AASWomen for January 8, 2010

[Thanks to Meg Urry for forwarding this to us -- eds.]

Information about the Pre-Major in Astronomy Program at UW was presented by Phil Rosenfield at this week's AAS meeting in DC (Presentation Number 466.16).

Pre-MAP is a research & mentoring program for freshmen, introducing them to astronomy research during their first quarter, followed by mentoring, research opportunities, and community building, with the goal of having under-represented students choose astronomy & STEM majors.

Phil (the Pre-MAP TA) has gone to extraordinary effort to compile and write down a large amount of Pre-MAP knowledge and best-practices to make this accessible to the Astronomy community, including instruction on how to create and run a Pre-MAP course, exercises from the course, how to recruit research mentors, how to make web pages for the program, and much more. The materials are now available on-line at this url:

http://www.astro.washington.edu/groups/premap/diy/premap.html

In December, a public radio program called Marketplace ran a story about the disparity between men's and women's salaries. ("How to Get Equal Pay for Equal Work", Friday, December 4, 2009, http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/12/04/mm-womenneg/ The webpage lists both the text of the story and an audio stream. Regarding the audio version, the story starts in the 41th minute of the 51 minute radio program.)

Much of the article attributes the disparity in pay to salary negotiations, with the assertion that women negotiate poorly and not often enough.

This analysis struck me as incomplete, in that I remember reading a post (probably on AASWOMEN) about a study that found that women's salary requests were met with more antagonism by employers than men's requests were and that the antagonism could subsequently affect the work environment or odds of getting the job.

I would think that issue would be very important in understanding the sociology of salary negotiations and am interested in sending this information on to Marketplace (produced by American Public Media and distributed through public radio stations), but would like to check it first. Does anyone remember the posting?

[Robin has already looked through the AASWomen archives with no success. Can anyone help out with a reference/information about this topic? -- eds.]

Be sure to check the Women in Astronomy blog (womeninastronomy.blogspot.com) over the next few weeks, where we will be posting impressions and thoughts about the just-ended AAS meeting in DC. We plan (hope?) to discuss topics such as (but not limited to) gender issues, minority issues, other demographic and diversity issues, the job market, some really cool science presented at the meeting, or just how overwhelmingly big this meeting was.

(1) COM/CSWP Networking Reception, February 13

Saturday, February 13. 6:00-8:00 pm, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, at the APS meeting in Washington, DC. Come learn about the work of the Committee on Minorities in Physics and the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics, network with colleagues, and unwind after a long day of sessions.

(2) CSWP/DPF Luncheon, February 15

The Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP) and the Division of Particles and Fields (DPF) will co-sponsor a buffet luncheon for women in physics from 12:00 1:30 pm on Monday, February 15, 2010 at the APS meeting in Washington, DC. The speaker will be Bonnie Fleming, Yale University. The luncheon is open to all: both men and women are welcome to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a full buffet lunch and network with colleagues! Cost: $20. Students are $5, thanks to the generosity of DPF.

Space for this popular event is limited. Pre registration is strongly advised by February 1, 2010 at http://www.aps.org/meetings/april/events/receptions/index.cfm . After that date, you must purchase tickets ON SITE at the Balances Due desk at the APS Registration Area as long as tickets are available. No tickets sold at the door.

CSWP will sponsor or co-sponsor several events of special interest to women in physics at the APS annual meeting in Portland, Oregon (March 15-19) . These events will be held in the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Hotel; you do not need to be registered for the APS meeting itself to attend (there is a charge for the breakfast).

1)CSWP/FIAP Networking Breakfast Tuesday, March 16, 7:30 am -- 9:30 am (Galleria I)

Enjoy a full breakfast and network with colleagues! Cost: $15. $5 for physics students, thanks to FIAP's generosity. All are welcome, both men and women, however pre-registration strongly advised by March 5, as only limited walk-ins accepted. Pre-register at www.aps.org/meetings/march/events/receptions/index.cfm

2)COM/CSWP Dessert Reception Wednesday, March 17, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Council Suites)

Learn about the work of the Committee on Minorities in Physics and the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics, network with colleagues, and enjoy delicious desserts and wine after a long day of sessions. All are welcome to join us. (It'ss always a good idea to double check the room assignments when you reach the hotel, as these may sometimes change).

In 2010, IBM will offer a Summer Research Internship for Undergraduate Women. These summer internships are salaried positions typically 10 weeks long, and include the opportunity to work with a mentor at one of three IBM research locations. Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2010. Complete details on the program and how to apply are available at http://www.aps.org/programs/women/scholarships/index.cfm

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Missouri -- St. Louis invites applications for a postdoctoral research position. The successful candidate will assist Dr. Erika Gibb and her collaborators on observational studies of chemistry in star forming regions and protoplanetary disks. Of particular interest is the identification and characterization of organic molecules. The successful candidate will work with high resolution, near infrared spectroscopic data from Keck II and the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. Desired skills include working with observational data, computer programming, and/or modeling spectra.

Candidates must obtain a Ph.D. in Astronomy or Physics prior to the starting date. The appointment is for one year, renewable for an additional year. Applicants should send a CV, a list of publications, a statement of research interests, and should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to Dr. Erika Gibb University of Missouri St. Louis Department of Physics & Astronomy 503 Benton Hall St. Louis, MO 63121.

Applications may be submitted electronically to gibbe_at_umsl.edu. Consideration of completed applications will begin March 1, 2010 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

The University of Missouri -- St. Louis is an AA/EO Employer committed to excellence through diversity.

The Department of Physics at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for an anticipated tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level with a start date of September 2010. We are searching for an outstanding researcher in High Energy Theory who will contribute both to the existing High Energy Theory effort and to the Astrophysics effort. Exceptional candidates from other areas of physics may also be considered. The successful candidate is expected to establish an excellent research program, to acquire external funding to support it, and to develop into a high quality teacher at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Startup funds will be available.

Applicants must have a PhD and should have post doctoral research experience and a record of substantial research accomplishments. We will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by February 15, 2010 are guaranteed full consideration.

Interested candidates should contact Prof. Kay Kinoshita at ucphysics_at_ucmail.uc.edu for information on the application procedure and any questions about the position and our department. A cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, research plan, and statement of teaching experience and interests will be requested in PDF format in the application process. Applicants should separately arrange to have three letters of reference sent electronically, preferably in PDF format, to ucphysics_at_ucmail.uc.edu.

The University of Cincinnati is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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