C-DEBI Newsletter – May 1, 2017

Publications & Press

Atlas Obscura: Why Scientists Drag Dead Whales to the Bottom of the Sea – NEW!
A fallen whale can fuel new life on the ocean floor. Featuring C-DEBI Senior Scientist Victoria Orphan.

USC: The World Below the Blue – NEW!
Have you ever imagined what is living beneath the ocean floor? The deep biosphere is one of the largest — and least understood — ecosystems on the planet. Researchers at the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations have set their sights on understanding its depths. Featuring C-DEBI researchers Laura Zinke, Jan Amend, Julie Huber, Doug LaRowe and Steve D’Hondt.

Frontiers Research Topic on Environmental Bioenergetics: Call for Manuscripts
Abstract submission deadline: June 30, 2017.

Proposal Calls

NSF: Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Program Solicitation – NEW!
Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) is a comprehensive national initiative designed to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations focused on NSF’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in these fields. NSF INCLUDES supports efforts to create networked relationships among organizations whose goals include developing talent from all sectors of society to build the STEM workforce. This initiative seeks to improve collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the preparation, increasing the participation, and ensuring the contributions of individuals from groups that have traditionally been underrepresented and underserved in the STEM enterprise: women, persons with disabilities, African Americans/Blacks, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders, and persons from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Significant advancement in the inclusion of these groups will result in a new generation of STEM talent and leadership to secure our nation’s future and long-term economic competitiveness. Full proposal deadline: May 16, 2017.

DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program
Applications are due May 16, 2017.

NSF: Antarctic Research Program Solicitation – NEW!
The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) supports scientific research in Antarctica and provides operational research support. The NSF Office of Polar Programs Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) supports research to: 1) expand fundamental knowledge of the Antarctic region, 2) improve understanding of interactions between the Antarctic region and global earth systems, and 3) utilize the unique characteristics of the Antarctic continent as an observing platform. Antarctic fieldwork is supported for research that can only be performed or is best performed in Antarctica. ANT encourages research using existing samples, data, and models that do not require fieldwork. ANT encourages research that crosses and combines disciplinary perspectives and approaches. Full proposal deadline: May 23, 2017.

NAS: Building Capacity for Science Communication Partnership Awards
To apply for these awards, researchers and practitioners who have agreed to work in partnership should submit a proposal by June 1, 2017.

Simons Foundation: 2017 Postdoctoral Fellowships in Marine Microbial Ecology
Application deadline: June 15, 2017.

WGBH: Rita Allen Fellowship for Science Communication
Applications due June 30, 2017.

NSF: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program Solicitation – NEW!
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department or may offer interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. (2) REU Supplements may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or cooperative agreements or may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects. Full proposal deadline: August 23, 2017.

NSF: Using JOIDES Resolution to Collect Cores with Advanced Piston Coring (APC) System

DCO: Deep Life Cultivation Internship Program

NSF: Arctic Sciences Program Solicitation
Proposals accepted anytime.

NSF: Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) Program Solicitation
Preparing for TCUP Implementation proposals accepted anytime.

IODP-USSSP: Proposals for Pre-Drilling Activities and Workshops
The U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP) accepts proposals on a rolling basis for pre-drilling activities and semi-annually for workshops, related to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).

C-DEBI: Rolling call for Research Exchange proposals

Education & Outreach

EBICS / BEACON / C-DEBI: Business for Scientists Workshop, May 22-26, University of Idaho – NEW!
Designed to help junior faculty, postdocs, and scientific staff, this weeklong course will teach participants how to run their research program like a successful business. Topics include: The Parallels Between Research Labs and Small Businesses, The Elements of a Compelling Research Pitch, Economic Impact Analysis in Your Grant Proposals, Managing Your Research Team, Conflict Resolution, Strategic Planning and Elements of Decision Making, Foundations as Sources of Extramural Funding, Proposal Preparation and Grant Management, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer. A limited number of travel scholarships are available to graduate students, postdocs, or junior faculty from the NSF Science and Technology Centers EBICS, BEACON and C-DEBI. The workshop is free to attend, but space is limited! RSVP to ibest@uidaho.edu before May 5, 2017.

MARUM: ECORD Summer School: Current-Controlled Sea Floor Archives: Coral Mounds and Contourites, August 28 – September 1, 2017
The application deadline is May 5, 2017.

NSF: 2017 STC Professional Development Workshop – NEW!
On behalf of the entire NSF STC network of Centers, we invite PhD students and postdocs to apply to this NSF sponsored professional development workshop – PrePARE (Paths Afforded by the Research Enterprise). The all expenses paid workshop will run from August 6 to August 11, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN. In its third year, the workshop is designed to help participants succeed in both academic and industry careers by providing them with a wide range of important professional skills and knowledge. The workshop has been developed with input from STC students, post docs and staff, along with guidance from a range of academic, industry, and career services professionals from the STC network and beyond. Nominees should be Ph.D. students at any level. Post Docs that will be entering the job market and have an interest in this professional development opportunity will also be considered. Participants should be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. International students will be considered if they show high promise for joining the U.S. workforce. NSF particularly encourages the nomination of U.S. citizens and applicants from underrepresented groups. Applications are due by June 9, 2017.

Meetings & Activities

ISSM 2017: Call for Abstracts
Abstract submissions due May 8, 2017.

Indian Ocean community workshop, September 11-13, 2017, La Jolla, CA

C-DEBI: Rolling call for Community Workshop support

Employment

Second Genome: Bioinformatic Scientist, Research Solutions – NEW!
For researchers seeking an expert-guided, collaborative microbiome research partner, Second Genome Solutions offers high-quality, end-to-end research services which goes well beyond sequencing data to deliver clear insights into the microbiome. With focus and expertise unmatched by other service providers and most academic centers, Second Genome Solutions’ Microbiome Profiling Services enables breakthrough discoveries in microbiome science for all life scientists. As a member of our Research Solutions group, the bioinformatics analyst will be responsible for working with academic and industrial researchers to deliver highly insightful microbial community analyses across a host of different life science applications. The candidate should be broadly conversant with bioinformatics techniques for ‘omic data analysis and be interested in applying these techniques to microbiome studies. Proficiency in R is a must; other software development experience is a plus but not required. Candidate will be responsible for spearheading collaborative analyses of 16S data will engage directly with external researchers to understand their goals and design an analysis plan to support study objectives.

University of Southern Mississippi: PhD and MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Marine Microbial Ecology

University of Southern Mississippi: Postdoctoral Research Position in Marine Microbial Ecology

University of Munich: Postdoctoral scholar, microbial transcriptional activity in subseafloor sediment