Our Friday weekly round-up curates opportunities that are still open for applications. The Opportunities portal aggregates job vacancies, internships, scholarships, calls for abstracts, fellowships, contests, exchange programmes and other opportunities that are available for Africans who are interested in space science and technology. Simply put, it’s an aggregator for space and astronomy-related opportunities for Africans.
Have you missed any opportunities this week? Check out the weekly round-up below:
IAU Open Call for Participation in the 2020 Open Astronomy Schools Project
To harness the vast skills in education, outreach, and inspiration of astronomy educators around the globe, IAU100 is launching a second call for proposals for the promotion of the Open Astronomy Schools (OAS) teacher training events in 2020.
The first Open Astronomy Schools call in 2019 received 100 proposals from 49 different countries. 20 proposals were selected to receive a small grant from IAU100, enabling the participation of hundreds of teachers in teacher training sessions around the world. In continuation of the first Teacher Training Call issued in early 2019, a second call has been launched for the IAU100 Open Astronomy Schools (OAS) teacher training events to be offered during 2020.
The successful applicants will receive at least 12 telescopes kits to distribute to teachers attending the workshops. In total, up to 20 proposals will be awarded telescope kits. This call aims to promote innovative astronomy teacher training events following the criteria established for the OAS, with a special focus on practical astronomy.
The call for teacher training includes 250 telescope kits, kindly offered by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan telescope kit is a newly designed, easy-to-assemble kit produced by Vixen, Japan. The 50mm lens aperture and two eyepieces providing 16x and 66x magnification allow children and adults to observe the moon and planets in detail. The focuser barrel is compatible with standard 1.25” eyepieces. The kit also includes an adaptor that facilitates the use of smartphone cameras.
Each proposal will be reviewed by the OAS task force and the approved sessions will be eligible to use the OAS-IAU100 logo, to be announced in both IAU100 and OAS site and social media. Participants will be entitled to receive the OAS-IAU100 participation certificate and promoters the OAS-IAU100 ambassadors certificates.
The deadline to receive proposals is January 31, 2020.
Click IAU Open Call for Participation in the 2020 Open Astronomy Schools Project to apply and get further information
Application Open For A Space Weather Project Specialist at SANSA
The South African National Space Agency requires a project specialist for a period of three years to apply sound project management principles to the operational space weather centre project. The aim of the project is to move the limited operational space weather centre to a full 24/7 operational centre with all the identified products and services in place, the capability and knowledge strengthened and the required certification (which includes ISO 9001:2015) achieved. The project has already started and a number of mechanisms have already been applied. The incumbent will need to take these over.
The space weather project specialist will be required to plan, budget, oversee and document all aspects of this project. The project specialist will have the overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of the project. The successful incumbent will also be required to assist in developing a marketing strategy and exploring funding opportunities for the centre.
Requirements:
- Sound educational background with at least a Degree in Physics or Engineering,
- At least 5 years’ experience as a project manager
- Solid technical background, with understanding or hands-on experience in software development
- Strong communication skills (with both internal and external stakeholders); both verbal and written
- Excellent team management skills; should be an excellent team leader as well as team member
- Quality decision-making
- Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills
- Time management and strong analytical skills
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- PMP / PRINCE II certification is a plus
- Experience in the space, or information technology sectors would be an advantage
- Experience with the requirements of ISO certification would be an advantage
Responsibilities will include:
- Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors/stakeholders for the flawless execution of the project
- Ensure that all aspects of the project are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
- Develop the project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
- Ensure resource availability and allocation
- Develop, maintain and implement a detailed project plan to track progress
- Use appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in project scope, schedule, and costs
- Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques
- Report and escalate to management as needed
- Perform risk management to minimize project risks
- Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation
Closing date: 24 January 2020
Click Application Open For A Space Weather Project Specialist at SANSA to apply and get further information
Nomination Open For 2020 Royal Society Medal & Award
The Royal Society Africa Prize is to recognize outstanding research scientists based in Africa who are making an innovative contribution to the sciences which contributes significantly to capacity building in Africa.
The winner will receive a bronze medal, accompanied by a £15,000 grant towards their research project and a gift of £2,000.
Awards open for nominations 2020 are:
Premier awards
Copley Medal
The world’s oldest scientific prize will be awarded in 2020 for outstanding achievement in any field of biological sciences. Open to international nominations.
Royal Medals
For outstanding achievements in the biological, physical and applied sciences.
Croonian Medal and Lecture
The premier lecture in biological sciences. Open to international nominations.
Bakerian Medal and Lecture
The premier lecture in physical sciences. Open to international nominations.
Eligibility
Awards are open to citizens of a Commonwealth country or of the Irish Republic or those who have been ordinarily resident and working in a Commonwealth country or in the Irish Republic for a minimum of three years immediately prior to being proposed. Three of our Premier Awards are open internationally and the Milner Award is open to European citizens and residents of 12 months or more.
Nominees cannot be members of the Royal Society Council, Premier Awards Committee, or selection Committees. If the award is externally funded, nominees cannot be employed by the organization funding the medal. Self-nominations are not accepted and members of the selection committee cannot nominate for their own awards.
Nominations are valid for three cycles of the award unless otherwise stated. Nominators are given the opportunity to update nominations in December each year.
The Terms and Conditions (PDF) of the Royal Society Africa Prize should be read before submitting a nomination.
Deadline: Nominations close on Monday 27 January 2020 at 3 pm.
Click Nomination Open For 2020 Royal Society Medal & Award to nominate and get further information
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