NSF Rotator for Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is searching for a Rotator to serve as a Program Director in the Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology (SGP) program in the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR). If you or someone you know might be interested in spending one to three years at NSF in Alexandria, VA, we would like to hear from you. You can read the job posting and eligibility requirements on the NSF website at https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/ear19001/ear19001.jsp

We are open to applicants from the full range of program expertise and career stages. Although our primary workplace is near Washington, DC, funds are made available to rotators to return home on a regular basis, and the continuation of one’s research program is encouraged and supported. The agency also has flexible work schedules and telework options (greatly expanded to protect NSF staff and the community against COVID-19). Details about NSF’s Rotator Program can be found at https://beta.nsf.gov/careers/rotator-programs

If you are interested in learning more about this position, please get in touch with Dena Smith-Nufio, SGP Program Director.

Digital Atlas of Ancient Life - Free 3D models of fossil and modern organisms

As part of the NSF-supported Digital Atlas of Ancient Life project (https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org), the Paleontological Research Institution's (PRI) has developed some free online teaching and outreach resources that you might find useful this academic year.

First, they have developed a large Virtual Collection of over 450 interactive 3D digital models of fossil and modern specimens made using photogrammetry. These models allow students to explore fossil specimens outside of a classroom setting in an interactive way, and some include annotations of key features. We anticipate that they will be useful for online courses, for those at institutions that lack a large physical collection, or as a supplement to help students study. They are also useful for in-class presentations when projected at full-screen size. All of the models may be freely downloaded from Sketchfab and can be 3D printed. Virtual Collections are organized by major categories of organisms and may be accessed at: https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/vc/.

Second, PRI continues to make progress on building the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life (DEAL), an online, open-access paleontology textbook. Chapters go online as they are finished and substantial content has already been shared. Most images on the DEAL are new and have Creative Commons licensing, allowing you to use them for educational purposes as you see fit. To see what is currently available, please visit the table of contents for DEAL at https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/.

NSF- Updated report from the Geomicrobiology and Microbial Geochemistry Workshop

Below is a link to an updated report from the Geomicrobiology and Microbial Geochemistry Workshop sponsored by the Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry program at the NSF.  This update was prepared for the NAS decadal review of the Earth Sciences Division “Catalyzing Opportunities for Research in the Earth Sciences” (CORES).  The Geobiology Society has kindly offered to host the pdf file of the report and we are distributing the link to the community.  We welcome your comments and feedback and look forward to hearing from you.

https://www.geobiologysociety.org/news-and-blogs

Enriqueta Barrera and Philip Bennett

Program Directors, Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry

Division of Earth Sciences, National Science Foundation

2415 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314

Catalyzing Opportunities for Research in the Earth Sciences (CORES)

The National Academies is conducting a study on Catalyzing Opportunities for Research in the Earth Sciences (CORES) for the Division of Earth Sciences at the National Science Foundation and wants to hear from you! 

The purpose of the CORES study is to: 

1. identify a concise set of high-priority scientific questions for the next decade, 
2. assess infrastructure needed to address these questions, and 
3. determine opportunities for greater collaboration with other NSF divisions and directorates, federal agencies, and domestic and international partners.

The CORES committee strongly feels that this study must be informed by vigorous community input from across the entire spectrum of Earth sciences. One of the ways we are soliciting input is through a questionnaire assessing your ideas about upcoming research priorities: www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4717567/CORES-Community-Input

The CORES committee will also be holding a listening session at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting: Wednesday, December 12, 12:30-1:30pm at the National Academies' Keck Center (500 5^th St NW). Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/agu-cores-listening-session-tickets-53144278969

The CORES site (nas-sites.org/dels/studies/cores) provides more detailed information on the study charge, as well as a complete list of committee members.  Please go to the website and contribute your comments regarding the top Earth science priorities for the next decade. Thank you!