Solicitation Release Date: 25 September 2009
Application Deadline: 5pm PST 25 November 2009

The W.M. Keck Institute for Space Studies at the California Institute of Technology announces an opportunity for highly qualified individuals to apply for postdoctoral fellowships to conduct research in space science and engineering. The primary purpose of the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is to develop breakthrough planetary, Earth, and astrophysics space mission concepts and technology by bringing together a broad spectrum of scientists and engineers for sustained scientific and technical interaction.

The Keck Institute Fellowships will support outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct research that is broadly related to the goals of the Keck Institute for Space Studies and its funded study programs. Please see http://www.kiss.caltech.edu for additional information. This program is open to applicants of any nationality who have earned (or will have earned) their doctoral degrees on or after January 1, 2007, in any discipline. Awards will typically be for two years, starting in 2010, at an annual stipend of $60,000 plus benefits, and an additional allowance of $6,000 per year for travel and other research costs. A one-time $4,000 relocation allowance is also provided. Applicants should identify abilities and research plans that are relevant to the previous, ongoing or proposed study programs of the Institute. Consideration will also be given to applicants who propose research in areas of potential future interest to the Keck Institute. Applications must include a letter of endorsement from a Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) postdoc sponsor who is associated with the Institute. Up to two Keck Institute Fellowships will be awarded in 2010. Caltech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities, veterans and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

About Us
The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) was established at Caltech in January 2008 with a $24 million grant over 8 years from the W. M. Keck Foundation. The Institute is a "think and do tank," whose primary purpose is to bring together a broad spectrum of scientists and engineers for sustained technical interaction aimed at developing new space mission concepts and technology.

The best expertise from Caltech, JPL, and the wider scientific and technical community, is convened at the Institute to conduct in-depth technical studies in focused areas of science and technology. These studies must concentrate on ideas that have the capability for revolutionary advances in space mission capability. Once a key innovation/challenge for a new mission or instrument concept is identified, the Institute then funds the initial steps towards making progress on that key innovation/challenge.

What is KISS?
The primary purpose of the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is to develop new planetary, Earth, and astrophysics space mission concepts and technology by bringing together a broad spectrum of scientists and engineers for sustained scientific and technical interaction. This unique organization links the study elements of a think tank with the implementation elements of designing and developing prototypes. The Institute is centered on the intellectual, instrumentation, and research strengths of Caltech and JPL — and augments those strengths by inviting external experts from academia, government, and industry to engage in its programs. The Institute also provides opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to actively participate in cutting edge space mission research and learning. The Institute supports significant outreach to the public and the wider technical/scientific community via open lectures and the Internet.