching/

TO JOIN USING A WEB BROWSER:

The slides and audio/video for this meeting will be presented using Adobe Connect. To join the meeting, connect to:
http://connect.arc.nasa.gov/storyteaching/

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Earth to the Solar System (FETTSS) is a collection of high resolution images that showcase the beauty and excitement of planetary exploration--our journey to understand the origin and evolution of the Solar System, and our search for life elsewhere.

FETTSS is freely available to organizations worldwide. You can download the high-resolution images for free, and print and display however many you choose, wherever you choose, and in any format you choose! Contact us to get started!

Tips for success and links to the Twitter feed and Facebook page are on the website: http://fettss.arc.nasa.gov.

The images are at once artistic and informative, weaving together themes in astrobiology, planetary science, and astronomy. Including contributions from backyard astronomers, large telescopes in space, and even point-and-shoot cameras of field researchers, the collection represents the current state of exploration as seen through the eyes of the scientific community. Thanks to all who contributed to the collection!

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is soliciting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The two-year fellowships are available in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research.

Applicants are required to submit proposals with the support of a mentor and institution, and all proposals will be evaluated by a peer review panel.

Selected applicants receive a stipend, allowance for health insurance, and travel funds for related scientific meetings. Also, an optional, competitive third-year of fellowship support is available.

Detailed program and application submission information is available at http://www.nsbri.org/FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES/Current-Announcements/.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) at:
http://nspires.nasaprs.com .

Notices of intent are due May 18, 2011, and the application deadline is June 20, 2011. Questions may be directed to David A. Watson, Ph.D., NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, by email, postdoc@www.nsbri.org, or by phone, 713-798-7412.

NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration spaceflight and developing the medical technologies needed for long missions. The Institutes science, technology and education projects take place at more than 60 institutions across the United States.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) is accepting proposals to the 2011 NAI Director's Discretionary Fund (DDF).

Priority in selection for the NAI 2011 DDF will be given to proposals that are characterized by one or more of the following:

* Integrates the research of and realizes synergies among the current NAI teams
* Expands the scope of NAI research (and the NAI community) in innovative ways, accepting some risk in return for high pay-off potential
* Responds in a timely way to new scientific results or programmatic opportunities
* Develops connections between astrobiology research and other NASA science programs, particularly NASA's Earth Science Program - see, http://nasascience.nasa.gov/earth-science
* Directly supports flight programs, particularly through instrument development
* Uses funding particularly effectively, for example through leveraging or building on past investments
* Supports early career investigators

Schedule: Proposals will be accepted at any time until June 30, 2011.

For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/the-nai-directors-discretionary-fund/intro

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every summer, NAI teams and others host hands-on, in-the-field, in-the-lab workshops for educators. The workshops feature cutting edge astrobiology research delivered by astrobiology scientists and education professionals, as well as inquiry- and standards-based activities ready for your classroom. Below is the list of offerings for Summer 2011.

ASTROBIOLOGY SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIENCE for TEACHERS (ASSET)

Dates: July 17-23, 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Applications due: March 31, 2011
URL: http://www.seti.org/epo/ASSET

The ASSET experience will be intense and exciting, interactive and content rich, with presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA, and the California Academy of Sciences. Participants receive the Voyages Through Time curriculum. All expenses are covered for participants.

ASTROBIOLOGY LABORATORY INSTITUTE FOR INSTRUCTORS (ALI'I)

Dates: July 7-13, 2011
Location: University of Hawai'i, Manoa, Oahu, HI
Applications due: March 31, 2011
Contact: Mary Kado'oka, kadooka@ifa.hawaii.edu

This workshop, designed for secondary science teachers, will introduce the big picture of astrobiology before delving deeper to highlight specific contributions from cosmochemistry, heliophysics, astronomy, geosciences and evolution. The central theme is "twin timelines" - the timeline of the universe (from the Big Bang to the origin of our species) and the timeline of human discoveries (from the Age of Enlightenment to emerging frontiers). Besides lectures and state-of-the-art lab tours, the newest development will be the active participation of all scientists leading hands-on activities. Registration fee is $50. Because of a tuition waiver, 3 University of Hawaii graduate education credits will be offered for the administrative fee of $158. A limited number of teachers from continental US will receive a subsidy of $1000 to defray expenses. Accepted Hawaii teachers will be fully subsidized. Dormitory accommodations will be available on the UH campus within walking distance of the workshop.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The deadline for the 2011 MIRS Program is March 31, 2011.

The Astrobiology Program Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) program, administered by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, provides funded opportunities for researchers from minority institutions to initiate partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. Past MIRS Scholars have worked with researchers at UCLA, NASA Ames, the University of Hawaii, JPL, the University of Wisconsin, NASA Goddard, and Portland State University.

For more information: http://www.uncfsp.org/spknowledge/default.aspx?page=program.view&areaid=1&contentid=811&typeid=NAIMIRS53345

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 23rd Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (18-22 July and 1-5 August) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. During the program and pre-session webinars, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. By the completion of the session, students will have a clearer understanding of the mission design relationships among science instruments, cost, and schedule, and the trade-offs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the opportunity to acquire high-quality science. They will also understand the lifecycle of a robotic space mission.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2011

For more information, see https://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Astrobiology Program Research Scholarship Program offers research-related travel support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more research teams, however any travel that is critical for the applicant's research will be considered. Travelers must be formally affiliated with a U.S. institution. Requests are limited to $5,000.

For more information, see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-research-scholarships

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Astrobiology Program is pleased to announce the selection of four new NASA Postdoctoral Fellows:

Aaron Engelhart (Georgia Tech)
Advisor: Jack Szostak (Exobiology: Prebiotic Evolution, Mass General/ Harvard)
Topic: "Experimental Models of a Key Step in Prebiotic Compartmentalization: Coupling Vesicle Growth and Nucleic Acid Synthesis"

Svetlana Berdyugina (ETH Zurich)
Advisor: Karen Meech (NAI University of Hawaii Team)
Topic: "Hot Water in Exoplanets and Protoplanetary Disks"

Aaron Goldman (University of Washington)
Advisor: Laura Landweber at Princeton University (NAI, Georgia Tech Team)
Topic: "ORGOS: A Database and Unified Organizational Framework to Aggregate, Evaluate, and Advance Origin of Life Research"

Jordan Okie (Univ. of New Mexico)
Advisors: Everett Shock (Exobiology: Early Evolution of Life and the Biosphere, Arizona State University) and Tori Hoehler (NAI, NASA Ames Team)
Topic: "Thermodynamic and Kinetic Constraints on Metabolic Diversity: Quantifying the Biogeochemical Niche Space of Life"

More information about the NPP can be found at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Celebrating the International Year of Chemistry, The Future of Women in Chemistry and Science was a virtual conference featuring women from across the spectrum of careers in science sharing insights on such topics as how to understand GenY, mentorship, work-life balance, and how to attract women into science. Sixty women participated in this 60 minute presentation sponsored by Dow Chemical and Scientific American. NAI affiliates Felisa Wolfe-Simon, Linda McGown, and Catherine Drennan participated.

For more information and to view the presentations: http://www.futurewecreate.com/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are now accepting applications to the NAI-sponsored Astrobiology Research Focus Group Workshop: an intensive three-day training workshop for early career astrobiologists. The goal of this workshop is to build collaborative proposal writing & research skills in the next generation of astrobiology scientists.

Through the course of the workshop, participants create an original proposal on a topic relevant to the current state of astrobiology research, which must be presented to a body of peers. Participants are encouraged to use the workshop as a forum for exploring creative and original research topics.

The 2009 and 2010 workshops produced several original research ideas. Highlights include: work leading to a successfully funded research grant through the NAI director's discretionary fund and an internationally recognized space policy paper proposing a METI protocol for messaging extraterrestrial intelligence.

New this year, we will be hosting an intimate NASA proposal writing workshop that will be led by Dr. Michael New from NASA headquarters.

Also new this year, we will unveil the details of the Young Investigator's Award: a new award being developed to provide support to research ideas developed at RFG.

Please visit our website to apply today and apply!

Food & Lodging for this workshop is covered for all accepted participants as is travel from Bozeman, MT to El Western Resort in Ennis, MT.

Applications will be open until April 8th, 2011!

http://www.facebook.com/l/be2f5RMipe5KYAs_-KZgorcJ4XA/www.abgradcon.org/rfg.html

if you have any questions please e-mail rfgw11@ http://www.facebook.com/l/be2f51XuGBHnuz3Rz3Ctgd6dvlg/gmail.com

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NOTE: This email is for information gathering purposes. Willingness to participate in the SOI review does not guarantee a proposal will be assigned. The number of available qualified reviewers may exceed the number of reviewers needed.

NASA Research and Education Support Services (NRESS) is seeking persons to evaluate proposals submitted in response to the NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) titled, "2011 Summer of Innovation Project" announced by NASA Glenn Research Center Office of Educational Programs on January 19, 2011. Specifically, NASA is interested in reviewers with expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas: education reform and policy, evidence-based summer learning programs, innovative and scalable program design, partnerships, grant management and/or federal education proposal review. NASA is seeking reviewers with various backgrounds and professional affiliation including Pre-K - 12 teachers and principals, college and university educators, researchers and evaluators, social entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, grant makers and managers, and others with education expertise.

Continue reading "Availability for NASA Summer of Innovation (SOI) Competitive Grants Peer Review" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Application Deadline: February 15, 2011

The American Philosophical Society and the NASA Astrobiology Institute have partnered to promote the continued exploration of the world around us through a program of research grants in support of astrobiological field studies undertaken by graduate students, postdoctoral students, and junior scientists and scholars.

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology supports field studies in areas of research related to astrobiology by graduate students, postdocs, and early-career scientists and scholars who are affiliated with U.S. institutions. Grants may be used for travel and related expenses, including field equipment, up to $5,000. Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes members of the NAI, the APS, and the wider science community, as needed. Recipients will be designated as Lewis and Clark Field Scholars in Astrobiology.

Additional information, including the application forms and instructions, is available at the APS's Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology website: http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Abstract Submission Deadline: February 28, 2011
Participant Notification: April 4th, 2011

AbGradCon 2011 will be held at the Montana State University campus (Bozeman, MT) on June 4th-8th. Montana State University provides a unique setting for astrobiology graduate students and early career researchers to come together to share their research, collaborate, and network. Since it is organized and attended by only graduate students and post docs, AbGradCon is an ideal venue for the next generation of career astrobiologists to form bonds, share ideas, and discuss the issues that will shape the future of the field. Full funding is available for US applicants. Limited funding may be available for international students. For more information, please see http://abgradcon2011.org/ Please send questions and concerns to abgradcon2011@gmail.com

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dates: June 27 - July 1, 2011

Application Deadline: March 14, 2011

The ninth annual Summer School in Astrobiology, sponsored by the NAI and the Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB), will be held in Santander on Spain's Cantabrian coast. The topic of the School this year is "Mars Exploration: Unveiling a Habitable Planet."

The summer school includes a week of lectures presented by internationally distinguished researchers, round-table discussions, astronomical observations, and a half-day field trip. Students completing the school receive a UIMP Diploma in Astrobiology. On-site accommodations and meals are provided at the summer campus of UIMP, Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo, Santander. Lecturers will include David Des Marais of NASA Ames Research Center and Bethany Ehlmann of the Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, in Orsay, France.

Scholarships covering travel costs, school fees, accommodation and meals are provided by the NAI for approximately 10 students affiliated with US. institutions. Additional opportunities are available for students from other countries. For more information see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/UIMP/2011

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Application Deadline: February 15, 2011

Roger Summons, PI of the MIT NAI team, is planning a field trip to Shark Bay Australia from June ~11 - 19. Participants include Pieter Visscher (UConn), Joan Bernhard and Ginny Edgcomb (WHOI) and students from MIT and the University of NSW. They will be exploring the microbial diversity of subtidal stromatolites. The team could accommodate another one or two students wishing to participate in related research activities. They must have their own funding support, and should supply a short description of the research they plan to conduct to rsummons@mit.edu.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The First Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00pm, in association with the 2011 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), The Woodlands, TX.

The Conference includes:

* Panels on "How to Choose the Grad School Right for You," "Alternative Careers in Science," and "Women in Planetary Science;"
* Poster sessions where students will present their posters to other students and to the scientific community;
* "Meeting Mentors" who will pair students with a scientist for part of the LPSC meeting, so students can learn how to engage at a scientific conference;
* Opportunities to meet other undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and scientists.

Undergraduate students currently conducting research in planetary sciences, astrobiology and lunar sciences are eligible.

To apply, please go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/yssurc2011/ Applications are due: Close of Business, February, 1, 2011

Some travel support will be available to students who qualify. Priority will be given to students of diverse backgrounds. Students are encouraged to attend LPSC and the travel support includes registration for and participation in LPSC. For additional information, please contact Dr. Emily CoBabe-Ammann at ecobabe@spaceeducation.org. This conference, the "Year of the Solar System" Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference is supported by the NASA Science Mission Directorate, the NASA Lunar Science Institute, and the NASA Astrobiology Program. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are now being accepted for the Achieving Competence in Computing, Engineering and Space Science project, also known as ACCESS. This 10-week, paid internship at NASA centers around the U.S. is designed for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities.

Applicants should have strong backgrounds in science, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a desire to pursue technical careers. Students who are chosen will work with scientists and engineers in an area compatible with their skills and interests.

Applications for placement at NASA are due Feb. 11, 2011.

For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/Achieving_Competence.html.

Please e-mail any questions about this opportunity to Laureen Summers at lsummers@aaas.org.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships, or SURF, project introduces undergraduate students to research under the guidance of seasoned mentors at Caltech or NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity and gain a more realistic view of the opportunities and demands of a professional research career.

SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process. Students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project and to write research proposals. Caltech faculty or JPL staff review the proposals and recommend awards. Students work over a 10-week period in the summer, mid-June to late August. At the conclusion of the project, they submit a technical paper and give a SURF Seminar Day oral presentation.

All application materials must be received no later than Feb. 22, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.surf.caltech.edu/.

Please e-mail any questions about this opportunity to the Caltech Student-Faculty Programs office at sfp@caltech.edu.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI has selected the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Special Programs Corporation to administer its Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) program. The goal of the NAI MIRS Program is to help train a new generation of researchers in astrobiology and to increase diversity within the astrobiology community. For the past eight years, the program has provided opportunities for faculty members and students from minority-serving institutions to partner with astrobiology investigators.

"Providing new education opportunities for minority students will both enrich lives and answer a critical need for proficiency in science and engineering," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "But just as importantly, the program is an investment to cultivate imaginative thinking about the field of astrobiology."

The UNCF Special Programs Corporation will use its extensive database of 14,000 registrants to develop an online community to provide webinars, virtual training, and videoconferences, and provide outreach and recruitment for program participants. One of the program's main objectives is to engage more faculty from under-represented schools in astrobiology research and increase the number of students pursuing careers in astrobiology.

"Our nation's underserved populations are a tremendous resource on which we must draw, not just for science, but for everything we do," said Carl Pilcher, director of NASA's Astrobiology Institute. "We are extremely pleased that the NAI MIRS program will continue its contribution under the leadership of such a strong and experienced partner."

For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-minority-institution-research-support [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Goddard Center for Astrobiology (GCA) Greenbelt, MD 20771

The 2011 Undergraduate Research Associates in Astrobiology Program is a 10-week program for undergraduate students interested in working with scientists whose research adds to the current body of astrobiology knowledge. Each research associate (RA) will participate in a specific research program, working directly with one of our Team scientists at Goddard Space Flight Center. The RA will work closely with the mentor to conduct a well-defined investigation, reduce data, and produce an end-of- program presentation. The presentation will demonstrate the knowledge gained over the course of the summer, and will be given in an oral forum during the last week of the program. As a group, the RAs will meet with a different GCA Team member each week to learn more about his/her respective area of research, and to gain a broader view of Astrobiology.

- Housing is paid for by the GCA and is provided by University of Maryland Resident Life
- Dates of Attendance are June 6, 2011
- August 12, 2011 (must be available for all 10 weeks)
- The stipend is $4,500 for ten weeks
- Research Associates are provided with computers and a workspace for the duration of the program
- Foreign National Students must obtained an OPT from their current US University
- The GCA does not sponsor Visas or OPTs.

Selection criteria for the Undergraduate Research Associates in Astrobiology include:

- A demonstrated enthusiasm and interest in Astrobiology
- Interest in scientific research
- Letters of reference from two Faculty members
- The Original Letter of Reference along with two copies should be sent under separate cover by your referrers to Corinne Eby (address is listed below)
- Overall academic quality (honors, awards, GPA, etc.)

Application form and more information

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From July 21-August 1, 2010, five K-12 and informal educators joined scientists from the Arizona State University (ASU) and Montana State University (MSU) teams of the NASA Astrobiology Institute for a two week field experience as part of the ASU Astrobiology Virtual Field Trip (VFT) initiative. To address the need for better teacher preparation in STEM education, these teachers worked directly with scientists studying the thermal environments at Yellowstone National Park. They experienced the thrill of doing authentic field research in a breathtaking setting! These educators are an integral part of the VFT project and will provide valuable input on the design of the Web interface, its functionality in a classroom setting and related K-12 curriculum materials. Their collaboration with the ASU Astrobiology team will continue through Spring 2011 as the virtual field trip takes shape. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This summer, NAI's team at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) hosted the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp in Astrobiology. The camp is a free, academic program of The Harris Foundation, named for Bernard A. Harris, MD, an accomplished NASA astronaut, physician, and entrepreneur, and the first African American to walk in space.

The theme of this year's camp, held from June 12-25th, was The Quest for Life, and 50 middle school students participated. During the two exciting weeks, students went on several field trips to Albany Pine Bush, Howe Caverns, Rocky Hill Dinosaur Park, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Students also took many classes such as the Mars Student Imaging Project, and completed a Field Trip to the Moon. The main activity for the students was to propose a mission to search for life on either Mars, Europa, or Titan. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI has awarded the following students and postdoctoral fellows with travel awards:

Chris Glein, a graduate student at Arizona State University, will present a paper at the European Planetary Science Conference in Rome, Italy.

Weifu Guo, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, will travel to JPL to use the tunable laser spectroscopy facilities.

Amy Kelly, a Postdoctoral Fellow will travel between the University of California, Riverside and Arizona State University to continue her research by measuring transition metal isotope ratios in ancient rocks.

Anna Roussanova, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii, will attend the Saas-Fee Winter School, "From Planets to Life", in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland.

For more information on the NAI Research Scholarship Program: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-research-scholarships [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA announces a call for graduate fellowship proposals to the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) program for the 2011-2012 academic year. This call for fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines. The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA's scientific goals. Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities.

The deadline for NEW applications is February 1, 2011, and the deadline for RENEWAL applications is March 15, 2011.

The NESSF call for proposals and submission instructions are located at the NESSF 11 solicitation index page at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ - click on "Solicitations" then click on "Open Solicitations" then select the "NESSF 11" announcement. Also refer to "Proposal Submission Instructions" and "Program Specific Questions" listed under "Other Documents" on the NESSF 11 solicitation index page.

All proposals must be submitted in electronic format only through the NASA NSPIRES system. The advisor has an active role in the submission of the fellowship proposal. To use the NSPIRES system, the advisor, the student, and the university must all register. Extended instructions on how to submit an electronic proposal package are posted on the NESSF 11 solicitation index page listed above. You can register in NSPIRES at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.

For further information contact Ming-Ying Wei, Program Administrator for NESSF Earth Science Research, Telephone: (202) 358-0771, E-mail: mwei@nasa.gov or Dolores Holland, Program Administrator for NESSF Heliophysics Research, Planetary Science Research, and Astrophysics Research, Telephone: (202) 358-0734, E-mail: hq-nessf-Space@nasa.gov. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

- Student & Young Scientist Meeting Grants

Deadline: 19 February, 2011.

Eligibility: This program provides financial assistance to young scientists and students with little or no support from research contracts or grants who will give an oral or poster presentation as first author at the Origins 2011 meeting. Requests should be sent to travelgrant@issol.org .

- David White Research Award.

Deadline: 15 December, 2010.

Eligibility: This award recognizes one or more scientists for outstanding contributions in experimental and/or theoretical studies in Astrobiology. Nominees must be members of ISSOL at the time of the award.

- Stanley L Miller Early Career Research Award

Deadline: 15 December, 2010.

Eligibility: ISSOL recognizes outstanding contributions of young scientists who are engaged in experimental and/or theoretical studies in Astrobiology. For more information on these grants visit http://issol.org/education-and-careers/

[Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University is seeking new faculty expertise in the study of the nature, formation, and evolution of extrasolar planets. Applicants with both observational and theoretical interests are being sought. Specific research areas might include but are not limited to: spectroscopy of planets and their host stars, novel techniques for searching for and characterizing exoplanets, planetary interior modeling, and planetary dynamics. The School is particularly interested in hiring faculty at the Assistant or Associate Professor level who aspire to leadership positions in large-scale space- and/or ground-based research initiatives like those recently articulated in the 2010 NRC Decadal Survey in Astronomy and Astrophysics ("New Worlds, New Horizons"). The successful candidate's appointment may begin as early as August 15, 2011.

Established in 2006, SESE is one of the fastest growing academic programs at one of the fastest growing institutions of higher learning in the United States. An essential part of its mission is a transformative integration of disciplines such as biogeochemistry, astrophysics, geophysics, cosmology, volcanology, hydrology, geology, and systems engineering to address the grand challenges in earth and space sciences. Faculty in SESE have full access to the Arizona Observatory facilities, including the 6.5m MMT at Mt Hopkins, the two 6.5m Magellan telescopes in Chile, the 2.3m Bok and 1.8m VATT telescopes, the 2x8.4m LBT at Mt Graham, and the 10m Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope. Access to the 22m Giant Magellan Telescope is anticipated upon its completion. In addition, SESE faculty benefit from a variety of state-of-the-art facilities on the Tempe AZ campus, including high-bay assembly clean rooms, in the School's new building opening in Spring 2012.

Applications should include: 1) a cover letter that includes a description of the applicant's research and teaching interests and experience; 2) a current CV; and 3) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references. All materials should be submitted electronically, in PDF format, through the school's website: http://sese.asu.edu/opportunities-faculty Application reviews will begin on November 1 and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, we encourage submission of complete applications no later than December 1, 2010. [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Building from recently completed and upcoming decadal surveys of emerging research priorities, the Frontier Project will establish research teams in the School of Earth and Space Exploration to take full advantage of federally funded research opportunities. These research teams will be led by newly hired senior faculty members, and typically will include newly hired junior faculty and technical staff as well as postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students. The operational base for these teams will be a 162,000 sq. ft. research building currently under construction on the ASU Tempe campus and scheduled for occupancy in Spring 2012.

We seek expressions of interest from senior faculty members at other universities or senior scientists and engineers at federal or industry laboratories who may be open to relocating to ASU and establishing a team as part of the project. Inquiries should include:

* A prospectus of the proposed research focus;
* An estimate of the initial size of the proposed research team and, if appropriate, the names and curriculum vitae of potential team members.
* A description of current sponsored funding that could support such research and of emerging funding opportunities;
* An exploration of how the research functions of the team might be integrated into the educational mission of SESE. The School regards graduate, undergraduate, K12, and informal science and engineering education as essential activities.

Letters of inquiry will be kept confidential and can be sent directly to the attention of Professor Kip Hodges, Director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration kvhodges@asu.edu . [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Australian Centre for Astrobiology and the Natural Products Research Laboratory in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science at the University of New South Wales are offering several PhD scholarships for both Australian and overseas PhD students.

To qualify you must have honours or Masters degrees or previous research experience in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology or bioinformatics to work on research projects funded by the Australian Research Council, the University of New Wales, as well as a variety of industry partners. Particular research interests and strength are in the fields of environmental microbiology and genomics, biotechnology, molecular evolution, functional genomics, drug discovery and development, astrobiology, and extremophiles.

Scholarships include a stipend of up to AUD $30,000 per annum tax-free, international travel support (AUD $5,000), office and/or laboratory expenses. Non-Australian or New Zealand applicants may also be eligible for tuition waivers (valued at AUD $22,000 per annum). Qualified applicants may be invited and funded to visit the facilities. For more information: http://www.aca.absociety.org/aca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=54 [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dates: 5-8 June 2011

Location: Montana State University, Bozeman Montana

Eligibility: Graduate students, post-doctoral students, early-career astrobiologists (2-5 years past PhD).

The 2011 Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon) will be held at Montana State University, from 5-8 June, 2011. The schedule will include two full days of talks and poster sessions, one day of public outreach and educational activities, and a full-day field trip to Yellowstone National Park. The conference application will be available online in January 2011.

For more information: http://abgradcon2011.org [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University invites applications for the Exploration Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. SESE's core mission is to integrate science and engineering to provide a better understanding of our world and beyond. Research areas within SESE encompass astrophysics, cosmology, Earth science, climate science, planetary science, exploration systems engineering, and science education. The Exploration Fellowship Program aims to provide opportunities for conducting research on cutting-edge topics and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Applications must include a brief research proposal that has been discussed with prospective faculty sponsors. Preference will be given to proposals that include multiple focus areas within SESE and that will involve new collaborations. Potential research topics span the full range of research interests of our faculty ( http://sese.asu.edu/focus_areas ), including key initiatives in the origin, evolution, and fate of the Universe, planetary bodies, Earth's surface environment, and life; and lifelong science and engineering education. ASU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that actively seeks diversity among applicants and promotes a diverse workforce.

Applications are due by December 31, 2010. A full description of the application process is available at http://sese.asu.edu/opportunities. We expect to award up to 2 fellowships this year. Typically, appointments will start between July 1 and September 1, 2011. [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Deadline: 15 November 2010

Presented by the NASA Astrobiology Program in celebration of NASA's Year of the Solar System, From Earth to the Solar System (FETTSS) will be an online collection of images that can be freely downloaded and exhibited by organizations worldwide in whatever manner they choose. The images will showcase discoveries in planetary exploration, with a focus on the origin and evolution of the Solar System and the search for life.

We are currently seeking images for the exhibit, whether it be your favorite image taken by a spacecraft, or a picture you took yourself as part of your research. We are looking for artistic and informative images of astrobiological or planetary science significance that tell a story and showcase views of the planets, moons, and other bodies in our Solar System, as well as pictures of field sites here on Earth. Our goal is for this image collection to represent the current state of exploration as seen through the eyes of the scientific community.

See http://fettss.arc.nasa.gov for instructions on how to submit an image. See http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/library/uploads/FromEarthToTheSolarSystem-ImageSubmission.pdf for a poster about FETTSS. Please contact fettss@lists.nasa.gov for additional information. [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) is seeking new faculty expertise in the study and delivery of new pedagogies in both K-12 and informal space sciences education. We are interested in new colleagues who focus on STEM education research and delivery through the lenses of astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science. The successful candidate will complement existing strengths in geoscience education research and expand the scope of SESE's existing B.A.E. degree program in Earth and Space Science Education in collaboration with the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. We are especially interested in applicants at the Assistant or Associate Professor level with interest and proven expertise in multimedia informal science education.

Established in 2006, SESE is one of the fastest growing academic programs at one of the fastest growing institutions of higher learning in the United States. An essential part of its mission is a transformative integration of earth and space sciences and systems engineering. SESE is increasing its emphasis on education beyond graduate and undergraduate major programs with the construction of a new building which will include a high-definition theater and interactive museum exhibit spaces to support informal science education, as well as technology-enabled learning laboratories to support research on K-12 STEM education and teacher training. These new facilities are scheduled for occupancy in the second quarter of 2012; appointment of the successful candidate for this search may begin as early as August 15, 2011.

Applications should include: 1) a cover letter that includes a description of the applicant's research and teaching interests and experience; 2) a current CV; and 3) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references. All materials should be submitted electronically, in PDF format, through the school's website: http://sese.asu.edu/opportunities-faculty

Application deadline is 1 December 2010; if not filled, reviews will continue weekly until search is closed.[Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Australian Centre for Astrobiology and the Natural Products Research Laboratory in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science at UNSW are offering several PhD scholarships for both Australian and overseas PhD students.

To qualify you must have honours or Masters degrees or previous research experience in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology or bioinformatics to work on research projects funded by the Australian Research Council, the University of New Wales, as well as a variety of industry partners.

Particular research interests and strength are in the fields of environmental microbiology and genomics, biotechnology, molecular evolution, functional genomics, drug discovery and development, astrobiology, and extremophiles.

Scholarships include a stipend of up to AUD $30,000 per annum tax-free, international travel support (AUD $5,000), office and/or laboratory expenses. Non-Australian or New Zealand applicants may also be eligible for tuition waivers (valued at AUD $22,000 per annum). Qualified applicants may be invited and funded to visit the facilities. For more information visit http://www.aca.absociety.org/aca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=54 [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dates: 5-8 June 2011

Location: Montana State University, Bozeman Montana

Eligibility: graduate students, post-doctoral students, early-career astrobiologists (2-5 years past PhD).

Limit: 50

The 2011 Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon) will be held at Montana State University, from 5-8 June, 2011. The schedule will include two full days of talks and poster sessions, one day of public outreach and educational activities, and a full-day field trip to Yellowstone National Park. The conference application will be available online in January 2011. For more information, please visit our website: http://abgradcon2011.org, or email abgradcon2011@gmail.com.

[Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Canadian Astrobiology Training Program (CATP) is the first Canadian cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral training program in Astrobiology and is an NSERC-funded Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) (2009-2015) located at McGill University, McMaster University, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, and the University of Winnipeg. The CATP program objectives are being accomplished through collaborative and integrative research approaches containing elements of geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, microbiology, and robotics.

CATP trainees (~70 graduate & undergraduate students, PDFs over 6 years) will be exposed to innovative research and training approaches, combining fieldwork at unique Canadian analogue sites, including those in the high Arctic, with laboratory work at cutting edge analytical facilities at participating university, government, and industry partners. Shared expertise within and among institutions will be provided by means of course and seminar videoconferencing, and interdisciplinary supervision. Professional training will be enhanced by training rotations with our collaborators at CSA, MDA Space Missions, and our international partners, including NASA Ames.

CATP Highly Qualified People (HQP) trained in various aspects of astrobiology will be at the forefront of the search for life beyond the Earth. Indeed, CATP will address the recognized lack of HQP in space science and lead to new scientific opportunities and promote Canadian participation in future missions to Mars with the ultimate goal of having Canadian scientists actively participating on such missions within 2-5 years as well as a future Mars sample return mission; both are direct initiatives of the 2008 CSA Exploration Roadmap. The skills acquired through this program will be directly transferable to various other disciplines, such as Earth and environmental sciences, robotics, medicine, and astronomy.

CATP research activities will be structured around 4 major themes that are explicitly linked to the domains of expertise of the CATP co-applicants: Extremophiles, Biosignatures, Astrobiology Instrument and Technology Development, and Planetary Analogues. The 4 themes unite to serve a common purpose: the unambiguous detection of life, extant or extinct, in areas where the existence of life cannot be presupposed. For more information regarding the CATP initiatives, please follow this web link: http://create-astrobiology.mcgill.ca/index.html Here you will find details regarding our current students and their research, our highly successful seminar series, and the training opportunities available and how to apply during the next recruitment period scheduled to start in November 2010. Please note that the deadline for all applications is 14 January 2011. [Source: NAI]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aspiring astrobiologists should report to Montana State University in Bozeman, Montanta on June 5-8th 2011 for AbGradCon 2011, the world's leading astrobiology conference for graduate students and early career scientists. Students and post-docs from a variety of fields are invited to participate in this event which will feature oral presentations, poster sessions, public outreach, and a field trip to Yellowstone National Park. For more information: http://www.abgradcon2011.org/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Release Date: July 9, 2010
Notices of Intent Due: August 6, 2010
Proposals Due: October 7, 2010
Selection Announcement: December 21, 2010
Identification Number: NNA10339208C

On July 9, 2010, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center released a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) for the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) Program. The full text of the CAN solicitation is available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.

The NAI MIRS Program is intended to help train a new generation of researchers in astrobiology and to increase diversity within the astrobiology community. This solicitation seeks proposals to continue the process of recruiting and retaining underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by involving faculty and students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in astrobiology research.

Under this CAN, NASA Ames is soliciting proposals from accredited US institutions of higher education, non-profit higher education professional organizations, and consortia of those types of organizations and institutions. Proposals from MSIs and non-profit organizations serving underrepresented students are strongly encouraged. Other organizations, including for-profit organizations, with a demonstrable capability to engage minority populations are also eligible to propose.

The period of performance for the award resulting from this solicitation is a maximum of four years. NASA expects to award one Cooperative Agreement to take effect on February 1, 2011. The estimated total value of the award is projected to be $0.8M - $1.0M.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Release Date: July 9, 2010
Notices of Intent Due: August 6, 2010
Proposals Due: October 7, 2010
Identification Number: NNA10339208C

On July 9, 2010, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center released a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) for the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) Program. The full text of the CAN solicitation is available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.

The NAI MIRS Program is intended to help train a new generation of researchers in astrobiology and to increase diversity within the astrobiology community. This solicitation seeks proposals to continue the process of recruiting and retaining underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by involving faculty and students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in astrobiology research.

Under this CAN, NASA Ames is soliciting proposals from accredited US institutions of higher education, non-profit higher education professional organizations, and consortia of those types of organizations and institutions, to administer the MIRS program. Proposals from MSIs and non-profit organizations serving underrepresented students are strongly encouraged. Other organizations, including for-profit organizations with a demonstrable capability to engage minority populations, are also eligible to propose.

The period of performance for the award resulting from this solicitation is a maximum of four years. NASA expects to award one Cooperative Agreement to take effect in early 2011. The estimated total value of the award is projected to be $0.8M - $1.0M.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, established in 2010, recognizes early-career scientists and engineers who demonstrate excellence in their contribution to public engagement with science activities. A monetary prize of $5,000, a commemorative plaque, complimentary registration to the AAAS Annual Meeting, and reimbursement for reasonable hotel and travel expenses to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting to receive the prize are given to the recipient.

For the purposes of this award, public engagement activities are defined as the individual's active participation in efforts to engage with the public on science- and technology-related issues and promote meaningful dialogue between science and society.

The award will be given at the AAAS Annual Meeting.

For more information: http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/public_engagement/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), UMR 8617

Studies on organic matter with a potentially prebiotic interest : from the Interstellar Medium to the Solar Nebula and the Oceans on Primitive Earth

The goal of this thesis is to compare the soluble organic phase from various meteorites and compare their compositions with our organic residues from the laboratory. Thus traditional contamination problems arising from weathering and poor manipulations will be greatly reduced. The main goal can be divided into three items (1) to analyze the soluble organic matter of meteorites according to their classification, (2) to evaluate once and for all if ice photo and thermo chemistry is important not only in ISM objects but also in the ecosphere of the Solar Nebula and on primitive telluric planets and finally (3) to propose to more specialized chemists a more realistic prebiotic "soup" possibly leading to the first autocatalytic molecules. Emphasis will be given to scenarios that are relevant to our knowledge of primitive Solar System and planetary evolution as IAS has an important scientific activity in these fields.

This subject is thus largely interdisciplinary (chemistry, physical-chemistry and astrophysics). The candidate (M/F), must be in possession of a MsC in any domain related to this interdisciplinary activity. Special attention will be given to experience in physical-chemistry and/or analytical chemistry. In any case, the candidate should have an experimentalist profile, ready to devote much time in the laboratory. IAS is an institute of fundamental research with application to space instrumentation, running and exploiting space instruments. About 200 people work there (around 80 scientists), an average of 15 Ph.D. students and 15 post-docs. The scientific environment within the laboratory and the Orsay Campus, not far from Paris, is truly exceptional.

For more information, please contact:

Louis d'Hendecourt
Equipe " Astrochimie et Origines "
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale
Campus Universitaire d'Orsay
Bat 121 - 91405 Orsay Cedex
Tel : +33(0)1 69 85 86 40/+33(0)6 13 16 25 38
E-mail : Louis.DHendecourt@ias.u-psud.fr

or

Donia Baklouti
Equipe " Astrochimie et Origines "
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale
Campus Universitaire d'Orsay
Bat 121 - 91405 Orsay Cedex
Tel : +33(0)1 69 85 87 88
E-mail : donia.baklouti@ias.u-psud.fr

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 2010 Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon) was held from June 14-18 this year in Taellberg, Sweden. Eighty-eight participants from 29 different countries attended the meeting, which brought together early-career scientists in the field of astrobiology. The conference schedule included oral sessions on exoplanets, astronomy and life, habitability, weird life, biosignatures and Mars, all of which were video streamed live via the web. There were also participant-led, discussion-oriented workshops on various topics within the field of astrobiology, covering topics ranging from future missions to rocky planets, to habitability, to the origin of life. The third day of the event included an excursion into the Siljan crater area, a known impact crater structure located close by. Participants traveled to various sites of geological interest within the impact structure to study the effects of impacts, and had the opportunity to observe strata that had been distorted by the impact, as well as to search for fossils in outcrops near the crater boundary. The AbGradCon tradition will be carried on in 2011, where it is currently planned to take place in Bozeman, Montana. For more information: http://www.abgradcon2010.org/

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Canadian Space Agency is offering a Visiting Fellowship ("VF") opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher in astrobiology starting this Fall. Broad research areas include: Mars sedimentary mineralogy, Fe-Si biominerals, light- or laser-based astrobiology instrumentation, Mars analogue environments (including hydrothermal systems and lava tubes).

The position includes salary + research + travel (field and conference).

For information on the visiting fellowship program: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PD-NP/Laboratories-Laboratoires/index_eng.asp

Interested candidates should contact Richard Leveille directly.

Richard Leveille, Ph.D.
Planetary Scientist
Science and Academic Development
Space Science and Technology
Canadian Space Agency
6767, route de l'Aeroport, Saint-Hubert (Quebec) J3Y 8Y9
Tel : (450) 926-5154 | Fax: (450) 926-4766

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences seeks applicants for a faculty position in biogeoscience, at the tenure track or tenured level. We seek applicants engaged in process-oriented research who will bring crucial new skills, such as use of molecular-level tools, innovative remote sensing techniques, new insight or methodology for understanding biogeochemical cycles, specialist knowledge of ecosystem energetics, and/or application of nano-scale techniques. Our ongoing research in fields related to biogeoscience includes study of biogeochemistry and geochemistry, paleoecology, ecophysiology, climate and paleoclimate, oceanography and paleoceanography, geologic carbon capture and storage, fluid-rock interaction, and the human dimensions of environmental change. Preference will be given to strong applicants who can integrate their work within this spectrum.

Minimum requirements for the position are demonstrated scientific creativity, specialist knowledge in both biology and geoscience, a Ph.D. in a biogeoscience-related field, and capability to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level. Application review will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information and to apply for this position please visit our online site at: https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=53131 Questions can be addressed to Peter Kelemen (peterk@LDEO.columbia.edu), Chair of the Search Committee. Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is pleased to announce the 2010 Selections for the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology.

1. Knicole Colon, U Florida, travel to Spain for her project, "From Hot-Jupiters to Super Earths: Characterizing Transiting Extrasolar Planets with GTC/OSIRIS".

2. Andrew Czaja, U Wisconsin, travel to Australia for a "Field Trip to Explore Archean and Proterozoic Geology of Western Australia".

3. Jason Huberty, U Wisconsin, travel to Australia, for the "Fifth International Archean Synposium Field Trip to the Pilbara Craton, including the Fortescue and Hamersley Basins".

4. Michele Knowlton, Arizona State U, travel to Yellowstone National Park to examine nitrogen fixation occurring within microbial mats.

5. Nancy McKeown, U California, Santa Cruz, travel to Arizona, for a "Spectral Study Of the Painted Desert, AZ, to "Characterize Clay Alterations Environments and Provide Implications for Astrobiology at Mawrth Valis, Mars, a Likely Mars Science Laboratory Landing Site".

6. Elizabeth Percak-Dennet, U Wisconsin, travel to Australia, "Linking Laboratory and Field Studies of the Mineralogical and Iron Isotope Composition of Banded Iron Formations in Western Australia".

7. Matthew Urschel, Montana State U, travel to Alberta, Canada to examine "Iron Reduction in the Subglacial Sediments of Robertson Glacier, Canada".

For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/lewis-and-clark

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is pleased to announce the 2010 Selections for the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology.

1. Knicole Colon, U Florida, travel to Spain for her project, "From Hot-Jupiters to Super Earths: Characterizing Transiting Extrasolar Planets with GTC/OSIRIS".

2. Andrew Czaja, U Wisconsin, travel to Australia for a "Field Trip to Explore Archean and Proterozoic Geology of Western Australia".

3. Jason Huberty, U Wisconsin, travel to Australia, for the "Fifth International Archean Synposium Field Trip to the Pilbara Craton, including the Fortescue and Hamersley Basins".

4. Michele Knowlton, Arizona State U, travel to Yellowstone National Park to examine nitrogen fixation occurring within microbial mats.

5. Nancy McKeown, U California, Santa Cruz, travel to Arizona, for a "Spectral Study Of the Painted Desert, AZ, to "Characterize Clay Alterations Environments and Provide Implications for Astrobiology at Mawrth Valis, Mars, a Likely Mars Science Laboratory Landing Site".

6. Elizabeth Percak-Dennet, U Wisconsin, travel to Australia, "Linking Laboratory and Field Studies of the Mineralogical and Iron Isotope Composition of Banded Iron Formations in Western Australia".

7. Matthew Urschel, Montana State U, travel to Alberta, Canada to examine "Iron Reduction in the Subglacial Sediments of Robertson Glacier, Canada".

For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/lewis-and-clark

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB) is seeking an individual interested in applying for a Pre- doctoral Research Grant (Formacion de Personal Investigador del Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial program) to work on the topic, "Effects of Life on Planetary Atmospheres".

The successful applicant will conduct research at the Centro de Astrobiologia, CSIC, located in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid and will work closely with researchers from International Centers like CalTech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Oxford University, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute.

CAB is an interdisciplinary research centre associated with the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). Detailed information about the CAB and NAI can be found at www.cab.inta.es and http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/ respectively.

This work will involve the use and update of photochemical, geochemical, dynamical and radiative transfer models to study the effect of life on the atmosphere of our planet as well as its potential impact on other planetary atmospheres. The successful candidate will develop strategies for the characterization of life on spectra from planetary atmospheres. He/she will explore the evolution and limits of planetary habitability, identification of bio-signatures, and methods for the detection of life from within our Solar System and extrasolar planet spectra. As a result of this research the applicant is expected to complete a doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).

The applicant for this PhD position should have a solid knowledge of physics and chemistry and an interest in planetary atmospheres as well as a good command of mathematics. Graduates in Theoretical, Applied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Chemical Engineering with Physics or an equivalent diploma before August 2010 with excellent grades are expected to apply. Basic knowledge of Fortran 90 and IDL are a plus. The candidate must have good communication skills and be able report clearly in written and spoken English.

For information and applications please send detailed curriculum vitae to Dr. F. Javier Martin-Torres (e-mail: javiermt@cab.inta-csic.es or Javier@gps.caltech.edu ), including grades obtained in various undergraduate courses. Letters of support from at least two academic referees who can comment on your suitability for postgraduate research training would be of great value (but they are not mandatory).

You will be advised as soon as possible as to whether or not the CAB is willing to support an application by you for pursuing this research. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE AUTUMN 2010 PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 14, 2010

The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship program is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation's capital, under the aegis of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council's (NAS/NRC's) Space Studies Board (SSB).

Established in 1958 to serve as the focus of the interests and responsibilities in space research for the NAS/NRC, the SSB provides an independent, authoritative forum for information and advice on all aspects of space science and applications, and it serves as the focal point within the NAS/NRC for activities on space research. It oversees advisory studies (including the on-going decadal surveys in astronomy and astrophysics, planetary science, life and microgravity sciences, and solar and space physics) and program assessments, facilitates international research coordination, and promotes communications on space science and science policy between the research community, the federal government, and the interested public. The SSB also serves as the U.S. National Committee for the International Council for Science Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

The Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships, named after the first chair of the SSB, are offered twice annually. The SSB is now accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate students for its autumn 2010 program. The deadline for applications is June 14, 2010. Successful candidates will be contacted no later than July 2, 2010.

Visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/ssb_052239 to learn more about the program and to get application information. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This award recognizes one or more promising young scientists for outstanding contributions achieved during their Ph.D. or postdoctoral research. Nominees must be members of ISSOL at the time of the award. They should be engaged in experimental and/or theoretical studies in Astrobiology. The award consists of $5000 for support of professional expenses, a certificate, and public recognition at the ISSOL meeting. The awardee(s) will be providing an opportunity to present their work at the triennial meeting.

In order to be considered by the selection committee, nominations should be received by the deadline. As this award specifically recognizes scientific achievements during Ph.D. and postdoctoral research, eligibility is restricted to current Ph.D. students, those who have completed the requirements for a Ph.D. degree up to 12 months prior to the nomination as well as scientists who have completed not more than 3 years of postdoctoral research. Nominations should include a letter of nomination, a curriculum vitae, two supporting letters, and up to three reprints or preprints of the nominee's work.

DEADLINE for application for the inaugural award is December 15, 2010. http://issol.org/education-and-careers/stanley-l-miller-early-career-research-award/

Please send nominations in hard copy or electronic form to:

Janet Siefert Rice University Department of Statistics MS 138 Houston, Texas 77251-1892 Siefert@rice.edu [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In April 2010 a group of early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and postdocs) spent two days engaged in intensive brainstorming at the second Early-Career Astrobiology Research Focus Group (RFG). The goal of the RFG was to foster interdisciplinary collaborative work in a simulated proposal submission process. Students arrived at two airports near Houston, Texas on Friday April 23rd and gathered in vans to drive to the remote Crockett Family Resort located in Crockett, TX. Participants broke off into pre-assigned focus groups to spend the next two days planning, researching and presenting a novel and relevant proposal idea. On Sunday April 25th, after a day and a half of grant writing, reviewing, oral presentations and group discussions, the participants voted on the best proposals.

The RFG was a great success, exceeding all expectations. The 15 participants covered the full range of specialties relevant to astrobiology and represented different countries across North and South America, and Australia. Of the 15 participants 8 responded to our feedback survey. 50% of respondents had an 'excellent' experience, 25% had a 'very good' experience and the remaining 25% had a 'good' experience at the 2010 RFG. The RFG was highly successful in its original goal of strengthening interdisciplinary and international links between early-career astrobiologists (roughly 40% plan on continuing collaboration on their RFG proposal, while 25% plan on collaborating on their proposals depending on funding). Also as a result of the dedication and commitment shown by the participants, several original ideas for future research were generated.

The RFG workshop was entirely conceived and organized by early-career astrobiologists. The organizing committee for the second RFG consisted of lead organizers Jacob Haqq-Misra, (The Pennsylvania State University) and Julia DeMarines (University of Colorado at Boulder) with additional organizers Kennda Lynch (Colorado School of Mines) and Sarah Walker (Dartmouth). Jacob and Julia ran the workshop while other organizers participated in the focus groups. The NAI provided funding for the workshop, and both the organizers and participants would like to thank NAI, especially Melissa Kirven-Brooks, for their ongoing support of the early-career astrobiology community and for making the event possible.

The "RFG experience" began 1 week before the event, when the organizers put the participants into focus groups of 3 or 4 people who had similar research interests but different backgrounds, in order to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration. The groups were asked to initiate brainstorming and provide a two-sentence idea by breakfast of the first full day of the workshop. Each group was then given 12 hours to write the full proposal. The organizers peer-reviewed the proposals (as opposed to last year where participants peer-reviewed each other's proposals) to give as much time to the groups to work on their presentations. All participants presented their proposals and subsequently voted to rank the proposals. Voting was individual and secret.

A list of the winning proposals and all the workshop participants can be found at the website: http://sites.google.com/site/abscicon2010rfg/ [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear colleagues, We are leading a group of early-career astrobiologists to update the first edition of the Astrobiology primer (Mix et al., Astrobiology, 2006). The astrobiology primer was created to provide a brief, but comprehensive, overview of the subject for those new to the field. It is aimed at graduate students, but we hope others will also find it useful. We would welcome your views on the proposed content. Please complete the survey linked to below. We are accepting completed survey through Tuesday, May 18th. The survey can be found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NNVGSWH An outline of the primer can be downloaded here.

Thank you in advance for your time and your voice. Sincerely, Shawn Domagal-Goldman and Katherine Wright, Co-Lead Editors, Astrobiology Primer, Version 2.0

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Life in the Universe curriculum is a unique set of resources, for elementary and middle school teachers, designed to bring the excitement of searching for life beyond Earth into the classroom. The SETI Institute, with funding from NSF and NASA, developed these award winning classroom materials with a team of educators, curriculum developers, and scientists. The Life in the Universe curriculum explores many facets of how scientists are trying to answer the questions: Where did life come from? What is its future? Are we alone?

In the Life in the Universe curriculum, students explore conditions that support life on Earth, and the possible existence of life elsewhere. The curriculum draws upon the experience of SETI scientists, whose research encompasses the full spectrum of Astrobiology: astronomy, life sciences, Earth sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and many other disciplines. The hands-on science activities were tested nationally in a variety of schools representing a broad range of students. Organized around story lines, these activities pose challenges that require students to investigate what is known about life on Earth.

For more information: http://www.seti.org/Page.aspx?pid=363

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI Research Scholarship Program offers research-related travel support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more NAI Teams, or participating institutions of the NAI, however any travel that is critical for the applicant's research will be considered. Recent Award: Erin Yargicolu, from the University of Illinois at Chicago, has been selected to collaborate with researchers at NASA Ames Research Center and to participate in a field investigation of microbial ecosystems associated with deeply sourced faults in the North Anatolian Fault Zone. We congratulate Erin and wish her a successful trip. For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-research-scholarships

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are being accepted from astrobiology graduate students and postdocs for a winter school on the theme of "Water and the Evolution of Life in the Cosmos," in Hawaii, from Monday January 3rd to Monday January 17th 2011. This school will provide approximately 40 post-graduate participants with a broad but high-level introduction into astrobiology, emphasizing the origin and role of water in the emergence of life on our planet, and in the search for life elsewhere. It will be truly multidisciplinary, bringing together students and researchers from the diverse scientific backgrounds that contribute to our current understanding. Hawaii offers ideal resources for this training opportunity, from world-leading astronomical observing facilities through state of the art cosmochemistry simulation equipment to unique geologic environments in which extremophile life exists. Further information is available at http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/UHNAI/2011winterschool/

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI once again hosted the Student Poster Competition at the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) 2010, held in League City Texas on April 26-29, 2010. Louis Lerman and Steve Benner from the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME) provided a generous contribution in support of the competition, as they did for AbSciCon 2008.

Thirty posters were submitted to the competition, and four cash prizes were awarded.

The first place prize went to Jorge Nunez, a graduate student at Arizona State University, for his poster entitled The Multispectral Microscopic Imager (MMI) and the Mars Microbeam Raman Spectrometer (MMRS): An Integrated Payload for the In-Situ Exploration of Past and Present Habitable Environments on Mars. Jorge’s co-authors were J. D. Farmer (advisor), R. G. Sellar, S. Douglas, K. S. Manatt, M. D. Fries, A. L. Lane, Alian Wang, and D. L. Blaney.

Second place in the competition was awarded to Jennifer Glass, a graduate student at Arizona State University for her poster Signatures of Low-Mo Ancient Ocean May be Preserved in Cyanobacterial Genomes. Jennifer’s co-authors were Felisa L. Wolfe-Simon, A. T. Poret-Peterson and A. D. Anbar (advisor).

The third place winner was Eva Stueeken, a graduate student at the University of Washington, for her poster Selenium Biogeochemistry as a Planetary Deep-Time Redox Proxy. Eva’s co-authors were Julien Foriel, B. K.Nelson, and Roger Buick (advisor).

Fourth place in the competition was awarded to undergraduate student Dyana Lucas of the Native American Research Laboratory (NARL) at The University of Montana, for her poster Evidence for Local Adaptation in Extremophilic Crenarchaeal Systems: A SSV-Sulfolobus Study. Dyana’s co-authors were Manny Ceballos, and Michael Ceballos (advisor).

Congratulations to these four outstanding students for their achievement! [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 22nd Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (19-23 July and 2-6 August) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. During the program, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. At the end of the week, students will have a clearer understanding of the life cycle of a robotic space mission; relationships between mission design, cost, and schedule; and the tradeoffs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the quality of science. Applications are due 1 May 2010. Partial financial support is available for a limited number of individuals. Further information is available at http://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov [Source NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This two week summer course will be held in Utrecht, The Netherlands at the Universiteit Utrecht from July 5-16, 2010.

Planet Mars has water ice near its surface, and dry rivers, deltas and gigantic canyons attest to past water flow on the surface. But how much water did flow on Mars? What was the past climate, and how long was the planet wet? Was there ever life on Mars and could life exist there in the future? This course focusses on Mars surface dynamics and landforms related to water. Topics include a general introduction to the Mars, comparison of terrestrial and Martian fluvial systems with a variety of landforms including impact craters, drainage patterns, rivers, deltas and canyons. Techniques employed in the course include image analysis, quantitative data analysis, laboratory experiments and physics-based modelling.

The aims of this course are (i) to introduce the student to planet Mars, (ii) to develop a thorough understanding of fluvial and deltaic morphodynamics on Earth and Mars, and (iii) to infer the implications for past hydrology and climate of Mars. We believe that a combination of dedicated lectures, literature and hands-on observation (image and elevation analysis), experimentation (creating self-organising landscapes with water and sand) and physics-based modelling (in a spreadsheet) by the student greatly enhances the acquired understanding of earth- and planetary science. The end product of this course will be an extended abstract on a case study in the style of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

For more information: http://www.utrechtsummerschool.nl/index.php?type=courses&code=H18 [Source NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are invited for a Post-doctoral Research fellowship in Cosmochemistry. The successful applicant will join an active research program that investigates a wide variety of topics, including: 1) the chronology of the early solar system, 2) the nature and origin of the presolar dust that provided the raw material for the solar system, 3) the isotopic and chemical compositions and origins of primitive chondritic components, 4) samples returned by the Stardust Mission to comet Wild 2, and 5) solar wind samples returned by the GENESIS Mission. The main analytical tools for this research are the petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe, scanning Raman microscope, and ion microprobe. Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to cosmochemistry and experience in one or more of the following areas: cosmochemistry, meteoritics, isotope geo- or cosmochemistry, secondary ion mass spectrometry. Previous experience with one or more of the following is required (training will be provided for the others): petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe, Raman microscope, or ion microprobe. Experience with isotopic measurements or meteorite petrography is desired. The successful candidate will participate in one or more of the above research projects and will receive training and will be expected to become an independent user of the Cameca ims 1280 ion microprobe at the University of Hawai'i. The Fellowship will be for an initial period of 1 year with renewal for up to 2 additional years based on performance and on the availability of support.

Continue reading "Post-doctoral Researcher Position in Cosmochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Scholarship application deadlines plus new information for Canadian students and a worldwide opportunity provided by the Harvard Origin of Life Initiative

Topic: Extrasolar Planets and Habitability
Location: Palacio de Magdalena, Santander, Spain
Dates: June 21-25, 2010

The ninth annual Summer School in Astrobiology, Extrasolar Planets and Habitability, organized jointly by the Spanish Centro de Astrobiología and the NASA Astrobiology Institute will be held at the Santander campus of Spain's national university, Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo (UIMP). 

The 2010 School lecturers are Dr. Jack Lissauer, NASA Ames Research Center, co-investigator on the Kepler space telescope mission; Professor Eduardo Martin, CAB and University of Central Florida, co-discoverer of the first brown dwarf; Professor Victoria Meadows, University of Washington, head of NAI's Virtual Planetary Laboratory (VPL); and Professor Michel Mayor, University of Geneva, co-discoverer of the first hot Jupiter, 51 Peg b.

The deadline for NAI applications is March 31. Scholarships covering travel costs, school fees, accommodations, and meals are provided by NAI for students of any nationality studying at U.S. institutions. See astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/UIMP/2010 for application details. CIFAR, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research funds scholarships for 3-4 Canadian students. One or two additional scholarships sponsored by the Harvard Origin of Life Initiative are available on a worldwide basis. Applications for CIFAR, and Harvard scholarships should be made via NAI by April 14. See astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/UIMP/2010 for application details.

European students may apply for scholarship support provided by UIMP and the European Space Agency (ESA) through the UIMP website ( www.uimp.es ) at a later date.

The Summer School includes a week of lectures, round-table discussions, astronomical observations, and a half-day field trip to a site of astrobiological interest. Students completing the school receive a UIMP Diploma in Astrobiology. Accommodations and meals are provided on-site at the Palacio de la Magdalena ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_de_la_Magdalena ).'

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is pleased to announce selections of the NASA Postdoctoral Program resulting from the November 2009 cycle.

1. William Brazelton - Advisor: Matthew Schrenk, The Carnegie Institution of Washington and East Carolina University Topic: Tracing Energy, Carbon, and Nitrogen Flow in Serpentinization-fueled Microbial Ecosystems

2. Gregory Fournier - Advisor Eric Alm, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Team Topic: Reconstructing the Evolution of Protein Synthesis: A Novel Compositional Approach for Studying Early Life and the Emergence of Complexity

3. Jennifer Kyle - Advisors: Linda Jahnke and Ken Stedman, NASA Ames Research Center and Portland State University Topic: Viral Preservation within Terrestrial Hot Springs

4. Felisa Wolfe-Simon - Advisors: Ariel Anbar and Ronald Oremland, Arizona State University and the USGS- Menlo Park Topic: Arsenic and Old Life: Novel Geo-biochemistry of Arsenic in Biological Systems

More information about the NPP can be found at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In 2010, AbGradCon, the foremost astrobiology meeting for early-career researchers, will be held in Europe for the first time in its history (June 14-18). Graduate students and early-career postdocs from all over the world will come together in Taellberg, Sweeden to present their research in a comfortable environment, to learn of the latest developments in astrobiology, to network and to forge new collaborations. The meeting will comprise oral and poster presentations, half-day workshops and a one-day field trip to geologically instructive sites in the astrobiologically interesting Siljan impact crater. Attendees are encouraged from the very wide range of subjects pertinent to astrobiology. Financial assistance will be available to invited attendees. Abstract submission deadline: February 28, 2010. For more information: http://www.abgradcon2010.org

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Location: Palacio de Magdalena, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Dates: June 21-25, 2010
Deadline: Closing date for NAI scholarship applications - March 31, 2010.

Overview: A week of lectures from international experts, plus round-table discussions, student projects, night-sky observations, and a field trip to a nearby site of astrobiological interest. On-site accommodation and all meals are provided at the Santander campus of the Spanish National University, UIMP. Scholarships covering travel costs, school fees, accommodation and meals are provided by NAI for approximately 10 American students. Additional opportunities are available for students of other nationalities. For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/UIMP/2010

Source: NAI newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Location: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Dates: June 6th to August 14th, 2010

Program details: There will be independent research under the guidance of one or more astrobiologists, a field trip to NASA and astrobiology-related sites around Washington, D.C., weekly seminars, laboratory tours, stargazing opportunities, discussion group, and a research symposium.

Expenses: Travel and living expenses will be covered and participants will receive, in addition, a stipend of $4000 for the summer.

Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents between their sophomore and senior years at a college or university other than Penn State (exceptional applicants between their freshman and sophomore years will be considered). Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a research interest in astrobiology and be contemplating a career in science. College graduates are not eligible.

Participants: Up to ten students will be selected from among the applicants. Application deadline: February 19, 2010 For more information: http://evo.bio.psu.edu/asp/

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Leroy Nelson and Scott Sandford take questions about both science and culture; The inter-cultural team facilitates educators learning the classroom activities.

On January 28-29, 2010, the "NASA and the Navajo Nation" project team hosted a large-scale workshop for educators across the Navajo Nation. Over 100 teachers participated, despite the worst snow storm in 25 years, some traveling hours through severe conditions. On the first day, the teachers heard background lectures from both a cultural expert and an astrobiologist, Scott Sandford from NASA Ames Research Center. On the second day, the team trained teachers on classroom use of the six activities in the So' Baa Hane' booklet, inter-cultural materials developed by the project in 2006.

Continue reading "NASA and the Navajo Nation Project Hosts Teacher Workshop" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Astrobiology Institute is offering funding for students and postdocs to attend the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) 2010 in League City, Texas, on April 26-29, 2010. Information about AbSciCon is available online at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/abscicon2010.  Undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs are eligible to apply for funding.

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 5. Award decisions will be made and applicants notified by Friday, March 19.

More information and an application form is posted on the NAI website at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/abscicon-student-funding.

Please direct any comments or questions to Wendy Dolci: Wendy.W.Dolci@nasa.gov

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers, or ASSET, is being held July 18-24, 2010, at San Francisco State University. ASSET will feature presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA and the California Academy of Sciences. Scientists will share the latest in astrobiology research on the origin of life on Earth, the extreme conditions in which life exists, Mars exploration, the formation of planetary systems around sun-like stars, and the search for life in the universe.

The 6-day workshop features a combination of cutting-edge science, inquiry-based teaching and learning, and leadership skills development to support teachers and teacher trainers.

Participants receive the entire Voyages Through Time curriculum and complementary astrobiology materials, developed by NASA's Astrobiology Institute, for use in their classrooms.

Applications are due Feb. 12, 2010.

For more information, visit http://www.seti.org/epo/ASSET.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Pamela Harman at 650-960-4523 or pharman@seti.org.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA has launched an initiative to use its out-of-this-world missions and technology programs to boost summer learning programs. NASA's Summer of Innovation supports President Obama's Educate to Innovate campaign for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education.

The Summer of Innovation program will work with thousands of middle school teachers and students during multi-week programs in the summer of 2010 to engage students in stimulating math and science-based education programs. NASA's goal is to increase the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, with an emphasis on broadening participation of underrepresented groups.

Continue reading "NASA Notice of Intent to Release Cooperative Agreement Notice Entitled Summer of Innovation Pilot" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every summer, NAI teams and others host hands-on, in-the-field, in-the-lab workshops for educators. The workshops feature cutting edge astrobiology research delivered by astrobiology scientists and education professionals, as well as inquiry- and standards-based activities ready for your classroom. Below is the list of offerings for Summer 2010.

ASTROBIOLOGY SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIENCE for TEACHERS (ASSET)
Dates: July 18 -24, 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Applications due: February 12, 2010
URL: http://www.seti.org/epo/ASSET
The ASSET experience will be intense and exciting, interactive and content rich, with presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA, and the California Academy of Sciences. Participants receive the Voyages Through Time curriculum. All expenses covered by grant funds.

TELESCOPES: TOOLS FOR ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERY AND THE SEARCH FOR LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS

Dates: July 26-30, 2010
Location: Pennsylvania State University
URL: http://teachscience.psu.edu/workshops/telescopes.html
Educators will build a simple telescope, utilize telescopes in distant object observations, and learn how modern telescope technology allows us to probe the most distant objects in the universe and may help us discover other habitable planets. [Source NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Microbial Diversity Summer Course of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) welcomes applications from members of the Astrobiology community who are seeking to understand the microbial basis of life. The MBL Microbial Diversity course, offered in Woods Hole, MA, since 1971, provides graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and established investigators with an unequaled opportunity to explore the diversity of the microbial world. The course is immersive, integrative, inter-disciplinary, and international in nature. The curriculum consists of lectures by foremost investigators, laboratory exercises, advanced technical training, field work, and substantial participant directed original research. Participants in the course traditionally represent a diversity of backgrounds and the course is open to all scientists who have a strong interest in microbes and their activities. This year's course is made possible, in part, by support from the NASA Astrobiology Institute.

Dates: June 12 - July 28, 2010
Application Deadline: February 1, 2010
More info at: http://www.mbl.edu/education/courses/summer/course_micro_div.html [Source NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Application Deadline: February 1, 2010

Since 2006 the American Philosophical Society and the NASA Astrobiology Institute have partnered to promote the continued exploration of the world around us through a program of research grants in support of astrobiological field studies undertaken by graduate students, postdoctoral students, and junior scientists and scholars affiliated with a U.S.-based institution. We welcome applications by February 1, 2010 for field studies in all areas of research in astrobiology. For more information please see http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology [Source NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pennsylvania State University will once again host the Astrobiology Summer Program (ASP), supported by the National Science Foundation and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Undergraduates with an interest in astrobiology and contemplating a career in the sciences are encouraged to apply. We consider applicants from any college or university but you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Participants receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses, and conduct research for ten weeks at Pennsylvania State University under the guidance of astrobiology faculty mentors. Among the many exciting summer activities is a field trip to Washington, D.C, including NASA Headquarters, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center. The application deadline is February 19th, 2010.

For more information, visit http://evo.bio.psu.edu/asp/ or contact Blair Hedges, sbh1@psu.edu. [Source NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Taellberg, Sweden - June 14-18, 2010.
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2010
Abstract submission Deadline: February 28, 2010

Conference Poster: http://www.abgradcon2010.org/attachments/049_abgradcon2010.pdf

In 2010, AbGradCon, the foremost astrobiology meeting for early-career researchers, will be held in Europe for the first time in its history. Graduate students and early-career postdocs from all over the world will come together to present their research in an informal environment, to learn of the latest developments in astrobiology, to network, and to forge new collaborations. The meeting will comprise oral and poster presentations, half-day workshops and a one-day field trip to geologically instructive sites in the astrobiologically interesting Siljan impact crater. Attendees are encouraged from the very wide range of subjects pertinent to astrobiology. Financial assistance will be available to invited attendees.

Further information is available at the conference website: http://www.abgradcon2010.org

[source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI Research Scholarship Program offers research-related travel support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more NAI Teams, or participating institutions of the NAI, however any travel that is critical for the applicant's research will be considered. There are two award cycles per year with deadlines of April 1 and October 1.

The NAI has selected the following students and postdoctoral fellows for awards in this cycle:

Mark Claire, University of Washington
Travel to Penn State University for collaboration with Jim Kasting
Advisors: Vikki Meadows, Jim Kasting

Noah Planavsky, University of California, Riverside
Travel to Northwestern Ontario in Spring 2010
Graduate Advisor: Tim Lyons

Dominic Papineau, Carnegie Institution of Washington
Travel to University of Hawaii to work with Gary Huss
Advisor: Marilyn Fogel

Meredith Perry, Pennsylvania State University
Travel to the Mojave Desert to examine Precambrian stromatolites
Advisor: Jane Dmochowski

For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-research-scholarships

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Established in 2006, the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) is the focal point for earth and space science and engineering at Arizona State University, one of the largest and fastest growing institutions of higher learning in the United States. An essential part of the SESE mission is an effective integration of disciplines such as astrophysics, biogeochemistry, geology, geophysics, hydrology and engineering for scientific exploration.

Continue reading "Faculty Positions in Earth & Space Exploration at Arizona State University" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI's New York Center for Astrobiology held its first Teachers Academy at RPI on July 13-16, 2009. Nine high school science teachers from four local school districts collaborated with six NAI scientists to learn about topics in astrobiology. The participants represent disciplines across the sciences: biology, chemistry, earth science, forensic science, and physics. The goal of the Academy was to develop a learning module infused with astrobiology and aligned with New York State standards and NASA Astrobiology Science Goals. The teachers used science lectures, existing astrobiology curriculum materials, and consistent interaction with the scientists to develop their learning modules, which ranged in topic from the physiochemical limits to sustainable life, to colors of photosynthetic organisms on exoplanets, to nucleosynthesis of biologically-relevant elements. The teachers are implementing their modules in their classrooms this school year, and the Academy will be featured at the annual regional meeting of the Science Teachers Association of New York State in March, 2010. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This summer, sixteen teachers from around the world convened with NAI's team at Montana State University for a week-long class called "Examining Life in Extreme Environments: Insights into Early Earth and Beyond." Students in the course gained an understanding of the relation of extreme environments to early Earth, learned about the latest research conducted in these areas, and worked on how to teach and discuss these topics within their own classrooms.

Continue reading "Teachers from Around the World Examine Life in Extreme Environments" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Postdoctoral Scholars Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) invites applicants to apply for two postdoctoral research positions at JPL in the Planetary Science Section of the Science Division. Each opportunity is supported by a NASA grant to two separate, small, collaborative teams. The successful candidates, while having their own projects, will be expected to work with team members in other institutions.

Continue reading "Two Post-doc Positions in Astrobiology Available at JPL, Caltech" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA announces a call for graduate fellowship proposals to the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) program for the 2010-2011 academic year. This call for fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines. The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA's scientific goals. Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities.

The deadline for NEW applications is February 1, 2010, and the deadline for RENEWAL applications is March 15, 2010.

Continue reading "NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) Program" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Taellberg, Sweden - June 14-18, 2010: In 2010, AbGradCon, the foremost astrobiology meeting for early-career researchers, will be held in Europe for the first time in its history. Graduate students and early-career postdocs from all over the world will come together to present their research in a comfortable environment, to learn of the latest developments in astrobiology, to network and to forge new collaborations. The meeting will comprise oral and poster presentations, half-day workshops and a one-day field trip to geologically instructive sites in the astrobiologically interesting Siljan impact crater. Attendees are encouraged from the very wide range of subjects pertinent to astrobiology. Financial assistance will be available to invited attendees. Further information is available at the conference website: http://www.abgradcon2010.org [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI's New York Center for Astrobiology held its first Teachers Academy at RPI on July 13-16, 2009. Nine high school science teachers from four local school districts collaborated with six NAI scientists to learn about topics in astrobiology. The participants represent disciplines across the sciences: biology, chemistry, earth science, forensic science, and physics. The goal of the Academy was to develop a learning module infused with astrobiology and aligned with New York State standards and NASA Astrobiology Science Goals.

The teachers used science lectures, existing astrobiology curriculum materials, and consistent interaction with the scientists to develop their learning modules, which ranged in topic from the physiochemical limits to sustainable life, to colors of photosynthetic organisms on exoplanets, to nucleosynthesis of biologically-relevant elements. The teachers are implementing their modules in their classrooms this school year, and the Academy will be featured at the annual regional meeting of the Science Teachers Association of New York State in March, 2010. [Source: NASA Astrobiology]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This summer, sixteen teachers from around the world convened with NAI's team at Montana State University for a weeklong class called "Examining Life in Extreme Environments: Insights into Early Earth and Beyond." Students in the course gained an understanding of the relation of extreme environments to early earth, learned about the latest research conducted in these areas, and worked on how to teach and discuss these topics within their own classrooms.

Continue reading "Teachers from Around the World Examine Life in Extreme Environments" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications for the US to Australia Fellowship Program close on October 31st. The program offers fellowships of up to AU$25,000 to American researchers or students wishing to undertake advanced research or study in Australia. Through these Educational Fellowships, the Association encourages intellectual collaboration and innovation, building on the strong social and economic partnerships between Australia and the United States.

Fields of study/research supported by the fellowships:

* Medicine
* Life sciences (particularly in oceanography/marine sciences and stem cell research)
* Science
* Engineering
* Mining

General Requirements:

* Applicant's research or study must be at a graduate level or above.
* Proof of acceptance into an Australian educational institution is required.
* Applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
* The Fellowships are intended to support part of the costs of one year of research/study in Australia (applicants must submit a complete budget).
* Applicants should devote full time to their research or study.

Deadline: 31 October 2009

Further Information: http://www.americanaustralian.org/usa_to_aust_apps/

Please send inquiries & applications to: ustoa@aaanyc.org

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In July a group of early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and postdocs) spent two days engaged in intensive brainstorming at the first ever Early-Career Astrobiology Research Focus Group (RFG). The goal of the RFG was to foster interdisciplinary collaborative work in a simulated proposal submission process. At the end of two days of grant writing, peer-reviewing, oral presentations and group discussions, the participants voted on the best proposals.

The RFG was an outstanding success, exceeding all expectations. The 30 participants covered the full range of specialties relevant to astrobiology, and represented 7 different countries across North and South America, Europe and Australia. Not only was the RFG successful in its original goal of strengthening interdisciplinary and international links between early-career astrobiologists (9 out of 10 participants thought that having participated in the RFG would definitely help them to work more effectively in an interdisciplinary way in the future) but as a result of the dedication and commitment shown by the participants, several highly original ideas for future research were generated. Over ninety per cent of the participants thought that the ideas that were produced would definitely (50%) or possibly (42%) affect the direction of their future research, and two-thirds of participants wanted to continue collaboration on their ideas.

Continue reading "Report on the Meeting of the First Early-Career Astrobiology Research Focus Group (RFG)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The next application deadline for the NASA Postdoctoral Program is November 1, 2009. The program provides opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of NASA and the member teams of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The NAI currently supports the research of 10 such postdoctoral fellows in NAI labs. For more information see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 25-27, 2009 in Frascati, Italy - The NASA Mars Program Office has announced that travel funding will be made available for as many as 5 students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents, with Mars-related interests, to attend the Workshop on Methane on Mars: Current Observations, Interpretation and Future Plans, November 25-27, 2009 in Frascati, Italy. An application must be submitted by September 28, 2009, to be considered for this funding. NASA Headquarters will make the selections and students will be notified no later than October 15, 2009. Reimbursable costs include registration fees, transportation (airfare, mileage to/from airport, parking, rental car) and lodging/per diem. In most cases, actual expenses will exceed the funding provided.

Continue reading "Student Travel Grants - Workshop on Methane on Mars" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A postdoctoral position in microbial ecology with secondary emphases in evolutionary ecology, information theory and/or modeling is available at the Marine Biological Lab, Woods Hole. This NSF-funded project seeks to determine the principles governing how energy and matter flow through biological systems using laboratory microcosms as experiment systems. In addition, the project will advance a mathematical framework for modeling biogeochemistry orchestrated by microbial communities using a distributed metabolic network representation constrained by thermodynamics. We are seeking an individual with expertise in molecular microbial ecology with an interest in theoretical ecology or systems biology. Approximately 10% of the successful applicant's time will be devoted to program outreach that involves development of educational web resources as well as dissemination of project results. Funding support is available for 2.5 years.

Continue reading "Postdoc Position Available at the Marine Biological Lab, Woods Hole" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI has selected three new postdoctoral fellows, Siobhan Wilson, Sanchaya Gupta, and Nancy Akerman as they join NAI teams through the NASA Postdoctoral Program. Nancy Akerman will work with Julie Huber at the Marine Biological Laboratory (Carnegie Insitution of Washington Team), to examine "Habitability in Extreme Environments: Microbial Function and Activity in Deep and Shallow Marine Hydrothermal Systems". Sanchaya (Neal) Gupta will work with both the MIT and CIW teams on the research topic, "Polymeric Biosignatures in Organismic Fossils and Environmental Controls on their Preservation", working with Roger Summons and George Cody. Siobhan (Sasha) Wilson will be working with David Bish at Indiana University, on a project entitled, "Hydrated Sulfate Minerals: a Habitat for Martian Microorganisms?" The next application deadline for the NASA Postdoctoral Program is November 1, 2009. See http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/ for more information. Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Weary of catching planes, burning up fossil fuels, and spending lots of time and money to attend meetings? Take heart! Virtual worlds are shaping up as possible venues for online meetings--and astrobiology graduate students are leading the way in exploring their potential. On July 17-18, 2009, early-career astrobiologists met at the University of Washington in Seattle for the 6th annual Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon), and simultaneously in the virtual world Second Life. Students presented talks that were streamed live into Second Life and participated in a real-world and virtual world "mixed reality" poster session. Social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter were also used for sharing information before, during and after the conference. MORE

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The ASP is looking for a creative person with good knowledge of astronomy and experience in K-12 education to work on a number of existing and developing programs in astronomy education. Current duties include coordinating Project ASTRO (a program that links volunteer astronomers with 4th - 9th grade teachers), managing a web-based quarterly newsletter for teachers, conducting training programs for school districts interested in hands-on astronomy, helping with grant writing, and assisting with other initiatives in education.

More detailed information about the position and specific instructions for applying can be found at the Society's web site at: http://www.astrosociety.org/about/career.html

More information about the education programs of the 120-year old international society, headquartered in San Francisco, can be found at: http://www.astrosociety.org/education.html

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Lassen Astrobiology Student Internship Program, a collaboration between NAI's Ames team, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Red Bluff High School, will wrap up its first year of activity in August. Nine high school students and their chemistry teacher, with training from NAI scientists and under the supervision of a park ranger, have made eight field trips to various sites within the park throughout the course of the school year. They monitored field sites and made seasonal measurements of temperature, pH, and water chemistry of the hydrothermal features. PBS station KNPB, Reno, NV, interviewed the students while sample collections were underway. A feature presentation about the program was aired in June.

Continue reading "Students Monitor Hydrothermal Features in Lassen Volcanic National Park" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This summer, NAI's new team at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (also known as "The New York Center for Astrobiology") played a major role in hosting the 2009 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. The camp is a free, academic program of The Harris Foundation, named for Bernard A. Harris, MD, an accomplished NASA astronaut, physician and entrepreneur, and the first African American to walk in space.

Continue reading "Summer Camp: The Quest for Life" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Josep Comas i Sola International Astrobiology Summer School, held annually in Santander, Spain, has become a tradition in the astrobiology community, as this summer marked its seventh year. The week-long program for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows provides lectures from international experts, round-table discussions, student projects, night-sky observations, and a half-day field trip to a nearby site of astrobiological interest.

Continue reading "Josep Comas i Sola International Astrobiology Summer School" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 5, 2009 11:00 AM Pacific - Please join us as this year's students present the results of their summer's research. The 2009 Summer Undergraduate Internship in Astrobiology is a ten-week internship in astrobiology held each year at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Continue reading "GSFC Summer Student Presentations" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is pleased to announce its selections for the 2009 NAI-Minority Institution Research Support (NAI-MIRS) program. The MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority serving institutions.

This year the following two faculty members have been selected to lead new research in astrobiology.

Dr. Rakesh Mogul, from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona will work with Kasthuri Venkateswaran, at JPL, on the characterization of Acinetobacter radioresistens 50v1, an extremophile isolated from the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft.

Dr. Aaron Cavosie, from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, will work with John W. Valley, at the Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, on developing methods to identify impact evidence from the early Earth: Isotopic and structural characteristics of detrital shocked zircon from the Vredefort Dome (South Africa).

For more information on the MIRS program, visit http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-minority-institution-research-support

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI and the American Philosophical Society (APS) jointly sponsor graduate students, postdocs, and junior scientists for field studies through the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology. For more information see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/lewis-and-clark

We are very pleased to present the young investigators selected for 2009:

Continue reading "2009 Selections Announced for the NAI/APS Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Microbial Bingo" was the name of the game in a recent outreach event for more than 50 junior high-aged girls from across Montana. The girls came to Montana State University's astrobiology laboratories this Spring for "That's Hot! Investigating the Edge of Life" as part of the national program called Expanding Your Horizons. The girls learned about MSU's research in Yellowstone National Park, and how astrobiology might give us new insights into the early earth as well as life on other planets. The girls then became scientists themselves, using observational data in a race to fill bingo cards by identifying "mystery" micro-organisms.

Expanding Your Horizons is a national program designed to introduce girls to careers in science, math, technology and engineering. It was started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1974.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is soliciting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. Two-year fellowships are available in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research that supports the NSBRI's goals. NSBRI research addresses and seeks solutions to the various health concerns associated with long-duration human space exploration.

Applicants must submit proposals with the support of a mentor and institution, and all proposals will be evaluated by a peer-review panel. The program is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or persons with pre-existing visas obtained through their sponsoring institutions that permit postdoctoral training for the project's duration.

Detailed program and application submission information is available on the NSBRI Web site at www.nsbri.org/Announcements/rfa09-01.html . Notices of intent and applications must be submitted through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). Notices of intent are due July 7, 2009, and the application deadline is August 4, 2009.

Replies to this announcement email will go unanswered. Questions may be directed to David A. Watson, Ph.D., NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, email: postdoc@www.nsbri.org, or phone: 713-798-7412.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 21st Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (20-24 July and 3-7 August) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. During the program, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. At the end of the week, students will have a clearer understanding of the life cycle of a robotic space mission; relationships between mission design, cost, and schedule; and the tradeoffs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the quality of science. Applications are due 1 May 2009. Partial financial support is available for a limited number of individuals.

Further information is available at http://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov .

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Location: Palacio de Magdalena, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Dates: June 22-26, 2009

The NAI has extended the deadline for applications to the annual Summer School sponsored by the NAI and the Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB) at Santander on Spain's Cantabrian coast. The topic of the School this year is "Earth's Extremophiles and Extraterrestrial Habitability." Lecturers include John Baross of the School of Oceanography, University of Washington; Michael Madigan of the Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, and Ricardo Amils of the CAB.

Continue reading "2009 Santander Summer School: NAI Scholarship Deadline Extended to April 24th" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA/NAI Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides talented postdoctoral scientists with opportunities to engage in Institute-related research and serves as a source of future astrobiology talent and leadership. The NAI has selected four outstanding postdoctoral fellows to join NAI laboratories through the NPP November 2008 opportunity.

Continue reading "NASA/NAI Postdoctoral Program Selections" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI-MIRS Program provides opportunities for researchers, from qualified minority serving institutions, to initiate joint partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. The NAI-MIRS program provides support for 8 - 10 week sabbaticals, follow-up funding, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority institutions. The application deadline for 2009 is March 16th.

For more information, visit http://www.nai-mirs.org .

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Investigating Astrobiology Research Topics Through Scientific Inquiry

July 6 - 11, 2009
Application Form: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/UHNAI/epo/alii-appform.cfm
Deadline - March 27, 2009

This workshop, designed for secondary science teachers, will emphasize lectures and activities led by scientists, state-of-the-art lab tours, and professional development with the use of learning cycles for concept development. Teachers will review and do activities from the Voyages Through Time curriculum, and other NASA materials aligned with 2061 Benchmarks. Registration fee is $50. Two University of Hawai'i graduate education credits will be offered for an administrative fee of only $110. A limited number of teachers from the continental US will receive a subsidy of $750 for room and board to defray expenses. Accepted Hawai'i teachers will be fully subsidized.

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Location: Palacio de Magdalena, Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Dates: June 22-26, 2009

The seventh annual summer school in Astrobiology, organized jointly by the Spanish Centro de Astrobiologia and the NASA Astrobiology Institute will be held at the Santander campus of Spain's national university, Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo (UIMP).

Continue reading "2009 Santander Summer School: Earth's Extremophiles and Extraterrestrial Habitability" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The next Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon) will be held July 17 - 20 2009 at the University of Washington in Seattle. The primary objective of AbGradCon is to bring together, in a unique setting, the early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and post-doctoral fellows within 2 years of finishing their Ph.D.) who will lead astrobiology research in the years to come. The conference is unique in that it is a student-led meeting, from the organization, to the presentations. AbGradCon strives to remove the "pressures" of typical scientific meetings, by providing a relaxed atmosphere in which presentations and round-table discussions are fostered, along with numerous social activities. AbGradCon will also be hosted in the virtual world of Second Life at the NASA CoLab Sun Amphitheater.

Abstract submission deadline is March 15 2009: http://tinyurl.com/abgradconAPPLY

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/abgradcon09

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the first of two 2009 Travel Grant application opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in the fields of space science and engineering.

The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The first 2009 Travel Grant application deadline is April 1, 2009. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career at NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website:

http://nasa-academy.org/soffen/travelgrant/

Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent to: travelgrant@nasa-academy.org

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Life in Extreme Environments Educator Conference, hosted by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Education Office, was held on January 24-25, 2009 in JPL's von Karman auditorium. E/PO Leads from NAI's teams at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, JPL-Titan, and JPL-Icy Worlds participated in producing the event. Eighty-one educators attended. The program included an introduction to astrobiology, as well as more detailed presentations outlining astrobiology research into extrasolar planet habitability, pre-biotic chemistry, spectral "bio"signatures, and planetary protection. NAI educational materials were distributed.

Continue reading "Life in Extreme Environments Educator Conference" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of NASA and the member teams of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The next award cycle that the NAI will be participating in will be the March 1, 2009 application deadline. For additional information about the program see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc .

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Iceland, 29 June to 13 July 2009

Deadline: Applications due March 1, 2009

The NASA Astrobiology Institute and the Nordic Astrobiology Network will conduct a summer school on the role of water in the evolution of life in the cosmos - in Iceland on the above dates. The school is intended for students and post-docs in astrobiology-related subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geosciences etc.)

Continue reading "NORDIC-NASA Astrobiology Summer School" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Arizona State University Astrobiology Team invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral Research Scientist (non-tenure track) position in Microbial Ecology/Physiology. The successful candidate will have a leading role in the research emphasis "The Stoichiometry of Life" which is aimed at understanding the fundamental relationships between the elemental composition of microbes and their environment, through investigations in the field, the laboratory, and the genomic and geologic records of the history of life. For more information: http://astrobiology.asu.edu/Astrobiology/Opportunities/Entries/2009/1/30_Postdoctoral_Fellowship_in_Microbial_Ecology_Physiology.html

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Penn State will once again host the Astrobiology Summer Program (ASP), supported by the National Science Foundation and NASA Astrobiology Institute. Undergraduates with an interest in astrobiology and contemplating a career in the sciences are encouraged to apply. Participants receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses, and conduct research for ten weeks at Pennsylvania State University under the guidance of astrobiology faculty mentors. Among the summer activities are field trips to NASA Headquarters, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center. The application deadline is February 15th, 2009. For more information, visit http://evo.bio.psu.edu/asp/ or contact Blair Hedges, sbh1@psu.edu.

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Planetary Biology Internship Program provides opportunities each year for nine or 10 interns to undertake research at NASA research centers, NASA-sponsored laboratories, and academic institutions. The pursuit of such studies is expected to broaden the base of this new science by encouraging people in many different fields to take part.
 
Graduate students accepted in the PBI program will be expected to carry out research with a NASA-sponsored investigator for eight weeks, usually during the summer months. Typical programs in which interns may become involved include: global ecology and remote sensing; microbial ecology and bio-mineralization; advanced life support; and origin and early evolution of life.
 
Applications are due March 2, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.mbl.edu/education/courses/other_programs/pbi.html . Please e-mail questions about this opportunity to Michael Dolan at pbi@geo.umass.edu.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Colleagues,

The American Institutue for Astronautics and Aeronautics (AIAA) is again organizing a Congressional Visit Day, to occur this year on March 17 - 18 in Washington, DC. As in recent years, the ASGSB will have representatives in the delegation that fans out across Capitol Hill, visiting key congressional offices to educate staffers involved with senators and representatives with interests and committee assignments that are relevant to NASA activities. It is especially effective to have young, informed, enthusiastic and articulate students representing current and future activities in the space life sciences. We are fortunate that the AIAA is inviting student participation in the delegation.

I write to invite nominees for ASGSB Student Delegates for CVD on March 17-18. Transportation and expenses will be covered for one, or possibly two ASGSB students. Please send your nominations, along with a CV for each student to my assistant, Ms. Barbara Grinder, bgrinder (at) indiana.edu.

Best wishes,

Jeffrey R. Alberts
President, ASGSB

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are invited for an Origins Institute (OI) Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellowship to commence on, or after Sept. 1, 2009 for an initial period of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. The OI is involved in a wide range of astrobiological research including several major national and international collaborative efforts (see our website http://origins.mcmaster.ca/ ). Funds will also be available to cover travel and research expenses.

Areas of interest include: the formation and delivery of biomolecules to terrestrial planets; the formation, physical properties, and characterization of SuperEarths and terrestrial exoplanets; phylogenetics and prebiotic conditions related to the RNA world and the evolution of the earliest organisms; microbiology in extreme environments on Earth including polar microbiology and microbial energetics in extreme environments; and the interpretation of biosignatures as the basis of understanding early life on Earth and as the foundation for the search for life on Mars. OI researchers are working at several Mars analogue sites and are associated with solar system exploration for signatures of microbial life. The OI has a strong complement of faculty members in a number of related fields and the OI Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellow will have many opportunities to collaborate with OI faculty and OI collaborative research programs.

Continue reading "Origins Institute, McMaster University: Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellowship" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Immediate openings for enthusiastic Post-doctoral Fellows in the Department of Biochemistry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The aim of our laboratory is to understand the molecular interactions that the ribosome makes with different regulatory factors at various stages of the translation cycle (Cell (2005) 123(7) 1255-66; Science (2006) 313(5795) 1935-42; RNA (2007) 13(6) 817-23; Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2007) 14(8) 733-7). Our group primarily uses the structural biology technique of X-ray crystallography in addition to complementary biochemical and biophysical techniques to address function in vitro.

Continue reading "NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program: Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Translation Regulation" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our group is investigating bacterial spore viability in extreme environments. We currently focus on the following specific areas: (1) development of an endospore viability assay based on dipicolinic acid detection, (2) investigation of the microbial ecology of desert soils, permafrost, and Antarctic ice, (3) development of field-instrumentation for deployment in extreme environments. This works relates to NASA s strategic goals of investigating past or present habitable environment on Mars or other worlds by focusing on the boundary conditions for life in extreme environments on Earth. Deadline: Feb 1, 2009 http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=784

Source: [NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Observations of the surface of the inner planets, the satellites and rings of the outer planets, asteroids and comets across the spectral range from ultraviolet through active and passive microwaves; studies of meteorites and cosmic dust; theory and modeling relevant to the origin and evolution of the solid bodies of the solar system; development of approaches to the detection and characterization of solar systems around other stars. Deadline: Feb 1, 2009 http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=186

Source: [NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)]

NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program: Bacterial Spore Viability in Extreme Environments

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., has released a Cooperative Agreement Notice to solicit proposals to administer the Education Associates Program. The EAP is a unique self-sustaining program dedicated to workforce development education. The program allows NASA scientists and managers to tap higher education institutions for students and faculty in a quick turn-around process. It provides participants hands-on experience with NASA scientists, engineers and program managers on a range of NASA projects and missions. Students receive academic credit for the experience. Through this program, NASA demonstrates its commitment to attract students into NASA's education pipeline and provides competency-building research and education opportunities for faculty, with a special emphasis on those from underrepresented and underserved groups. The EAP will provide opportunities to students majoring in fields related to NASA's science and technology interests and to faculty in STEM disciplines.

Continue reading "NASA Ames Office of Education Announces New Cooperative Agreement Opportunity" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA Ames has developed a nanosensor technology for high sensitive and low power chemical sensing using nanostructure, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT's), combined with silicon-based micro fabrication and micromachining process. Due to large surface area, low surface energy barrier and high thermal and mechanical stability, nanostructured chemical sensors offer higher sensitivity, lower power consumption and a more robust solution than most state-of-the art systems making them attractive for space and defense applications, as well as a variety of commercial applications. Leveraging the micromachining technology, the light weight and compact sensors can be fabricated, in wafer scale for mass production, with high yield and at low cost. Such sensors have drawn attention from the space community for global weather monitoring, space exploration, life search in the universe, and launch pad fuel leak detection and in-flight cabin monitoring and engine operation monitoring.

Continue reading "NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program: Chemical sensors development for space and terrestrial applications" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are developing the remote sensing techniques based on combined Raman spectrometer and UV fluorescence instrument suite for biogenic organics detections and characterizations. Our key step is to target the optimal instrument performance based on the systematic laboratory investigation and field- testing. Our measurement goals are: (1) ppm to ppb detection limits for organic molecules from natural samples without exaction or any preparation, (2) characterization of types of organic compounds based on complementary Raman and fluorescent signatures at sufficient detail to indicate possible biological origin. We will also incorporate the ultra sensitive spectroscopy technique for trace detection using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The effort includes laboratory instrument technique and field instrument design with fiber optical probes. Deadline: 5:00 PM EST February 1, 2009. http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=651

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Comets are the deep freezers of dust and ices extant in the early solar nebula at the time of the formation of the giant planets. Astromineralogy is the study of the chemical and structural properties of the dust grains. Studying the dust mineralogy in comets and protoplanetary disks, and, in particular, the amorphous and crystalline silicates, probes the relative abundances of interstellar grains and grains thermally altered or condensed in the inner hot regions of disks, respectively. Research combines analysis and modeling of Spitzer and ground-based spectroscopy of comets as well as radiative transfer modeling of protoplanetary disks to further our understanding of the thermal processing and radial transport of dust in protoplanetary disks at the early epochs of planetesimal formation. Deadline: 5:00 PM EST February 1, 2009. http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=30

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This research focuses on the general circulation and climate system of Mars. There have been 7 successful spacecraft missions to Mars in the past 10 years returning valuable new data about the thermal structure of the atmosphere, the seasonal cycles of dust, water, and carbon dioxide, and the nature of the surface and subsurface. Our group interprets these data using a Mars General Circulation Model. We use the model to simulate the observations and determine what physical and dynamical processes are responsible for them. The model includes a full surface heat budget, a cloud microphysics package, a two-stream radiation code for gases and aerosols, a level-2 boundary layer scheme, mass conserving tracer transport algorithms, and CO2 condensation/sublimation physics. Topics we are currently studying include coupling between the present day dust, water, and CO2 cycles, the effect of orbital changes on past climates, and the nature of the early Martian atmosphere when surface pressures were thought to be higher than they are today. The goal of this work is to understand how the Martian atmosphere and climate system have evolved through time. Deadline: Feb 1, 2009 http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=33

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Members of the Astrochemistry Laboratory propose and carry out measurements, observations and modeling of key rates and/or fundamental quantities that control important chemical processes in astrophysical and planetary environments or that yield the chemical and isotopic compositions of solar system bodies. Members also perform simulations of natural processes or synthesize simplified analog samples of natural materials in order to better understand the unexpected consequences of natural events or to record the spectroscopic properties of well characterized samples for comparison with observations. Deadline: Feb 1, 2009 http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=672

Source: [NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are engaged in developing the near-infrared camera (NIRCam) and mid-infrared instrument (MIRI) of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and are planning on using these instruments to observe transiting exoplanets. This work is being done in conjunction with exoplanet theorists and other JWST team members and should predict what scientific results will be possible with JWST. We are also investigating direct imaging coronagraphic exoplanet missions and are developing a state-of-the-art Phase Induced Amplitude Apodization coronagraph testbed in our Ames Coronagraph Experiment Laboratory. Deadline: February 1st, 2009 http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=848

Source: [NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our group’s work focuses on characterizing microbial ecology and biogeochemistry in natural ecosystems that are relevant in an astrobiological context. We are particularly interested in understanding how the distribution and activities of microbial populations are shaped by energy flow. http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=850 Deadline: 5:00 PM EST February 1, 2009.

Source: [NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This amendment announces an additional proposal opportunity for Education and Public Outreach supplemental awards. Principal Investigators (PIs) of selected Science Mission Directorate (SMD) research investigations may propose for Education or Outreach awards as supplements to their research award. Two different pathways are offered: $15K education pathway proposals and $10K outreach pathway proposals.

Continue reading "ROSES-08 Amendment 33: Additional Proposal Opportunity for ROSES Education and Public Outreach Supplemental Awards" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Academy is a summer research internship that focuses on leadership, team building, and conducting applied research with NASA scientists in science, information technology and engineering. The program is a 10 week immersive summer internship for undergraduate juniors, seniors and first year graduate students. The internship includes a stipend from the State Space Grant Office up to $5000, housing, food stipend, transportation and travel expenses.

An abstract of each project at NASA Ames Research Center is available at http://academy.arc.nasa.gov/. Applications will be accepted through January 26, 2009.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The SETI Institute is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2009 REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program in Astrobiology. Undergraduate students in fields such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a scientific research project in the field of astrobiology. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due by February 2, 2009.

For more information, visit http://www.seti.org/reu or contact Cynthia Phillips, phillips@seti.org, 650-810-0230.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The next Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon) will be held July 17 - 20 2009 at the University of Washington in Seattle. The primary objective of AbGradCon is to improve the future of astrobiology research by bringing together in a unique setting the early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and post-doctoral fellows within 2 years of finishing their Ph.D.) who will lead such research in the years to come. The conference is unique in that it is a student-led meeting, from the organization to the presentations. AbGradCon strives to remove the "pressures" of typical scientific meetings by providing a relaxed atmosphere in which presentations and round-table discussions are fostered along with numerous social activities. AbGradCon will also be hosted in the virtual world of Second Life at the NASA CoLab Sun Amphitheater.

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/abgradcon09

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Astrobiology Careers page is a compilation of career opportunities available to astrobiologists. It is available at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/careers/ If you would like to add an opportunity to this page, please email Estelle Dodson at Estelle.Dodson@nasa.gov

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas, is accepting applications for the position of Senior Staff Scientist. The successful applicant will perform outstanding basic scientific research in the lunar and planetary sciences, attract funding for their personal research activities, present research results in publications in refereed journals and at conferences, likely have an active role in space missions, participate in the academic community for his/her field, support NASA through activities on committees and panels, and contribute to the dissemination of lunar and planetary science information throughout the academic community and to the general public. He/she will have mentoring roles for junior scientists, postdoctoral fellows, university as well as school-age students, and will work to identify, pursue and secure new funding opportunities for the Institute and for USRA.

Continue reading "Senior Staff Scientist Position at the Lunar and Planetary Institute" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI - Nordic Summer School: "Water, Ice and the Origin of Life in the Universe"

Iceland, 29 June to 13 July 2009

The NASA Astrobiology Institute and the Nordic Astrobiology Network will conduct a summer school on the role of water in the evolution of life in the cosmos - in Iceland on the above dates. The school is intended for students and post-docs in astrobiology-related subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geosciences etc.) The school will be organized in three sections:

* An introductory lecture course
* Excursions to several places in Iceland of astrobiological interest (hot springs, glaciers, geysers, Mars-like environments)
* A lab course on the geochemistry and extremophile community of hot springs (no previous experience in microbiological lab work and field research needed)

Continue reading "Nordic Summer School: "Water, Ice and the Origin of Life in the Universe"" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many opportunities and programs are available to students at NASA Centers. For more information about these opportunities, please see: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/careers/student-opportunities-centers

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The pilot-test of an NAI-supported curriculum entitled Astrobiology: An Integrated Science Approach will help kick-off the State of Maine's new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative. This initiative is the subject of a press conference to be given by Maine's Governor, The Honorable John E. Baldacci, on November 17th.

The curriculum was developed with significant input from the NAI Ames Team led by Dave Des Marais, who will speak at the press conference. Much of the team's research in astrobiology is captured in the curriculum.

Continue reading "Astrobiology Curriculum Pilot To Kick-Off Maine STEM Initiative" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new collaboration between NAI and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) enabled the production of a special astrobiology-themed event at this year's NABT 2008 Professional Development Conference, held in Memphis, TN, October 15-18th. ASM's K-12 Committee Chair graciously invited NAI to join them in making astrobiology the theme of the day-long event that ASM hosts at NABT each year. E/PO Leads from NAI's MBL and IPTAI teams, in collaboration with exobiology researcher Brad Bebout from NASA Ames, joined several astrobiologists from ASM's ranks in sharing lectures and classroom materials about microbial life in extreme environments. NABT supported the event by advertising it in their newsletter and highlighting it in the conference program.

Continue reading "NAI Teams with ASM to Share Astrobiology at National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Conference" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Scientists from the NAI Ames Team have teamed with rangers from Lassen Volcanic National Park to create the Lassen Astrobiology Internship Program. Ten high school sophomores from the rural areas around the park will hike - and later on in the year, snowshoe - to three locations within the Park several times throughout the 2008-09 school year, collecting water samples and other data at various locations. The samples will be analyzed, and the data provided to researchers on the NAI Ames Team to increase their knowledge about the microbial populations in the diverse hydrothermal areas and extreme environments within the Park.

Continue reading "NAI ARC Team Initiates New Education Project with Lassen" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) is an Agency-wide fellowship program (also called GSRP Training Grants in what follows) for graduate study leading to masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering related to NASA research and development. This twelve month award strongly encourages a research experience at the NASA center extending the GSRP Fellowship.

Continue reading "Applications Being Accepted for NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology, a partnership between NAI and the American Philosophical Society (APS), is now accepting applications for astrobiological field studies for 2009. Graduate students, postdoctoral students, and junior scientists and scholars are eligible to apply for travel and related expenses, up to $5000. For more information, please see http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology.htm

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The next Astrobiology Graduate Student Conference (AbGradCon) will be held July 17 - 20 2009 at the University of Washington in Seattle. The primary objective of AbGradCon is to improve the future of astrobiology research by bringing together in a unique setting the early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and post-doctoral fellows within 2 years of finishing their Ph.D.) who will lead such research in the years to come. The conference is unique in that it is a student-led meeting, from the organization to the presentations. AbGradCon strives to remove the "pressures" of typical scientific meetings by providing a relaxed atmosphere in which presentations and round-table discussions are fostered along with numerous social activities. AbGradCon will also be hosted in the virtual world of Second Life at the NASA CoLab Sun Amphitheater.

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/abgradcon09

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI-MIRS Program provides opportunities for researchers from qualified minority institutions to initiate joint partnerships with NAI researchers in the field of astrobiology. The NAI-MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority institutions. The application deadline for summer 2009 is March 16. For more information, visit http://www.nai-mirs.org.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Starting January 1, 2009, a new 4-year program will investigate hydrothermal systems on the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center (MCSC) under NASA's ASTEP program - a joint collaboration between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and Duke University Marine Laboratory (DUML). The results of the work will be used to plan astrobiological exploration of any planetary body that can host hydrothermal circulation (for example, Europa).

Continue reading "2 PhD Student and 2 Postdoctoral Researcher Positions- Hydrothermal Activity on the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA announces a call for graduate fellowship proposals to the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) program for the 2009-2010 academic year. This call for fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines. The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA's scientific goals. Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities.

Continue reading "NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) Program" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dina Bower: Advisor: Andrew Steele, Carnegie Institution of Washington, NAI CIW Team Topic: Experimental Investigations on the Effects of Diagenesis on the Formation of Fe,Ti-oxides (Pseudorutile) in Microfossils: Using Minerals as Biosignatures in Ancient Rocks

Mark Claire: Advisor: Jim Kasting, Pennsylvania State University and NAI VPL Team
Topic: Biogenic Sulfur - From Biospheres to Biosignatures

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI supports postdoctoral fellows hosted at NAI teams through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP). The NPP provides talented postdoctoral scientists and engineers with valuable opportunities to engage in ongoing NASA research programs and serves as a source of talent to ensure the continued quality of the NASA research workforce. The deadline for the next round of applications is November 1. For more information on the program, please see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/ and http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc .

As a reminder, all current NAI advisors, from CAN 3 and CAN 4 teams, are eligible as advisors to host postdoctoral fellows.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute announces the introduction of the Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and solicits applications for fellowships to begin in the fall of 2009.

The Sagan Fellowships support outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the science goals of the NASA Exoplanet Exploration area. The primary goal of missions within this program is to discover and characterize planetary systems and Earth-like planets around nearby stars.

Continue reading "Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exoplanet Exploration" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI supports postdoctoral fellows hosted at NAI teams through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP). The NPP provides talented postdoctoral scientists and engineers with valuable opportunities to engage in ongoing NASA research programs and serves as a source of talent to ensure the continued quality of the NASA research workforce. The deadline for the next round of applications is November 1. For more information on the program, please see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/ and http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc. [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tune in for the all new 'Astrobiology Rap', written by Jonathan Chase for the latest Astrobiology Magazine European Edition (AMEE) -- the Nordic Invasion.

Jon is an early career researcher in science communication. Multi-talented, Jon has undergraduate degrees in both Aerospace Engineering, and Science and Science Fiction. As a post-graduate practitioner in communicating science, Jon is actively involved in a number of science communication activities.

Continue reading "Astrobiology Rap (Video)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please join us as this year's students present the results of their summer's research. The 2008 Summer Undergraduate Internship in Astrobiology is a ten-week internship in astrobiology held each year at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 11am Pacific

Continue reading "Goddard Center for Astrobiology Summer Student Presentations" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2008 Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology:

Continue reading "NAI/APS Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research Recipients Announced" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI congratulates the faculty sabbatical awardees for the NAI MIRS program for 2008. They are:

Dr. Prabhakar Misra, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Howard University, who will be working with Dr. Paul Mahafft at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, on a project entitled "Spectroscopy and Analytical Protocols for Organic Molecules of Relevance to the Origin of Life on Mars and Earth."

Dr. Erik Melchiorre, Associate Professor of Geology, California State University, San Bernardino, who will work with Drs. Karen Meech, Mike Mottl and Jim Cowen at the University of Hawaii, at Manoa. His study is entitled, "Planetary Habitability and the Origins of Life: Evaluation of Mineralogical Evidence for Extremophile Colonization within Terrestrial Subduction Zones. "

For more information about the NAI MIRS program see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-minority-institution-research-support [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are due on July 1, 2008 for the NASA Postdcoctoral Program. The NAI will also be participating in the next cycle of applications, due November 1. More information can be found at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/ [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday May 27 for 3 NAI scholarships to graduate students or postdocs, studying in the US, to attend the 2008 MedILS Summer School on Life in Extreme Conditions. This session, held from August 3 - 9 in Split, Croatia, will provide a venue to share current knowledge and develop new ideas and research projects around the topic of life in extreme conditions. The main focus of the school is on the evolution and maintenance of life in habitats such as eternal ice, hydrothermal vents, the bottom of the ocean, salt lakes, or other planets. Leading international lecturers will inform the participants about the latest developments and theories.

Continue reading "Last Chance for NAI Scholarships to the Summer School on Life in Extreme Conditions" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Video games and virtual worlds are a great way to inspire kids' interest in science and technology. The President's Commission on Implementation of US Space Exploration Policy reports that "...video and simulation games are not only a multi-billion dollar industry, they are proving to be effective as learning devices for people of all ages" ... "The potential for converting hobbies and amusements to more educational pursuits is enormous."

Continue reading "Astrobiology Meets the Video Game: Spore" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The competition was fierce! Of 37 posters representing the full gamut of astrobiology research areas, six finalists moved into second round judging, and four awards were made. Please join NAI in thanking our judges and congratulating this year's winners:

Continue reading "NAI Student Poster Competition at AbSciCon 2008" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is offering 3 scholarships to graduate students or postdocs, studying in the US, to attend the 2008 MedILS Summer School on Life in Extreme Conditions. This session, held from August 3 - 9 in Split, Croatia, will provide a venue to share current knowledge and develop new ideas and research projects around the topic of life in extreme conditions. The main focus of the school is on the evolution and maintenance of life in habitats such as eternal ice, hydrothermal vents, the bottom of the ocean, salt lakes, or other planets. Leading international lecturers will inform the participants about the latest developments and theories.

Continue reading "Summer School on Life in Extreme Conditions" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As part of its celebration of the 50th anniversary of its founding, the Space Studies Board (SSB) has expanded the scope of the Space Policy Intern program it has operated since 1992 by initiating the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships. The goal of the program is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the Nation's capital, under the aegis of the SSB.

Continue reading "Autumn 2008 Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship at the National Research Council's Space Studies Board" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yuri's Night is an international celebration held on April 12 every year to commemorate the launch of the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space and the launch of the first U.S. Space Shuttle. NAI Central staff, along with several Astrobiology graduate students who were in town for AbSciCon, co-hosted an exhibit with Electronic Arts (EA) at Yuri's Night 2008 at Ames Research Center, which drew a crowd of over 7,000 people.

Continue reading "NAI Central and Astrobiology Grad Students Participate in Yuri's Night Exhibit" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 20th Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (21-25 July and 4-8 August) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. During the program, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. At the end of the week, students will have a clearer understanding of the life cycle of a space mission; relationships between mission design, cost, and schedule; and the tradeoffs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the quality of science.

Applications are due 1 May 2008. Partial financial support is available for a limited number of individuals. Further information is available at http://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher in the area of Mars geology, starting summer 2008. Researchers in the disciplines of geology/geomorphology, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology, or astrobiology that study the history of water on the Red Planet are encouraged to apply.

Potential applicants are welcome to contact Brian Hynek

(hynek@lasp.colorado.edu) for additional information and to discuss research interests. Send a curriculum vitae, up to 3 articles that are published or in submission, a brief research proposal (up to 2 pages), and the names and contact information of three references.

Applications for this position will be accepted until the position is filled. Submit application materials via e-mail to: HRADS@lasp.colorado.edu or mail to LASP, University of Colorado at Boulder, 392 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0392. In your correspondence, please include the code PDAM0208.

All final applicants being considered for employment are subject to a background investigation including a criminal history check and if necessary, motor vehicle histories check. The University of Colorado at Boulder is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is very pleased to announce the selection of three NAI Fellows, who will receive awards through the NASA Postdoctoral Program.

The three Fellows are:

Daiki Horikawa, Advisor: Lynn Rothschild, NAI's SETI Institute Team, Tolerance of tardigrades to extremes: Implications for the existence of multicellular organisms in extraterrestrial environments.

Olivia Mason, Advisor: Jim Cowen, NAI's University of Hawaii Team, Phylogenetic and functional diversity of microorganisms associated with crustal fluids

Steven Mielke, Advisor Nancy Kiang, NAI's VPL - University of Washington Team, Molecular-Environmental Limits of Terrestrial Photosynthesis: Implications for Extrasolar Biosignatures

We welcome the new Fellows to the NAI.

The deadline for the next NAI opportunity for NPP Fellowships is July 1, 2008. For additional information about the program see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc .

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This could be your 90 seconds of fame! NAI is forming a partnership with the American Society of Microbiology's MicrobeWorld radio program, http://www.microbeworld.org, and we're looking for NAI scientists to be subjects of these short segments. They are broadcast on numerous radio stations across the country in the style of NPR's "Earth and Sky" series, and are also are available as podcasts (downloads are in the hundreds of thousands per year). If you're interested, please contact NAI's E/PO Coordinator, Daniella Scalice, daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Calling all students who are presenting posters at AbSciCon 2008! You're invited to enter your poster in the NAI Student Poster Competition. First prize is $1500, Second prize is $1000, and Third prize is $500! The DEADLINE TO ENTER IS MONDAY, MARCH 17TH. Judges will be recruited from the astrobiology community, and winners will be announced at the start of the afternoon plenary session on Thursday, April 17th. Information on eligibility requirements and online registration can be found here: http://nai.nasa.gov/postercompetition/. NAI is pleased to be continuing this astrobiology community event! Contact Daniella Scalice at NAI Central with questions: daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI-MIRS Program provides opportunities for researchers from qualified minority institutions to initiate joint partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. The NAI-MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority institutions. The application deadline for summer 2008 is March 7th. For more information, visit http://www.nai-mirs.org.

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The SETI Institute is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2008 REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program in Astrobiology. Undergraduate students in fields such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a scientific research project in the field of astrobiology. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due by February 1, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.seti.org/reu or contact Cynthia Phillips, phillips@seti.org, 650-810-0230.

Poster can be downloaded from: http://www.seti.org/pdfs/reuposter-2008.pdf

[Source: NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chris Impey from the University of Arizona is the author of the new book "The Living Cosmos: Our Search for Life in the Universe." Published by Random House in December, the book has been met with critical acclaim, especially in this review from the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-book28dec28,1,1847735.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

[Source: NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every semester, NAI sponsors an online course for teachers in astrobiology through the National Teacher Enhancement Network at Montana State University. Teachers login to the course at a time of day that best fits their schedule; it's necessary to connect at least 4 times a week, giving a commitment of 9-12 hours each week to stay current and successfully complete this 3 credit course. This semester's course runs from January 21 - May 2, 2008. For more information, go to: http://btc.montana.edu/courses/aspx/nten.aspx?TheID=162

[Source: NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Upcoming Summer Astrobiology Workshops for Teachers
Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers (ASSET)
Application Deadline: February 15th
Workshop Dates: 27 July - 2 August, 2008
Workshop Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Website: http://www.seti.org/asset/

Astrobiology Laboratory Institute for Instructors (ALI'I)
Application Deadline: March 28th
Workshop Dates: 13-18 July, 2008
Workshop Location: Honolulu, HI
Website: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/UHNAI/epo/alii.htm

Earth's History: Interactions between Life and the Environment
Application Deadline: ongoing
Workshops Dates: 22-27 June, 2008
Workshop Location: Penn State University
Website: http://teachscience.psu.edu/earths_history.html

Evolution: How Important Is It to a Good Science Education
Application Deadline: ongoing
Workshops Dates: 13-18 July, 2008
Workshop Location: Penn State University
Website: http://teachscience.psu.edu/evolution.html

[Source: NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In recognition of the pioneering role Stanley L. Miller played in our understanding of the origins of life, ISSOL, The International Astrobiology Society, shall present at each triennial meeting a Stanley L. Miller Award for outstanding contributions by a young scientist (under the age of 37) to origins of life research. The award is based on scientific merit without regard to nationality. The recipient will be honored during the awards banquet at the close of each triennial meeting. The next ISSOL meeting will be held in Florence from August 24-29, 2008 (http://www.dbag.unifi.it/issol2008/).

Continue reading "ISSOL Seeks Nominations for New Stanley L. Miller Award" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Application Deadline - March 7, 2008

The NAI-MIRS Program provides opportunities for researchers from qualified minority institutions to initiate joint partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. The NAI-MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority institutions. The application deadline for summer 2008 is March 7th. For more information, visit http://www.nai-mirs.org. [Source: NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI is pleased to sponsor travel scholarships for four graduate students (senior level) or postdoctoral fellows (with less than two years of postdoctoral training) to attend the Third International Polar and Alpine Microbiology Conference, to be held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, May 11-15, 2008. See the conference website for more details: http://www.polaralpinemicrobiology.com/. Each award will provide up to $2000 to defray the cost of economy airfare from US or Canadian cities and local travel, registration and up to four nights lodging at the workshop venue (shared room, if at all possible). Travel funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Continue reading "NAI Travel Scholarships Available for the International Conference on Polar and Alpine Microbiology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Application Deadline - February 15, 2008

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology, a partnership between NAI and the American Philosophical Society (APS), is now accepting applications for astrobiological field studies for 2008. Graduate students, postdoctoral students, and junior scientists and scholars are eligible to apply for travel and related expenses, up to $5000. For more information, please see http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology.htm

[Source: NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA Science Mission Directorate to Sponsor NASA Academy of Program, Project, and Engineering Leadership (APPEL) Mission Principal Investigator Training Course

Beginning in 2008, the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) will be sponsoring a series of offerings of a one-week Mission Principal Investigator (PI) Training Course to help mission PIs lead NASA science missions more effectively.

Continue reading "NASA offers Mission PI Training Course" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since we cannot put stars in a laboratory, astrophysicists had to wait till the invention of computers before becoming laboratory scientists. For half a century now, we have been conducting experiments in our virtual laboratories. However, we ourselves have remained behind the keyboard, with the screen of the monitor separating us from the world we are simulating. Recently, 3D on-line technology, developed first for games but now deployed in virtual worlds like Second Life, is beginning to make it possible for astrophysicists to enter their virtual labs themselves, in virtual form as avatars. This has several advantages, from new possibilities to explore the results of the simulations to a shared presence in a virtual lab with remote collaborators on different continents.

Piet Hut (IAS, Princeton) Comments: 10 pages, 2 figures, Conference proceedings for IAUS246 'Dynamical Evolution of Dense Stellar Systems', ed. E. Vesperini (Chief Editor), M. Giersz, A. Sills, Capri, Sept. 2007 Subjects: Astrophysics (astro-ph)

Full story

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oceans and Life on Planets: Remote Exploration of Seafloor Microbial Activities

In the spirit of the interdisciplinary nature of astrobiology, the course is open to graduate students in oceanography and/or microbiology, as well as to other graduate students in science and engineering who wish to pursue an intensive learning experience. Deadline for applications: 31 January 2008.

Continue reading "Summer Course for Grad Students at Friday Harbor Marine Biology Lab (University of Washington)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This two-year position is jointly funded by the NASA Astrobiology Institute's Virtual Planetary Laboratory (VPL) and the Astrobiology Program (AP) at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. The Virtual Planetary Laboratory, based at the University of Washington (http://vpl.astro.washington.edu), is an interdisciplinary research team of 40 members at 22 institutions. The VPL team undertakes interdisciplinary modeling research on the formation of habitable planets; their interaction with their parent star; the environments of the Early Earth; the plausible range of habitable extrasolar terrestrial environments; and the nature and detectability of remotely-sensed biosignatures.

Continue reading "Astrobiology Postdoctoral Position at the University of Washington" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spaceward Bound is an educational program designed to train the next generation of space explorers. Students participate in the exploration of scientifically interesting but remote and extreme environments on Earth as analogs for human exploration of the moon and Mars.

Continue reading "Apply Today for Upcoming NASA Opportunities: Spaceward Bound Fieldwork Opportunity for Students" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UCLA has launched an initiative to grow the Geosciences under the theme "Surface envelopes of Earth and planets: Processes and interactions" (see EOS, November 27, p. 534). The Department of Earth and Space Sciences and the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics seek a talented and creative scientist with experience and interests in research and teaching in one or more of the biogeosciences (geobiology, geomicrobiology, paleobiology, astrobiology, biogeochemistry) for appointment as an Assistant or Associate Professor.

Continue reading "Astrobiology Faculty Position at UCLA" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AbGradCon 08, an astrobiology conference for early-career astrobiologists, will take place on 13-14 April 2008 in Santa Clara, CA, USA (immediately before AbSciCon). AbGradCon is open to graduate students studying subjects relevant to astrobiology, and to those who have received their PhD in such subjects within the previous two years. Registration will be free and will be open shortly. There will be some funding available for travel grants. For more information, visit the AbGradCon website at http://people.ku.edu/~dimitra/agc08/agc08.html [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI Central is pleased to announce the news that its recent proposal to the NASA Science Mission Directorate E/PO Program entitled "NASA and the Navajo Nation 2: The Moon" has been selected for funding. This award will enable the continued collaboration with leaders and educators from the Navajo Nation toward the production of educational materials which bring together astrobiology science and Navajo cultural knowledge, in particular of the Moon. For more information, please contact Daniella Scalice, daniella.m.scalice@nasa.gov.

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The next application deadline for NAI applicants to the NASA Postdoctoral Program is Nov. 1. For more information, please see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/ [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Penn State will continue its summer program for undergraduates with renewed funding (three years) from the National Science Foundation. Each summer the program supports 10 students from universities and colleges across the U.S., between their freshman and senior years, to conduct research with astrobiologists for 10 weeks at Penn State (early June to early August). Activities also include a behind-the-scenes field trip to NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, as well as weekly seminars, discussion groups and a research symposium. The program covers the cost of travel, room, and meals and provides a $4,000 stipend. For further information see http://evo.bio.psu.edu/asp/.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As noted in the Spring 2007 newsletter, nominations for the following ASGSB awards are due no later than 5 PM PST, October 1, 2007.  Please note that the individual selected must be at the meeting to receive the award.

Previous winners of the awards can be found at http://www.asgsb.org/awards.html

1. Thora W. Halstead Young Investigator Award: This award honors a young scientist who exemplifies Thora's drive and enthusiasm for science, and who has made significant contributions to the field of space biology.

2. Orr Reynolds Distinguished Service Award: This award is made to an individual for distinguished service to the Society "above and beyond the call of duty."

3. Founder's Award: This award is the highest honor given by the Society. It is made to a member of the Society for distinguished scientific contributions to and leadership in the field of gravitational and space biology.

The final recipients of these awards are chosen by the Awards Committee, in consultation with the current President and the Executive Director. Nominations from the Society's membership are very strongly encouraged and may be submitted to Chair Emily Holton or to the Executive Director.

Nominations should be accompanied by the name and professional address of the candidate and a short Curriculum Vitae, along with a paragraph outlining why the candidate is particularly deserving of the award. The most direct mechanism for submissions is by e-mail to Dr. Emily Holton, Chair, Awards Committee, eholton@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Emily Morey-Holton, Ph.D.
Chair, Awards Committee

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lerner Publishing Group has just released a new "Cool Science" title for 4-8th grade readers called "Astrobiology." From early imaginings about life on the Moon to modern observations of Mars, Europa, and Titan, this book gives an easy to follow, historical context for the search for life elsewhere. http://tinyurl.com/38ase7 The book's author, "Dr. Fred" Bortz, engages students directly through school visits and other events. Learn more at his website: http://www.fredbortz.com/ [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Robotics Alliance Project website will host an online course for college students on Aug. 6. The course prepares students to design space communication in the inner solar system. Experts in academia and government will provide over a dozen lectures. The format includes live web broadcasts, chat windows for Q and A, collection of mathematical communication programs, archival of events, student bulletin boards, and online finals. The students ask questions in chat windows and a robotics expert answers these questions globally through the web stream.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"In July 2007 several hundred students will get look over the shoulder of space researchers at a remote research base in the Canadian arctic. The place: Devon Island, a place many call "Mars on Earth". Our team will visit Devon Island to conduct 5 days of webcasts and other instructional activities spanning the period of 16-20 July 2007. Our team consists of 4 individuals: veteran astronauts William Readdy and Leroy Chiao, horticulturist/space researcher Matthew Reyes, and space biologist Keith Cowing (who is also the team lead for this project)."

More information

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"In July 2007 several hundred students will get look over the shoulder of space researchers at a remote research base in the Canadian arctic. The place: Devon Island, a place many call "Mars on Earth". Our team will visit Devon Island to conduct 5 days of webcasts and other instructional activities spanning the period of 16-20 July 2007. Our team consists of 4 individuals: veteran astronauts William Readdy and Leroy Chiao, horticulturist/space researcher Matthew Reyes, and space biologist Keith Cowing (who is also the team lead for this project)."

More information

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Monday, June 18, 2007, astrobiologist Robert Hazen of the Carnegie Institution and George Mason University, will provide insights into the emergence of life on our planet--and perhaps others--during a Directorate for Biological Sciences Distinguished Lecture at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, Va.

Continue reading "Astrobiologist Robert Hazen lecture at NSF on the origin of life" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI is offering ten full-funded scholarships for students who wish to attend the 2007 International Summer School in Astrobiology, Santander, Spain, July 2-6. The topic for this year's school is "Mars Exploration: The next ten years." The summer schools are co-sponsored by the Spanish Centro de Astrobiologia and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The application deadline is May 31. For more information, please see: http://nai.nasa.gov/UIMP/MarsExpl [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NAI Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) Program is pleased to announce the selection of two faculty sabbatical research awards to Abel Mendez, from the University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo, and to Don Walter from South Carolina State University. The NAI-MIRS program, which is funded by the NAI, provides opportunities for researchers, from qualified minority serving institutions, to initiate joint partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology.

Continue reading "NAI Announces Two MIRS Sabbatical Awards" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Irene Schneider from NAI's Penn State Team is spending two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station in a simulated expedition to the Red Planet. The last of the 2006-2007 season's missions, the team's focus is "Emergency Preparedness" and includes simulation and protocol development for EVA (Extravehicular Activity) emergencies, radiation poisoning prevention, EVA radiation emergency protocols and an emergency air quantity/location study. Learn more at: http://live.psu.edu/story/23541 [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We're getting AbGradCon back on track! The next installment of AbGradCon (The Astrobiology Graduate Conference) will be held July 14 & 15, 2007 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The goal of AbGradCon is to foster communication and collaboration within the broad astrobiology-related graduate student and postdoc community, and to give early graduate students a chance to practice speaking in a collegial atmosphere. AbGradCon 2007 @ Bioastronomy is being organized in cooperation with the IAU Bioastronomy Symposium being held July 16 - 20, one of the largest astrobiology-related conferences of 2007.

Continue reading "AbGradCon 2007 @ Bioastronomy" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Applications are due May 15, 2007, for NASA's 19th Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two sessions this summer, July 23-27 and August 6-10, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

Continue reading "NASA Planetary Science Summer School- APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 15" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Herb Thier, Ph.D., E/PO lead for NAI's UC Berkeley Team, has recently been selected as a scholar by the Fulbright Senior Specialists Program. Dr. Thier will work with the staff of the Clore Garden of Science, part of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, to design activities for teachers to enhance their field trips to the museum, as well as deliver a short course on science education curriculum development to graduate students at the Department of Science Teaching. Congratulations Herb! [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NAI graduate student Irene Schneider from Jim Kasting's group at Penn State has been selected by NASA/Mars Society as crew physicist for the upcoming expedition 61 for the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). MDRS Crew 61/Spaceward Bound Crew Five is a two week mission simulation carried out in the dessert of Utah where NASA, in collaboration with The Mars Society, runs simulations for future manned missions to the red planet. There she will be developing and helping implement the first EVA emergency radiation protocols. Congratulations Irene! [Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Hawai'i to Massachusetts, workshops offering hands-on, in-the-field, in-the-lab experiences for teachers are being held this summer by NAI teams and others. The workshops feature cutting edge astrobiology research delivered by scientists and education professionals, as well as inquiry- and standards-based activities ready for the classroom. Many offer stipends and/or education credits. Click here for offerings from NAI's Teams at MBL, Penn State, University of Hawai'i, and the SETI Institute, as well as the Lunar and Planetary Institute. http://nai.nasa.gov/teachers/index.cfm#7 [source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)