Nasa job to keep the little green men away

UNITED STATES: Nasa is hiring someone who can defend the planet from alien invasions, and will pay handsomely for the job.

The US space agency is seeking a ‘‘planetary protection officer’’ to keep the Earth safe from contamination by alien microbes. The job pays up to US$187,000 (NZ$253,000) and involves ensuring astronauts avoid unintentionally passing on organisms on space missions.

Candidates must be American citizens, have an advanced degree in the sciences or maths, and have government experience. The officer must also demonstrate ‘‘skills in diplomacy that [result] in win-win solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions’’, given that Nasa often works with international partners.

‘‘Frequent travel may be required’’ for the job, the listing said. The role was created after the US ratified the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, governing rules for international space exploration.

Catharine Conley, the present planetary protection officer, said the stress of the job was only of ‘‘a moderate level’’. ‘‘It’s not extremely careful, but it’s not extremely lax,’’ she said.

Another part of the job involves ensuring that equipment used on missions remains pristine.

The next officer can expect to have their hands full during the three to five-year assignment, as the US government has passed legislation approving a mission to Mars in 2020 and to the Moon in 2021. A trip to Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons, has also been approved.

Nasa was given an extra $200 million in its annual budget of $19.5 billion to fund more space exploration. However, its earth sciences division, which studies climate change, will expect cuts.

– The Times