Niebur Consulting

Experience

Susan Niebur recently spent five years at NASA Headquarters. Her major role was as Discovery Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division. She has also served as program officer for the Discovery Data Analysis Program, Astrophysics Data Program, Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program, Infrared/Submillimeter Astronomy Program, Long Term Space Astrophysics Program, Planetary Major Equipment Program, and the Sagan Fellowship for Early Career Researchers. As program officer, she wrote many calls for proposals in the annual ROSES NASA Research Announcement, assembled science peer review panels, conducted peer reviews, made recommendations for selection of research and mission proposals, and debriefed dozens of proposers. She knows what program officers are looking for — because she was one herself.

Dr. Niebur has experience working with both established and new researchers. She took a leadership role at NASA in the creation of the Sagan and Haskin Fellowships for Early Career Researchers, and served as the very first program scientist. She co-founded the first-ever Early Career Workshops for Planetary Scientists, and led the first three workshops, at annual meetings of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Scientists (2004) and the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2004 and 2005). Before coming to NASA, she founded the American Physical Society’s Forum on Graduate Student Affairs and served as its first President; founded and led the first peer mentoring group at Washington University;co-created and administered the first National Doctoral Program Survey; and served as President, Vice President, Regional Coordinator, and first Alumni Affairs Coordinator for the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students while completing her Ph.D. in Physics at Washington University McDonnell Center for Space Sciences.

Today, Dr. Niebur is working on a research grant in NASA History to explore the development of the Discovery Program of small planetary science missions, as a consultant to various research labs and industry partners, and on review panels for several mission, science, and/or education and public outreach reviews each year. She is available to consult on proposals at any stage of the process — from pre-proposal to red teams to debriefs, and she is happy to do so. To contact her about future work, email Niebur Consulting.

Capabilities:

Niebur Consulting is a fast-paced scientific consulting practice with expertise in policy issues surrounding space science mission management, full participation of women in the workplace, early career issues, proposal writing and reviewing, and the emerging field of social media. Niebur Consulting offers workshops, on or off site participation in reviews, and advice on building your brand in social networking venues for missions, research groups, teams, or centers. Niebur Consulting's goal is always helping scientists -- and their missions -- succeed.

Niebur Consulting is:

CCR Registered
NAICS Codes 541611, 541690, 541712
Woman-owned small business (WOSB)

Past Performance:

Niebur Consulting currently holds a three-year NASA contract in space science history and policy analysis and a two-year NASA outreach supplement to that contract focused on activities related to the Women in Planetary Science group, founded by Susan Niebur and colleagues from the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Susan Niebur also regularly participates in peer review panels for NASA Headquarters' Science Mission Directorate and Office of Education. Previously, Susan Niebur was an employee of NASA Headquarters for almost five years, serving as Discovery Program Scientist, Program Officer for seven R&A programs, and (the first) Early Career Fellowship Program Officer.

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Experience