AWGnews ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2002-26 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS 1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SPECIAL UPDATE: 10-8-02 2) JOB HUNTING IN THE GEOSCIENCES 3) E-MENTORS NEEDED FOR WOMEN STUDENTS 4) POSITION OPENINGS *Mississippi State University Geology Instructor, distance learning programs *Rice University Earth systems science and energy resources (three positions) *Louisiana State University Assistant Professor in Geology (two positions) *San Diego State University Faculty Position/Computational Geophysics 5) CONTACT INFORMATION ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SPECIAL UPDATE: 10-8-02 *** House Appropriators Provide Big Boost to NSF *** IN A NUTSHELL: After months of delay, the House subcommittee that oversees spending for the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, EPA, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has drafted its version of a funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2003, already one week old. The as-yet-unnumbered bill would provide NSF with $5.42 billion, nearly a 13% increase over FY 2002. The EarthScope project would receive $40 million, twice the amount allocated by the Senate and $5 million above the President's request. Research accounts at NSF would receive $4.1 billion (up over 15%) within which the Geosciences Directorate would receive $701 million (up 15%). A committee press release provided overall numbers for the other agencies mentioned above, which are included in this update. Details for those agencies will be posted on the AGI web site as they become available. AGI encourages geoscientists to thank members of the House Appropriations Committee for their generosity. ********************** On October 7th, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies released its fiscal year (FY) 2003 spending bill (as yet unnumbered). The bill has been delayed on the House side due to its low allocation -- the total amount available to the subcommittee for all programs within their jurisdiction. The counterpart bill, S. 2797, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 25th. Despite this initial action on the long-stalled House VA-HUD bill, it is unlikely to progress much further before the November elections. E&E Daily reports that subcommittee chairman Rep. James Walsh (R-NY) has said that he "hoped House GOP leaders would allow for a floor debate after the Nov. 5 election, during a lame-duck session, and then have the measure to President Bush before the New Year." Walsh admitted, however, that even that scenario was rosy. The bill would fund the National Science Foundation (NSF) at $5.42 billion, an increase of $614 million (12.8%) over the enacted FY 2002 level, $395 million above the amount requested by President Bush, and $70 million more than the Senate bill. The Research and Related Activities account would receive $4.1 billion (up 15.3%); the Major Research Equipment and Facilities (MRE) account would receive $159 million (up 14.9%); and Education and Human Resources would receive $910 million (up 4.1%). According to the draft report accompanying the bill, increases in research funding should be allocated by NSF giving "the highest priority to increasing research opportunities for investigator initiated research in the core scientific disciplines." *** NSF Major Research Equipment Account: EarthScope *** Within the MRE account, the bill would provide initial funding for the EarthScope project at $40 million, which is $5 million above the president's request. The Senate provided $20 million of the $35 million requested as part of its overall $79 million for that account, half what the House proposes to spend on MRE projects. EarthScope is now poised to become the first-ever MRE project for the earth sciences. The report states that the increased figure for EarthScope is part of an "alternative request" that provides more level funding over the life of the project: $40 million in FY 2003 (year one), $42 million in year two, $40 million in year three, $39 million in year four, and $37 million in year five. Benefits of this approach include "significant cost savings over the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility, and providing higher quality data through the acquisition of instrumentation with uniform technical characteristics." The bill also would fund presidentially requested MRE amounts of $13.6 million for the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation, $9.7 million for the Large Hadron Collider, $30 million for the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, and $6 million for South Pole Station construction. The Terascale Computing System would receive $10 million, half the request. Other MRE projects not requested but funded by the House include $25.5 million as the final installment to complete the High-performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER) and $24.7 million for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. The bill does not fund the request to initiate the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), but the report notes that the decision was made "without prejudice," allowing limited resources "to fully fund ongoing projects as well as begin funding for one new research effort, the EarthScope project." *** NSF Research: Geosciences Directorate *** Within NSF, the Geosciences Directorate (GEO) would receive $701 million, a 15% increase over FY 2002. The Senate bill would provide $684 million. The President's budget had requested $691 million for GEO, the bulk of which came from proposed transfers of programs from EPA, NOAA and USGS. Existing GEO programs would have received only a 1.2% increase over FY 2002. As was the case in the Senate bill, the increase for GEO does not include any of the administration's proposed program transfers. According to the House report: "Each of these programs works well within its current framework and the Committee has not been convinced that such transfer as proposed in the budget submission will either enhance the individual programs or benefit the ongoing programs of the Foundation." Specific allocations for the three divisions within GEO -- Earth Sciences, Ocean Sciences, and Atmospheric Sciences -- are not yet available but will be posted on the AGI web site at a later time. *** NSF Polar Programs *** Funding for the NSF research account includes $254 million for the U.S. Polar Research Program and $70 million for Antarctic Logistical Support activities. The report includes an extensive section on the Office of Polar Programs (OPP), noting that an increase of $18.3 million above the president's request "has been provided to enhance the ongoing research effort as well as to provide additional necessary resources for operations, research support and logistics, and science and research grant support. In addition, the Committee requests that the OPP prepare and deliver to the Committee at the earliest date possible a report outlining the work that needs to be performed to upgrade these facilities as well as the estimated short- and long-term costs involved with such upgrades.. Upon completion and delivery of such report, OPP may utilize available resources provided herein to begin planning, design, pre-construction and/or construction activities related to such necessary upgrades." The report goes on to approve preparations for a "mechanical traverse capability between McMurdo Station and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station." *** NASA, EPA, and FEMA *** Among the other agencies funded by the bill, NASA would receive $15.3 billion, an increase of $398 million over FY 2002 and $300 million above the request. No specifics yet on the Office of Earth Science. EPA would receive $8.2 billion, up $126 million over FY 2002 and up $583 million from the president's request. Within that total, Superfund would receive $1.4 billion ($153 million over FY 2002 and $150 million above the request). Quoting from the House Appropriations Committee press release: "The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program is funded at approximately the President's request and last year's level of $73 million. Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds are funded at $850 million, $25 million more than last year and the budget request. Clean Water State Revolving Funds are funded at 1.3 billion, nearly $100 million above the request. Funds State Air Grants at $217 million, while Section 106 water grants are increased to $195 million and section 319 non-point source pollution grants jump to $250 million." The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would receive $1.8 billion for Disaster Relief. No specifics yet on mitigation and flood mapping. As more information becomes available for these agencies, it will be posted at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/approps_vahud2003.html. Special update prepared by David Applegate, AGI Government Affairs Program Sources: House Appropriations Committee, Coalition for National Science Funding. 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 2) JOB HUNTING IN THE GEOSCIENCES Tuesday, October, 29. 11AM -1 P.M. Location: Marriott Room: Denver Suite 4-6 . Sponsored by Association for Women Geoscientists. Learn the job-hunting skills necessary to survive in today's changing and challenging job market. These skill may be applied to jobs in government, industry, and academia. Topics include: How to search for advertised jobs in your area of specialty and network for the hidden job market; how to network through professional organizations as well as through casual contacts; how to write a resume and curriculum vitae (AWG's excellent moderately priced-resume writing workbook for geoscientists will be available); and how to develop interviewing skills that will differentiate you from the competition. Limit:100. No fee. Preregistration required by October 21. For information and registration: Dr. Pranoti M. Asher Department of Geology and Geography Herty Building, Room 1100 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 30460-8149 Email: mailto:Pasher@GaSoU.edu Voicemail: (912) 681-0338 Fax: (912) 681-0668 22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 3) E-MENTORS NEEDED FOR WOMEN STUDENTS Become an online mentor for MentorNet, the E-Mentoring Network for Women in Engineering and Science! MentorNet's Presidential Award Winning One-on-One Mentoring Program pairs women engineering and science students with professionals working in corporations and government. During the school year, mentors and students communicate by email about career goals, balancing work and life, course work, and many other topics. Mentors and students can also participate in MentorNet's E-Forum, an online discussion community. Spend just 20 minutes per week and make a huge difference in a student's life. MentorNet encourages applications from both women and men, with an educational or professional background in engineering, mathematics, or science and who are currently employed in private industry or government sectors. To apply, go to www.MentorNet.net and follow this 2-step process: 1) Join the Community: Click on "Community" and register/sign in as a new/returning Community member. 2) Apply for the One-on-One Program: Follow the One-on-One Mentoring Program links to the Mentor section and fill out the application. The deadline is October 31, 2002. *Sign up early! The earlier you sign up, the more likely you are to be paired with a student whose interests are very similar to yours. Matching began September 15. The application deadline is October 31. MentorNet's Sponsors include 3M, Alcoa Foundation, AT&T, Elizabeth and Stephen J. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, Cisco Systems, Engineering Information Foundation, EMC, Google, IBM, Intel, The International Society for Optical Engineering, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Maui Economic Development Board, Motorola, NASA Ames Research Center, National Science Foundation, Sandia National Laboratory, SAP Labs, Schlumberger, University Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Education's FIPSE, and U.S. Department of Transportation. 33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 4) POSITION OPENINGS Mississippi State University Geology Instructor, distance learning programs The Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University invites applications for a new full-time, non-tenure track geology instructor (9-month appointment with additional summer teaching and salary available and expected) position. An M.S. degree in geology or related discipline is required. This position is with the Geoscience Distance Learning Programs and will begin 1 January 2003. The Instructor will be teaching a wide variety of geology courses in our Teachers In Geosciences distance learning program. Courses to be taught may include Geology of North America, geomorphology, rocks and minerals, earthquakes and volcanoes, and historical geology. Interest in distance learning techniques is essential. Extensive computer knowledge and an interest in leading summer field courses for teachers in various locations across the country are highly desirable. Instructional technology experience is also desirable. The Geoscience Distance Learning Programs offer B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geoscience. The distance learning programs have enrollments of over 400 undergraduate and over 200 graduate students. The department presently offers seventeen undergraduate courses and twenty-two graduate courses by distance learning. Enrollments are expected to continue to increase and new courses are being added. More information on the distance learning programs can be found at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/geosciences/distance.html. The Geoscience Distance Learning Programs presently consist of six instructors and four professional/support staff members. The Department of Geosciences is growing rapidly and currently has twenty-eight faculty and staff. In addition, the department and the Distance Learning Programs have just moved into completely renovated and expanded facilities. Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts, and the names of three people who may be contacted for letters of recommendation. Screening of applicants will begin November 1 and continue until the positions are filled. Preliminary interviews may be scheduled at the GSA annual meetings in October. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Mississippi State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply: Dr. Mark S. Binkley, Head, Department of Geosciences, P. O. Box 5448, Mississippi State, MS, 39762. Voice (662) 325-3915. E-mail: binkley@geosci.msstate.edu. ****************************** Rice University Earth systems science and energy resources (three positions) Positions 1 and 2 Earth Systems Science Two Faculty Positions, Rice University, Department of Earth Science The Earth Science Department is expanding in faculty, staff, and facilities. We anticipate filling two new junior level tenure track positions in the general field of Earth Systems Science. One of these positions is in the area of biogeochemical interactions including geomicrobiology, and/or low temperature geochemistry. The other is in the area of surficial processes including quantitative geomorphology, sedimentology, and/or strata formation. Successful candidates will be expected to establish externally funded research programs, supervise graduate research, and participate in graduate and undergraduate instruction. We are especially interested in scientists who would bring to our department opportunities for collaboration while allowing us to expand into new and emerging fields of research. Rice is a private university whose administration and faculty are dedicated to outstanding research and education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Applications received by November 1, 2002 are assured of receiving fullest attention. Please send a resume and names of four or more references to: Search Committee Chair Department of Earth Science, MS-126, Rice University PO Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251-1892 Information about the department can be found at http://terra.rice.edu Rice is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Position 3 Earth Systems Science / Energy Resources Faculty Position, Rice University, Department of Earth Science The Rice Earth Science Department is expanding in faculty, staff, and facilities. We anticipate filling a tenure track position in Earth Systems Science / Energy Resources. Applications at all levels will be considered. This position is in the area of physical and/or chemical processes of fluid flow in porous media. The successful candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program, supervise graduate research, and participate in graduate and undergraduate instruction. We are especially interested in a scientist who will bring to our department opportunities for collaboration while allowing us to expand into new and emerging fields of research. Rice is a private university whose administration and faculty are dedicated to outstanding research and education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Applications received by November 1, 2002 are assured of receiving fullest attention. Please send a resume and names of four or more references to: Search Committee Chair Department of Earth Science, MS-126, Rice University PO Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251-1892 Information about the department can be found at http://terra.rice.edu Rice is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. ****************************** Louisiana State University Assistant Professor in Geology (two positions) Position 1 Assistant Professor in Sedimentary Geology The Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin Fall semester of 2003. Appointment at the Associate Professor level may be considered for an exceptional candidate. We are looking for a process-oriented, field-based sedimentary geologist whose research may include modern and ancient depositional processes. The Department of Geology and Geophysics at LSU provides excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, advanced degree preparation, and research. The Department has 19 faculty members with active research in stratigraphy and sedimentary geology, paleontology, mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and geophysics. With this new position, LSU is expanding upon its strengths in sedimentary geology and stratigraphy, which includes two recent NSF Career Awardees. The Department of Geology and Geophysics has been identified as one of the twelve priority departments at LSU that is receiving additional resources to further enhance its national status. We have well-equipped analytical and computational laboratories. For more information, see the departmental web site at www.geol.lsu.edu. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. at the time of appointment, and postdoctoral experience is preferred. The new faculty member is expected to contribute to our undergraduate and graduate teaching programs, and develop courses in her or his area of specialization. Development of a strong research program, including supervision of graduate student research, active publication in highly ranked journals, and the generation of external funding, is required. Interaction with other faculty within the Department and across the University is strongly encouraged. Interested persons should send a copy of their vita, a statement of their research and teaching interests, and the names, postal and email addresses, and phone numbers of at least three references to: Laurie C. Anderson, Chair, Sedimentary Geology Search Committee, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Ref. Log #0275 Baton Rouge, LA 70803. The review process will begin November 1, 2002. The search will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Louisiana State University is an equal access employer. Position 2 Assistant Professor in Structural Geology The Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position to begin Fall semester of 2003. The Associate Professor level may be considered for an exceptional candidate. We seek an outstanding, quantitative, field-oriented geoscientist with demonstrated expertise in structural geology. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to our undergraduate and graduate teaching programs and develop courses in his/her area of specialization. Development of a strong research program, including supervision of graduate student research, active publication in highly ranked journals, and the generation of external funding, is required. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. at the time of appointment, and postdoctoral experience is preferred. The Department consists of 19 tenure track faculty members covering a wide range of expertise. We have well-equipped analytical and computational laboratories. The Department of Geology and Geophysics has been identified as one of the twelve priority departments at LSU that is receiving additional resources to further enhance its national status. For more information, see our web site at http://www.geol.lsu.edu. Interested persons should send a copy of their vita, a statement of their research and teaching interests, and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least three references to: Chair, Structure Search Committee, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Ref. Log. # 0278, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. The review process will begin November 1, 2002. The search will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Louisiana State University is an equal access employer. ****************************** San Diego State University Faculty Position/Computational Geophysics San Diego State University invites applications for a faculty position in Computational Geophysics. This tenure-track position is in the Department of Geological Sciences, in cooperation with the University's Program in Computational Sciences. We anticipate an appointment, starting Fall 2003, at the Assistant Professor level, although a more senior appointment may be considered in exceptional circumstances. A Ph.D. is required at the time of appointment. We seek applicants who would establish a vigorous, externally funded research program involving students at all levels (BS, MS, and PhD), in Geological Sciences and Computational Sciences. Research areas of special interest to the Department include (but are not limited to) plate-boundary geodynamics, earthquake physics, and three-dimensional modeling/inversion. Teaching responsibilities will include both undergraduate and graduate courses in the individual's field of expertise. Starting salary range will depend upon experience. Excellent local computing facilities are available, including a shared-memory multi-processor computer and an immersive visualization laboratory, and further computational support is available through the nearby San Diego Supercomputer Center. San Diego State University is a partner in the National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure and the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, and is a Core Institution of the Southern California Earthquake Center. You may visit the Department at http://www.geology.sdsu.edu, and find information about the Computational Sciences Program at http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/compsci. Please send a letter of application describing teaching and research interests, curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to Steven M. Day, Search Committee Chair, Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-1020, by November 1, 2002. Applicants should also request that the three letters of recommendation be sent directly to the search committee at the above address. Inquiries may be e-mailed to day@moho.sdsu.edu. SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, disability or veteran status, including veterans of the Vietnam era. 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 5) CONTACT INFORMATION To submit an item to E-MAIL NEWS contact: editor@awg.org To submit advertising contact: ads@awg.org To change your address or be removed from the list contact: office@awg.org