2018 TMT Early-Career Workshop

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A workshop for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career professionals from partners in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory, including Caltech, Canada, China, India, Japan, and University of California.

December 2-9, 2018. Pasadena, California, USA

Most workshop sessions will be held at the Pasadena Westin, 191 N Los Robles Ave.

Workshop participant list

Workshop Staff, Instructors, Visitors

TECI 2018 Workshop Agenda 

 

The workshop application period for 2018 has closed.  Applicants and accepted participants can find additional information on our Workshop FAQ.  There is also a travel awards page with info for applicants seeking support from their respective TMT partner for attending the workshop.

  • Workshop Aims

    This workshop is a centerpiece of the 2018 TMT Early-Career Initiative. The workshop is designed to support international collaboration among the TMT partners by engaging those in the early stages of their career in TMT and providing a workshop experience that:

    Develops professional skills needed to be successful in TMT and similar projects, including international collaboration, and project management

    Provides an experience with the instrument design process

    Enables participants to see how they can contribute to TMT and engage in current TMT projects

    Builds community among TMT future users and leaders, and connects them to current TMT leaders

  • Workshop Details

    This workshop is scientific and technical, and is much like a “summer school” style event, with more emphasis on professional skills that are highly valued by TMT and large projects in general. Sessions give participants an opportunity to learn and practice skills such as working effectively on interdisciplinary, international teams; defining technical requirements based on science goals; and managing projects.

    Participants will also visit local facilities in Pasadena, including: TMT Project Office, TMT lab, Caltech, and other sites to be announced.

    Throughout the workshop, TMT leaders provide presentations on topics such as TMT instruments, project management, systems engineering, software, and the role of scientists in TMT now and into the future. The workshop includes two sessions that give participants an extended period of time to work in small teams, and spanning multiple days:

    Instrument design: Participants will work in small international teams to work through the process of designing an instrument, including conceptual design, defining science cases and requirements, and down-selecting. Some participants act as a science advisory committee (SAC), gaining experience in how SACs work.

    TMT Mini-Projects: Participants collaborate on small projects informing specific case studies or problems of interest to the TMT Project Office, the TMT community, and the ISEE/TMT International Program. Some examples of mini-projects are here.

    TECI Poster Session:

  • Participants are invited to present their work at a poster session which will be held on the last day of the workshop, December 9, starting at 4pm in the Westin Fountain Ballroom.

  • Participants bringing your Poster: Maximum size 120 cm (48 in) vertical x 120 cm (48 in) horizontal.

  • If you would like to print your Poster in Pasadena, you are welcome to submit your print order online at Office Depot . Pickup location: Office Depot #599 1130 E COLORADO BLVD PASADENA, CA 91106 626-666-6900

    The annual TMT Science Forum will be held immediately following this workshop from December 10-12, 2018, at the same location. TMT leaders from around the world attend the TMT Science Forum and will be invited to arrive early to attend the TECI Poster Session.

  • Participating Organizations

    Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory Project Office

    Institute for Scientist & Engineer Educators (UC Santa Cruz)

    University of California Observatories

    Wide Field Optical Spectrograph (WFOS) team

  • Event Participants

    We invite workshop applications from early-career scientists and engineers (graduate students, postdocs, professionals) affiliated with any of the Thirty Meter Telescope partners:

    Caltech

    Canada

    China

    India

    Japan

    University of California

  • Cost of Participation

    TECI is funded by Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory, which significantly reduces costs of attending the workshop. In addition, TECI works with TMT partners to identify funding sources that will cover travel expenses. Below is an itemized list of approximate costs, and whether they are covered by TECI or must be covered by workshop participants. Amounts are in U.S. dollars.

    REGISTRATION FEE: TECI will cover the full cost of the following items, for all participants.

    Registration: there is no registration fee to attend

    Lunches during active workshop days (7 lunches)

    TRAVEL: TECI is able to offer travel awards. The application form includes a field for participants to request a travel award for some or all of these items. In some cases we may prioritize applicants who can cover these costs on their own.

    Air travel: each applicant should estimate the cost of air travel from their home airport to BUR or LAX.

    Ground transportation: up to $80 each way from LAX to Pasadena, or $40 each way from BUR

    Lodging: $875 (9 nights from Dec. 1 to Dec. 10, double occupancy)

    MEALS AND INCIDENTALS: TECI will not support the following costs. Participants must cover these on their own.

    Meals and incidentals outside of workshop lunches: $350 (estimate for meals not supplied by TECI from Dec. 1 through Dec. 10)

    Passport and visa fees: each applicant should determine the fees of any passport or visa they require

    Applicants with questions about how they can cover the costs of items above should visit the TECI travel award page to look up an appropriate contact for their TMT partner. TECI works hard to find travel funding for as many participants as possible, so encourages people to apply for travel awards.

  • Important Dates

    Application opens: June 6, 2018

    Application deadline: July 6, 2018

    Notification of acceptance sent: Early August, 2018