AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of October 27, 2006
eds. Patricia Knezek & Joan Schmelz
This week's issues:
1. Correction: New Book on Women in Physics
2. Forum on School Violence Targeting Girls
3. New York Times editorial by Margaret Wertheim & Follow-up Letter
4. AAUP Gender Equity Indicators 2006
5. Stereotypes and Performance, Science Magazine
6. "Powerful Signals" Radio Series Available
7. Professional Skills Development Workshop for Women Physicists
in Industry/Labs
8. Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowships at Princeton
9. Postdoctoral Position in Astrophysics, University of California, Irvine
10. Postdoctoral Scholar in X-Ray Astronomy, University of California, Irvine
11. Data Reduction Specialist - NOAO
12. Project Manager - NSO
****** The following position was taken from WIPHYS **********
13. Visiting Assistant Professor, Denison University
14. How to submit, subscribe, or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN
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1. Correction: New Book on Women in Physics
From: Sarah Stevens-Rayburn [library
stsci.edu]
[Eds note: This correction refers to item #1 of the October 20, 2006
issue of AASWOMEN.]
Note that the bit about the new book on women in physics was from Bob Parks
at UMd and I just passed it on!
Cheers,
Sarah
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2. Forum on School Violence Targeting Girls
From: Aimee Norton (nortonnoao.edu)
I would like to instigate a discussion on the recent deadly school
shootings in the US, especially the two incidents that targeted girls
in a disturbing display of femicide (aka. gender specific murder). On
Sept 27 in Colorado, a random gunmen separated out girls in a high
school class, held them hostage, sexually molested them and ultimately
killed one girl and himself. On Oct 2, in Pennsylvania, a man living
nearby an Amish school isolated ten girls ages 6-13 years old with
intentions of sexual molestation, held them hostage and ultimately
killed 5 girls and himself. I have had difficulty understanding what
I percieve to be a lack of outrage in the media or in our communities.
The message sent to families and children is one of fear and terror.
How are young girls coping with this? Whose responsibility is it to
publicly address the aftershock of these events? What can we do and
what is our responsibility in such times? Is there an educational
component to address or is this simply a criminal issue that does not
deserve to be discussed within educational forums?
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3. New York Times editorial by Margaret Wertheim & Follow-up Letter
From: WIPHYS of October 20 & 23, 2006
[Eds. note: This editorial is currently available on the web at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/science/03comm.html?ex=1317528000&en=e7ecca8eb7ce422c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss ]
An interesting editorial from the NY Times which might interest those on
listserv:
October 3, 2006. Commentary: "Numbers Are Male, Said Pythagoras, and the
Idea Persists"
By Margaret Wertheim
Nancy A. Forbes
naforbesverizon.net
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"Numbers Are Male..." - Follow-up Letter
Since Nancy Forbes sent around Margaret Wertheim's recent op-ed on WIPHYS,
I'm forwarding my follow-up letter to the editor. An abbreviated version
of this was published in the subsequent week's Science Times.
- Carol Herzenberg
To the Editor:
I'd like to add a few thoughts to the excellent commentary by Margaret
Wertheim, "Numbers are Male, Said Pythagoras, and the Idea Persists" (New
York Times, October 3, 2006). Wertheim is absolutely correct in noting
the scarcity of women in the top ranks of science, and the fact that,
while there may be subtle biological differences that come into play, the
most important contributing factor is women's experience of both overt and
covert discrimination.
However, presenting Pythagoras as a prototype example of male chauvinism
in the science of antiquity is a less than perfect choice. While the
Pythagoreans may have been male-dominated, there is evidence that they
provided a fairly favorable social climate in which women could pursue
scholarly studies and they constituted one of the more gender-equitable
havens of the Greek world, as Wertheim has indicated in her book
"Pythogoras' Trousers". While historical information about the Pythagoreans
is limited, there is evidence that women were numerous and active members
of the Pythagorean school, not only as students, but also as scholars and
teachers; Wertheim refers to several of these women in her book. In
addition, one of the most prominent women in ancient mathematics was
Pythagoras' wife Theano, and she assumed leadership of the Pythagorean
School after his death.
So here is another aspect of the unequal treatment that women in science
have received throughout history: that is our society's selective amnesia
in regard to women in science. An obliviousness to women scientists and
their accomplishments has so seriously afflicted the history of science
that it is sometimes difficult for us to allocate recognition even to
women's participation in science, particularly during antiquity and the
Middle Ages. May I suggest that our contemporary agenda should include an
effort to ensure that today's women scientists will not have to contend
with either short-term or long-term amnesia in regard to their
accomplishments?
Caroline Herzenberg
carolherzenberg.net
(Caroline Herzenberg is a physicist and is the author of several books and
articles on the history of women in science, including "Women Scientists
from Antiquity to the Present")
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4. AAUP Gender Equity Indicators 2006
From: WIPHYS of October 26, 2006
The American Association of University Professors is scheduled to release a
report today that establishes four indicators of "gender equity" within the
professoriate, and offers a listing of how 1,445 colleges and universities
measure up. The report can be found at
http://www.aaup.org/NR/rdonlyres/63396944-44BE-4ABA-9815-5792D93856F1/0/AAUPGenderEquityIndicators2006.pdf .
The Chronicle of Higher Education has a story on the report at
http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/10/2006102601n.htm (may require subscription).
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5. Stereotypes and Performance, Science Magazine
From: WIPHYS of October 26, 2006
The following is a link to an article in the October 20 issue of Science
that subscribers to WIPHYS may find interesting. Basically it reports a
study that suggests exposure to groundless stereotypes about genetic makeup
can affect performance.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/314/5798/435 (may require
subscription)
Moumita Das, moumitaucla.edu.
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6. "Powerful Signals" Radio Series Available
From: WIPHYS of October 26, 2006
"Powerful Signals: Transforming the Role of Women and Girls in Science and
Engineering" is a two-part radio series consisting of audio diaries and
long-form feature stories on NPR station WAMC's Women in Science website.
The full series includes Powerful Signals, Her-Story: Then & Now, Out Loud,
and the Tech Club. For girls and young women in under-served populations
as well as educators and researchers. Available on CD at no charge while
supplies last!
http://womeninscience.org/
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7. Professional Skills Development Workshop for Women Physicists
in Industry/Labs
From: WIPHYS of October 23, 2006
The American Physical Society will offer a one-day workshop for senior women
physicists in industry and government labs on March 4 (Denver) in association
with the 2007 APS annual meetings. We hope to receive funding for a second
workshop on April 13 (Jacksonville, FL) prior to the APS April Meeting.
The workshop will offer professional training on effective negotiation,
communication and leadership skills, as well as a special opportunity for
networking. Participants may receive a stipend of up to $800 towards hotel
and travel expenses. Details are now posted on the CSWP website at
http://www.aps.org/educ/cswp/skills/ , along with information on how to
apply. To ensure maximum interaction, the workshops will be limited in size.
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8. Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowships at Princeton
From: Jill Knapp (gkastro.princeton.edu)
2007 Postdoc Fellowship Program, Council on Science & Technology, Princeton
University
The 2007 Council on Science and Technology Postdoctoral Research and Teaching
Fellowship Program is now open for applications. The application deadline is
December 1, 2006.
Detailed information and applications are available on the Council's website
http://www.princeton.edu/~stcweb/
This outstanding fellowship program brings top young scientists who are also
interested in teaching to Princeton University. The fellows are supported for
a period of up to three years, during which they conduct research with a
Princeton University science or engineering faculty member, while
simultaneously working closely with an experienced faculty teacher in
teaching, curriculum development, or innovative laboratory design. The
teaching component is typically one semester per year. The research adviser
and teaching mentor may be, but do not have to be, the same faculty member.
The Council Fellowship program typically supports twelve Fellows in all
Science and Engineering.
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9. Postdoctoral Position in Astrophysics, University of California, Irvine
From: Tammy Smecker-Hane (smeckersculptor.ps.uci.edu)
Postdoctoral Position in Astrophysics
University of California, Irvine
Department of Physics & Astronomy
4129 Frederick Reines Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-4575
Tel: (949) 824-7773
FAX: (949) 824-2174
Email Submission Address: simmonscuci.edu
Email Inquiries: tsmeckeruci.edu
The closing date for receipt of applications: 01/15/2007
Attention: Ms. Carrollann Simmons
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral scholar position in astrophysics
at the University of California, Irvine. The successful applicant will work
with Dr. Tammy Smecker-Hane to analyze Hubble Space Telescope ACS images of
the Leo I dwarf spheroidal galaxy and derive its star formation history from
modeling of color-magnitude diagrams. Successful applicants must have a
Ph. D. in physics or astronomy and preference will be given to people with
prior experience in high-precision stellar photometry, color-magnitude diagram
analysis or related work on deriving the evolution of galaxies from analysis
of stellar populations. Successful applicants will have access to telescopes
at the Lick Observatory and could collaborate with Dr. Smecker-Hane to use
the Keck 10-meter telescopes.
The appointment is for two years with the possibility of renewal for an
additional year if additional funding is available. Applicants should send
a CV, list of publications, a statement of research interests and arrange for
three letters of recommendation to be sent or emailed to Administrative
Assistant Ms. Carrollann Simmons at the addresses above. Complete applications
should be submitted by January 15, 2007, to receive full consideration.
The successful applicant must have obtained a Ph. D. before starting the
position, which could begin as early as February, 2007. Salary will be
commensurate with level of experience.
UCI is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity.
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10. Postdoctoral Scholar in X-Ray Astronomy, University of California, Irvine
From: David Buote (buoteuci.edu)
Postdoctoral Scholar in X-Ray Astronomy
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Department of Physics and Astronomy
4129 Frederick Reines Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-4575
United States
Tel: 949-824-7646
FAX: 949-824-2174
Email Inquiries: simmonscuci.edu
The closing date for receipt of applications: 01/15/2007
URL: http://www.physics.uci.edu/
Attention: David A. Buote, Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to work with
Prof. David A. Buote on X-ray studies of galaxies, groups, and
clusters. The successful applicant's responsibilities will include
analyzing X-ray data from the Chandra and XMM satellites, and
preparing observing proposals. The duration of the position is
initially for one year, renewable up to three years, contingent on
performance and continued funding. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or
equivalent. The start date for the position is August 1, 2007, which is
negotiable.
Candidates should send a curriculum vitae, bibliography, short (1
page) statement of research interests, and have three letters of
recommendation submitted on their behalf to the above address. The
application deadline is 15 January 2007, although completed
applications will be evaluated as soon as they are received.
The University of California, Irvine is an equal opportunity employer
committed to excellence through diversity.
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11. Data Reduction Specialist - NOAO
From: Patricia Knezek (knezeknoao.edu)
Data Reduction Specialist - Job #805 Tucson, Arizona
Kitt Peak National Observatory, a division of the National Optical Astronomy
Observatory (NOAO), solicits applications for the position of a Data Reduction
Specialist to work with Dr. Buell T. Jannuzi, Acting Director of Kitt Peak
National Observatory, on data from NOAO and spaced based telescopes (including
the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-Ray
Observatory), being used to study the formation and evolution of galaxies and
the physical properties of the intergalactic medium. Experience with IRAF data
reduction and analysis packages or another sophisticated data
reduction/analysis packages is required. Applicants with experience with IDL
and/or other software packages used in analyzing astronomical data sets will
be given preference. Tasks will include working with Dr. Jannuzi to process
imaging and spectroscopic data sets using existing software, testing new
software under development, and assisting in the preparation of data products
for public release and inclusion in scientific publications. Applicants
should have a bachelor's degree in astronomy or other physical science.
Applicants should have the ability to work independently and keep careful
records of their efforts and progress.
The position is available immediately and will be filled as soon as possible.
Initial term of employment will start immediately and be for two years pending
a successful review of performance near the end of the first year. It is
likely the position will be available for more than two years, pending
continued availability of funding for the position. Salary will be
commensurate with the experience of the successful applicant.
Interested applicants please send a brief letter describing your experience
and interests, and contact information for two references. We will begin
reviewing applications as they arrive and continue to accept applications
until the position is filled.
Hiring preference will be given to qualified Native Americans living on or
near the Tohono O'Odham reservation.
NOAO/NSO foster a diverse research environment. Women and candidates from
under represented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. We are an
Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
To apply, please send electronic resume to: hrnoaonoao.edu
(In the subject line, please reference Position Title and Job #)
Mailing address:
Human Resources Office
National Optical Astronomy Observatory
(Include Position Title and Job #)
P.O. Box 26732
Tucson, AZ 85726-6732
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12. Project Manager - NSO
From: Patricia Knezek (knezeknoao.edu)
Project Manager - Job #819 Tucson, Arizona
The National Solar Observatory is seeking an engineering professional to
manage telescope and instrument projects at the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope
and Kitt Peak SOLIS Tower (KPST) on Kitt Peak, Arizona. General duties will
include supervision of technical and engineering staff, management of budget
and schedule, evaluation of individual performance, communication with science
staff, users and user committees, and collaboration with other solar programs
and projects, such as the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) synoptic
program and the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) project.
As the projects manager for Kitt Peak operations, the candidate will work with
the project and program scientists of the Synoptic Optical Long-term
Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) program to ensure proper operation of the
Vector Spectromagnetograph (VSM) and Integrated Sunlight Spectrometer (ISS)
instruments and completion of the Full-Disk Patrol (FDP) solar disk imager, as
well as assisting with the release of data products to the community. The
candidate will also work with the NSO Array Camera (NAC) instrument scientist
to aid completion of projects relating to acquisition of near- and mid-IR
spectroscopy and polarimetry data. For example, a major upgrade to the
existing control system of the McMath-Pierce telescope is planned to ease
operations and improve pointing and tracking accuracy.
The qualified candidate shall have at a minimum a B.S. degree in engineering
or related field and eight years experience, preferably with evidence of
leadership and/or management skills. To apply, send letter of application
w/ CV & names & addresses of 3 professional references.
Hiring preference will be given to qualified Native Americans living on or
near the Tohono O'Odham reservation.
NOAO/NSO foster a diverse research environment. Women and candidates from
under represented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. We are an
Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
To apply, please send electronic resume to: hrnoaonoao.edu
(In the subject line, please reference Position Title and Job #)
Mailing address:
Human Resources Office
National Optical Astronomy Observatory
(Include Position Title and Job #)
P.O. Box 26732
Tucson, AZ 85726-6732
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13. Visiting Assistant Professor, Denison University
From: WIPHYS of October 27, 2006
The Denison University Department of Physics and Astronomy invites
applications for a two-year visiting assistant professor beginning Fall 2007,
to replace a faculty member on leave. We seek candidates with a Ph.D. degree
in Physics who are vitally interested in teaching physics and/or astronomy at
both the beginning and advanced levels. Teaching experience strongly
preferred. Denison University is a highly selective liberal arts college of
2100 students, located in Granville, Ohio, 30 minutes from Columbus, Ohio.
The department consists of six faculty, a technical assistant, and a
secretary. Facilities include excellent equipment for both teaching and
research, first class on-site experimental labs, a link to the Ohio
Supercomputer, an observatory, a planetarium, and a well-equipped machine
shop. Additional information may be obtained from our web site at
http://www.denison.edu/physics/. The second year of this two-year appointment
is contingent on satisfactory performance.
Applicants should submit vita, graduate school transcript, a description of
teaching interests and experience, and three (3) letters of reference to
Chair, Search Committee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Denison
University, Granville, OH 43023. Applications complete by January 15, 2007,
will receive full consideration; applications may be accepted until the
position is filled. Applications accepted by post only. Denison is an
Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages
applications from women and minority candidates.
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