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.

2010 Geological Society of America National Meeting: T110, Mountain Formation and Landscape Evolution in the Solar System: Implications for the Origin of Life.

Organizers: Joseph Kula, Suzanne L. Baldwin

Session Summary: Terrestrial mountain formation in the solar system is related to thermal decay, tectonics, and impact events. The processes and timescales of landscape evolution will be explored with implications for the origin and search for life.

For more information: http://geosociety.org/meetings/2010/sessions/topical.asp?SponsorID=GSA+Planetary+Geology+Division

This workshop is expected to focus on the outstanding science questions, surface characteristics, and relative merits of the final MSL landing sites remaining under consideration. Outcomes will include a list of testable hypotheses that can be accomplished at each site using the MSL science payload. We anticipate a final, fifth landing site workshop will be held in the early spring of 2011 that will be the final workshop prior to selection of the site by NASA Headquarters.

We are soliciting a range of presentations related to the four remaining landing sites under consideration: Eberswalde crater (23.86*S, 326.73*E), Gale crater (4.49*S, 137.42*E), Holden crater (26.37*S, 325.10*E), and Mawrth Vallis (24.01*N, 341.03*E). Presentations related to refined understanding of the geologic setting and physical nature of the surface at each site are especially welcomed. Talks should emphasize the pros and cons of the science possible at each site relative to the mission science objectives and describe testable hypotheses that can be evaluated using the MSL science payload. Talks on the characteristics of the surface should focus on aspects that are important for landing or roving. Identification of specific candidate science targets and traverses within and/or outside the ellipse (for go to sites) is encouraged. An overview of the mission science objectives, a description of the engineering constraints on surface characteristics important for landing and roving, as well as other aspects of the MSL mission, can be found at http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/landingsites/ and http://webgis.wr.usgs.gov/msl. A description of the MSL science payload may be found at http://msl-scicorner.jpl.nasa.gov/.

All members of the scientific community are encouraged to participate in this important activity. Persons wishing to make a presentation at the workshop should provide a title and brief (several sentence) description of the content to John Grant (grantj@si.edu) and Matt Golombek (mgolombek@jpl.nasa.gov) by August 1, 2010. The input from the science community is critical to identification and evaluation of optimal landing sites for the MSL. We look forward to your continued involvement in these activities!

Sincerely, John Grant and Matt Golombek Co-Chairs, Mars Landing Site Steering Committee

Source: NAI Newsletter

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

The report will have the biggest impact if our community is well represented. This is an opportunity to share with a broader community and NSF the various Astrobiology-related research ideas that fit with the goals of the committee. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this very important survey.

Source: NAI Newsletter

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

The study implies that the geochemistry of the Archean ocean (>2.5 billion years ago) influenced both the evolution of metal-binding protein architectures and the selection of elements by the ancestors of modern Archaea and Bacteria (simple single cell organisms). Specifically, low Zn, Mo, and Cu concentrations in the Archean ocean likely prevented the widespread emergence and diversification of Eukaryotic life (including plants, animals, and fungi) until the oceans became oxic, relatively late in Earth's history. The study also revealed that although modern Archaea and Bacteria still predominantly use ancient metal-binding protein structures, most Eukaryotes use both early- and late- evolving structures. The paper appears in the May 24 Early Edition of PNAS.

Source: NAI Newsletter

The team used computer simulations to show that the Sun may have captured small icy bodies from its sibling stars while it was in its birth star cluster, thereby creating a reservoir for observed comets. Their paper appears in the June 10, 2010 issue of Science Express.

Source: NAI Newsletter

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