The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG, formerly CAPTEM) is seeking applications for open positions starting in April 2021.
The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) is a community-based, interdisciplinary group providing a forum for discussion and analysis of matters concerning the collection, curation, and analysis of extraterrestrial samples, including planning future sample return missions. ExMAG also supports human exploration objectives and their implications for architecture planning and activity prioritization for future exploration of planetary surfaces insofar as they plan on collecting samples for return and analysis.
ExMAG members organize ExMAG meetings, sponsor workshops and studies relevant to sample science and future mission, curation, and analysis plans, and communicate analysis findings to the planetary science community and to NASA. ExMAG Subcommittee members bring specialized knowledge and expertise to advice NASA on specific curatorial collections and issues. Appointments are for three-year terms, such that roll-off is staggered. ExMAG seeks to have membership as diverse as the community in career stage, demographics, type of employer, and area of expertise. We are currently seeking three regular members and three Subcommittee members in the following areas:
Exploration Hardware. One regular member of ExMAG with experience or expertise in the curation and user base for space-exposed Exploration Hardware is sought. The Exploration Hardware collections include non-sample materials from the Long Duration Exposure Facility, SolarMax, EuReCa, MIR, and Stardust missions, and will also encompass future Gateway and Artemis hardware. The member would provide analysis and insight to NASA, the relevant collections managers, and to the ExMAG committee, and assemble ad-hoc external advice as needed.
Facilities and Informatics Subcommittee Chair. The Facilities and Informatics Subcommittee provides analysis to NASA concerning the operation, maintenance, construction, and future planning for curatorial facilities and data-serving capabilities for NASA-held collections, in consultation with the PI community and Curation at Johnson Space Center. The Chair of the Subcommittee is a member of ExMAG. The newly-selected individual will have wide leeway in reinvigorating the activities of this subcommittee.
Lunar Subcommittee member. The Lunar Subcommittee provides assessment and analysis for all aspects of current and future lunar sample curation, including sample and hardware handling processes, contamination control, documentation, and facilities design, care, and use. We are especially interested in a new subcommittee member who is interested in working closely with the Artemis sample curator to link the sample community with the Artemis planning process. The subcommittee member is not a regular member of ExMAG.
Meteorite Subcommittee members. The Meteorite Subcommittee provides assessment and analysis for all aspects of current and future Antarctic meteorite sample curation, including sample and hardware handling processes, contamination control, documentation, and facilities design, care, and use. We are especially interested in new subcommittee members who have experience or expertise in the area of organic compounds in meteorites and isotopic analysis techniques. The subcommittee members are not regular members of ExMAG.
If you are interested in serving on ExMAG, please apply by March 31, 2021. Applications should consist of a short statement describing your interest and qualifications for the position sought and a two-page CV; send to ExMAG.community@gmail.com. Potential members should be prepared to attend the ExMAG Spring Meeting April 7-8, 2021, which will be held virtually.