Friday, October 30, 2009

AASWOMEN for October 30, 2009

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of October 30, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. What Can I Do? Inspirations from Women in Astronomy III

2. "Female-Friendly" Department/Organization/Institution

3. Ten Things Companies - and Women - Can Do To Get Ahead

4. Special Events for Women at APS Annual Meetings

5. Etta Z. Falconer Award for Mentoring and Commitment to Diversity

***The following position was taken from WIPHYS***

6. Assistant Professor of Space Sciences, Univ. of New Hampshire

7. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

8. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN


1. What Can I Do? Inspirations from Women in Astronomy III
From: Joan Schmelz [jschmelz_at_memphis.edu]

This suggestion is inspired by the comments of attendees of the "Women in Astronomy and Space Science" conference held Oct 21-23, 2009, College Park, MD.

Postdocs and graduate students are extremely busy and should be spending most of their time doing research. Many of them, however, would like to do something to promote women in astronomy and help create a female-friendly workplace, as long as it does not take too much of their valuable research time. Here is a suggestion, perhaps the first of several:

Get your department/company/organization to endorse the Pasadena Recommendations.

Start by going to the CSWA web site and printing out copies of the brochure:

http://www.aas.org/cswa/pasadenarecs.html

Get your friends/colleagues/professors to discuss and debate the recommendations. Are you ready to endorse? Just follow the simple steps on the web site.

Note: these are *recommendations,* and it is not important that they are all currently followed/implemented at your department/company/organization. What is important is that the principles are supported. The very fact that you are discussing them is a sign of progress!

Help support women in astronomy, one step at a time!

Back to top.
2. "Female-Friendly" Department/Organization/Institution
From: Joan Schmelz [jschmelz_at_memphis.edu]

What Constitutes a "Female-Friendly" Department/Organization/Institution?

AASWOMEN wants to know what you think.

Is it all about numbers? If the percentage of women at all levels is typical, is that good enough, or is it only the first step?

How important are things like the family leave policy, nearby affordable childcare, flexible hours, and the option to stop the tenure (or equivalent for non-academic positions) clock?

If there are no senior women at the highest level, can a place really be female-friendly? What about role models and mentoring? How important are they?

FYI:

Graduate enrollment in US astronomy departments has risen from 25% female in 1997 to 30% in 2006 (NSF-NIH Survey of Grad Students and Postdocs in S&E).

Percentage of Astronomy PhDs earned by women in the US has increased steadily from <20% in 1997 to almost 30% in 2006 (NSF Survey of Earned doctorates).

Percentage of women faculty at stand-alone astronomy departments in 2006 was 28% (assistant professors), 24 % (associate professors), and only 11% (full professors).

The good news: the Grad Student – Postdoc joint of the leaky pipeline does not appear to be leaking!

The not so good news: the faculty pipeline continues to leak.

Benchmark: If the percentage of women postdocs at your institution is significantly lower than 30%, then there may be a problem

Thanks to the members of the Astro2010 DEM study group for helping to point us toward useful statistical information.

Back to top.
3. Ten Things Companies - and Women - Can Do To Get Ahead
From: Luisa Rebull [rebull_at_ipac.caltech.edu]

A particularly appropriate article came out recently:

http://finance.alphatrade.com/story/2009-10-19/PRN/200910190001PR_NEWS_USPR_____DE94359.html

Ten Things Companies - and Women - Can Do To Get Ahead Lack of Gender Diversity in Executive Positions and Board Seats to the Detriment of Companies and Professional Women

Here is a quote from the article: "Research shows there is a strong correlation between how well top corporations develop and promote women leaders and how successful those corporations are in the marketplace."

Back to top.
4. Special Events for Women at APS Annual Meetings
From: WIPHYS Oct 30, 2009

Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP) will sponsor (or co-sponsor) a variety of events of special interest to women in physics at the upcoming APS annual meetings in Washington, DC (February 13-16, 2010) and Portland, Oregon (March 15-19, 2010). Some of these events require pre-registration.

-Professional Skills Development Workshops for Women in Physics, Feb 12 and Mar 14

http://www.aps.org/programs/women/workshops/skills/index.cfm

-CSWP/DPF Networking Luncheon, February 15

http://www.aps.org/meetings/april/events/receptions/cswp-dpf.cfm

-CSWP/FIAP Networking Breakfast, March 16

http://www.aps.org/meetings/march/events/receptions/cswp-fiap.cfm

We are pleased to be able to offer modest child care grants to assist meeting attendees who are bringing small children (or who incur extra expenses in leaving them at home). Details are given on the APS meetings websites under Services and Support.

Back to top.
5. Etta Z. Falconer Award for Mentoring and Commitment to Diversity
From: Luisa Rebull [rebull_at_ipac.caltech.edu]

The Infinite Possibilities Conference (IPC) Steering Committee established the Etta Z. Falconer Award for Mentoring and Commitment to Diversity to recognize individuals who demonstrate a commitment to mentoring and diversity in the mathematical sciences. The award recipient receives a monetary prize, a commemorative plaque, and covered travel expenses to attend the 2010 IPC. Nominations are due Nov 20, 2009.

The award will be presented during the Infinite Possibilities Conference on March 20, 2010. IPAM is a co-sponsor of the conference, which will be held on the UCLA campus. For more information about Etta Falconer, award criteria, eligibility, and nomination procedures, go to:

http://www.ipcmath.org/DrEtta.html

Back to top.
6. Assistant Professor of Space Sciences, Univ. of New Hampshire
From: WIPHYS Oct 29, 2009

The Department of Physics at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of space physics. Exceptional candidates at a higher rank will also be considered. The position will have half the normal teaching and service load, and will be partially funded by NASA projects. Projects include: the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation on the active Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, the Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma instrument suite on the in-development Radiation Belts Storm Probe mission, and the Energetic Particle Detector on the in-development Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission.

We seek faculty who are qualified to teach in the Department of Physics, who will strengthen the research program of the Space Science Center (SSC) of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS), and who will contribute substantially to the above-noted projects. All candidates with research interests on the science goals of the above missions will be considered, but preference will be given to candidates with strong research background and broad experience specifically in: galactic cosmic rays, solar particles, and their radiation effects; particle acceleration and transport throughout the heliosphere; and the physics of magnetic reconnection and plasma turbulence in space plasmas.

Successful candidates will be expected to develop externally funded research programs and strengthen interdisciplinary research activities in the SSC and EOS and to contribute significantly to the teaching mission of the Department of Physics. Information regarding research and educational interests and programs in the Department of Physics may be found at www.physics.unh.edu and on the SSC at

http://www.eos.unh.edu/resctr/ssc.shtml

UNH is a Land Grant, Sea Grant and Space Grant institution with approximately 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students. There are numerous departments and research institutes that provide excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary research. See:

www.ceps.unh.edu

and

www.eos.unh.edu

Application review will begin on January 7, 2010 and continue until the position is filled. Electronic applications are strongly preferred, but paper applications are also acceptable. Applicants should send a CV, a statement of research accomplishments and plans, a statement on teaching, and also arrange for three electronic letters of recommendation to be sent directly to: Ms. Katie Makem-Boucher, DeMeritt Hall 237A, 9 Library Way Durham, NH 03824 Email: Katie.Makem_at_unh.edu Inquiries about the position should be addressed to Professor Harlan Spence at Harlan.Spence_at_unh.edu .

UNH is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups.

Back to top.
7. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

[Please remember to replace "_at_" in the below e-mail addresses.]

To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomen_at_aas.org. All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise (including your email address).

To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to

http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist

and fill out the form.

If you experience any problems, please email itdept_at_aas.org

Back to top.
8. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

Back to top.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

WiA 2009: criticisms

By and large, the Women in Astronomy and Space Sciences last week was a success. This is not to say that it was perfect. Among the criticisms I've heard:
  1. The continuing emphasis on faculty jobs as the ideal career trajectory. From Alyssa (aka Mrs. Comet Hunter):

    The thing that bothered me was the implication that people who took these careers only did so because they couldn’t get a tenure-track position for whatever reason (children, geographical location, health, having to work part-time, etc.). Why is it so hard to understand that some of us actually want these jobs? That we strive for them from very early on? It’s not a consolation prize for us. Please stop treating us like second-class citizens just because we don’t want an academic job.

    (Read more about her views here and here.)

  2. The lack of a discussion about how the current economy will affect women and minorities in astronomy. I've discussed this some myself. The best way to promote diversity in science is to encourage more people to study science. However, if there aren't enough jobs for everyone, are we misleading all these people we are training to become scientists?

  3. The exclusivity of the White House tour. I feel like I fielded more complaints about this subject than any other. A few weeks before the conference, we finally got word from the White House about our tour request. We were given a grand total of 40 slots for the tour, but the conference attendance was more like 250. An executive decision was made to invite about 20 senior women. We felt it was important to also include the views of junior astronomers, so the remaining invitations were extended to recipients of the early career travel grants, because they had already gone through a review process. Because of security issues we had to finalize the list one week ahead of time. Perhaps this could have been handled better to make fewer people left out, but decisions had to be made quickly during crunch time.

Any other criticisms about the meeting out there? Now's your chance to get that bee out of your bonnet!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

WiA 2009: not quite done yet

The meeting is over now, but I still have so much to say and no time right now write it all up. But I will say:

  • I saw Michelle Obama!! (through a window with many Secret Service agents in between, but still! She was maybe 20 feet away!)
  • Tina Tchen (Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls) is really awesome. She's my newest feminist hero.
  • Ms. Tchen assured us that the White House is very interested in promoting science, diversity, and women's issues. Which we knew already, but it's always nice to hear again.
  • We were able to show Ms. Tchen how these issues relate to each other when talking about women in science, and she said herself that she hadn't seen some of those connections until we pointed them out to her.
  • The OSTP fellow who met with us, Sarah Stewart Johnson, is a woman astronomer herself! Glad to see that one of us has infiltrated is working with the White House staff!


We should also remember that the Executive Branch is only one of three in the federal government. While it's good to know that one is already on our side, we still need to make our voices heard to our legislators also.

Friday, October 23, 2009

WiA 2009: Friday

Today is a short day. And I'm getting ready to go on the White House tour, and suddenly I don't have time to keep blogging. But @ashpags and @whymommy are doing a very capable job of live-tweeting.

I hope to post a recap of the White House visit at a later date.

AASWomen Newsletter 10/23/09

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of October 23, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. IAU Study on Women Statistics

2. Response to Older Women to Work on Physics?

3. President's Speech at the White House Star Party

4. A Forgotten Moment in Physiology: The Lovelace Women in Space Program

5. Opportunity for Women Physicists: Workshop February 12

6. Be A Mentor or Get A Mentor

7. New DOE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship Program

8. Tenure-track Junior Faculty Position in Solar Physics at Rice University

9. Tenure-track Assistant Professor Position of Astronomy at Tufts University

10. Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Observational Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology

*** FOLLOWING JOB POSTINGS TAKEN FROM WIPHYS ***

11. Faculty position in Astrophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

12. Two Joint Faculty Appointments, UC Berkeley and LBL

13. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

14. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN


1. IAU Study on Women Statistics
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

[From the Editors: For the next several weeks we will be presenting a summary of major outcomes from the Women in Astronomy III conference held at the University of Maryland October 21-23, 2009. A general summary is also on the Women in Astronomy blog at

http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/women_in_astronomy/ ]

Catherine Cesarsky gave a talk on Statistics of Women in the IAU. Her statistics included the percentages of women who attended the IAU XVII General Assembly meeting last August in Brazil, the percentage of women represented in the IAU, and a breakdown by country of percentages of women in the IAU.

Of all 2109 participants at the 2009 IAU meeting, 667 (31.6%) are women. Of the more than 10,000 IAU members, 14.8% are women. This percentage is an increase from 2006 where only 12.9% were women. Of all the countries that participate in the IAU, Argentina has the highest percentage (36%) of women participants. Ukraine (27%); Italy & Bulgaria (25%); France (24%); Brazil (23%); Hungary (21%) round out the second to sixth levels, respectively. The United States has 12% women participating in the IAU. The United States does not come in last place - the placeholder for that position is Japan which only has 6% of women in the IAU.

As the meeting is still in progress, the data is not yet online. However, more on these statistics will be found at the Women in Astronomy and Space Science website

http://wia2009.gsfc.nasa.gov/

after the conference has ended.

Back to top.
2. Response to Older Women to Work on Physics?
From: Andrea Schweitzer [schweitz_at_frii.com]

[In last week's issue of AASWOMEN, we posted one senior woman's request to work on physics. The following is a response to this request from one of our readers to which we thank for your response. Eds.]

I wanted to respond to Linda Perry's post about wishing she could be working in physics research:

While one generally needs a Ph.D. to pursue research from within academia, there are getting to be more and more opportunities to participate in "citizen science" research programs outside of academia. And most local astronomy clubs, Science Cafes, and schools welcome guest speakers about physics and astronomy. Thus, in an informal way, you can still do some research and teaching. Also, many of the citizen science programs have active blogging and discussion boards so that you can participate in scientific collaboration and electronic conversation as your schedule allows. Galaxy Zoo has even had several new discoveries and publications in scientific journals! I have been very impressed by the growing impact of citizen science research.

A few astronomy citizen science programs to get you started:

Classify galaxies and astronomical objects for Galaxy Zoo ( http://www.galaxyzoo.org )

Epsilon Aurigae variable star observing campaign ( http://www.citizensky.org )

Star counting programs to raise awareness about dark skies and light pollution: - Great World Wide Star Count, October 9-23, 2009, and October every year ( http://www.starcount.org ) - GLOBE at Night, March near new moon every year ( http://www.globe.gov/GaN/ )

More astrophysics programs are listed at: http://www.starstryder.com/the-list/list-of-citizen-science-projects/

and for other branches of science start at: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit/projects

Regards, Andrea

Andrea Schweitzer, Ph.D. U.S. Project Manager for the International Year of Astronomy www.Astronomy2009.us aschweitzer - at - Astronomy2009.us

Back to top.
3. President's Speech at the White House Star Party
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

If you missed President Obama speaking about the importance of astronomy then please see the video:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/President-Obama-Presents-a-Night-of-Astronomy/ .

Photos from the White House Star Party can be found at

http://www.wisn.com/slideshow/slideshows/21233931/detail.html .

Back to top.
4. A Forgotten Moment in Physiology: The Lovelace Women in Space Program
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

In the September edition of Advances in Physiology, an article can be found on the intersection of physiology, spaceflight, and politics. Ryan, Loeppky, & Kilgore wrote "A Forgotten Moment in Physiology: The LoveLace Women in Space Program (1960-1962)." The abstract is provided below as well as a link to the full article.

Abstract: In 1959, Brigadier General Donald Flickinger and Dr. W. Randolph Lovelace II suggested that it would be more practical from an engineering standpoint to send women rather than men into space due to their lower body weights and oxygen requirements. When the Air Force decided not to pursue this project, Dr. Lovelace assumed leadership of the Woman in Space Program and began medical and physiological testing of a series of accomplished women aviators at the Lovelace Medical Clinic in Albuquerque, NM, in 1960. The tests that these women underwent were identical to those used to test the original Mercury astronauts, with the addition of gynecological ex- aminations. Thirteen of the nineteen women tested passed these strenuous physiological exams (for comparison, 18 of 32 men tested passed); a subset of these pilots was further tested on a series of psychological exams that were similar to or, in some instances, more demanding than those given to male Mercury candidates. Despite these promising results, further testing was halted, and the Woman in Space Program was disbanded in 1962. Although the Woman in Space Program received a great deal of publicity at the time, the story of these women was somewhat lost until they were reunited at the 1999 launch of the shuttle Columbia, commanded by Colonel Eileen Col- lins.

The full article can be downloarded from Advances in Physiology Education at

http://advan.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/33/3/157

Back to top.
5. Opportunity for Women Physicists: Workshop February 12
From: WIPHYS, October 21

The American Physical Society will offer a workshop entitled Professional Skills Development for Women Physicists on Friday, February 12, 2010 in connection with the APS annual meeting in Washington, DC. The workshop will be aimed at tenured women faculty in physics and women post doctoral associates in physics.

The deadline to apply is November 9, 2009. First consideration will go to applications received by that date. The workshop will be limited in size for optimal benefits.

All participants are eligible to receive a stipend to help cover the cost of travel and up to two nights lodging. Women of color are especially encouraged to apply.

The workshop is aimed towards enhancing the status of women in physics and will provide professional training on effective negotiation, communication and leadership skills for female physicists in a position to become the future leaders. In addition, the workshops will offer a special opportunity for networking. Information is now posted at

http://www.aps.org/programs/women/workshops/skills/index.cfm .

A similar workshop will be offered on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at the APS annual meeting in Portland, Oregon (for post docs and junior, tenure-track women faculty).

The first series of workshops (2005, 2006, and 2007) was extremely successful, as were the workshops offered in 2008 and 2009.

This program is supported by an award from the National Science Foundation.

Questions? Please contact Sue Otwell at APS otwell_at_aps.org

Back to top.
6. Be A Mentor or Get A Mentor
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

We would like to encourage all to either obtain a mentor or be a mentor by joining a nonprofit e-mentoring network like MentorNet. Quick Facts about Mentors at MentorNet include the following: 766 employers are represented, 46% of the mentors are female, and currently 194 mentors are available to be matched. Do you know of someone who wants to pursue a career path in industry, government, or higher education and does not know how to begin or fully achieve this goal? Can you help out someone in need and provide mentoring on e.g., your unique career path or field, job search, or work/life balance?

More information can be found on MentorNet at

http://www.mentornet.net

Back to top.
7. New DOE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship Program
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

[Editor's Note: Eligibility includes undergraduate seniors as well as first and second year graduate students in a qualified research-focused Master's or Ph.D program at an accreditec U.S. college or univeristy at the time of applying. Please pass along this information to those undergraduate and graduates who do not receive this newsletter but would be interested in this new fellowship. Note that the application deadline is November 30, 2009.]

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) has established the DOE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE SCGF) program to provide support for outstanding students to pursue graduate training in basic research in areas of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences, and environmental sciences relevant to the Office of Science and to encourage the development of the next generation scientific and technical talent in the U.S. Fellows will receive a $35,000 yearly stipend for living expenses, $10, 500 per year for tuition and fees and a $5,000 research stipend supplement for research materials and travel expenses. Fellows will be required to participate in the annual DOE SCGF Research Conference to be held each summer at a DOE national laboratory. Travel expenses and accommodations to the Conference will be provided by the DOE SCGF program.

For more information, please email:

SCGFInfo_at_science.doe.gov

or go to

http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/SCGF.html .

Back to top.
8. Tenure-track Junior Faculty Position in Solar Physics at Rice University
From: Jan Rinehart [Jan.Rinehart_at_rice.edu]

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University expects to have a tenure-track junior faculty position available in Solar Physics starting July 1, 2010 and invites applications from all qualified applicants. The successful candidate's research program should complement current research in solar physics and related fields at Rice, particularly in the areas of space physics and astrophysics (see physics.rice.edu for information on current research programs). The successful candidate is expected to participate actively and effectively in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, have a strong record of published research, obtain external funding, and develop a nationally recognized research program. Applicants should send a dossier that includes a curriculum vitae, a brief description of proposed research and teaching interests, a list of publications, and arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be sent to

David Alexander, Chair, Faculty Search Committee c/o Valerie Call, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy MS 61, Rice University 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005

or by email to

vcall_at_rice.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but only those received by December 9, 2009 will be assured of full consideration. Rice University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer; women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

More information can be found at

http://physics.rice.edu/Content.aspx?id=65&linkidentifier=id&itemid=65

Back to top.
9. Tenure-track Assistant Professor Position of Astronomy at Tufts University
From: Danilo Marchesini [Danilo.Marchesini_at_tufts.edu]

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Tufts University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the field of Observational Astronomy/Astrophysics, beginning September 1, 2010. To qualify for the position the candidate must have a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field, and post-doctoral experience with observations or analysis of data obtained by either ground-based or space-based astronomical instruments, performing research of internationally recognized importance. We are particularly interested in candidates who will complement or strengthen our existing research programs in astronomy, astrophysics and/or cosmology. The candidate will be expected to teach courses in astronomy and astrophysics at the undergraduate and the graduate level, and to mentor undergraduates in individual research projects. Prior teaching experience is preferred but not required. We expect the new hire to generate research grants after coming to Tufts, to maintain a sustained research program, and to supervise thesis work by graduate students. The department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, and includes strong research programs in observational astronomy, theoretical cosmology, particle physics, and condensed matter physics.

The review of applications will begin on December 1, 2009 and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, all material should be submitted by December 1, 2009. Applications should be submitted to the

Chairman of the Astronomy Search Committee, c/o Jean Intoppa, Department of Physics and Astronomy 4 Colby St., Tufts University Medford, MA 02155.

Complete applications may be sent by email to

astrosearch2009_at_tufts.edu.

Applications should include a Curriculum Vitae, a Description of Future Research Plans, and a Description of Teaching Experience. Applicants should arrange for three Letters of Reference to be submitted directly to the address above.

Tufts University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Back to top.
10. Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Observational Extragalactic
Astronomy and Cosmology
From: Chris Mihos [mihos_at_case.edu]

The Department of Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University invites applications for a tenure-track position at any rank, in the area of observational extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research interests include multi-wavelength studies of galaxies using both ground- and space-based facilities. Departmental research interests include a major emphasis on galaxy evolution, the structure and dynamics of galaxies, large scale structure, chemical abundances and evolution, and telescope and instrument design. Research facilities include the recently refurbished Burrell Schmidt telescope at Kitt Peak, and several members of the department are active participants in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III consortium. In addition, the Case Department of Physics has strengths in particle astrophysics and cosmology. Case is committed to both undergraduate and graduate education, and we seek candidates who will share that commitment. The normal teaching load for the department is one class per semester.

Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in astronomy or a related field, and demonstrate clear potential for excellence in research and teaching. Senior applicants at the Associate Professor (Professor) level should have a strong national (international) scientific reputation as well as a distinguished record of publication. Applicants should provide a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and plans, and a statement of teaching experience, aspirations, and goals. Electronic applications (in PDF form) are strongly preferred, sent to

facsearch_at_astronomy.case.edu.

Print applications can be sent to

Faculty Search Committee c/o Agnes Torontali Department of Astronomy Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio, 44106-7215

All applicants should provide contact information for three references; applicants at the Assistant Professor level should also arrange for three letters of recommendation (in either electronic or print form) to be sent directly to the search committee. Complete applications received by January 1, 2010 will receive full consideration. Case Western Reserve University is committed to diversity and is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

Back to top.
11. Faculty position in Astrophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
From: WIPHYS, October 19

The Physics Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invites applications for an expected junior faculty position in astrophysics. Our search is unrestricted with respect to area of specialization. Current astrophysics faculty are active in optical, radio, X-ray and gravitational wave astronomy; in broad areas of theoretical astrophysics and cosmology; in the understanding of dark matter and dark energy; in studies of exoplanets and brown dwarfs; and in space plasma physics. MIT hosts the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, whose faculty and research staff, contribute instrumentation for and conduct research with several facilities, including Chandra, RXTE, the Mileura Widefield Array, the Magellan telescopes in Chile, and LIGO.

QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in physics or physics-related discipline is required and strong postdoctoral experience in the field is generally expected. Faculty members at MIT conduct research, teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses and supervise graduate and undergraduate participation in research. Candidates must show promise in teaching as well as in research. Preference will be given to applicants at the Assistant Professor level, but appointments at a more senior level will be considered in exceptional cases.

The strict deadline for completed applications is November 20, 2009. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and a description of research interests and goals (the latter not to exceed 3 pages) at the following website:

http://www.academicjobsonline.com .

Applicants should also arrange for three letters of reference to be uploaded to the site.

Any inquiries should be directed to

Professor Saul Rappaport, Search Committee Chair, 37-602B, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA; sar_mit_mit.edu .

MIT is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. MIT does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, veteran status, age, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies and practices. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Back to top.
12. Two Joint Faculty Appointments, UC Berkeley and LBL
From: WIPHYS, October 21

The Physics Department of the University of California, Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory intend to make two joint faculty appointments effective July 1, 2010. One position is targeted for Computational Astrophysics; this appointment will be made jointly between the Physics Department and Nuclear Sciences and/or Physics Divisions at LBNL. A second position is targeted for Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, with an intended focus on Local Probes and/or Materials; this appointment will be made jointly between the Physics Department and the Materials Sciences Division of LBNL.

These searches will be at a junior level, though an appointment at a senior level is possible if a candidate with outstanding breadth and record is identified; both positions will be at either the tenure track (assistant professor) level or tenured (associate professor or full professor) level depending on previous record.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply, and applications from minority and women candidates are especially encouraged. A curriculum vitae, bibliography, statement of research interests, and a list of at least 3 references (names and complete addresses including email) are required for consideration. UC Berkeley's Statement of Confidentiality can be found at:

http://apo.chance.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html .

Online applications are strongly preferred. Please go to

http://www.physics.berkeley.edu

and click on the Faculty Job Listing link located in the right side bar. Follow the directions for self registration, uploading of PDFs, and obtaining the URL for your letters of reference writers. For applicants at the assistant professor level, give this URL to at least 3 references and have them upload their letter.

For applicants who wish only to be considered at the associate or full professor level, it is sufficient to provide names and addresses in the initial application; the search committee will contact these references only after the applicant is selected for further consideration. If online application is not possible, mail curriculum vitae, bibliography, statement of teaching and research interests, and names and full addresses of at least 3 references to:

Physics Department Search Committee University of California, Berkeley 366 LeConte Hall MC 7300 Berkeley, CA 94720 7300

Applications by E mail or FAX will not be accepted. Applications should be received by Jan 12, 2010, at which time interviews will begin, but will be accepted until March 19, 2010. Applications submitted after close of business March 19, 2010 will not be considered. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

Back to top.
13. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

[Please remember to replace "" in the below e-mail addresses.]

To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomen_at_aas.org. All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise (including your email address).

To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to

http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist

and fill out the form.

If you experience any problems, please email itdept_at_aas.org

Back to top.
14. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

Back to top.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

WiA 2009 Thursday: Parenthood: the Elephant in the Laboratory

Panel discussion on the the book edited by Emily Monosson
(Editorial note: I actually tried reading this book [Motherhood: the Elephant in the Laboratory], but couldn't get through it because I found the stories so depressing.)

Emily Monosson: Did not include all stories on parenting as a professor because other books are out there. Focused on non-academic career path.

Heidi Newberg: department policies need to be backed up. I.e. of maternity leave given, do not simply redistribute their workload to their colleagues, have the resources to cover them without creating resentment

Mark Olsen: father of two small children. Wife is a dental hygenist, he has the more flexible schedule, so when the kids get sick it's his job to take care of them.

Anne Douglass (chair): Two daughters are grown now, one a medical doctor, the other a chemist

So many women here have stories about raising their kids, have kids of various ages. But no one ever seems to talk about it. Motherhood really is that elephant in the laboratory/observatory/pick your metaphor. I wish we could have more frank conversations about raising kids on a regular basis, outside of specific forums like this one, without fear of how we'll be perceived by our peers, advisors, employers, etc.

WiA 2009: Thursday

Very nice dedication of the meeting to Beth Brown this morning. I wish I had gotten to know her.

Elizabeth Freeland on career breaks: left physics after having a child and various attending complications. Noted that working outside science was refreshing because having children and a life outside of work was valued.
Warning: part-time teaching is not a re-entry route, finding funding can be difficult without a "full-time institutional affiliation"
Blewett Scholarship is perhaps the only one available to women re-entering physics. (Freeland was the first recipient)
AAUW grants also available now
Career and family should not be taboo subjects!
Sloan Foundation permits extension on time past PhD for various things including child rearing - other fellowships can do this too!
Questioner, from Goddard: talks about how mentoring does not have to be onerous, not the same thing as advising, may be as simple a matter of listening and answering a question.

WiA 2009: Thursday

The problem with trying to live-blog this meeting is that it becomes immediately apparent when I missed talks. I was busy networking: that's my excuse and I'm standing by it.

I've discovered that there are at least a couple of people live-tweeting this meeting:

@seyer
@whymommy

I suppose I could start, too...

ETA: @ashpags too!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

WiA 2009: Wednesday Part 3

The best part of any conference are the interactions you have outside the talks, and this one is no exceptions. So you'll have to forgive me if I don't hear all of every single talk.

Nick White's opening remarks after the lunch breaks talked about hiring in the Science Exploration Directorate at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. He noted that the Astrophysics division probably won't be hiring until after the Decadal Review.

Panel Discussion: How the Professional Community can Impact Percentages and Retention
The panel discussion featured Meg Urry, Jim Ulvestad, Debra Elmegreen, Matt Mountain and Lee Anne Willson.
Jim Ulvestad noted that more PhDs are produced than faculty jobs, so we all have to think broadly about career choices.
Debra Elmegreen put in a plug for AASWOMEN (go sign up!) and talked about hiring at Vassar.
Matt Mountain talked about why all the women left STScI in the 1990s (where he is now director), citing a hostile environment as the primary cause.
Lee Anne Willson talked about hiring practices at a big state university
Meg Urry noted that in putting together the 1st WiA in 1992, she had to prove that there was a problem with women in astronomy!
During the question session, it was noted that one good department chair can make all the difference, and their departure can make a big change as well.

Lily McNair: STEM at Spelman
Spelman is a women's HBCU (Historically Black College/University). It is the #2 undergrad institution of black PhDs in STEM, with #1 being Howard U.
"I want my daughter to be able to deal with the real world." Response: the faculty is very diverse.
Intentional development and growth of sciences: originally there was only math and chemistry. External funding made a difference: NASA, NIH. Scholarhips, mentoring, peer-tutoring.
Proved that you can do good science at a small liberal arts college - they bring as much research $$ as a research university.
All-women schools do provide a good environment for women to learn -- "this place was built for me"


One message that I'm getting from this meeting is that women have come pretty far in astronomy, but minorities are where women were in the 1970s. Also, mentoring, mentoring, mentoring.

WiA 2009, Wednesday part 2

Catherine Cesarsky: IAU Women in Astronomy Statistics
IAU General Assembly in Rio this year: 31.6% participants were women; IAU membership as a whole: 14.8% after Rio
Presented statistics on various countries around the globe.
Highest % of women in IAU: Argentina 36%; Japan has lowest - 6%, keeping in mind that the IAU membership does not reflect astronomers in total. Still, looking at national society membership data, Asia seems to do worst in terms of women's representation, Latin America does best.
In all countries, the number of women decreases dramatically at the most senior levels, few or no awards given to women
Most interesting datum: in Europe, seems to be inverse correlation between % of women in national parliaments vs. % of women in astronomy

Abigail Stewart: Addressing Unconscious Bias
  • Talked about a number of studies on how just the gender of the name on a CV or job application affects evaluation.
    In one study, two CVs were presented, the only difference being whether being on the PTA was mentioned or not. Mothers (listed PTA on CV) were less likely to be called, promoted, hired. Fathers, however, were not disadvantaged, seen as more committed and offered higher salaries! (This result drew a big gasp from the audience.) I believe the citation is Correl, Bernard & Paik 2007, American Journal of Sociology.
  • Critical mass can turn things around: increasing the proportion of women raises the ratings of all women
  • Implicit Association Test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit
  • Talked quite a bit about the STRIDE program at U of Michigan which has been quite successful at increasing proportion of women and maintaining that recruitment. Emphasized that policies and outcomes must be monitored and that leaders need to be evaluated and rewarded to be held accountable


Joyce Winterton: Building the Next Generation of Astronomers
Her talk was mostly about NASA activities for outreach, K-12 education, higher education. Told us we should all go out and volunteer and do outreach and what not. Several questioners (including me) asked her how we're supposed to volunteer all this time when we need to be writing papers or grant proposals or teaching or whatever our professional duties are? We don't get rewarded for these efforts other than a warm fuzzy feeling. Listing all your E/PO efforts on your CV doesn't make an impression on hiring committees and doesn't count toward your research/teaching/service requirements as a faculty member. Women and minorities get told we need to get out and do the E/PO work, but if we don't get tangible rewards or are even penalized for it, isn't that a double whammy?

WiA2009: thoughts during the mid-day break

1) This is one of the few conferences I've been to where there's actually a line for the ladies' room.

2) This conference could use longer breaks. I suppose this is partially my own fault as one of the organizers...

Women in Astronomy & Space Sciences: Live-blogging Wednesday morning Part I

I got up feeling much better this morning, but wasn't quite able to make it in time, so I missed Anne Kinney's remarks and most of Ed Weiler's keynote address.

The one comment about Weiler's address I did catch: E/PO is crucial, children listen better to those who look like them,
so women should do more outreach. He also noted that 2/3 of population are NOT white men, so by not recruiting women and minorities, you're losing out on a lot of the available workforce.

Rachel Ivie: Longitudinal Study of Astronomy Graduate Students
A description of the Longitudinal Survey and some initial results. Some of the things the initial study focused on were symptoms of Impostor Syndrome and the kind of training grad students receive. Unsurprisingly, women suffer more from imposter syndrome than men, and mentoring is important.

Claude Canizares: Gender Differences at Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Faculty
An NRC study, to be published imminently. Snapshot surveys carried out in 2004 & 2005. In general, women represent an increasing share of representation in STEM, but it's still small. They find that while the proportion of women given interviews was greater than the applicantion rate and the proportion of offers given to women was still higher, the proportion of women among applications was itself much less than the available candidates. The biggest discrepancies were in biology and chemistry which have the greatest proportion of women overall. Best quote: the STEM field is a "profession designed by monks in the Middle Ages." During the question session, Meg Urry noted that women tend to carefully select and narrow down the number of jobs they apply for, while men tend to apply for many more jobs, and that might inflate the proportion of men in the application rate.

Also: they've passed out these Networking Booklets, where you need to gather 20 signatures from people you had not met before. At the networking event tonight, you get to be enrolled in a raffle! All us grumpy introverts are grumpy. (Ann H, if you're reading this, I'm not holding it against you.)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Women in Astronomy & Space Science: Pre-Conference Workshop

The conference on Women in Astronomy and Space Sciences officially begins tomorrow, but today is the career development workshop run by COACh (Committee on the Advancement of women in Chemistry) and organized by yours truly.

As much as I had been looking forward to this workshop, I'm having to sit it out because I've caught the flu. And it's likely to be The Dreaded Flu that everyone's been hearing about, since 99% of flu cases in Marlyand are H1N1!!one!1!! In fact, I went in briefly to check on things, and was sent back home to lie in bed. So here I am, blogging from my sickbed, drinking lots of tea and vitamin C. I hope to be able to make it in tomorrow, though, and maybe I'll have more of real substance to post about then.

If any of you readers out there attended the workshop and have comments about it, please post them here!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Thoughts on the Job Market and a Book Recommendation

I have been incredibly busy these last few days, especially with the Women in Astronomy and Space Sciences coming up real soon. As the youngest member of the organizing committee, I find myself being turned to quite frequently regarding issues for early career scientists. So here's one issue that I've been mulling over a lot lately.

My own personal issue of the moment is job hunting. This year is particularly rough, especially if you're looking for faculty positions. (To all my fellow job hunters out there: let's all give a big cathartic scream right now: AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! There, doesn't that feel better?) What with the economic downturn, there are fewer jobs available than in years past, but just as many people on the market. And yes, this strikes real close to home for me. But what also bugs me is that if you look at the demographics, the diversity is all at the bottom. As you look higher and higher in seniority, astronomers get whiter and maler. Now, who stands to lose their jobs right now? Who are the ones who will leave astronomy because no one has a job for them? Not those senior white males with tenure. It's us folks at the bottom of the career ladder, where a lot of effort has gone into making a diverse population. While the numbers are still quite small for minorities, there are quite a few women in astronomy now. If us young 'uns get squeezed out of the job market now, it means that the percentage of women in astronomy as a whole will go down. Now, add to that the fact that women tend to leave at a higher rate than men overall, well, it's bad news for the status of women in astronomy.

Now, I'd like to end on a positive note since this big Women in Astronomy conference is coming up, and there is much to celebrate in spite of hard times, so I'd like to recommend a book I read recently. It's She's Such a Geek: Women Write About Science, Technology, and Other Nerdy Stuff. It's a collection of essays by women who are self-identified geeks of various stripes. You'll find computer science geeks, video game geeks, and yes, science geeks. The stories are about what it's like being a minority within a minority group (i.e. women in science). You'll find that we women geeks are a heterogeneous group, and some stories will resonate more with you than others. But the stories all celebrate being a geek and being a woman and demonstrating that those two identities are not incompatible. So I guess the moral of the story is that no matter how this job season goes for me, I will always be a woman geek, and that's something to take pride in.

AASWOMEN for October 16, 2009

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of October 16, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. Childcare at the Winter AAS Meeting

2. Nobel Prize

3. Melissa Franklin Speaks at Barnard

4. Older Women to Work on Physics?

5. Childcare Grants for February/April APS meeting

6. Woman Who Fell in Love with the Sky

7. Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowships

8. Southern California Center for Galaxy Evolution Postdoctoral Fellowship

9. Executive Vice President of AURA

***The following position was taken from WIPHYS***

10. Tenure Track Position at Case Western Reserve University

11. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

12. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN


1. Childcare at the Winter AAS Meeting
From: Joan Schmelz [jschmelz_at_memphis.edu]

Childcare Onsite The AAS will provide childcare onsite during the meeting through the Kiddie Coprs Service. Care will be available Sunday, 3 January 2010 through Thursday, 7 January 2010. The cost of care is per $8 hour. The advance registration deadline is 20 November 2009.

Childcare Grants Childcare grants are available for up to $250 per family for those that wish to bring children to the meeting. Parents are responsible for making arrangements for childcare. To apply for a childcare grant please fill out the Childcare Grant Application. If requests exceed available funding, preference will be given to those in the early stages of their careers.

Childcare Sharing Please visit the Childcare Sharing Forum to find other attendees interested in sharing childcare. You will need to register to view and post on the forum.

http://aas.org/meetings/aas215/childcare.php

Back to top.
2. Nobel Prize
From: Nancy Brickhouse [nbrickhouse_at_cfa.harvard.edu]

Carol W. Greider of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine was one of three women who won a science Nobel last week, which puts her in some rare company. Only eight women had won in physiology or medicine, and there has never been a year when three women won Nobels in the sciences. Dr. Greider shared her prize with Elizabeth H. Blackburn and Jack W. Szostak for their research on telomeres.

Here is a link for the NYT article entitled, "A Conversation with Carol W. Greider on Winning a Nobel Prize in Science"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/science/13conv.html

Back to top.
3. Melissa Franklin Speaks at Barnard
From: WIPHYS Oct 15, 2009

The Barnard Center for Research on Women will present: "A Lab of One's Own: A Place to Measure the Broken Symmetries of This Particular Elegant Universe" Melissa Franklin Roslyn Silver '27 Science Lecture: Wednesday, 10/21, 6:30 PM, Sulzberger Parlor, 3rd Floor Barnard Hall

This year's Roslyn Silver '27 Science Lecture will be presented by Melissa Franklin, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics at Harvard University. Professor Franklin will discuss her research involving new elemental particles, as well as her prospective work with the Large Hydron Collider and its potential to answer questions about how the elementary constituents of matter come together to create more complex forces. She will also discuss the challenges in navigating the university and the international laboratory, and the importance of having "a lab of one's own" to allow for independent thinking.

This event is free and open to the public.

Barnard Center for Research on Women 101 Barnard Hall 212-854-2067 www.barnard.edu/bcrw

Back to top.
4. Older Women to Work on Physics?
From: WIPHYS Oct 15, 2009

[May we suggest using the term 'Senior Women' rather than 'Older Women'? -- Eds.]

Count me as an aging wannabe who got a great degree -well 2- and not the encouragement I needed to finish the PhD and do the work that I wanted. Result: decades of endless misery. 2 things--even now, were I young enough there are no fellowships for these cases, and we are many--most of my life I avoided the APS because reading about other people's fun was so sad. And 2, even though I am old, the mental apparatus is still pretty good though it works differently. And again, we are many. I saw last week a press release from the State Department no less (Thanks Hillary) about helping women entrepreneurs, and there are numerous books out on crowd wisdom basically arguing that a roomful of ordinary people will devise a better answer to a problem than a small number of PhDs in the specialty.

So maybe there are a group of women who still want to work on physics but don't have the credentials who can just be clued into: here is an unsolved problem and some lines of attack-- to see if anything comes of it. The structure if any would have to be worked out. Most of us have jobs which would preclude formally participating, but having conversations with others about a topic is still allowed, I think. Just something to consider-- all that wasted talent out there which just might have a good idea given a problem to focus upon. And possibly mixing up people whose lives have taken different paths could create a different kind of solution, I don't know.

Regards, Linda Perry lindacperry_at_sbcglobal.net

Back to top.
5. Childcare Grants for February/April APS meeting
From: WIPHYS Oct 16, 2009

Small grants of up to $400 are available to assist meeting attendees who are bringing small children or who incur extra expenses in leaving them at home. Please complete the Application at

http://www.aps.org/meetings/april/services/childcare.cfm

and fax it to the number on the form. Applications must be received by December 15, 2009 to be considered by a subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP). In the event that the number of requests for grants exceeds the funding available, preference will be given to applicants in the early stages of their careers.

Back to top.
6. Woman Who Fell in Love with the Sky
From: Carolina Brühl [bruhlita_at_gmail.com]

[We received a contribution with a link to the following article in Spanish. The version included below is courtesy of Google translator; we apologize for the butchered English -- Eds.]

http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/bogota/ARTICULO-WEB-PLANTILLA_NOTA_INTERIOR-6319747.html

Caption: Maria Carolina Rojas Brühl thanks Germain Puerta, one of the most important astronomers of the country, for entering this world.

The great universe, with planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae are his true passion. 11 years ago, when Maria Carolina Rojas Brühl joined Autodidactas Astronomers Association of Colombia (Asasac), she was the only woman. Today, that outlook has not changed. It has 40 male partners who respect her as an astronomer in the macho world of the national astronomy, a similar picture to the world. But all these men are happy with the appointed director of the Astronomical Observatory Leonardo da Vinci Italian School, one of the most beautiful and complete schools of the city with two telescopes that are used to give classes to students and also for those who want go to watch the sky on Thursday night, for public observing. This love of heaven says to look at not only one of the great pleasures of life, "is also free. It costs us and we can learn so much ... There's the life." Civil engineer just because the race did not exist in Colombia when she finished school (a year ago opened the faculty at the University of Antioquia, a four-year undergraduate), left lying bridges and terrestrial channels to look up. A hobby she had since childhood, when she saw television programs by Carl Sagan she realized that the universe is organized, and we were-and are-a very small but beautiful. "

Her mom started buying books on astronomy and she became aware of all eclipses so her daughter is not lost. She was becoming an expert with binoculars looking at the sky, without fail, every night. 10 years ago she bought her first telescope. And even after all this time, she still believes that the Moon and its craters are spectacular, Jupiter and its moons look like a painting, to look at Saturn and Mars is a pleasure, and to appreciate the stars, nebulae and distant galaxies is a blessing. "I know I'm looking at the past. The Sun that was observed in eight minutes ago and it is possible that many of the stars no longer exist," she says. The Da Vinci observatory mission is to strengthen the squad Astronomy Club, disseminate and promote astronomy with teachers and administrative facility, as well as parents. Also, connecting the observatory with others in the world to do research. Brühl is convinced that educating children in science subjects makes different people. "When they are shown rescuing the sky can be so wrong road and that happens in any stratum, since I have worked with low-income children and their emotions are the same. I think that astronomy can do better for a society like ours," says. His dream, while continuing to observe the sky, you see the facilities of the Arecibo telescope (Puerto Rico), which seeks intelligent life in the big universe that exists beyond Earth. And she believes there is. Like, is confident that when they no longer exist, will go "live" to heaven. "We are made of many materials of stars. Maybe that's what we become."

Back to top.
7. Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowships
From: Nancy Evans [evans_at_head.cfa.harvard.edu]

E-mail: fellows_at_head.cfa.harvard.edu WWW: http://cxc.harvard.edu/fellows/

Attention: Einstein Fellowship Program Office

On behalf of the NASA Astrophysics Division, the Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) is pleased to announce the annual competition for the Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, in cooperation with host institutions throughout the United States. The primary objective of the Program is to provide opportunities for postdoctoral research on problems that are broadly related to the scientific goals of the NASA Physics of the Cosmos program as addressed by any of the missions of this program. These include high energy astrophysics relevant to the Chandra, Fermi, XMM-Newton, and IXO (formerly Constellation-X) missions, cosmological investigations relevant to the Planck and JDEM missions, and gravitational astrophysics relevant to the LISA mission. This program is open to applicants of any nationality who earn doctoral degrees between January 1, 2007 and September 1, 2010 in astronomy, physics, or related disciplines. The Fellowships are tenable at any U.S. institution where Physics of the Cosmos related research can be carried out.

The Fellowship is initially for two years, with the expectation of a third year, contingent upon performance and available funding. Subject to the availability of NASA funding up to 10 Einstein Fellows will be appointed this year, through grants to United States institutions.

The Call for Proposals for the Fellowship Program, which includes detailed Program policies and application instructions is available on the World Wide Web at http://cxc.harvard.edu/fellows/ . An application includes a cover form, a research proposal, letters of reference, a curriculum vitae, and other relevant materials as detailed in the instructions. Full instructions for submitting applications through the web are contained in the Call for Proposals.

The application deadline is November 5, 2009 (5:00 pm EST). The Einstein Fellow appointments are expected to begin on or about 1 September 2010. Women and members of minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Back to top.
8. Southern California Center for Galaxy Evolution Postdoctoral Fellowship
From: Alison Coil [acoil_at_ucsd.edu]

The Southern California Center for Galaxy Evolution invites applications for Fall 2010 Center Fellowship positions. These positions are offered as part of a research initiative aimed at promoting collaborations between the five southern UC campuses: Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, which are all within a few hours' drive. CGE Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified postdoctoral scholars to conduct theoretical or observational research at any of the five campuses in areas broadly related to galaxy formation, including (but not limited to) galaxy evolution, Galactic astronomy, early star formation, and AGN phenomena. The Fellowship provides up to three years of support with an excellent, competitive salary plus benefits and a generous annual research budget. One of the primary objectives of this program is to promote collaboration between the five Southern UC campuses. Applications will be judged on research excellence and, in part, on their likelihood for promoting collaboration between at least two campuses. Thus, we require the candidate to specify a first-choice and second-choice host campus and to maintain faculty contacts at these two campuses throughout the fellowship. The minimum qualification is a Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics, or related field. Applications must be submitted electronically at

http://www.cge.uci.edu/fellows.html

Applications must include a statement of past research (up to 3 pages), a research proposal (up to 3 pages), CV, and the names of pre-arranged faculty contacts at two of the CGE campuses. Applicants should arrange to have three letters of support submitted electronically at the web address above. Applications must be received by December 1, 2009 in order to receive full consideration.

Back to top.
9. Executive Vice President of AURA
From: Pat Knezek [pknezek@noao.edu]

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) seeks to establish the position of Executive Vice President of AURA. This is a new position. The Executive Vice President would functionally serve as a deputy to the President and second in the overall corporate management structure. We are seeking an individual with an outstanding background in science or science policy, and management. The person must convey a strong vision and a demonstrated leadership and talent for administration in a complex and evolving environment.

The Executive Vice President will act on behalf of the President, will represent AURA and the President, and will carry out special initiatives at the direction of the President. Factors that will be considered in the selection will include: familiarity with current issues in the nation's astronomy program; familiarity with the Federal budget and policy process; experience in dealing with Federal funding agencies including NSF and NASA; and an understanding of the basic mission and role of AURA.

Salary and compensation will be established at a level appropriate to the candidate's experience and comparable to senior staff levels within AURA. The Search Committee will begin evaluating applications on January 1, 2010. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications should include a description of the candidate's experience, relevant accomplishments, a resume, a list of three references, and the individual's written view of the future landscape for astronomy and where AURA should fit in. Applications will be kept confidential, and should be sent to:

Dr. Bradley Peterson, Chair, AURA Search Committee c/o AURA, 1212 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. AURA is an EOE/AA/F/D/V employer

Questions related to this search should be directed to Bradley Peterson, Chair of the AURA Executive Vice President Search Committee at Peterson_at_astronomy.ohio-state.edu

Information and updates regarding this search are available on

www.aura-astronomy.org

Back to top.
10. Tenure Track Position at Case Western Reserve University
From: WIPHYS Oct 16, 2009

As part of its on-going commitment to physics at the interface between particle physics and cosmology/astrophysics, Case Western Reserve University Department of Physics seeks candidates for a tenure-track junior position possessing an outstanding record of innovative research and a commitment to teaching at all levels. The successful candidate will interact with theoretical, experimental and observational faculty, research staff and students in the departments of Physics and Astronomy, especially in the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics (CERCA), complementing and augmenting their research programs with a vigorous program of their own. Broader interdisciplinary connections through University Initiatives such as the Institute for the Science of Origins are also supported. Responsibilities include conducting a vigorous program of innovative and funded research, supervising graduate students, teaching, and university service. The standard teaching load is one course per semester.

Qualifications for the positions include a Ph.D. or equivalent in physics or a closely related discipline, as well as a record of outstanding scholarly research appropriate to the level of the position. Candidates must have a strong interest in teaching and possess the skills needed to be an effective instructor. Information about our department is available on the website

http://www.phys.case.edu .

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications complete by this date will receive the fullest consideration. All applicants should submit a letter of application, CV, and statements of research plans and teaching as a single pdf file by email to pat2009_at_phys.case.edu.

Applicants should arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be sent electronically to the same address. If electronic submission is not possible, paper applications may be submitted to PAT Search, Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7079 USA. Questions regarding the search may be directed to Prof. Glenn Starkman at glenn.starkman_at_case.edu or to Prof. Tanmay Vachaspati at txv7_at_case.edu.

Glenn Starkman Professor of Physics and of Astronomy Director of the Institute for the Science of Origins Director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics

Back to top.
11. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

[Please remember to replace "_at_" in the below e-mail addresses.]

To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomen_at_aas.org. All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise (including your email address).

To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to

http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist

and fill out the form.

If you experience any problems, please email itdept_at_aas.org

Back to top.
12. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

Back to top.

Friday, October 9, 2009

AASWomen for October 9, 2009

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of October 9, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. Request for info: Funding for Women Returning to the Field

2. AASWomen Survey for Women in Astronomy 2009 meeting

3. Upcoming APS Annual Meetings - Events of Interest to Women

*** FOLLOWING POSITIONS TAKEN FROM WIPHYS ***

4. Program/Research Manager, CCAS ADVANCE Initiative, University of Northern Colorado

5. Postdoctoral Position in Theoretical Cosmology, Syracuse University

6. Two Assistant/Associate Professor Tenure-Track Positions, University of Denver

7. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

8. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN


1. Request for info: Funding for Women Returning to the Field
From: Michael Rupen [mrupen_at_aoc.nrao.edu]

am trying to track down funding possibilities for women who are returning to astronomy after a several-year hiatus for family reasons (not necessarily having children, but also delaying her own to follow a partner's career). I've found a few leads (e.g., the Blewett award) and many small (few $1000) grants, but I'm sure there's some complete listing out there that I've entirely missed. I'm intentionally leaving this question general so responses may be moved to the "Advice" section of the CSWA Web site, as I suspect they'll be of future interest to many others as well. Any thoughts?

Back to top.
2. AASWomen Survey for Women in Astronomy 2009 meeting
From: Adam Burgasser [aburgasser_at_ucsd.edu]

We wanted to advertise our survey for the Women in Astronomy meeting on perceptions of appropriate behavior. Thank you!

In advance of the 2009 Women In Astronomy and Space Science meeting on October 21-23 in College Park, Maryland ( http://wia2009.gsfc.nasa.gov ), Adam Burgasser (UCSD/MIT) and Jacqueline Faherty (AMNH/SUNY Stony Brook) are conducting a survey to examine perceptions of appropriate behavior between students and advisors in astronomy. The survey is open to the full AAS/astronomy community, takes about 10 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=QuGqrPrt3cxxiwVnvGBkSQ_3d_3d

Your participation is greatly appreciated! We will post our results in early November at http://www.browndwarfs.org/wia2009 .

Back to top.
3. Upcoming APS Annual Meetings - Events of Interest to Women
From: WIPHYS, October 7, 2009

Watch for information on events of particular interest to women in physics at the upcoming APS annual meetings in February (Washington, DC) and March 2010 (Portland, Oregon) at the following:

1) Professional Skills Development workshops for women in physics (February 12 and March 14). In 2010, these will be offered for post docs and women faculty. http://www.aps.org/programs/women/workshops/skills/index.cfm

2) Childcare grants to assist meeting attendees http://www.aps.org/programs/women/index.cfm

3) Information about receptions, luncheons and breakfasts which the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics co-sponsors with other units.

Some of the events require pre-registration, so please note any deadlines given. For further information, please contact women_at_aps.org

Back to top.
4. Program/Research Manager, CCAS ADVANCE Initiative, University of
Northern Colorado
From: WIPHYS, October 5, 2009

The College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado invites nominations and applications for the position of Program/Research Manager, position #E99538. This is a full-time, fiscal year (12-month) position associated with the CCAS ADVANCE Initiative, an NSF-funded project that aims to support the advancement of women science faculty through professional and leadership development of academic deans and department chairs.

The four-year initiative focuses on a national association of deans, the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (www.ccas.net), through which these development activities are offered.

The successful candidate will be a doctorally-qualified individual with an understanding of STEM gender equity issues. The full vacancy announcement and application instructions are available at: http://www.unco.edu/nhs/employment.html . Screening of applications begins October 20, 2009 and continues until the position is filled. The University is an AAEO employer.

The announcement of this employment opportunity was submitted by Denise A. Battles, Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado and current President of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences. Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Denise at denise.battles_at_unco.edu.

Back to top.
5. Postdoctoral Position in Theoretical Cosmology, Syracuse University
From: WIPHYS, October 8, 2009

The Department of Physics at Syracuse University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in theoretical cosmology starting September 2010. The successful candidate will work with Prof. Scott Watson and other members of the Syracuse particle theory and cosmology group. We are looking for a candidate whose expertise can be in a broad range of topics, including dark matter, dark energy, theoretical particle physics, and quantum gravity. Other group members include: Cristian Armendariz-Picon, A.P. Balachandran, Simon Catterall, Jay Hubisz, Carl Rosenzweig, Joseph Schechter, and Kameshwar Wali.

The deadline for applications is December 1, 2009, however applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Please visit http://sujobopps.com -job # 025579 to apply. You will be able to upload your CV, research statement, publication list, and allow reference writers to upload reference letters on your behalf.

Syracuse University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Members of minority groups and women are especially encouraged to apply.

Back to top.
6. Two Assistant/Associate Professor Tenure-Track Positions, University of Denver
From: WIPHYS, October 8, 2009

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Denver underwent strong expansion with six new Assistant Professor positions filled in the last three years. New positions were filled in condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and biophysics. This announcement invites applications for two positions: (1) a tenure track assistant professorship in experimental condensed matter physics; (2) a tenure track assistant or associate professorship in computational or theoretical condensed matter physics. For the second position, we will also consider exceptional candidates in astrophysics with overlapping interests in nanophysics or biophysics who can participate in the interdisciplinary initiatives mentioned below.

Both positions will begin in September 2010. We are especially interested in candidates with research relevant to our involvement in the university's new interdisciplinary initiatives, the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the Molecular Life Science and Biophysics Program. The successful candidate will have a B.S. in physics and Ph.D. in physics or related discipline, will develop an extramurally funded research program, will supervise undergraduate and graduate research, and will teach undergraduate and graduate courses. Individuals with postdoctoral experience are particularly encouraged to apply. More information about the department can be found at http://www.physics.du.edu . The Department offers degrees through the Ph.D. and is very female friendly, with women comprising 25% of the faculty and over 40% of the students at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

Applicants must apply through the website: https://www.dujobs.org . The application should include: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of teaching philosophy, proposed research program, and names of at least three references. The selection process will begin on January 15, 2010, and continue until the positions are filled. The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages applications from women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans. DU is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

I will be happy to answer any questions about DU or these positions. Dr. Jennifer L. Hoffman Asst. Professor of Physics & Astronomy University of Denver jennifer.hoffman_at_du.edu

Back to top.
7. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

[Please remember to replace "_at_" in the below e-mail addresses.]

To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomen_at_aas.org

All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise (including your email address).

To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to

http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist

and fill out the form.

If you experience any problems, please email itdept_at_aas.org

Back to top.
8. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

Back to top.

Friday, October 2, 2009

AASWomen Newsletter 10/02/09

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of October 2, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson & Michele Montgomery

This week's issues:

1. A Resource For Women in Astronomy from the Columbian Astronomical Society

2. Response to Advice Request: How to be a Good Mentor

3. Female Friendly Physics Departments

4. NASA LCROSS Moon Impact Mission October 9, 2009

5. ALMA Science Center Postdoctoral Fellowship(s)

6. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

7. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN


1. A Resource For Women in Astronomy from the Columbian Astronomical Society
From: Maria Carolina Brühl Rojas [bruhlita@gmail.com]

Original Email: Buenas tardes, me llamo María Carolina Brühl Rojas, soy de Bogotá- Colombia, tengo 30 años, soy astrónoma desde hace 12 años de la Asociación de Astrónomos Autodidactas de Colombia "ASASAC" ( soy la única mujer de la asociación).

He trabajado en diferentes entidades como astrónoma, y desde hace 1 mes soy la Directora del Observatorio Astronómico del Colegio Italiano Leonardo da Vinci en Bogotá - Colombia; siendo este suceso un gran logro para mi, ya que soy la primera mujer astrónoma en todo mi País en dirigir un Observatorio Astronómico. Me interesaría mucho contribuir al desempeño de la mujer en el área de la astronomía y por eso les escribo para apoyarlos en todo lo que sea posible ya que, yo también he sentido el rechazo y pocas oportunidades en el área de la astronomía en mi país porque siempre ha sido un área liderada por hombres...pero con amor, esfuerzo y dedicación logré ser lo que ahora soy: Directora de un Observatorio.

Los felicito por su magnífica labor!

Muchas gracias por su atención. En espera de una respuesta...

Maria Carolina Brühl Rojas


English Translation (and additional information):
Good morning, I­ am María Carolina Brühl Rojas,  I am from 
Bogota-Colombia, I am 30 years old,  I am astronomer since 12 years
ago of the Association of Astronomers Self-taught of Colombia"ASASAC"
(I am the only woman of the association...45 men-1 woman) and  member
of RAC (Red de astronomía en Colombia- network of astronomy in
Colombia) too.

I worked in different entities and companies like astronomer, but
since 1 month ago I am the Director of the Astronomical Observatory of
the Italian School Leonardo Da Vinci in Bogota - Colombia; for me,
this event is very significant because I am the first woman astronomer
in all my Country in directing an Astronomical Observatory and I am
very proud for this. In my city, 95% of astronomers are men, so, it
is very difficult work in astronomy for a woman?but with dedication,
love and effort I achieved my dream...to be a Director of the
Astronomical Observatory.

I have been very attentive of the chapter "she is an astronomer" of
IYA and I think that the woman need more support and opportunities for
work in science, in this case in astronomy.

Congratulations for AASWomen! your work is very important in the
world! and I like help with us in anything.

I am keen to contribute to the performance of women in the area of
astronomy which is why I am writing to support them in whatever way is
possible. I too have felt the rejection and few opportunities in the
area of astronomy in my country because this field has always been led
by men.

Thank you very much for your attention and I hope your response.

Maria Carolina Brühl Rojas

Back to top.
2. Response to Advice Request: How to be a Good Mentor
From: Maryam Modjaz [mmodjaz_at_astro.berkeley.edu]

[In last week's issue of AASWOMEN, we posted an anonymous request for advice on how to me a good mentor. We got several replies, including this one. We would also like to thank Bob Stencel and Margaret Hanson for additional information - Eds.]

For a general website on how to be a good mentor, here is a compilation of resources that was put together based on a similar call/question to group I'm a member of [the very active Earth Science Women's Network (ESWN) which recently got an ADVANCE grant]

http://www.rem.sfu.ca/COPElab/mentoring.html

http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/earlycareer/research/students.html

Some of them are specific to earth sciences, but others apply to all of the natural sciences, e.g. the one by the national academies: "Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On Being a Mentor to Students in Science and Engineering"

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=3D5789

Back to top.
3. Female Friendly Physics Departments
From: WIPHYS September 28, 2009

The Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP) has collected responses to a series of questions about graduate programs in physics that should be helpful to those interested in assessing the climate for women at various graduate schools. The responses can be found at

http://www.aps.org/programs/women/female-friendly/index.cfm

All the responses are self-reported by department chairs (or their assignees), and the APS and CSWP assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the information submitted.

Back to top.
4. NASA LCROSS Moon Impact Mission October 9, 2009
From: Michele M. Montgomery [montgomery_at_physics.ucf.edu]

Are you looking for current events for your general astronomy course? On October 9, 2009 at 4:30 AM PDT, various organizations across the USA are hosting LCROSS impact events that are open to the public. The LCROSS mission is a search for water on the moon. The LCROSS mission is going to send a rocket crashing into the Moon causing a big impact and creating a crater, throwing tons of debris and potentially water ice and vapor above the lunar surface. This impact will release materials from the lunar surface that will be analyzed for the presence of hydrated minerals which would tell researchers if water is there or not.

If you wish to host a public observing event or want to find information on where to find a hosting site, please see

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/impact/event_index.html .

For more information on the LCROSS mission, please see

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/overview/index.html .

Back to top.
5. ALMA Science Center Postdoctoral Fellowship(s)
From: Kartik Sheth [astrokartik_at_gmail.com]

Applications are invited for one or two Postdoctoral Scholars at the North American ALMA Science Center at NRAO in Charlottesville, Virginia. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Dr. Kartik Sheth and the S4G (Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies) team. S4G is designed to be the ultimate legacy survey for the distribution of stellar structure in the nearby universe:

http://ssc.spitzer.caltech.edu/geninfo/es/60007.txt .

Using IRAC Channels 1 and 2 over the two year Spitzer warm mission, we will obtain extremely deep observations of the stellar mass distribution for a sample of ~2,300 nearby (d<40Mpc) galaxies (dwarfs, ellipticals, irregular, spirals), thus assembling an unprecedented dataset for studies of structure formation during galaxy evolution.

The successful applicant is expected to become an integral and equal member of the team. S/he will work with the team members to reduce, analyze and verify the data, design and deliver the data products for the community. The ideal candidate will also design and pursue a vigorous, independent science research program primarily using the S4G data. S/he may also envision using and/or obtaining data from new observations or existing surveys (e.g., COSMOS, SDSS) to complement the proposed science. The applicant is strongly encouraged to take advantage of the location and the involvement of the NRAO and University of Virginia's existing and future facilities, particularly ALMA and eVLA. Applicants are encouraged to research the survey, discuss their goals with any of the Co-Is and formulate an ambitious research proposal, which should be submitted as part of the application package.

Candidates should have obtained, by the starting date, a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics or equivalent, in an area relevant to these projects. The appointment is for two years (with the possibility of a renewal for a further year) and could start as early as November 2009.

For further requirements and to apply, please visit our Careers site at

https://careers.nrao.edu

or see

http://members.aas.org/JobReg/JobDetailPage.cfm?JobID=3D25942 .

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in the position, a curriculum vitae, publication list, a brief statement of past research (1-2 pages), and a detailed proposed research statement (3 pages), as described above. Please also have 3 letters of recommendation sent independently to hr@nrao.edu. Review of applications will begin November 15th and will continue until the position is filled. NRAO is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Back to top.
6. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN

[Please remember to replace "_at_" in the below e-mail addresses.]

To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomen_at_aas.org. All material sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise (including your email address).

To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to

http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist

and fill out the form.

If you experience any problems, please email itdept_at_aas.org

Back to top.
7. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN

Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at

http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

Back to top.