2 August 2017

Call for Nominations: LISA Study Teams

Rita Sambruna NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

In June 2017, the European Space Agency (ESA) selected the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave mission as the third large mission in their Cosmic Vision Programme. NASA is partnering with ESA to provide US contributions to the ESA-led LISA mission, expected to launch in approximately 2034.

To this end, NASA has established the LISA Study Office located at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and is establishing NASA's LISA Study Team (LISA ST). Moreover, ESA is establishing a LISA Science Study Team, and has asked NASA to nominate US members of ESA's LISA Science Study Team. This letter solicits nominations, including self-nominations, from US persons to be a member of either NASA's LISA ST or ESA's LISA Science Study Team, or both.

The goals of NASA's LISA ST are to:
  1. Develop and articulate a compelling science case to reaffirm NASA participation in LISA for the 2020 Decadal Survey. The LISA ST will develop the science rationale and the justification for a NASA contribution to LISA;
  2. Provide the US community with information on US participation in LISA, including activities involving the US role in LISA science and technology.
  3. Provide NASA with US community input regarding the US role on LISA;
  4. Provide communication between the US science community and the European LISA Consortium; and
  5. Support NASA's LISA Study Office by providing analysis on scientific and technical issues, as requested.

The Terms of Reference for NASA's LISA ST are available on the NASA webpage. Members of NASA's LISA ST may be appointed to ESA's Science Study Team.

Applications for both NASA's LISA ST and ESA's LISA Science Study Team are due to NASA no later than 1 September 2017. A single application may be submitted for either or both opportunities; the application must make clear which opportunity(s) are being addressed. Only email applications of a single PDF file will be accepted. Please submit your application via email to the NASA LISA Program Scientist, Dr. Rita Sambruna.

The application material for the LISA ST and/or ESA's LISA Science Study Team must consist of:
  • A cover letter of up to two pages describing 1) the reasons for the submitter’s interest in the LISA ST and 2) the capabilities and experience that the submitter brings to the LISA ST;
  • A short statement of commitment to perform the tasks assigned to the LISA ST (Note that funding for travel only will be provided by NASA to the NASA LISA ST members only, not the ESA LISA Science Study Team);
  • A short statement addressing whether the applicant wishes to be considered for US membership on ESA's LISA Science Study Team; and
  • A resume of up to two pages including relevant publications.

Only US persons (for the purpose of US export control regulations, i.e., US citizens and permanent residents) are eligible to apply.

With the release of this Dear Colleague Letter, NASA terminates the existing L3 Study Team (L3ST). Members of the L3ST are eligible for membership on the NASA LISA ST and the ESA LISA Science Study Team. NASA desires to appoint the LISA ST members from the broad US science community, including L3ST members and those who are not members of the L3ST.

NASA will select the NASA LISA ST members for balance of expertise in relevant science and technology areas, and for other programmatic factors. NASA recognizes and supports the benefits of having diverse and inclusive scientific, engineering, and technology communities and fully expects that such values will be reflected in the composition of all panels and teams including the LISA Study Team. NASA welcomes applications from qualified early career members of the US science community.

ESA will select members of the ESA LISA Science Study Team.

The NASA Astrophysics Division Director will appoint the LISA ST Chair(s) from the LISA ST membership.

NASA reserves the right to cancel this Dear Colleague Letter at any time should programmatic and/or other reasons warrant it.

Questions about this solicitation may be addressed to the NASA LISA Program Scientist at NASA HQ, by emailing Dr. Rita Sambruna, or calling 202-358-2166.