JOBS and GRADUATE STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
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It will be posted within one week of being received.
Assistant Professor of Bioclimatology, The University of Montana
The University of Montana, College of Forestry and Conservation seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor of Bioclimatology who will contribute to the research, teaching and service missions of the College. This is a nine month, tenure-track position. Employment will begin fall 2012.
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: We seek an exceptional scientist whose research focuses on terrestrial biosphere-atmosphere interactions and/or vegetation-climate dynamics at regional to global spatial scales and at seasonal to decadal and longer timescales. The candidate will be expected to develop courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels that complement the existing curriculum. In addition, at the time of appointment, the candidate must: 1) possess a Ph.D. in meteorology, climatology,biogeography, landscape ecology or a closely related field; 2) provide evidence of a strong record of research and scholarship including publications in peer-reviewed journals and that suggests the potential to develop a successful, competitive externally-funded research program; and 3) demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with students, professionals, and the general public. Preferred qualifications include: experience teaching courses in meteorology or climate science; post-doctoral research experience and training; interest in conducting research in the Rocky Mountain region; Preference will be given to applicants whose research complements that of other faculty in the College.
RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate’s area of expertise, including an undergraduate course in bioclimatology available to the Climate Change minor program; 2) Develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in biometeorology/bioclimatology; 3) Advise undergraduate students, and direct graduate student research at the M.S. and Ph.D. level; and 4) Participate in department, CFC, and Universitycommittees. The successful candidate may also direct the Montana State Climate Office.
THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY: The University of Montana’s College of Forestry and Conservation enjoys an outstanding reputation as one of the nation’s premier natural resource institutions. College faculty conduct ground-breaking basic and applied research in a wide range of natural resource disciplines. The college offers five undergraduate degrees, and a minor program in Climate Change studies. Faculty and students have access to CFC’s Lubrecht Experimental Forest, the Bandy Experimental Ranch, and the Flathead Lake Biological Station. The City of Missoula (population ~80,000) is regularly featured as one of the most livable cities in the United States.
HOW TO APPLY
For full position description, list of materials and instructions on how to apply, please visit https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ and see position listing (340-254).
Screening of applications will begin on March 15, 2012, and continue until position is filled. Applications received after 3/14 may be considered.
Upload the following materials: *Please note: only five attachments of up to 10MB each are allowed per application. Please combine or divide documents if necessary.
Letter of intent
Curriculum Vita (CV)
Contact information for three professional references. (Letters of References will only be requested of the Finalist Candidates. Please do not submit Letters of Reference at this time.)
A pdf of three (3) publications you have authored and feel are most relevant to this position.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative formatupon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates mayrequest veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing Individual hiring departments at UM-M may elect toadminister pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.
Full-Time Research Specialist position (Job ID: 27804) at the Tempe Campus of Arizona State University
Posted Rate of Pay: $32,037 - $41,668 per year; DOE
The Urban and Stream Ecosystems Laboratory (Nancy Grimm’s research group) and the Sabo Lab (John Sabo’s research group) with the Global Institute of Sustainability and School of Life Sciences seek a Research Specialist for this grant-funded project centered in Sycamore Creek, Maricopa County, Arizona. The Research Specialist will perform a variety of work including field research, lab work, data management and data analysis. This is a grant-funded position for an initial appointment of one year, with a possibility of extension to the end of the grant period (September 2013). Continuation beyond the end of the grant is contingent on future grant funding.
The Research Specialist’s duties will be to conduct field and laboratory research that examines and analyzes responses of algae, invertebrates, wetland vegetation, biogeochemical processes, ecosystem metabolism and biogeomorphic structure to interannual variability of the hydrological regime in aridlandstream ecosystems. Minimum Qualifications– Bachelor's degree in life sciences, environmental sciences or in a related field AND two years related ecology research experience; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved. Desired Qualifications– Experience with: stream metabolism and nutrient spiraling measurements; standard techniques of water chemistry analysis; stream monitoring instrumentation, particularly automated water samplers (ISCO), field sensors (chloride, nitrate (SUNA), pressure transducers, micrometeorology instrumentation), data loggers, and sondes. Experience or knowledge of: stream ecology, hydrology or biogeochemistry; taxonomy of benthic macroinvertebrates and/or benthic algae; using isotopes in ecological or hydrological research; using spreadsheets, databases and/or other data management software; using GIS.
Arizona State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
For more information, see full job ad and links at http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/jobs/241071-Research-Specialist, http://giscareers.com/?GC-DKMLGUZ, or http://sustainability.asu.edu/about/contact/employment.php
Assistant Professor in Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
The Department of Earth System Science at UC Irvine is recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor in the human dimensions of global environmental change. The successful candidate will complement the Department's existing strengths in atmospheric, oceanographic, terrestrial, and cryospheric science. Areas of interest for the human dimensions search include land use change, food and resource security, and modeling human-environment interactions. Possible focal areas include: examining the rates and drivers of contemporary land cover change and deforestation; investigating interactions between land use, ecosystem services, and climate; understanding the impacts of demographic trends or climate change on resource security, poverty, or famine; using integrated assessment modeling or other quantitative approaches to explore linkages and feedbacks between the environment and economics, policy, energy consumption, or trade.
Candidates are expected to develop an active research program, interact with other Earth System Science faculty, and to teach and direct research at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. All candidates must have a Ph.D. Apply online at https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/ or contact humdimsearch@ess.uci.edu. The selection process begins January 9, 2012 and will remain open until filled.
Postdoctoral fellowship in Mycorrhizal Ecology
Roger Koide and David Eissenstat are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to begin May 2012 to work on a project focusing on the ecology of ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses. The Postdoctoral Fellowship is funded by a NSF Grant entitled: Nutrient Foraging by Mycorrhizal Roots of Different Morphology: Are Roots and Fungi Complementary? One of the main hypotheses to test is that trees have selected for types of mycorrhizal fungi that complement their root functions. The ideal candidate would be trained in ecology and have skills in basic molecular ecology methods (sample collection, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, etc.). Applications will be accepted immediately and the position will be filled when a suitable candidate is found. Please contact Roger Koide (rxk13@psu.edu) or David Eissenstat (dme9@psu.edu), Department of Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA.
USGS Post-doctoral Opportunity: Biological nitrogen fixation in Pacific Northwest forests
We are recruiting post-doctoral applicants for a USGS Mendenhall Research Opportunity examining climatic controls on biological nitrogen fixation in forests of the Pacific Northwest. This research opportunity may include a combination of literature survey and meta-analysis, field studies along climatic gradients, and/or simulation modeling to examine the implications of climate-dependency of biological nitrogen fixation for carbon cycling and storage. Selection of the successful applicant is based on the merit and relevance of a research proposal, as well as the applicant’s qualifications to complete the proposed work.
This is a 2-year post-doctoral position based in Corvallis, Oregon. Appointment is a USGS federal GS-12 position that includes benefits. Applications are due Feb 21, 2012, submitted through USAJobs.gov
More details on this specific research opportunity are available here: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/2013/opps/opp25.html
General information, selection procedures, timelines, and FAQ regarding the USGS Mendenhall post-doctoral program are available here: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/
Research Advisors:
Steven Perakis (USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center) (541) 758-8786, sperakis@usgs.gov;
David Myrold (Oregon State University), david.myrold@oregonstate.edu;
Dominique Bachelet (Conservation Biology Institute), dominique@consbio.org
Interested applicants should contact Steven Perakis for more information, and should include a CV.
USGS postdoc in permafrost microbiology
Please take note of the 2013 USGS Mendenhall postdoctoral fellowship program which has a due date for applications of February 21, 2012. Our specific opportunity focuses on the effects of permafrost thaw on C cycling in interior Alaska, with particular emphasis on permafrost microbiology. See http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/2013/opps/opp8.html for more information about this research topic. This is a very competitive fellowship program and applicants are strongly encouraged to work with the Research Advisors to develop the proposal that is required for application.
This position will be based in Menlo Park, CA and will begin on or after October 2012. Mendenhall Fellows are appointed to the USGS for two years and receive full salary and benefits at the GS-12 level. Research funds are also included in the proposal. See the USGS Mendenhall Postdoc website for application process and position details: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/
Postdoctoral Researcher - Terrestrial Ecosystem Modeling - 74051, Organization: ES-Earth Sciences
The Climate Science Department of the Earth Sciences Division has an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in terrestrial ecosystem modeling with an emphasis on tropical forests. Structural process-level uncertainty in terrestrial carbon cycling processes will be a key focus, and identifying key terrestrial ecosystem processes for next-generation model development will be an important research goal.
The work will be part of the DOE-sponsored Climate Science for a Sustainable Energy Future (CSSEF) project. The position offers an excellent environment for working with a highly skilled interdisciplinary team and will require strong motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is a renowned center of scientific expertise in many facets of climate-related fundamental and applied science.
The successful candidate will focus on characterizing and reducing uncertainty in CLM, the land-surface model integrated in CESM. The research will address several sources of uncertainty, including: (1) representation and parameterization of ecosystem processes in CLM, with an emphasis on processes affecting trees; (2) spatial heterogeneity; and (3) climate forcing and CO2 fertilization. Developing and applying inverse methods, sensitivity analyses, and data assimilation approaches is also of interest.
The work will require an applicant with a wide range of skills: (1) use of state-of-the-art land-surface models (i.e., CLM); (2) understanding of methods to model vegetation and belowground processes and dynamics; (3) oral and written presentation of results; and (4) ability to work in an integrated team environment. Must have a recent PhD in applicable discipline.
Note: This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal annually based upon performance, funding, and operational need.
How To Apply
Apply directly online at http://bit.ly/lbl74047ESA and follow the instructions to complete the application process.
Berkeley Lab is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce.
Postdoctoral Researcher - 3D Reactive Transport Models - 74048, Organization: ES-Earth Sciences
The Climate Sciences Department of the Earth Sciences Division has an exciting opportunity for a scientist with expertise in development, testing, and application of three-dimensional (3D) reactive transport models, with specific focus on high-latitude biogeochemistry and hydrology. The work will be part of the DOE-sponsored Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE), whose ultimate goals include the development of a mechanistic high-latitude land model capable of integration with CESM and characterization of potential atmospheric feedbacks under expected climate change.
The position offers an excellent environment for working with a highly skilled interdisciplinary team and will require strong motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills. Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory is a renowned center of scientific expertise in many facets of climate-related fundamental and applied science.
The successful candidate will focus on integration of C and N biogeochemical reaction networks in a 3D model (e.g., PFLOTRAN, Amanzi), testing of the model against extant and new NGEE observations, application of the model to characterize feedbacks, and scaling approaches applicable to an ESM-scale land model (i.e., CLM). The work will focus on several groups of important high-latitude processes, including: (1) biogeochemistry of GHG fluxes from thawing permafrost, wetlands, and thermokarst lakes; (2) interactions between vegetation and microbial N demands; and (3) impacts on the surface energy and GHG budgets due to decadal-scale changes in vegetation, biogeochemistry, and hydrology.
The work will require an applicant with a wide range of skills: (1) use of state-of-the-art land-surface models (i.e., CLM); (2) understanding of methods to model vegetation and belowground processes and dynamics; (3) oral and written presentation of results; and (4) ability to work in an integrated team environment. Must have a recent PhD in applicable discipline.
Note: This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal annually based upon performance, funding, and operational need.
How To Apply
Apply directly online at http://bit.ly/lbl74047ESA and follow the instructions to complete the application process.
Berkeley Lab is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce.
Postdoctoral Researcher - Land-Surface Biogeochemical Modeler - 74047, Organization: ES-Earth Sciences
The Climate Sciences Department of the Earth Sciences Division has an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in development, testing, and application of below- and aboveground biogeochemical models, with focus on high-latitude systems and atmospheric feedbacks. The work will be part of the DOE-sponsored Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE), whose ultimate goals include the development of a mechanistic high-latitude land model capable of integration with CESM and characterization of potential atmospheric feedbacks under expected climate change.
The position offers an excellent environment for working with a highly skilled interdisciplinary team and will require strong motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills. Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory is a renowned center of scientific expertise in many facets of climate-related fundamental and applied science.
The successful candidate will work on, in CLM, static and dynamic vegetation, soil biogeochemistry, testing the model against extant and new NGEE observations, and applying the model to characterize feedbacks. The work will focus on several groups of important high-latitude processes, including: (1) characterization of high-latitude vegetation; (2) prediction of future vegetation distributions; (3) vegetation-mediated biophysical feedbacks with the atmosphere; (4) interactions between vegetation and soil microbial N demands; and (5) impacts on the surface energy and GHG budgets due to decadal-scale changes in vegetation, biogeochemistry, and hydrology.
The work will require an applicant with a wide range of skills: (1) use of state-of-the-art land-surface models (i.e., CLM); (2) understanding of methods to model vegetation and belowground processes and dynamics; (3) oral and written presentation of results; and (4) ability to work in an integrated team environment. Must have a recent PhD in applicable discipline.
Note: This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal annually based upon performance, funding, and operational need.
How To Apply
Apply directly online at http://bit.ly/lbl74047ESA and follow the instructions to complete the application process.
Berkeley Lab is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce.
Postdoctoral research position in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida
We are seeking to fill a Postdoctoral research position in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida. The fellow will assist in a Department of Energy funded project focused on the fate of permafrost carbon in a warming world. The research is field and lab based, with the primary field location near Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The research foci are (1) net ecosystem carbon exchange and loss of old C from a gradient of sites undergoing permafrost thaw, and similar measurements in (2) a new experimental manipulation of permafrost thaw and water table. Radiocarbon measurements of C pools and fluxes are an important component of this project for determining the age of C losses from ecosystems.
The postdoc will be primarily responsible for running the field component of this project: supervising personnel and making measurements of isotope fluxes, ecosystem C exchange, vegetation aboveground productivity, and associated environmental measurements. The postdoc will be expected to organize, analyze, and maintain large data sets generated from a number of sensors and gas exchange measurement systems, and participate in data analysis and publications. There are also opportunities within the context of this project to develop related research interests on climate change effects in high latitude ecosystems.
Candidates with a background in biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, plant ecology, soil science, forestry, hydrology, or isotopes are encouraged to apply. Experience with Campbell data loggers, SAS or R programming, ecosystem C exchange measurements, or isotopes would be helpful. The postdoc will generally spend the majority of the spring-to-fall (May through September) field season in Alaska running the field project, with winters spent in Florida on lab and data analysis. Experience with working and living in rugged field conditions is required. Salary is commensurate with experience, and full health care benefits are provided for individuals and families. Please provide cover letter and CV to: Dr Ted Schuur: tschuur@ufl.edu.
Ecology, Agronomy and Economic Modeling of Biofuel Production, University of Illinois
The University of Illinois seeks a creative and energetic postdoctoral associate, ideally, with a strong background in ecosystem ecology and plant physiology. Solid mathematical and computational skills will also be necessary to participate in ongoing research that aims to understand how the widespread deployment of biofuel crops will affect the biogeochemistry of carbon, nitrogen and water, and how these attributes and biomass production interact with the economic system to drive land use change. Facility with modeling, theoretical or synthesis approaches is essential. This is a collaborative project between Evan DeLucia, Stephen Long and Madhu Khanna at the University of Illinois and William Parton at Colorado State University. The associate will be located at the University of Illinois. Funding is available for two years beginning August 2010. Questions about this position should be addressed to Evan DeLucia (delucia@illinois.edu) or Steve Long (slong@illinois.edu). Interested parties should send a letter of application, CV and the names of three referees via email to Melinda Laborg (laborg@uiuc.edu). Applications will be reviewed starting 23 January 2012. Posted: 4/7/10.
Washington State University
Nitrogen Systems: Policy-oriented Integrated Research and Education (NSPIRE)
Interdisciplinary research focused on nitrogen cycle processes in the environment integrated with experiential learning of public policy. http://igert.nspire.wsu.edu
Up to 8 PhD research assistantships will be available to join a collaborative team working on understanding environmental aspects of the nitrogen cycle and putting that information into context for policy development. With funding from the National Science Foundation’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (IGERT), the individual fellows will pursue disciplinary research important for the overall theme, and work together to identify and address interdisciplinary issues critical for development of effective public policy related to environmental nitrogen.
Research Topics (regional modeling, measurements and analyses)
• Hydrological N transport and fate,
• Crop N use and soil N cycling,
• N dynamics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,
• Atmospheric N transport and fate,
• Biosphere/atmosphere interactions,
• Subsurface N fate and transport,
• Animal systems and nitrogen dynamics,
• Analysis of climate and land use change impacts.
Benefits of the Program
• Full graduate support including two years of NSPIRE support with $30,000/year stipend
• Integrated graduate curriculum
• Paid policy internship for 3 months with a US or International organization
Applicants are encouraged to apply to one of the following colleges within Washington State University: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering and Architecture, or the College of Sciences.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Successful applicants must be entering or within their first year of a PhD program at Washington State University and join the program in the fall of 2012. Deadline for receipt of applications is January 27, 2012. EEO/AA/ADA
For more information, visit the web page: http://igert.nspire.wsu.edu
Brown University, Environmental Change Initiative, Voss Postdoctoral Research Associate 2012
Brown University’s Environmental Change Initiative seeks candidates for one or more distinguished postdoctoral positions in interdisciplinary environmental science. Established in 2004, Brown University’s Environmental Change Initiative (ECI) catalyzes collaborative research among 13 affiliated academic units and over 40 individual researchers. Particular strengths include coastal and marine ecology, biogeochemistry, Earth systems history, population studies, environmental sociology, remote sensing and spatial analysis, evolutionary genetics, ecosystem-based management, biogeography, and climate change adaptation. Brown University maintains a cooperative research program with the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) at Woods Hole, including the Ecosystems Center and the Josephine Bay Paul Center in Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Requirements for the positions include a Ph.D. in an environmentally-related discipline, the ability to take initiative and work independently, and strong interest in interdisciplinary science. Each successful candidate will develop an independent research project mentored by two faculty members working in different fields at Brown University or the Marine Biological Laboratory. A list of ECI-affiliated researchers is here: http://brown.edu/Research/ECI/people/affiliates.html. Additional faculty may be eligible to mentor projects and should contact Martha Downs (martha_downs@brown.edu) for further information.
Prospective applicants must contact their proposed mentors to discuss their project ideas before applying. Positions will be two-year appointments in the Environmental Change Initiative. Associates receive a salary of $45,000, plus benefits and a discretionary fund of $5,000/year in addition to any research funds that may be directed to the project by mentors.
Required project proposal (1500 words maximum, excluding references): The proposal should describe how the project builds on the applicant’s current work and how it relates to the research interests of the proposed mentors. Proposals will be judged on scientific merit, potential for building cross-disciplinary bridges, and an achievable research plan, given time and budgetary constraints. The project proposal is an essential component of the application package and applications without proposals will not be reviewed.
To apply, please send the following items to bernadette_horta@brown.edu.
• Cover letter
• Current CV
• Project proposal (less than 1500 words)
• Three letters of reference from advisors or colleagues who know the applicant’s work well. Letters should
describe prior research experience and evidence of applicant’s interest, capability, and potential in
interdisciplinary environmental research
• Two letters of support from proposed mentors, describing the mentor’s interest in the applicant and the
proposed project and evaluating the preparation of this applicant to work effectively in an interdisciplinary
environment. Proposed mentors should send letters of support directly to bernadette_horta@brown.edu
For additional information, please contact Marty Downs, Associate Director of ECI (martha_downs@brown.edu). Applications received by January 15, 2012 will receive full consideration. Brown University is an EEO/AA employer.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Research Specialist in Urban Ecosystems
A position at the postdoctoral level is available in the Earth Research Institute and Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to study the patterns and processes of human activities and associated movement of elements in urban ecosystems. The successful candidate will participate on a multi-investigator interdisciplinary project examining the relationship of household decisions to fluxes of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The work will focus on developing statistical relationships between fluxes and biophysical site factors that are part of a large database collected for the Twin Cities metropolitan region, Minnesota. The position is full time and offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience. The initial appointment is for one year on the multiyear project; continuation beyond one year will be based on performance and availability of funding. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in geography, earth system science, environmental sciences, engineering, or a related field with demonstrated experience in statistical analysis and interpretation of observational data, ability to handle large datasets, proficiency with GIS skills, and a record of communicating research results. The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service. Applications will be reviewed starting on December 15, 2011. The position will remain open until filled. Questions about this position may be directed to Professor Jennifer King, email: jyking@geog.ucsb.edu. Information about the project is available: www.tchep.umn.edu. To apply please send a cover letter describing your research interests and experience, curriculum vitae, and names of three references to recruit@eri.ucsb.edu, please include code Urban Ecosystems.
The Department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer.
Aquatic Microbe Ecologist – Visiting Scientist
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology.
The Aquatic Microbe Ecologist will design and document the freshwater microbial components of the NEON Observatory including detailed sampling designs and analytical protocols for freshwater microbial measurements in streams/rivers and lakes; refining measurements; documenting procedures and protocols for field data collection, and analytical laboratory processing; lab contract technical input.
This is a 6-month position. Work can be done remotely.
Apply to: www.neoninc.org
NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
Ph.D. opportunities in terrestrial ecosystem ecology at Indiana University
The Phillips lab invites applications to our Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (EEB) Ph.D. Program. We welcome inquiries from motivated students interested in how regional and global environmental changes influence carbon and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Our lab is a collaborative, highly interactive and dynamic group, with broad interests in ecosystem ecology and soil biogeochemistry. Incoming Ph.D. students are encouraged to develop their own research projects in these areas. For more information on research projects in the lab, visit <http://sites.bio.indiana.edu/
The EEB Program at IU is one of the top-ranked programs nationally
<http://www.bio.indiana.edu/gr Interested applicants should contact Dr. Phillips before December 1, and include “Ph.D. opportunity” in the subject line. In your email, please provide a brief statement of your current and/or future research interests (please be as specific as you can) and a curriculum vitae.
For additional information on applying to join the lab, please visit: <http://sites.bio.indiana.edu/
A full professorship in terrestrial ecosystem ecology is open for applications until December 5 at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala.
A position as Professor of Ecosystem Ecology with a focus on terrestrial systems is available within the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences. The position is at the Department of Ecology in Uppsala where we work with many applications of ecological research to preserve our biological diversity and protect our forests and agricultural crops from damage.
Sustainable use of our natural resources requires an ecosystem approach. The ecosystem approach emphasizes that the management of natural resources should be based on scientific inquiry that focuses on structures, processes, function and interactions between organisms and their environment.
Subject area: The subject area is directed primarily towards terrestrial organisms and their importance for ecosystem structure and function.
The full announcement can be found at http://www.slu.se/en/shortcuts/jobs-and-vacancies/
Ph.D. assistantship focused on the impacts of climate change on boreal forest soil organic matter biogeochemistry
A Ph.D. graduate assistantship is available for a keen and motivated student interested in research and training centered around understanding the impact of climate change on boreal forest soil carbon reservoirs. This assistantship is available as part of an NSERC Strategic Project research team made up of foreign collaborators (Drs. Ronald Benner at the University of South Carolina, Sharon Billings at the University of Kansas, and Martin Moroni at Forestry Tasmania in Australia), provincial and Canadian Forest Service partners (Dr Kate Edwards-Atlantic Forestry Center). The project is focused on exploiting the established Newfoundland and Labrador Boreal Ecosystem Latitudinal Transect (NL- BELT) with six sites located in western Newfoundland and southern Labrador. The project is currently focused on the potential alterations in microbial transformations of soil organic matter (SOM) and losses of relatively slow turnover pools of SOM that may occur with warming along this boreal forest transect. To isolate the potential impact of warming while maintaining an ability to apply the results to intact boreal forests, our group has been conducting investigations of soils along the NL-BELT and combining these with manipulative warming experiments to develop biogeochemical indicators of soil responses to increasing temperature. It is anticipated that this Ph.D. student will focus on the alteration of chemical and isotopic composition of plant and microbial biomarkers in order to assess the microbial mechanisms associated with variation in SOM pools with warming and across this boreal forest latitudinal gradient. Experience with soil microbial ecology, biogeochemistry and/or organic geochemistry particularly at the M.Sc. level will be important. Consideration of students seeking a M.Sc. degree will only be considered in cases where a strong background of experience in microbial ecology and/or organic geochemistry is demonstrated (e.g. successful B.Sc. honors thesis). Applicants should be willing and able to conduct field research at remote study sites for weeks at a time.
This assistantship will be available as early as January 2012 through the Department of Earth Sciences or the Ph.D. program in Environmental Sciences at Memorial University (http://www.mun.ca/). Memorial is the largest university in Atlantic Canada. As the province’s only university, Memorial plays an integral role in the educational life of Newfoundland and Labrador (http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com). Offering a diverse set of undergraduate and graduate programs for almost 18,000 students, Memorial provides a distinctive and stimulating environment for learning in St. John’s (http://www.stjohns.ca/index.jsp), a very safe, friendly city with great historical charm, a vibrant cultural life, and easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities.
Please direct inquires or send applications, including letter of interest and detailed curriculum vitae (including contact information for 3 references), to:
Dr. Susan Ziegler
Canada Research Chair in Environmental Science
Department of Earth Sciences
Memorial University
St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5
Canada
709.864.2669
sziegler@mun.ca
Applications will be considered until November 28, 2011.
Ecosystem Ecologist, Tenure Track Faculty Position, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington (IUB) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in ecosystem ecology with an emphasis on effects of climate change. We seek an outstanding individual at the rank of Assistant Professor who will complement existing strengths in the environmental sciences on the IUB campus. Preference will be given to candidates with experience using ecological models to examine ecosystem processes at various temporal and spatial scales. Modeling may involve the application of geographic information systems, remote sensing and/or numerical and mechanistic models. Collaboration with faculty in other related disciplines on the IUB campus, including the Center for Research in Environmental Sciences (http://www.indiana.edu/~cres1/index.shtml), is encouraged. Research infrastructure is available in a new multidisciplinary science building with state-of-the art laboratories for environmental scientists. The successful applicant is expected to establish an independent, externally funded research program and to teach effectively at undergraduate and graduate levels. Postdoctoral research experience is preferred.
Application reviews will begin November 1, 2011 and continue until the position is filled. Please submit a letter of application, statements of research and teaching interests, current curriculum vita, complete contact information, and names and address of three persons who could provide letters of recommendation electronically to speahree@indiana.edu or a hard copy to:
Global Change Ecology, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The School of Integrative Biology and the School of Earth, Society, and Environment at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, seek an outstanding ecologist who studies biogeochemical cycles at landscape to global scales using observational, experimental, theoretical and/or modeling techniques. Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant field. Post-doctoral experience is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded research program, teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, and collaborate with faculty to develop research initiatives in global change ecology and earth system science.
The University of Illinois is a public university with more than 40,000 students and provides a highly collaborative and supportive academic environment, with opportunities for interactions with the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology; the Center for Water as a Complex Environmental System; the Energy Bioscience Institute; the Institute for Genomic Biology; the National Center for Supercomputer Applications; the Beckman Institute; the Center for Transformative Climate Solutions, and the Illinois State Natural History, Geological, and Water Surveys.
Urbana-Champaign, located 120 miles south of Chicago, is home to a diverse ethnic population, and provides superb public and private schools, a variety of cultural opportunities, quality public transportation, and a rapidly expanding community of high-tech businesses.
The appointment is for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor. The target start date is August 16, 2012. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To ensure full consideration, please create your candidate profile through http://go.illinois.edu/GCEAsstProf and upload your application letter, curriculum vitae, summary of research and plans, teaching philosophy and experience, and contact information for three professional references by October 21, 2011. Referees will be contacted electronically upon the submission of the application. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. For further information contact Global Change Ecology Search Chair, sib@life.illinois.edu. Illinois is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).
Post-Doctoral Researcher in Soil Biogeochemistry, Michigan State University
Position Description: The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate. This person will be a key player on an NSF-funded project investigating the effects of winter climate, snowfall, and snowpack depth on the production, transport and stabilization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in northern forest soils. The successful candidate will conduct field work and laboratory analyses including examination of the distribution and chemical structure of soil C across lake-effect snowfall gradients in the Upper Great Lakes region, as well as measurements of DOC fluxes and DOC chemistry under experimentally-imposed snow removal and augmentation treatments. The candidate will be expected to manage activities on the project in consultation with the PIs, collect samples in the field and analyze them in the lab, work cooperatively with laboratory technicians, supervise undergraduate assistants, manage data and analyze results, and prepare reports and manuscripts for publication. We will also consider applications from Assistant Professors who meet the qualifications below and who can arrange for a leave of absence from their current position.
The position will be based in the lab of Dr. David Rothstein (biogeochemistry) at Michigan State University. The successful candidate will also work collaboratively with the labs of Dr. Randall Schaetzl (soil geomorphology) at MSU and Dr. Stuart Grandy (soil organic matter dynamics and soil ecology) at the University of New Hampshire.
Starting salary is $37,000-$40,000, depending on experience and qualifications. The position includes health benefits. This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term position, with reappointment dependent on satisfactory performance. Funding is available for 2 years.
Qualifications: Ph.D. in Soil Science, Geochemistry, Ecosystem Ecology, or related discipline is expected, including demonstrated skill in related field and laboratory techniques. The successful candidate must be able to work independently, conduct statistical analyses, utilize library resources, and communicate results in the form of professional presentations and publications. Demonstrated ability to write peer-reviewed papers and communicate fluently in English is assumed. Preferred qualifications include experience with installation and sampling of lysimeters for measurement of hydrologic fluxes of nutrients and/or C and experience with laboratory techniques for analyzing the chemical composition of soil C and DOC.
How to Apply: For full consideration, apply by October 31, 2011. Please send cover letter, CV, pdf(s) of relevant publications and names and contact information for three references to David Rothstein (rothste2@msu.edu) Please include “Postdoctoral Research Associate” in the subject line of your email.
Faculty Position in Microbial Ecology, University of Utah
The Department of Biology at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure track position at the level of Assistant Professor in microbial ecology. The search will encompass all areas of microbial biology with relevance to ecology and applicants specializing in genome-based approaches are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will join an exceptionally broad faculty with existing strengths in microbiology, biogeochemistry, diverse areas of ecology, and evolution. Research initiatives at the University include the Global Change and Ecosystem Center and the Center for Cell and Genome Science; state-of-the art facilities are available for stable isotope analysis, genome sequencing, and imaging. Ph.D. or equivalent is required. Review of applications will begin December 15, 2011 and continue until the position is filled.
Application for this position can be made at http://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/9128 The University of Utah is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans preference. Reasonable accommodations provided. For additional information: http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-106.html.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds, and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.
Boston University
Assistant Professor in Microbial Ecology
The Biology Department invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor appointment in microbial ecology (beginning Fall 2012, subject to budgetary approval). We seek a colleague using cutting-edge techniques (e.g., genomics, proteomics) to study microbes and their regulation of ecological interactions, ecosystem function, biogeochemical cycles, and/or global change in terrestrial or aquatic systems. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field and are expected to have postdoctoral experience and a strong publication record. Responsibilities include establishing a research program with extramural funding and participating in both undergraduate and graduate teaching, including an undergraduate course in Microbiology. The successful candidate will be offered newly renovated laboratory facilities, a competitive salary and start-up package, and will have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary graduate programs in Biogeoscience and Bioinformatics/Systems Biology. Review of applications will begin Dec. 1, 2011. Please use AcademicJobsOnline (https://academicjobsonline.
Please visit the following websites for additional information about the Biology Department (http://www.bu.edu/biology/) and interdisciplinary Graduate Programs in Biogeoscience (http://www.bu.edu/bio-geo/
Two Faculty Positions, one in Remote Sensing, one in Ecosystem Modeling are Available in the Department of Geography & Environment @ Boston University
The Department of Geography & Environment at Boston University invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professors specializing in (1) remote sensing and (2) ecosystem modeling. These positions are designed to expand interdisciplinary collaborations in Earth systems science and terrestrial biogeoscience among the Departments of Geography & Environment, Biology, Earth Sciences, and the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University. Candidates with interests that complement the Boston University Program in Terrestrial Biogeosciences (www.bu.edu/bio-geo) are especially encouraged to apply.
Position (1). We seek a scholar with research and teaching interests in emerging areas of remote sensing technology or applications to complement and broaden existing expertise at Boston University. Potential specializations include active and passive microwave, lidar, atmospheric, high spatial resolution, or hyperspectral remote sensing. We are particularly interested in candidates who use remote sensing to address climate and ecosystem science questions related to large scale biogeochemistry, biodiversity, hydrology and water resources, land use and land cover, or biometeorology. Queries regarding this position should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Curtis Woodcock (curtis@bu.edu).
Position (2). We seek a scholar with research and teaching interests in quantitative modeling of ecological, biogeochemical, or biogeophysical processes that span a range of scales.We specifically seek candidates whose research and teaching interests are interdisciplinary and include topics such as landscape ecology, coupled human-natural systems, biogeochemistry and ecosystem functions, global change biology, and the use of remote sensing and GIS as scaling and modeling tools in global change science. Queries regarding this position should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Mark Friedl (friedl@bu.edu).
Candidates should have a commitment to teaching (both graduate and undergraduate) and research, and a desire to work in an interdisciplinary setting. Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of teaching and research interests, and contact information for at least three referees by November 25, 2011. Electronic applications are encouraged and should be sent to ge@bu.edu, with the subject line “Remote Sensing Position” or “Ecosystem Modeller Position,” as appropriate. Hard copies will also be accepted and should be addressed to Department of Geography & Environment, Boston University, 675 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. Boston University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer.
University of California, Merced: Faculty Position in Ecology (open rank)
The University of California, Merced, invites applicants for a faculty position in Ecology. Appointment will be made at either the Associate or Full Professor rank (with tenure), or at the Assistant Professor rank (tenure-track). We seek an outstanding individual with research interests and expertise in any ecological field that complements those of the existing UC Merced faculty. We welcome applicants using experimental, field, computational, and/or theoretical approaches and working at population to global scales.
UC Merced is ideally located for research in the environmental sciences, with close proximity to a diversity of natural and managed environments from the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific Ocean. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, a research unit at UC Merced focusing on interdisciplinary environmental studies, and in partnerships with Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. UC Merced offers access to the UC Natural Reserve System and opportunities for collaboration with other UC campuses and UC-affiliated national laboratories.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in ecology, biology, or other relevant field, and a record of research, publication, and teaching commensurate with a faculty appointment at the University of California at the appropriate level. Applicants at the Full or Associate level must have a well established, funded, and internationally recognized research program as evidenced by publication and grant record, and must have demonstrated effectiveness as an educator. We seek a distinguished scholar who will provide leadership in establishing a program of international repute in ecology and environmental research at UC Merced, and who will participate actively in the development of innovative, interdisciplinary curricula and in the teaching and mentoring of a diverse student population. Applicants at the Assistant level must have a strong publication record and demonstrated potential to develop an independent, innovative research program.
Applicants must be able to teach effectively at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and a list of five references with contact information including mail address, phone number, and e-mail address. For more information and to apply:
Full or Associate Professor applicants: Position code ASNS3500A
http://jobs.ucmerced.edu/n/
Assistant Professor applicants: Position code: ASNS3501A
http://jobs.ucmerced.edu/n/
The application deadline is December 1, 2011. AA/EOE
For more information, contact: Peggy O’Day, Search Committee Chair (poday@ucmerced.edu)
Graduate student assistantships at University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Graduate student assistantships are available in the laboratory of Dr. Jay Jones (http://users.iab.uaf.edu/~jay_jones/) at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Please contact Dr. Jones (jay.jones@alaska.edu) regarding interest in the following projects. The application deadline for the graduate program in the Department of Biology & Wildlife (http://www.bw.uaf.edu/graduates/index.php) is Jan 15.
1. Scale, Consumers and Lotic Ecosystem Rates (SCALER)
A Ph.D. assistantship is available to support research related to the multi-site, collaborative SCALER project. This project focuses on issues of scaling in stream ecology and is part of a larger collaborative effort to be conducted at sites across North America. Students working at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will focus their field work in the boreal forest at the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed (CPCRW; located near Fairbanks), but will be involved in cross-site synthesis. SCALER will address the following overarching question: How can small-scale ecological experiments be applied to understand the behavior of entire ecological systems? The broader SCALER project includes sites in the tropical forest, temperate deciduous forest, prairie, and tundra biomes. Streams in each of these five regions will be examined at scales of centimeters to 1000’s of meters in streams of varying size. Rates of stream metabolism (photosynthesis and respiration) and nutrient uptake will be measured, as well as the way these ecosystem processes respond to animal exclusions (used to mimic loss of animal diversity in streams) in small headwater to mid-order stream reaches. Reach scale studies will be linked to the scale of watersheds and regions by modeling, and verified by broader, but less intensive sampling.
2. Climate-mediated coupling of hydrology and biogeochemistry in arctic hillslopes
We are seeking an M.S. student to develop a thesis related to biogeochemistry of arctic hillslopes. The student will join a team that is investigating coupled hydrology and biogeochemistry of arctic hillslopes, in effort to understand how climate-induced changes in water and nutrient cycles on land are propagated to stream networks. Observed increases in fluxes of water, nitrogen, and phosphorus from river networks to the Arctic Ocean may be caused by release of nutrients from thawing permafrost, changing precipitation patterns, increased rates of biogeochemical reactions, or expanded storage capacity in thawed soils. However, the flowpaths connecting terrestrial ecosystems to stream networks remain poorly understood. We will focus on transport and reaction of water and solutes within water tracks, which are linear regions of surface and subsurface flow that connect hillslopes to streams and account for up to 35% of watershed area in arctic tundra. The research team includes watershed ecologists (Tamara Harms, Jay Jones) at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and hydrologists (Sarah Godsey, Mike Gooseff) at Idaho State University and Pennsylvania State University. Field work for the project will be based at the Toolik Field Station, and will begin 5/12.
3. Watershed, Permafrost and Climate Change Controls on Stream Ecosystems
The third project investigates how streams are linked to their catchments, and focuses on how permafrost influences groundwater inputs of nutrients and organic matter to streams. The boreal forest in interior Alaska is underlain with discontinuous permafrost, which has a major affect on watershed hydrology. Where permafrost is present, groundwater flowpaths through catchments are largely restricted to soils, whereas in the absence of permafrost water can infiltrate into deeper bedrock regions of watersheds. In addition to affecting hydrology, permafrost stores soil organic matter that will potentially be released to streams and the atmosphere with climatic warming and permafrost thaw. In particular, groundwater inputs of nutrients and organic matter may shift with changing climate and the extent of permafrost. An interesting sidelight of this research is the role of forest fires and their influences on permafrost. Fire alters the albedo of soil and, as a consequence, can lead to thawing of permafrost. Fire frequency has been increasing in interior Alaska, which has important implications for permafrost and watershed hydrology. This work is funded through the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Program (http://www.lter.uaf.edu/) and is being conducted in the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watersheds (CPCRW; located near Fairbanks).
Research Specialist (postdoctoral-level position) in desert impacts of solar energy development
A position at the postdoctoral level is available in the Earth Research Institute and the Biogeography Lab (www.biogeog.ucsb.edu) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The successful candidate will participate in a multi-investigator interdisciplinary project to create a planning and decision support framework for assessing cumulative ecological impacts of new solar energy projects throughout the California Deserts. The position is full time and offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience. The initial appointment is for 12 months. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in ecology, geography, earth system science, or environmental sciences, with demonstrated experience in desert ecology, spatial ecological modeling, and proficiency with GIS skills. The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service. Applications will be reviewed starting on April 1, 2011. The position will remain open until filled. Please send a cover letter describing your research interests and experience, curriculum vitae, and names of three references to: recruit@eri.ucsb.edu with a subject line of "Biogeog".
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer.
NSF IGERT Fellowships in Polar Environmental Change at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth is seeking Fall 2012 applicants for our NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program in Polar Environmental Change. Polar systems are at the forefront of global change science research. We are an interdisciplinary Ph.D. graduate program in polar sciences and engineering that merges expertise and facilities from science (earth sciences & ecology and evolutionary biology) and engineering science departments at Dartmouth College with the U.S. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), creating one of the premier centers of scientific expertise in polar research. The investment of Dartmouth's Dickey Center for International Understanding and its Institute of Arctic Studies in forming relationships with Greenlandic institutions and Inuit leaders and organizations provides the opportunity for intensive field training in Greenland where science, policy and indigenous issues of the north can be explored. Collectively these experiences provide rigorous training in polar and related sciences and produce scientists with an advanced knowledge of the role of science in policy and the ethics of conducting research with indigenous people.
Research training is coupled with a coordinated core curriculum that focuses on three components of Arctic or Antarctic systems responding to rapid change in climate: 1) the cryosphere - glacial ice, snow, sea ice systems; 2) terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical linkages between the soil, plant, and animal system; and, 3) human systems - the process of policy making in political and social systems where Western science and traditional knowledge provide information.
Applicants should visit the Dartmouth IGERT website first for information on participating departments, requirements, and application procedures: www.dartmouth.edu/~igert/
For further information, email the IGERT Program Administrator at IGERT@dartmouth.edu or the Principal Investigator at Ross.Virginia@dartmouth.edu. Or call the Institute of Arctic Studies at 603-646-1278.
The Dartmouth IGERT encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. We especially seek to engage with Native American students, as is Dartmouth's tradition, by offering a graduate science program that is relevant to their individual needs and those of their communities.