The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships to recent recipients of doctoral degrees to conduct an integrated program of independent research and professional development. Fellowship proposals must address scientific questions within the scope of EAR disciplinary programs and must align with the overall theme for the postdoctoral program. The program supports researchers for a period of up to two years with fellowships that can be taken to the institution of their choice (including institutions abroad). The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential, and provide them with research experience, mentorship, and training that will establish them in leadership positions in the Earth Sciences community. Because the fellowships are offered only to postdoctoral scientists early in their career, doctoral advisors are encouraged to discuss the availability of EAR postdoctoral fellowships with their graduate students early in their doctoral programs. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows. Full proposal deadline: September 19, 2018.
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from early-career faculty at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. Proposal Deadlines: July 18-20, 2018.
The International Society for Extremophiles and the Italian Society of Astrobiology are pleased to announce the 12th International Congress on Extremophiles (Extremophiles2018) that will be held from September 16-20, 2018 in Ischia (Naples, Italy). In the tradition of these meetings, Extremophiles2018, in the volcanic island of Ischia, aims to showcase state-of-the-art research on basic and applied aspects of life in extreme environments and to stimulate high quality research, inspiring those already working in the field and young scientists approaching extremophiles. The Conference will include sessions on many aspects of research related to extremophiles, including origin of life, ecology, astrobiology, molecular biology, physiology, and biotechnology. As part of a NASA supported TWSC grant, there are a number of travel grants available to US-based scientists for attending the conference. Interested Graduate Students, Postdocs and Early Career Faculty (within 5 years from their appointment) with interest in Extremophiles and Astrobiology are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply for the travel grant is June 20, 2018.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at University of California San Diego invites applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor – a UC faculty position formally titled “Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment,” (LPSOE). The teaching faculty (LPSOE) series has equivalent rights and responsibilities as the traditional UC tenure-track Professor series, but with a stronger emphasis on teaching and scholarly activity related to education. The successful candidate will be an outstanding educator with demonstrated commitment to effective and innovative undergraduate teaching who can provide guidance and leadership for the marine biology undergraduate program and contribute to University and public service. Primary responsibilities will be to teach core undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses, including SIO 187 ‘Statistical Methods in Marine Biology’ and SIO 136 ‘Marine Biology Laboratory’ (co-teaching the latter). Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Marine Biology or a relevant field. Areas of research and teaching expertise that will be favorably looked upon to enhance the teaching program include but are not limited to: biometry, biodiversity, data analytics, fisheries, evolution and genetics of marine organisms, fieldwork methods, marine biochemistry and physiology, marine ecology, and marine mammal biology. Please apply by June 30, 2018.
There will be a 1-day symposium held at Caltech on June 28 sponsored by the International Geobiology Course. The topic of the symposium is “Signs of Life from the Fringe”, and explores recent efforts to find and/or understand life in extreme environments, the deep subsurface, in deep time, and on Mars. The program includes:
The symposium will be held in the Sharp Lecture Hall on Thursday, June 28 starting at 9am. It is open to the scientific public and free of charge. You are cordially invited to attend, either in part or for the entire symposium depending on interest. A continental breakfast and buffet lunch will also be served to symposium participants. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP so that we can plan appropriately for food and drink. If you want to just stop by to hear a speaker or two, please feel free and there is no need to respond.
For over 20 years, the Ocean Discovery Lecture Series (formerly the Distinguished Lecturer Series) has brought the remarkable scientific results and discoveries of the International Ocean Discovery Program and its predecessor programs to academic research institutions, museums, and aquaria. Since 1991, over 1,000 presentations to diverse audiences have been made through the Lecture Series. Participation of researchers in the USSSP-IODP Ocean Discovery Lecture Series is essential to the program’s goal of bringing scientific results and discoveries to the geoscience community. If you would like to nominate yourself or a colleague to be an Ocean Discovery Lecturer for the 2019-2020 academic year, please contact Nicole Kurtz (nkurtz@ldeo.columbia.edu). Nomination period will close on July 13, 2018.
For 2018, the U.S. Science Support Program, in association with IODP, is seeking two senior scientists (one U.S.-based and one non-U.S.-based) to serve on the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board (JRFB). New members will serve three-year terms, beginning in October 2018. Scientists interested in volunteering for any of these opportunities should apply by July 20, 2018.
The workshop on Scientific Exploration of the Arctic and North Pacific (SEA-NorP) will focus on the development of new proposals and reinvigoration of existing proposals for scientific ocean drilling in the Northern Pacific, Bering Sea and Western Arctic Ocean region. JOIDES Resolution is scheduled to operate in the Northern Pacific in 2023, so to ensure that the ship is used to best advantage in this region, now is the time to develop drilling proposals that could be linked through regional drilling strategies. The workshop will include discussion of hypotheses that can be tested by scientific drilling in the region, the technology necessary to achieve those goals, ideal sites for drilling based on existing data, and where additional site survey data is needed. Our goal is that multiple proposals will be initiated at the workshop, both for full cruise legs and for shorter, targeted expeditions around the following themes: ocean gateways, geohazards, volatile cycling, ice histories at transition zones, biosphere and climate. A limited number of travel grants will be available. Experience in paleoclimate, paleoceanography, sedimentology, geobiology, geophysics, geochemistry, seismology, volcanology, structure and tectonics is sought. We encourage graduate students, early career scientists and those new to IODP to apply, as well as program officers, government representatives, and private sector scientists. The workshop is open to U.S. and international participants, and the deadline for U.S.-affiliated scientists to apply is June 25, 2018.
Brandi Kiel Reese (Assistant Professor, TAMU-CC) leads the next C-DEBI Professional Development Webinar on “What I wish I knew before I knew it: Surviving the early years of tenure-track faculty.” The access URL for the webinar is http://usccollege.adobeconnect.com/cdebiremote/. Missed the most recent C-DEBI Professional Development Webinar on “Sharing Data: The Joys of Open Science” with Ben Tully (C-DEBI Bioinformatic Specialist)? Watch it on YouTube.
The goal of the Deep Life in Buried Salt Deposits course is to provide training for Ph.D. students and early career researchers in the microbiology and geochemistry needed to investigate life in buried salt deposits. The course includes lectures, laboratory practicals and an underground experience at the Boulby International Subsurface Astrobiology Laboratory! The organizing committee and lecturers include Giovanni Aloisi (IPGP, France), Terry McGenity (University of Essex, UK), Tina Treude (University of California, Los Angeles, USA), Charles Cockell (University of Edinburgh, UK), Sean Paling (University of Sheffield, UK), Josefa Anton Botella (University of Alicante, Spain) and Petra Rettberg (German Aerospace Center, DLR). MEDSALT will support the participation of up to 20 trainees with a fixed grant to cover travel and subsistence costs. Applications due June 15, 2018.
Since 2011, the Deep Carbon Observatory’s (DCO; http://deepcarbon.net/) Deep Life Community has sponsored the Census of Deep Life (CoDL) that has supported surveys of the diversity of microbes present in several deep continental and subseafloor environments. The first surveys (2011-2012) were conducted using 454 pyrosequencing and subsequently (2013) Illumina sequencing strategies were adopted. Through this initiative, the Deep Life Community has allowed the characterization of diversity of subsurface microbial communities at numerous sites worldwide including the subseafloor and deep continental locations from a range of geologic settings (e.g., large igneous provinces, subglacial lakes, methane hydrate-rich sediments, cratons). The Illumina platform provides increased numbers of reads for more samples at reduced cost. For DNA samples submitted to the CoDL for sequencing, proponents have the option of obtaining 400-450 nt sequences that span the V4V5 region of Bacterial and Archaeal rRNA coding regions or a greater number of reads for V6 regions that through complete overlap of forward and reverse reads allows detection of lower abundance taxa with reduced stochastic error rates. Shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing for key samples can also be performed. This call for proposals aims to support sequencing that represents expanded analyses from ongoing Deep Life Community projects or projects that represent sites and investigators new to the DCO’s Deep Life Community. The proposal deadline is July 15, 2018.
Title: Genomic Memories of the Past: Using Microbial Genomics to Examine the Co-Evolution of Earth and Life. Abstract: Since the origin of life over 4 billion years ago, life has fundamentally altered the habitability of Earth, and the environment has molded the evolutionary trajectory of life itself. Microbial genomes retain a “memory” of this evolution. I will present two examples of how we can use genomics to study the co-evolution of Earth and life in the recent and distant past. To examine evolutionary trends in the more recent past, we have used metagenomics to investigate environmental drivers in the evolution of microbes in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, which are thought to have been important habitats for life’s early evolution. We have shown that microbial populations in a deep, basalt-hosted system appear to be under stronger purifying selection than populations inhabiting a cooler serpentinizing system less than 20 km away, suggesting that environmental context has an important impact on evolutionary trends. However, we can also examine evolutionary trends in Earth’s distant past through comparative genomics. By reconciling phylogenetic trees for microbial species with trees of metabolic genes, we can determine approximately when crucial metabolic genes began to spread across the tree of life through horizontal gene transfer. Using these methods, we conducted an analysis of the relative timing of the spread of nitrogen-metabolizing genes, and have found that genes related to denitrification began to spread across the tree of life after the Great Oxidation Event. In contrast, genes related to nitrogen fixation appear to have spread much earlier, consistent with geochemical evidence. As the sequencing revolution supplies ever more data about the tree of life, studies that couple genomics approaches with environmental context have the potential to reveal important insights into the co-evolution of life and Earth over time.
The workshop on Scientific Exploration of the Arctic and North Pacific (SEA-NorP) will focus on the development of new proposals and reinvigoration of existing proposals for scientific ocean drilling in the Northern Pacific, Bering Sea and Western Arctic Ocean region. JOIDES Resolution is scheduled to operate in the Northern Pacific in 2023, so to ensure that the ship is used to best advantage in this region, now is the time to develop drilling proposals that could be linked through regional drilling strategies. The workshop will include discussion of hypotheses that can be tested by scientific drilling in the region, the technology necessary to achieve those goals, ideal sites for drilling based on existing data, and where additional site survey data is needed. Our goal is that multiple proposals will be initiated at the workshop, both for full cruise legs and for shorter, targeted expeditions around the following themes: ocean gateways, geohazards, volatile cycling, ice histories at transition zones, biosphere and climate. Experience in paleoclimate, paleoceanography, sedimentology, geobiology, geophysics, geochemistry, seismology, volcanology, structure and tectonics is sought. We encourage graduate students, early career scientists and those new to IODP to apply, as well as program officers, government representatives, and private sector scientists. A limited number of travel grants will be available. The workshop is open to U.S. and international participants, and the deadline for U.S.-affilitated scientists to apply is June 17, 2018.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) at Texas A&M University invites applications for anAssistant Research Scientist (Expedition Project Manager/Staff Scientist) in our Science Operations section. Applications in any field of geoscience pertinent to IODP will be considered although preference will be given to those with expertise that fits well with our current group. A Ph.D. in geosciences or related field, and demonstrated on-going research experience is required. Applicants must have a demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English. Experience as a seagoing scientist, especially in scientific ocean drilling, is preferred. This position will serve as the Expedition Project Manager to coordinate all aspects of precruise expedition planning, sea-going implementation, and postcruise activities. These duties include sailing as the IODP scientific representative on a two-month IODP expedition approximately once every 1 to 2 years. Individual scientific research, as well as collaboration with colleagues at Texas A&M University in fulfilling its educational mission, is required. This position will also provide scientific advice on laboratory developments in their area of specialization including scientific implementation of downhole logging on theJOIDES Resolution. Applicants must be able to cooperate and work harmoniously with others, have the ability to be an effective team leader, and foster collaboration among diverse scientific participants. Passing a new employee medical exam and annual seagoing medical exams are a requirement of the position. We will begin reviewing applications on June 30, 2018, but will continue to accept applications until candidates are selected for interviews.
Through this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) announces its intention to support initial exploratory activities toward the creation of social and technical infrastructure solutions that further NSF’s commitment to public access. These solutions are a means to accelerate the dissemination and use of fundamental research results in the form of data that will advance the frontiers of knowledge and help sustain the Nation’s prosperity well into the future. Specifically, this DCL encourages two types of funding requests: (1) proposals for Conferences (i.e., community workshops and other events) that are designed to bring together stakeholders to explore opportunities to converge on innovative solutions to advancing public access; and (2) proposals for Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) for high-risk/high-reward innovative concepts and pilot projects that yield new fundamental research discoveries from existing NSF-funded data or that ultimately result in deployment of ambitious, sustainable socio-technical infrastructure resources and capabilities that enhance and accelerate new discoveries from existing NSF-funded data. The deadline for submission of Conference and EAGER proposals proposal submission date is May 23, 2018.
UNOLS is seeking applications from early career scientists at U.S. universities who are interested in participating in an oceanographic research cruise that will continue an investigation of a chain of seamounts west of the East Pacific Rise at 8° 20’ N followed by a detailed survey the East Pacific Rise ~ 9° 50’ N that last erupted in 2005-2006. The NSF-funded cruise will take place aboard RV Atlantis Dec. 3-21, 2018, departing Manzanillo, MX and returning to San Diego, CA. The primary ECS objective will involve hands-on instruction on conducting deep-submergence vehicle-based field research. New faculty and post-docs are welcome to apply. It may be possible to accommodate graduate students; however, this will depend on the applicant pool and disciplinary breadth. A maximum of 10 applicants will be selected to participate on the cruise and others may be selected for shore-based collaboration as there will be daily ship/shore and reverse communications capabilities via increased satellite bandwidth on the ship for the cruise duration. Applicants should submit their application materials by May 15, 2018.
Detailed insight into the microbiome of a system can shape our understanding of it, but the learning curve for incorporating computationally intensive tools can be very high! Join instructor Dr. Benjamin Tully, C-DEBI Bioinformatic Specialist, for an upcoming bioinformatics workshop at the University of Southern California, June 21-22, 2018. All expenses are covered courtesy of the NSF STCs C-DEBI, EBICS, and BEACON. Topics include: Unix command line; Illumina sequence quality control; Metagenomic experimental design; Sequence Assembly; Metageomic binning; Functional Annotation; and Phylogenetic analysis. Note: participation requires a laptop with 40 GB of hard drive space. To apply: email tully.bj@gmail.com by May 28, 2018 – be sure to include your home institution, your home STC, and what you hope to get out of the workshop. All levels are welcome. There is a 15 participant maximum, so apply soon!
Missed the most recent C-DEBI Professional Development Webinar on “Sharing Data: The Joys of Open Science” with Ben Tully (C-DEBI Bioinformatic Specialist)? Watch it on YouTube.
The Simons Foundation invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships to support research on fundamental problems in marine microbial ecology. The foundation is particularly interested in applicants with training in different fields who want to apply their experience to understanding the role of microorganisms in shaping ocean processes, and vice versa, as well as applicants with experience in modeling or theory development. While these cross-disciplinary applicants will receive particular attention, applicants already involved in ocean research are also encouraged to apply. The foundation anticipates awarding five fellowships in 2018. Applicants should have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree within three years of the fellowship’s start date. Preference will be for applicants with no more than one year of postdoctoral experience. Applicants may be citizens of any country. Awards can only be issued to nonprofit research universities or research institutions in the U.S. Application deadline: June 15, 2018.
Deep DNA sequencing using massively-parallel, next-generation technology has enabled nearly comprehensive environmental surveys that can describe the different kinds of microbes in a community and their relative abundance. These descriptions of richness and evenness make possible estimates of microbial diversity, but the size of the required data sets pose enormous computational challenges. The rapidly expanding flow of information from next generation DNA sequencing platforms has fueled healthy debate about best practices for data analysis while at the same time building a user demand for tools that can address important ecological questions. The STAMPS course will promote dialogue and the exchange of ideas between experts in analysis of metagenomic data and offer interdisciplinary bioinformatic and statistical training to practitioners of molecular microbial ecology and genomics. Application Deadline: April 20, 2018.
Our School of Rock program is a professional development opportunity for formal and informal educators on board or involving the JOIDES Resolution. Teachers will work with scientists and technicians to learn about many aspects of earth science, geology, paleo-oceanography and more done aboard this amazing ship, what we learn from scientific drilling, and how to do the kinds of scientific analyses and lab exercises program-scientists do. This new-found knowledge will help teachers in creating or modifying existing resources for their students in many areas of the science curriculum. This year’s School of Rock is being jointly organized by the United States Science Support Program (USSSP) and the Australia and New Zealand International Ocean Discovery Program Consortium (ANZIC). It will focus on Pacific Rim geology and the science research of the JOIDES Resolution. In our continuing goal to broaden participation in the geosciences, we are especially interested in applicants from diverse backgrounds and/or who serve diverse communities. Apply by April 20, 2018.
This summer school will combine lab exercises on IODP-style shipboard methodologies (“virtual ship”) as well as interactive lectures by world-leading scientists in the field of mid-ocean ridge research. Participation will prepare you for future involvement in IODP and for research work on mid-ocean ridge processes. The summer school will take advantage of the unique and integrated facilities offered by the IODP Bremen Core Repository and MARUM laboratories. To apply, please visit the course web page given below. A total of 30 participants can be accepted. The course fee is €150. Travel, accommodation and meals must be covered by the participants. The application deadline is May 25, 2018.
To further scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the United States, an Implementing Arrangement was signed on July 13,2012 to enable U.S. scientists and engineers with NSF-funded CAREER awards and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to pursue research collaboration with European colleagues supported through EU-funded European Research Council (ERC) grants. Under the Arrangement, the ERC Executive Agency (ERCEA) identifies ERC-funded research groups who wish to host NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellows for research visits of up to one year within their ERC funding. This is the final year of the program. ERCEA has provided a list of ERC-funded principal investigators and research teams interested in hosting NSF Postdoctoral Fellows. NSF Fellows should request this list via email from nsf-erc@nsf.gov, and then communicate directly with ERC PIs to as certain areas of mutual interest and research goals for a visit. Fellows may then submit their requests directly to their NSF Program Officers. If approved by NSF, the request is forwarded to ERCEA for review and for making arrangements with the ERC-funded project. The European hosts will provide funding to support in-country living expenses during the visits. NSF will provide travel funds to and from Europe. The application deadline is April 20, 2018.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is currently accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 385 (Guaymas Basin Tectonics & Biosphere) aboard the JOIDES Resolution. To learn more about the scientific objectives of the expedition, life at sea, and how to apply to sail, please register and join us for a web-based seminar on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 12:00 PM EDT.
Registration for Spring 2018 Grants conference will open on Thursday, March 15, 2018. We anticipate that this conference will reach capacity very quickly and encourage registration as soon as it opens. For additional details and to sign up to receive registration reminders, visit the Grants Conference website.
This solicitation offers opportunities for NSF INCLUDES Alliances. The critical functions of each NSF INCLUDES Alliance are to: 1) Develop a vision and strategy (e.g., problem statement and theory of change) for broadening participation in STEM along with relevant metrics of success and key milestones/goals to be achieved during the project’s lifecycle; 2) Contribute to the knowledge base on broadening participation in STEM through broadening participation and implementation research, sharing project evaluations, data, new scientific findings/discoveries, and promising practices; 3) Develop multi-stakeholder partnerships and build infrastructure among them to decrease social distance and achieve progress on common goals targeted by the Alliance; 4) Establish a “backbone” or support organization that provides a framework for communication and networking, network assistance and reinforcement, visibility and expansion of the Alliance and its partners, that will collaborate with the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub; 5) Advance a logic model or other heuristic that identifies Alliance outcomes that reflect implementation of change at scale and progress toward developing an inclusive STEM enterprise. Full Proposal Deadline Date: April 4, 2018.
The goal of the IUSE:EHR Program is to catalyze colleges and universities and their faculties to provide highly effective, evidence-based teaching and learning experiences for their undergraduate students taking STEM courses. It supports the development and use of practices that are rooted in a solid research base. In pursuit of this goal, IUSE: EHR supports a broad range of projects on two tracks. The Engaged Student Learning track supports the development, use, and testing of instructional practices and curricular innovation that engage and improve student learning and retention in STEM. The Institutional and Community Transformation track supports efforts to increase the propagation of highly effective, evidence-based teaching and learning by promoting this activity broadly at the discipline, academic department, and institutional levels. IUSE: EHR, managed by the Education and Human Resources Directorate, is one component of NSF’s larger cross-directorate investment in improving undergraduate STEM education. Beginning in FY 2018, there will be no single date deadlines for Exploration and Design proposals, which may be submitted at any time from October 1, 2017 onward. Please note however that proposals received after May 1, 2018 will be held over to the subsequent financial year for possible award (for example awards will be made in FY 19 for proposals received after May 1, 2018).
The Symposium is the main event for the Deep-Sea Biology Society, and takes place every three years. It brings together leaders from the fields of research, exploration, marine operations, conservation, and management for the deep ocean environment, including benthic, vents and seeps, and water-column biology and oceanography. Returning to the United States for the first time since 2003, the 15th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium will be held September 9-14, 2018 in Monterey, California. This 5-day conference will feature plenary speakers and two daily concurrent sessions. There will be an opening reception, a poster session on Tuesday night, and a concluding symposium dinner on Friday night at the world renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. Abstract submissions due March 30, 2018.
The NE Geobiology Symposium will be hosted on April 7, 2018 at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA. We look forward to welcoming you to Woods Hole this spring for this meeting! Registration and abstract submission for the NE Geobiology Symposium closes in one week on March 9, 2018. We encourage all participants to submit an abstract, as this meeting is a great opportunity for students to present their work. However, abstract submission is not a requirement for attendance – please fill out the registration form with the abstract section blank if you plan to attend anyway.
Missed the last webinar on “Surviving (and Maybe Even Thriving!) in a Soft Money Position” with Julie Huber (C-DEBI Associate Director, Associate Scientist, WHOI)? Watch it on YouTube.
The meeting will cover deep carbon science in the context of time. We will spotlight the evolution of deep carbon in Earth’s biological and nonbiological reservoirs over 4.6 billion years. Oral sessions and discussions will focus on how carbon is incorporated into a growing planet, what fraction is sequestered in the interior and what fraction returned to space, and how early planetary processes mediate these transfers. After focusing on planetary assembly, we will turn to the evolution of carbon reservoirs in the first 800 million years of Earth history (the Hadean). We will then explore early deep life, the population of terrestrial niches, the challenges that were overcome, and the feedbacks and interactions between the geosphere and the biosphere. The final phase of the conference will address the carbon cycle and how it has evolved through time. A goal of the conference is to engage a diverse and interdisciplinary group of Earth scientists, planetary scientists, and geobiologists. Applications for this meeting must be submitted by May 20, 2018. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline.
This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) invites proposals in FY 2018 that will advance Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) research through convergent approaches to emerging scientific, engineering, societal, and education challenges, and builds upon the NNA awards resulting from the FY 2017 DCL on Growing Convergence Research at NSF. A systems-based approach is strongly encouraged, including research that both contributes to, and leverages, large data sets from enhanced observational technology and networks. Knowledge co-production with local and indigenous communities, advancing public participation in research, and international partnerships are also strongly encouraged as possible means to achieve NNA objectives. This is not a special competition or a new program; proposals in response to this DCL must meet the requirements and deadlines of the program to which they are submitted. Organizations submitting proposals to programs and funding vehicles without deadlines are encouraged to submit proposals by May 1, 2018, to be considered for FY 2018 funding.
For over 20 years, the Ocean Discovery Lecturer Series has brought the remarkable scientific results and discoveries of the International Ocean Discovery Program and its predecessor programs to academic research institutions, museums, and aquaria. For the 2018-19 academic year, an exciting lineup of distinguished lecturers is available to speak at your institution, and the nomination period is now open. The topics of their lectures range widely, and include monsoon history, ice sheet dynamics, sediment diagenesis, and more. USSSP will provide support for the lecturer’s travel to your institution, while hosting venues are responsible for housing, meals, and local transportation. The application period will close on May 18, 2018.
This year, the Fall Meeting Program Committee invites you to submit session proposals that elevate our understanding of the ways that our science is evolving. Scientific advances that contribute to the health and welfare of people worldwide, that spur innovation within and beyond our fields of study, and that inform decisions critical to the sustainability of the Earth are of particular interest. In brief, sessions that support this year’s theme: What Science Stands For. The deadline for submissions is April 18, 2018.
It’s not too late! If you know of any students still looking for STEM summer research programs for this summer, now’s the time to apply. Deadlines are fast approaching, but we still have 100+ programs in our database that have deadlines coming up in the next 45 days. All programs in our database are funded programs — most provide a stipend of around $3,000 – $5,000 plus travel and housing. Students can use our advanced search page to find programs with upcoming deadlines: http://pathwaystoscience.org/programs.aspx?adv=adv. And this quick video tutorial on using our search engine may be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxKsAGk8dAw&t=16s. Any students who need help finding a program should feel free to email the Institute for Broadening Participation’s Senior Advisor, Liv Detrick (ldetrick@ibparticipation.org).
Petrophysics is the study of the physical (and chemical) properties of rocks and their interactions with fluids, and integrates downhole in situ data from logs with core and seismic data. This has significant applications in the hydrocarbon industry in terms of both exploration for, and production of, oil and gas. It is also an important component of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in helping to answer the many and varied questions posed by ocean research drilling expeditions around the world. This third Petrophysics Summer School will provide a unique workshop that will bring together experts from both academia and industry to give training in the theory and practice of petrophysics and, notably its applications across both IODP and industry. There are few opportunities for training, especially for non-industry researchers, and with recent reports indicating significant skills shortages in the hydrocarbon sector, the workshop could attract a variety of participants including those who might not normally engage with the IODP community. In addition, the summer school will strengthen links between IODP and industry, increase the visibility of IODP, provide essential training to the next generation of petrophysicists and, importantly, enable future expedition participants to best utilize these data in their investigations of the ocean floor. U.S.-affiliated students and researchers may apply for partial travel support through the U.S. Science Support Program. A limited number of travel grants are available. To apply for U.S. travel support, complete an online application by March 23, 2018.
The Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize (The Taira Prize) is given annually to one honoree in recognition of “outstanding transdisciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling.” Established in 2014, the Taira Prize is a partnership between the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU), and is made possible through the generous donation from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International (IODP-MI). The prize is given in honor of Dr. Asahiko Taira of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. The nominee must be an active early career/early mid-career scientist who is within 15 years of receiving their Ph.D. of any discipline, and must be making an impact in the field of ocean drilling. Deadline to nominate: March 15, 2018.
Despite centuries of discovery, most of our planet’s biodiversity remains unknown. The scale of the unknown diversity on Earth is especially troubling given the rapid and permanent loss of biodiversity across the globe. The goal of the Dimensions of Biodiversity campaign is to transform, by 2020, how we describe and understand the scope and role of life on Earth. This campaign promotes novel integrative approaches to fill the most substantial gaps in our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. It takes a broad view of biodiversity, and focuses on the intersection of genetic, phylogenetic, and functional dimensions of biodiversity. Successful proposals must integrate these three dimensions to understand interactions and feedbacks among them. While this focus complements several core programs in BIO, it differs by requiring that multiple dimensions of biodiversity be addressed simultaneously, in novel ways, to understand their synergistic roles in critical ecological and evolutionary processes, especially pertaining to the mechanisms driving the origin, maintenance, and functional roles of biodiversity.
the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program ICDP invites Principal Investigators, project managers and leading scientists of upcoming continental scientific drilling projects to apply for the ICDP Training Course on Planning, Management and Execution of Continental Scientific Drilling Projects to be held from May 15-17, 2018, at the GeoZentrum KTB (Germany). This training course will touch upon relevant aspects for managing a scientific drilling project, including: Proposal Writing & Multi-Source Fundraising; Drilling Workflow & Terminologies; Health, Safety and Environment; On-Site Management; Sample Handling and Curation; Dowhhole Logging Planning and Execution; Data Management; Outreach. Preference will be given to applicants involved in ICDP drilling projects, applicants from ICDP member countries, developing countries, and those from countries considering ICDP membership. For the successful candidates, costs including those for travel, visas, and accommodation will be covered by the ICDP. The application deadline is March 15, 2018.
On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Consortium for Ocean Leadership’s annual Public Policy Forum will be at the Reserve Officers Association on Capitol Hill. This year’s theme is Power of Partnerships: Advancing Ocean Science and Tech and will feature leadership roundtables and case studies with experts from across the federal government and around the country, as well as remarks by several Members of Congress. Power of Partnerships investigates partnering as a tool to advance the national ocean science and technology enterprise. A draft agenda can be found on our website. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and a reception will be held in the evening.
The Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E) is offering a Postdoctoral researcher position in the international Horizon 2020 funded project S4CE (www.science4cleanenergy.eu). Starting on April 15th, 2018, the position offers the possibility to enlarge the expertise and skills in terrestrial deep biosphere environmental Microbiology. The main task of the Postdoc project will be to study the deep biosphere microbiome (depending on samples available from several drilled sites) with a particular focus on diversity and function within the context of the environmental extreme conditions. Next generation sequencing methods including amplicon sequencing and metagenomics/metatranscriptomics will be used towards this goal. The postdoc will have the opportunity to extract genomic RNA and DNA for sequencing. The main emphasis will be on the bioinformatic processing and interpretation of NGS-generated data. Please send your application no later than April 1, 2018.
Save the Date! The Spring 2018 National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants Conference will take place on June 4-5, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Registration will open on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 12:00 PM EST. We anticipate the conference will reach capacity very quickly, so we encourage you to register as soon as it opens. In the meantime, please feel free to check NSFGrantsConferences.com for the most up-to-date information. (You may also contact us via email at: grants_conference@nsf.gov.)
The Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation (CSSI) umbrella program encompasses the long-running Data Infrastructure Building Blocks (DIBBs) and Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (SI2) programs, as NSF seeks to enable funding opportunities that are flexible and responsive to the evolving and emerging needs in data and software cyberinfrastructure. Full proposal deadline: April 18, 2018.
The Oceanographic Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination (OTIC) Program supports a broad range of research and technology development activities. Unsolicited proposals are accepted for instrumentation development that has broad applicability to ocean science research projects and that enhance observational, experimental or analytical capabilities of the ocean science research community. Specific announcements for funding opportunities are made for additional projects involving Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML) and the National Ocean Partnership Program. Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2018.
Registration for the 15th Annual Southern California Geobiology Symposium is now open! The due date for abstract submissions and registration is March 26, 2018.
CC-RISE is an eight-week, paid, summer research internship program for community college students run by the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations. Students will gain firsthand exposure to the scientific process by working in a faculty-led research lab at the University of California Santa Cruz or at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA. In addition to research, students will participate in activities focusing on how to transition from a two-year college to a university and information on graduate school. At the end of the program, students will present their results to an audience of peers and mentors. Applications are due March 31, 2018.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 385 Guaymas Basin Tectonics and Biosphere aboard the JOIDES Resolution. IODP Expedition 385 will core and log a series of sites in the Guaymas Basin to investigate the relationship of tectonics, magmatism, sedimentation, carbon cycling, and microbial activity. The primary objectives are to: (1) explore the physical and chemical gradients along active and extinct fluid pathways associated with sill emplacement; (2) investigate subsurface microbial communities that are sustained by alteration products, in order to determine how efficiently they capture carbon-bearing alteration products; and (3) advance our understanding of the conditions that limit life in the deep biosphere. The expedition will occur from 19 September to 19 November 2019. Additional information about this expedition can be found on the Expedition 385 webpage. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in all shipboard specialties, including but not limited to sedimentologists, micropaleontologists, paleomagnetists, inorganic/organic geochemists, microbiologists, petrologists, petrophysicists, and borehole geophysicists. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program, by visiting http://usoceandiscovery.org/expeditions. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2018.
The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new, and potentially transformative models for STEM graduate education training. The NRT program seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. The program is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary research areas, through the use of a comprehensive traineeship model that is innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs. For FY2018, proposals are requested in any interdisciplinary research theme of national priority, with special emphasis on two high priority areas: (1) Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) and (2) Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems (INFEWS). Proposal deadline: February 6, 2018.
Undergraduates in Bigelow Laboratory’s summer REU Program spend ten weeks at the Laboratory conducting independent research with guidance from a scientist mentor. Directed by Senior Research Scientist Dr. David Fields, and funded by the National Science Foundation, the REU Program is designed to give students pursuing degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering a laboratory-based research experience with an emphasis on hands-on, state-of-the-art methods and technologies. REU students are immersed in the Bigelow community and participate in seminars, field trips, Laboratory outreach programs, social events, and more. Research areas vary year to year, but include marine microbiology, ocean biogeochemistry, optical oceanography, remote sensing, bioinformatics, sensory biology and phytoplankton ecology. The 2018 program dates are May 29 through August 3 and will be held at the Laboratory’s East Boothbay campus. Successful applicants receive a stipend, free housing, and funds for travel to and from Bigelow Laboratory. Applications are due February 15, 2018.
There will be an important Town Hall at the upcoming Ocean Sciences meeting in Portland, OR, February 13, 2018, hosted by the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The OOIFB invites the community to hear the latest information about the OOI facility, meet the OOIFB members, and learn about research using OOI data. The Town Hall will include a series of lightning presentations where scientists will present one slide in one minute explaining how s/he has used the OOI data in their respective research. The OOIFB was created in 2017 to provide independent input and guidance regarding the management and operation of the NSF-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). The OOIFB would like to engage the research community to learn about their thoughts and recommendations regarding the OOI. The Town Hall is aimed at researchers who are now using or are considering using OOI data, researchers interested in adding instrumentation to the OOI infrastructure, and educators at all levels interested in the OOI.
In Search of Earth’s Secrets is a special project that aims to bring the JOIDES Resolution and IODP science to communities around the country. It is a 5-year project funded by the NSF’s Education and Human Resources (EHR) division, designed to create “pop-up” science events in the style of pop-up restaurants, stores and art fairs [the microbiology component was supported by a C-DEBI Education & Outreach grant to Sharon Cooper (LDEO)]. The aim is to bring high quality Earth and ocean science content to rural communities and those with a high percentage of traditionally underserved populations, and to create interest in the discoveries of IODP. The project involves working with libraries, youth organizations, program scientists, educators, and museums across the country. The exhibit includes interactive kiosks, a large interactive floor map, and an inflatable walk-through JR showing an immersive ScienceMedia-produced film inside, narrated by actress Michelle Hurd. For more information, to get involved, and to apply to bring Earth’s Secrets to your community, please visit: http://www.insearchofearthssecrets.com.
Attending the Goldschmidt 2018 meeting in Boston, August 12-17? Please consider submitting your abstracts, due March 30, 2018, to Session 10a: Geomicrobiology and Microbial Persistence in the Deep Biosphere (conveners Jiasong Fang, Lars Wörmer, Kasper Kjeldsen, Beth Orcutt, Yohey Suzuki): The continental and marine subsurface hosts microbial life that is involved in globally-significant geochemical transformations while existing under energy limitation and other extreme conditions. Recent advances in developing new and improved detection techniques, lowering detection limits, and increasing single cell and molecular-level resolution have uncovered new information about the size and forms of microbial life in this biosphere, physiologies of microbial groups, and possible evolutionary and adaptation mechanisms at play. However, much is still to be learned about the limits, diversity, extent and function of deep biosphere life. This session invites multidisciplinary contributions that present new findings from continental and/or marine subsurface environments, including “windows” into these systems such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps as well as hot springs and mud volcanoes on land and in the ocean. In particular, we welcome contributions that highlight strategies of microbial persistence in the deep biosphere, such as the formation and dispersal of endospores and other persistence forms. See more deep biosphere-related sessions under Theme 10: Geobiology, Organic Tracers, and Biogeochemistry.
The Office of Science of the Department of Energy is pleased to announce the request for applications for the fiscal year 2018 Early Career Research Program. The funding opportunity for researchers in universities and DOE national laboratories, now in its ninth year, supports the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and stimulates research careers in the disciplines supported by the DOE Office of Science. Opportunities exist in the following program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR); Biological and Environmental Research (BER); Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); High Energy Physics (HEP), and Nuclear Physics (NP). Pre-Application Due Date: January 25, 2018.
A Postdoctoral Scholar award will be offered to a new or recent doctorate in the fields of oceanography and closely related subject. Our ideal candidate will propose to study a multidisciplinary research topic that takes advantage of the research opportunities and facilities offered at BIOS (including frequent access to the deep ocean, repeat measurements and long term monitoring of ocean properties, integration of glider observations with traditional ship-based measurements). We welcome a broad range of potential topics for study, including physical oceanography process studies at all scales, biogeochemical research with practical experimentation, and system modeling with strong integration of data. The award is designed to further the education and training of the applicant with primary emphasis on supporting the individual’s research promise in his/her chosen area of research. Review of applications will begin February 1, 2018.
This is an exciting time for IODP outreach and education. Several high-profile drilling expeditions have greatly increased public awareness of the program, international collaboration on IODP outreach activities is at an all-time high, and the U.S. is poised to launch a major outreach effort focused on scientific ocean drilling and the JOIDES Resolution. At the same time, resources for these activities are limited, so the U.S. Science Support Program and U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling would like to solicit feedback from members of the U.S. IODP community regarding your hopes and priorities for the outreach and education programs. Please take a few moments to complete an online education and outreach survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EO-Community-Survey, and let us know your thoughts. The survey is open through February 2, 2018. Community input is critical to the implementation of a successful outreach program, so we are grateful for your opinions and guidance. You can find a concise annual review of 2017 U.S. outreach and education activity at http://bit.ly/2CJDPd2.
The Deep Life Modeling and Visualization (DLMV) network of the Deep Life community of the Deep Carbon Observatory (DCO) is looking to fund postdoctoral fellows to develop interdisciplinary models that produce fundamental new insights or hypotheses regarding the carbon cycle on Earth. Themes may include but are not limited to (1) biosphere-geosphere coupling in the deep carbon cycle, (2) integration of microbiological data and data on (bio)geochemical rates, processes, or fluxes, (3) integration of quantitative microbiological data with physical and geochemical data to identify the limits of life and distribution of microbial biomass throughout the biosphere, and/or (4) modeling of interactions between deep life and continental evolution. Proposals may involve the (1) synthesis of insights and data produced by members of the Deep Life community, and (2) integration of these insights and data with insights and data produced by other communities within and outside the DCO. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in interdisciplinary and quantitative biological, geochemical, and/or geological sciences that includes modeling and visualization, and demonstrated ability to work in a team of multi-disciplinary scientists. Proposal submission deadline: January 20, 2018.
The Genomics and Geobiology Undergraduate Research Experience (GGURE) is a research internship program for USC sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in the life sciences, earth and marine sciences, computational sciences, and engineering. There is both a part-time program during the academic year and a full-time program over 10 weeks during the summer break at the University of Southern California. The GGURE program offers USC undergraduates the opportunity to participate actively in a research group, with either an experimental or computational focus, and perform original research under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor. We will begin reviewing applications on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 but will continue to review applications until all positions are filled.
The fellowship awards $4,000 to undergraduate, community college, and post-baccalaureate students to perform 10-12 weeks of summer research. Also, awardees submit their research for presentation at ASM Microbe 2019. If their abstract is accepted, they receive up to $2,000 in travel funds to attend the Microbe Academy for Professional Development prior to the meeting and present their research at the meeting. Application Deadline: February 15, 2018.
The Research Capstone Fellowship is available to underrepresented minority students at three different levels: 1) Community college, undergraduate, and post-baccalaureate students; 2) Master’s level and early-graduate students (prior to taking the preliminary exam); and 3_ Doctoral candidates (post-preliminary exam). All Fellows receive up to $2,000 to attend and present at the ASM Microbe Academy for Professional Development (MAPD) and the ASM Microbe Meeting (contingent upon abstract acceptance). Doctoral candidates receive up to $2,000 in additional funding during years two and three of the fellowship to participate in professional development courses/training and/or attend local or national meetings (contingent upon approval of progress report and annual budget plan). Application Deadline: March 1, 2018.
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is seeking applications for a newly-established Endowed Chair in its Division of Marine Science (DMS). This is a permanent, tenure track position for which we are seeking an enthusiastic candidate who can flourish within the multi-disciplinary environment of our department and enhance our academic and research enterprises. The Division is located in the federal city of NASA’s Stennis Space Center and benefits from close working relationships with a number of on-site federal agencies, including several of the Navy divisions, USGS and NOAA. DMS graduate and undergraduate programs extend across traditional marine science emphasis areas in biological, physical, chemical and geological oceanography, and also encompass hydrographic science and ocean engineering. Although candidates with accomplishments in biological oceanography or ocean technology will be given enhanced consideration, qualified candidates from other sub-disciplines of oceanography will also be considered. The successful candidate should, above all, demonstrate superior potential to contribute across the noted disciplines and promote the continued interdisciplinary growth of our academic and research programs. This growth has recently included the construction of a new building at the Port of Gulfport, the acquisition of the Research Vessel Point Sur, the establishment of a unique certificate program in Unmanned Maritime Systems, and the formation of the School of Ocean Science and Technology, which also includes the Division of Coastal Sciences located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs. Applicant review will begin February, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Division of Marine Science (DMS), within the School of Ocean Science and Technology (SOST), invites applications for two tenure-track positions in ocean engineering at the assistant professor level. This newly established Ocean Engineering baccalaureate program creates an opportunity to blend engineering approaches with DMS established expertise in marine and hydrographic sciences, and to develop innovative solutions to the exploration of the oceanographic environment. These positions offer the successful candidates the possibility to contribute to the implementation and future growth of our ocean engineering program. This program is expected to combine strengths in ocean sampling technologies, technology fabrication, and coastal hydrodynamics with innovative application of ocean engineering solutions. The successful candidates should be able to leverage collaborations with SOST marine scientists and hydrographers within DMS and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and computer and polymer engineers within USM’s College of Science and Technology. DMS faculty also interact with research scientists of federal agencies at Stennis Space Center, such as the Naval Research Laboratory, the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center. Applicant review will begin February 1, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.
The Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) is now accepting applications for students to participate in the Science & Engineering Internship Program during the 2018 E/V Nautilus Expedition! Check out www.NautilusLive.org to learn more about the work of Ocean Exploration Trust. Founded by Dr. Robert Ballard in 2008, OET is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to bringing ocean exploration to the world via live telepresence and providing experiential opportunities for students, educators, and early career professionals. Opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates are available in ocean science, seafloor mapping, ROV (remotely operated vehicle) engineering, and video engineering through the Science & Engineering Internship Program. Accepted students will have the chance to sail aboard E/V Nautilus for 2-4 weeks learning from experts in the field receiving a paid stipend or college credit. Application Deadline: January 26, 2018.
Applications are available now for you to explore the Eastern Pacific Ocean with Dr. Robert Ballard’s Corps of Exploration as a Science Communication Fellow! This team of explorers conducts cutting-edge scientific exploration of parts of the global ocean never seen before using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and multibeam mapping technology. Fellows will spend 1-3 weeks at sea between June – November 2018 in the Pacific Ocean. The Science Communication Fellowship invites K-20 and informal educators for a professional development experience aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus as science interpreters among a team of STEM professionals. Participants will gain exposure to and experience in the applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the field of ocean exploration. Fellows will collaborate with a cohort from across North America, explore side-by-side with scientists and engineers, and share the adventure with their students, community, and the world as the expedition is broadcast live on www.NautilusLive.org. Applications for the Science Communication Fellowship are due by January 15, 2018.
The Univeristy of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and the Department of Marine Sciences in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences invite applications for two nine-month, tenure-track faculty positions resident at the coastal campus in Savannah, GA. Successful candidates will be interdisciplinary, self-motivated and interested in pursuing innovative research and education in a highly supportive academic environment. We are particularly interested in applicants engaging in interdisciplinary research that advances the understanding of fundamental oceanographic questions in the following areas: Chemical Oceanography—We seek candidates whose area of expertise could include (but are not limited to) organic geochemistry, sedimentary or water column biogeochemistry, or carbon and coupled elemental cycles. Geological Oceanography—We seek candidates who examine coastal and marine sedimentary systems using field-based or modeling approaches. Applicants with expertise in any sub-discipline of marine geology will be considered, although specializations in sediment dynamics, impacts of climate change, or who work at the interface between geology and engineering are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications received by January 8, 2018 are assured full consideration.
The International Geobiology Course is an intense, multidisciplinary summer course that explores the co-evolution of the Earth and it’s biosphere, with an emphasis on how microbial processes affect the environment and leave imprints in the rock record. Participants get a hands-on learning experience in cutting-edge geobiological techniques including molecular biology, microbiology, geochemistry, and sedimentology and work in research groups to solve real research questions. This year the course will be directed by Alex Sessions, Woody Fischer, and Victoria Orphan, and will remain in a format similar to previous years. It begins with a field trip up the eastern Sierra Nevada to visit hot springs, Cambrian rocks, and Mono Lake, and back down to the coast near Ventura to study sulfur springs and tar seeps, and a world-famous exposure of the Monterey Formation. Two weeks of lab rotations at Caltech will introduce students to cutting-edge analytical techniques, followed by two weeks at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. The 2018 course is open to graduate students and postdocs at any level. For postdocs, preference will be given to those who earned PhD’s in other fields, and are seeking to enter the field of geobiology. The cost of the course is US $4000; financial aid is available for those with demonstrated need. Application deadline: February 9, 2018.
C-DEBI seeks nominations for three speakers for the 2018 program. C-DEBI is continuing the Networked Speaker Series (begun in Fall 2011) as a means to enhance communication and the exchange of ideas among our spatially distributed community. Potential speakers can be nominated by colleagues, mentors, or those mentored by C-DEBI participants; they can also self nominate. Selected C-DEBI Networked Speakers will make a presentation online, using video conferencing tools, with assistance from the C-DEBI main office at USC. Nominated C-DEBI Networked Speakers should be capable of combining compelling visual materials with the ability to communicate effectively to a broad audience. We are particularly enthusiastic about giving young researchers a chance to present work to the C-DEBI community. Being selected to be a C-DEBI Networked Speaker is an honor.
The UNOLS Marine Seismic Research Oversight Committee (MSROC) is requesting Letters of Interest from the marine seismic research community regarding proposals for experiments that would utilize seismic data acquisition capabilities similar to those currently provided by the R/V Langseth. Letters of intent due December 1, 2017.
The Department of Biological Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track, assistant professor position in aquatic ecology. Specializations might include marine community ecology, plankton ecology, wetlands ecology, food web interactions, or ecosystem stressors. Faculty positions require a commitment to research, teaching, and service. Duties include developing a creative and vibrant research program in aquatic ecology, graduate student mentoring, teaching that supports our graduate program in ecology and evolution, and undergraduate teaching and advising. Minimum qualifications include a PhD in ecology, biological sciences, or related discipline, and evidence of established scholarship including a strong record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Post-doctoral experience is preferred. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by December 1, 2017.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Science and the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology at the University of Pennsylvania seek graduate students interested in any of the following research areas: geomicrobiology, ecology, microbe-microbe and microbe-mineral interactions, biogeochemistry, ecophysiology and bioenergetics. Potential projects include: i) Microbial remediation of asbestos: This project provides the opportunity to interrogate microbe-mineral interactions in human-disposed minerals; ii) Bioenergetic principles of energy metabolisms: This project will focus on the ecophysiology of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis and/or Fe(III) reduction from marine geothermal environments; and iii) Taxonomic classification: Isolation and characterization of novel chemosynthetic microorganisms from anoxic environments. The prospective students will be expected to work at the interface between geology, chemistry, and biology. Skills associated with this research program: problem-solving (scientific method) skills, preparation of chemical solutions, microbial culturing, microscopy, molecular phylogenetics, aqueous/gas chemistry quantification, isotope geochemistry, experimental design skills, data-logging, broad scientific literacy and cultural competence. The successful applicants will be awarded a Ph.D. Fellowship package that includes: tuition, fees, health care and stipend for living expenses. These packages are available starting Fall 2018. Apply here. If interested in learning more about this opportunity please contact Ileana Pérez- Rodríguez at: ileperez@sas.upenn.edu .
The Earth consists of a variety of complex systems that are variable over space and time, and respond to a wide range of perturbations. The goal of the Integrated Earth Systems (IES) program is to investigate the interplay among the continental, terrestrial, and interior systems of the planet. The program provides an opportunity for collaborative, multidisciplinary research into the operation, dynamics, and complexity of Earth systems that encompass the core of the Earth through the surface. Innovative projects that explore new research directions beyond those typically considered by core programs of the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) are encouraged. Investigations may include all or part of the continental, terrestrial and deep Earth at all temporal and spatial scales. IES will support topics that include (but are not limited to) continental systems; terrestrial or surficial Earth systems including physical, chemical, and biotic dimensions; linkages among tectonics, climate, and landscape evolution; the coupling of the Earth’s climate, depositional and biotic systems; and global cycles that involve core and mantle processes. Full proposal deadline: November 14, 2017.
The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology to recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training in selected areas supported by BIO and with special goals for human resource development in biology. The fellowships encourage independence at an early stage of the research career to permit Fellows to pursue their research and training goals in the most appropriate research locations regardless of the availability of funding for the Fellows at that site. For FY 2015 and beyond, these BIO programs are (1) Broadening Participation of Groups Under-represented in Biology, (2) Research Using Biological Collections, and (3) National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships. Full proposal deadline date: November 7, 2017.
The Goldman lab in the Department of Biology at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research position in computational biology. The postdoctoral fellow will work with Dr. Aaron Goldman on a NASA-funded research project investigating the early evolution of metabolism. The research, which will be entirely computational in nature, seeks to identify the earliest metabolic pathways and is part of a larger research collaboration involving origin of life laboratories at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Southern California. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to mentor Oberlin undergraduates assisting with the research. The position is funded for two years at a starting salary of $48,500 and with a preferred start date between October 15 and November 30, 2017.
The University of Wyoming invites applications for a tenure-track, Assistant Professor position in Biogeochemistry in the Department of Geology & Geophysics and the interdepartmental Program in Ecology Ph.D. The successful candidate is expected to build a strong extramurally funded research program in biogeochemical processes and analyses. We seek applicants who complement existing research strengths at the University and address questions spanning broad scales — e.g., from organisms, molecules, and minerals to landscapes and global dynamics. Competitive candidates will be able to build strong research and teaching roles with regard to biogeochemical processes. The research focus may range broadly including topics such as microbial processes, weathering, ecosystem stoichiometry, organic geochemistry, and global elemental cycles. The University of Wyoming maintains facilities that support cutting-edge research in biogeochemistry, including high-performance computing, stable isotope analyses, scanning electron microscopy, organic geochemical techniques such as biomarker analysis, and new core facilities for DNA extraction and library preparation. This search is one of four in a cluster in the Program in Ecology (aquatic ecosystem ecologist, biogeochemist, computational biologist, and plant-microbe interactions), and candidates may also participate in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences and Hydrologic Science. The cluster hire is supported in part by a new 5-year, $20 million NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 grant to the University. In this project we will study microbial life and its ecological consequences. Review of applications will begin on November 13, 2017.
Experience the Fall 2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants Conference virtually. We are pleased to announce that the upcoming conference in Phoenix, AZ on November 13-14, will be webcast live to the research community. View the plenary sessions to gain key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF including: the state of current funding, new and current policies and procedures, and pertinent administrative issues. Please click here to register. Check out the webcast agenda for more information on the sessions that will be covered. These sessions will be recorded for on-demand viewing once the conference has concluded. Presentations will also be available on the conference website.
A postdoctoral position in molecular microbial ecology is available at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole. This NSF-funded collaborative project with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution seeks to identify the nature of microbial predator-prey interactions using laboratory chemostats combined with RNA stable isotope probing, sequencing, and trait-based modeling. We are seeking an individual with expertise in molecular microbial ecology, including those with interests in microbial, viral, and eukaryotic dynamics, microbial food webs, and theoretical ecology. While the primary focus of the work will be in research, the postdoctoral investigator will have an opportunity to participate in educational and outreach activities associated with the project.
Dr. Emily Estes (University of Delaware) will give the next Networked Speaker Series Seminar on “Organic carbon utilization and preservation in a carbon desert.” Abstract: Organic carbon (OC) preserved in marine sediments acts as a reduced carbon sink that balances the global carbon cycle. Understanding the biogeochemical mechanisms underpinning the balance between OC preservation and degradation is thus critical both to quantifying this carbon reservoir and to estimating the extent of life in the deep biosphere. This work examines the content and composition of OC in oxic pelagic sediments from the North Atlantic and South Pacific gyres in order to evaluate preservation mechanisms operating on million-year time scales and to gage heterotrophic activity in these OC-limited environments. We utilize a combination of elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry and novel synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These techniques interrogate the entire particulate organic carbon pool in contrast to more commonly applied techniques that require chemical extractions or demineralization. OC and nitrogen concentrations decrease exponentially from the sediment-water interface to values <0.1% in the deep subsurface and, to a first order, scale with sediment oxygenation. In the deep subsurface, however, molecular recalcitrance becomes more important than oxygen exposure time in protecting OC against remineralization. Deep OC consists of primarily amide and carboxylic carbon in a scaffolding of aliphatic and O-alkyl moieties, corroborating the extremely low C/N values observed. These findings suggest that microbes in oxic pelagic sediments are carbon-limited and may preferentially remove carbon relative to nitrogen from the organic matter pool.
The Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new, and potentially transformative approaches to STEM graduate education training. The program seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. IGE focuses on projects aimed at piloting, testing, and validating innovative and potentially transformative approaches to graduate education. IGE projects are intended to generate the knowledge required for their customization, implementation, and broader adoption. The program supports testing of novel models or activities with high potential to enrich and extend the knowledge base on effective graduate education approaches. The program addresses both workforce development, emphasizing broad participation, and institutional capacity building needs in graduate education. Strategic collaborations with the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, national laboratories, field stations, teaching and learning centers, informal science centers, and academic partners are encouraged. Full Proposal Deadline: October 25, 2017.
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, veterans, and undergraduate seniors to apply. Life Sciences and Geosciences application deadline: October 23, 2017.
The NSF Science and Technology Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) invites proposals for 1-year research projects (in the anticipated range of $50,000-$80,000) and 1-2 year graduate student and postdoctoral fellowships that will significantly advance C-DEBI’s central research agenda: to investigate the subseafloor biosphere deep in marine sediment and oceanic crust, and to conduct multi-disciplinary studies to develop an integrated understanding of subseafloor microbial life at the molecular, cellular, and ecosystem scales. C-DEBI’s research agenda balances exploration-based discovery, hypothesis testing, data integration and synthesis, and systems-based modeling. C-DEBI welcomes proposals from applicants who would enhance diversity in C-DEBI and STEM fields. This request for proposals is open to all interested researchers at US institutions able to receive NSF funding as a subaward. The deadline for this call is December 1, 2017.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is issuing a special call for experienced scientists to apply for IODP Expedition 381 Corinth Rift Development aboard a Mission Specific Platform provided by the ECORD Science Operator in the following specialty: inorganic geochemistry with expertise in pore water geochemistry. The call is for scientists able to participate during the Onshore Science Party only (scheduled to start on 31 January 2018 and last for a maximum of 4 weeks, dependent on core recovery). U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating on this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP); please visit http://usoceandiscovery.org/expeditions/. The U.S. deadline for this special call is October 13, 2017.
Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO provide opportunities to scientists and engineers, who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships will help launch their careers, provide experience that will enhance their career prospects, and facilitate the recruitment and development of potential leaders for CSIRO. Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for up to three years and will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. Mineral resources contribute significantly to the economic wealth of Australia. However, most of Australia’s easily-found mineral deposits have already been discovered and a dramatic drop in the mineral discovery rate has been observed over the last decade. This sharp decrease in mineral exploration success is related to 80% of the Australian continent being covered by regolith, strongly challenging the use of conventional exploration techniques to identify new exploration targets. In order to minimise the risk, cost and environmental impact of future mineral exploration campaigns, novel biogeochemical tools need to be developed. Subtle concentrations of specific elements present in soils overlying deposits can affect the populations of microbes such as fungi and bacteria that live in the soil. These changes in microbial populations are being investigated as potential surface exploration proxies, but little is known of the link between microbial communities at the surface and the deep biosphere in the subsurface. As the successful candidate, you will seek to provide a greater understanding of the surface and deep biosphere through genomic sequencing of microbial communities found in regolith as well as in fresh drill core material (deep Earth samples) obtained during mining and mineral exploration. You will investigate microbial communities around mineral deposits in order to contribute to the development and use of microbes in future mineral exploration. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with CSIRO Land & Water, Perth and GFZ Potsdam, Germany. Applications close November 12, 2017.
The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) invites applications for an Assistant Professor with expertise in geobiology and/or biogeochemistry. Anticipated start date is August 2018. We desire a candidate who (1) addresses fundamental questions in the interdependence of biological and geochemical processes on Earth and other habitable planets, and (2) can develop collaborations with other closely affiliated research programs in SESE (possibilities include astrobiology, geochemistry, ecosystem dynamics, hydrology, geodynamics, planetary science, and surface processes). We are interested in individuals showing capacities to bridge research in biological and geological processes. Examples include combining the geologic and genomic records to reveal the history of geobiological processes, harnessing molecular methods to track energy and material flows in active ecosystems, and theoretical developments related to the origin and evolution of life. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct research in biological and geochemical processes, teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and participate in service activities in the school, college and university. Initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is November 20, 2017.
The Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships. The Geophysical Laboratory emphasizes interdisciplinary experimental and theoretical research in fields ranging from geoscience, microbiology, chemistry, to physics. The Laboratory supports world-class facilities in high-pressure research; organic, stable isotope and biogeochemistry; mineral physics and petrology; and astrobiology. Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded once a year. The deadline for submitting an application is December 1, 2017 and the position begins the following summer or autumn.
Goldschmidt is the foremost annual, international conference on geochemistry and related subjects, organised by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry. Session and workshop proposals are due November 1, 2017.
Andrew Fisher (C-DEBI Co-PI, University of California Santa Cruz) leads the next C-DEBI Professional Development Webinar on “Speaking as a Scientist with Press, Politicians, and the Public.” The access URL for the webinar is http://usccollege.adobeconnect.com/cdebiremote/. Missed the last webinar on “How to Negotiate in Academia”? Watch it on YouTube.
Mentoring365 is a program developed among Earth and space science organizations to facilitate sharing professional knowledge, expertise, skills, insights, and experiences through dialogue and collaborative learning. The program provides mentors and mentees with structured, relationship-building tools to develop and attain focused career goals. Mentors: must be current members in one of the program sponsors, AGU, AWG, or SEG. Mentors range in career stage from post docs to senior scientists. The most important requirements are that the Mentoring365 mentor is dedicated to providing guidance and has knowledge and experience that will be useful to the mentee. By serving as a Mentoring365 mentor, you’re giving back to the community and helping to support the next generation of Earth and space scientists. Mentees: All current undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students that are current members in one of the program sponsors (AGU, AWG, or SEG) are eligible. Before being accepted into the Mentoring365 program, mentees must fill out a one-page online application.
The oceans cover over 70% of the planet, and despite relevance to geohazards, mineral resources, and biological diversity, the seafloor and sub-seafloor remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. The seafloor environment is a harsh and dynamic place where the deep ocean presents barriers to most electromagnetic radiation including light and radio communication because of its high pressure, its corrosive composition, cold temperature, and opaqueness. These conditions make it challenging to obtain data to characterize geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes. Most data transmitting systems, autonomous instrumentation, and communication technologies used on land are not possible in the deep ocean and this compounds the problems of obtaining data in real-time. Existing sensors that work under normal terrestrial conditions need to be re-engineered or re-imagined for the deep-sea environment. Building new technology to overcome the conditions found within and beneath the oceans will be an engineering grand challenge and will drive engineering innovation. Enhanced partnerships between the Engineering and the Marine Geology and Geophysics (MG&G) research communities are needed to advance sensing capabilities. To stimulate these partnerships, NSF requests proposals to support conferences that focus on appropriate engineering and marine science challenges and stimulate debate, discussion, visioning, and collaboration between the two research communities. Workshops typically support 20-80 attendees. The budget of a workshop proposal is generally limited to $50,000 but under exceptional circumstances may be supported up to $100,000. Workshop proposals must be submitted by November 15, 2017 for consideration.
Deadline to propose sessions: October 12, 2017.
The NOAA Graduate Research and Training Scholarship Program (GRTSP) leverages the initial investment made by the agency in the NOAA EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Centers (CSC). GRTSP helps establish a pipeline of well trained and educated individuals who attend Minority Serving Institutions and earn degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that support NOAA’s mission. Scholars are offered the following for one year based on the degree being pursued. For PhD. Degree candidates: $45,000 stipend to support tuition and fees and other costs associated with opportunities for professional development; $10,000 (maximum) travel cost to support research travel and to present findings at conferences; and, Funding for a second year of training if a renewal application is successful and approved by NOAA EPP/MSI. For Masters Degree candidates: $36,000 to support tuition and fees as well as other costs associated with opportunities for professional development; and, $7,000 (maximum) travel cost to support research travel and to present findings at conferences. Applications may be obtained from the NOAA Cooperative Science Center Director and are submitted through the CSC Director directly to NOAA EPP/MSI.
Providing scholarships & internships to outstanding students studying at Minority Serving Institutions.The EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides scholarships for two years of undergraduate study to rising junior undergraduate students at Minority Serving Institutions majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields that directly support NOAA’s mission. Participants conduct research at a NOAA facility during two paid summer internships. Since 2001, over 186 students have completed the program and over 75% go on to graduate school. Students attending Minority Serving Institutions as defined by the US Department of Education (Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan-Native Serving Institutions, and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions) are eligible to apply for the program. Application deadline: January 31, 2018.
A full–tuition scholarship for a woman in science, technology, engineering, or math. Funded by Cards Against Humanity. Film a three–minute video of yourself explaining a topic in STEM you are passionate about. You must be a high school senior or an undergraduate college student to apply. To view examples of previous application videos, click here. Applications close on December 11, 2017.
The Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University is inviting applications for the Wiess Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship. We are seeking candidates with independent research interests that intersect with one or more faculty within our department. Applicants must have a Ph.D. awarded within three years of the time of appointment. The research fellowship will be supported for two years, pending satisfactory progress during the first year, and covers an annual stipend of $60,000 with a benefits package and an additional annual discretionary research allowance of $3,500. Applicants are requested to develop a proposal of research to be undertaken during the fellowship period. The principal selection criteria are scientific excellence, a clearly expressed research plan to address questions at the forefront of their field of study, and research synergies with at least one faculty. The proposed research should, however, encompass independent research ideas and explore new directions beyond the applicant’s Ph.D. Preference will be given to applicants whose proposals demonstrate independence and originality, and also the potential for collaboration with one or more faculty in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. Applications should be submitted to the chair of the fellowship search committee by November 10, 2017.
The Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) contributes to the IUSE initiative through the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into Geoscience (IUSE: GEOPATHS) funding opportunity. IUSE: GEOPATHS invites proposals that specifically address the current needs and opportunities related to undergraduate education within the geosciences community. The primary goal of the IUSE: GEOPATHS funding opportunity is to increase the number of undergraduate students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees and/or post-graduate degrees in geoscience through the design and testing of novel approaches for engaging students in authentic, career-relevant experiences in geoscience. In order to broaden participation in the geosciences, engaging undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented groups or from non-geoscience degree programs is a priority. The IUSE: GEOPATHS solicitation features two funding tracks: (1) Engaging students in the geosciences through extra-curricular experiences and training activities (GEOPATHS-EXTRA), and (2) Improving pathways into the geosciences through institutional collaborations and transfer (GEOPATHS-IMPACT). Full proposal deadline: October 10, 2017.
The NSF Science and Technology Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) invites proposals for 1-year research projects (in the anticipated range of $50,000-$80,000) and 1-2 year graduate student and postdoctoral fellowships that will significantly advance C-DEBI’s central research agenda: to investigate the subseafloor biosphere deep in marine sediment and oceanic crust, and to conduct multi-disciplinary studies to develop an integrated understanding of subseafloor microbial life at the molecular, cellular, and ecosystem scales. C-DEBI’s research agenda balances exploration-based discovery, hypothesis testing, data integration and synthesis, and systems-based modeling. C-DEBI research support is provided to “expeditions of opportunity”, and we’ve created a webpage listing potential options for participation. We welcome you to provide information about other expeditions of opportunity to share with the C-DEBI community! Help us further our mission to explore life beneath the seafloor and make transformative discoveries that advance science, benefit society, and inspire people of all ages and origins. C-DEBI welcomes proposals from applicants who would enhance diversity in C-DEBI and STEM fields. This request for proposals is open to all interested researchers at US institutions able to receive NSF funding as a subaward. The next deadline for these annual calls is December 1, 2017.
The Data Incubator is a Cornell-funded data science training organization. We run a free advanced 8-week fellowship (think data science bootcamp) for PhDs looking to enter industry. A variety of innovative companies partner with The Data Incubator for their hiring and training needs, including LinkedIn, Genentech, Capital One, Pfizer, and many others. The program is free for admitted Fellows. Fellows have the option to participate in the program either in person in New York, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle New, Boston New, Washington DC, or online. Early deadline: October 9, 2017; regular deadline: October 16, 2017.
The Simons Foundation is now accepting applications for its Simons Early Career Investigator in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution Awards. Microbes inhabit and sustain all habitats on Earth. In the oceans, microbes capture solar energy, catalyze biogeochemical transformations of important elements, produce and consume greenhouse gases, and provide the base of the food web. The purpose of these awards is to help launch the careers of outstanding investigators who will advance our understanding of marine microbial ecology and evolution through experiments, modeling or theory. Projects focusing on the microbiomes of invertebrates or vertebrates or on paleontological records will not be considered this year. Investigators with backgrounds in different fields are encouraged to apply. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree. She/he must have carried out research in a tenure-track or equivalent independent position for at least one year and no more than eight years (start date between November 2009 and November 2016) and must currently hold a tenure-track, tenured, or equivalent independent position in a U.S. or Canadian institution. She/he must be the principal investigator (PI) or co-PI currently or within the past year on a research grant from a national governmental agency or major foundation. Grants will be for $180,000 USD per year, including indirect costs (limited to 20 percent of modified total direct costs), for a period of three years, subject to annual reviews and continuation of research in areas relevant to the purpose of this program. The deadline for receipt of letters of intent (LOI) is November 6, 2017.
At Box, we believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success. We’re not only committed to building an incredibly diverse and inclusive company, but also to using our position as technology leaders to ensure our industry reflects those values. We created the Box Diversity Scholarship to ensure that the perspectives of historically underrepresented people are included in the creation of the future through technology by identifying and financially supporting high-potential individuals, particularly those who identify as people of color, women, LGBTQ+, and/or people with disabilities. Box will award five scholarships to support students with a passion for technology including one $20,000 grand-prize scholarship and four additional $4,000 finalist scholarships. Applicants must be studying in a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) or related major, and enrolled in or transferring into a 4-year accredited degree program by Spring 2018. This includes rising college freshman beginning college in Fall 2017 or Spring 2018, exiting college seniors graduating in/after Spring 2018, and community college students who are transferring to a 4-year school by Spring 2018. Applications are due October 2, 2017.
This is a full-time, state funded position that includes a full benefits package and access to affordable campus housing for faculty and staff. The position will support science education, student success, and outreach components of several initiatives within the CSUMB College of Science. The person who holds this position will also serve as the education director for the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Program (https://csumb.edu/cme) at CSUMB. This new program serves as an organizational unit for a number of our NSF and NOAA funded ocean science research and education initiatives. The education director will coordinate our Ocean Sciences REU program (https://csumb.edu/reu), as well as, collaborative education activities for our NOAA Cooperative Science Center (http://ccme.famu.edu/) and our NSF Polar Project (https://polar-ice.org/). The individual in this position will also supervise a staff comprised of an administrative and outreach support specialist as well as, two graduate student assistants. Education requirements are a Ph.D. in Science Education or Science (ocean/marine science desirable), or a Masters degree in these areas with at least two years of post-degree work experience. The priority screening deadline for this position is October 2, 2017 with an anticipated start date in early Spring 2018.
The K-16 Educator Small Grants program supports K-16 teachers who have attended a C-DEBI educator training program and have incorporated C-DEBI content into their classrooms. These awards up to $2500 support items including but not limited to the following: funds for student field trips, classroom supplies, travel for presenting C-DEBI curriculum at educator meetings, or additional professional development directly related to C-DEBI research. Proposals for funding should indicate how C-DEBI research content is being translated into the classroom and how the proposed activities connect to that content. Applications are due October 2, 2017.
The primary goal of the UNOLS Cruise Opportunity Program is to provide graduate students currently completing a degree in a field of oceanographic research with the opportunity to participate in a research cruise. The participant will be a member of the scientific party and be involved in data collection and all other activities at sea. It is envisioned that the graduate student will be familiar with the science to be conducted at sea, and thus, form new collaborations and potentially develop new research directions. To be eligible to participate in this program, the graduate student must currently be studying at a U.S.-based institution and have either a U.S. Passport or a U.S. Work Visa. Please note that at this time the UNOLS Office is unable to provide travel funds; your advisor or institution may have some ideas. Fall 2017 cruise: The cruise has two legs: Sep 25 – Oct 11 and Oct 11 – Oct 26 – applications will be accepted until full. Spring 2018 cruise: Applications for a cruise April 20 – May 22, 2018 are due December 1, 2017.
The Hertz Graduate Fellowship Award is based on merit (not need) and consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend. The cost-of-education allowance is accepted by all of the participating schools in lieu of all fees and tuition. Hertz Fellows therefore have no liability for any ordinary educational costs, regardless of their choice among participating schools. In addition to providing the necessary funding along with the research freedom to pursue their PhD, we also provide mentorship and counsel through the lifelong community of peers to which they now belong—the Hertz Community. This Community is comprised of current in-school Fellows who are pursuing their graduate degree, as well as the entire group of alumni Fellows (now totaling over 1,200). When Hertz Fellows complete graduate school, we intend that they do so armed with more than their degree, research experience, and colleagues from that university, but also with a set of collaborators across disciplines, geography, and generations, all ready to help them succeed throughout their careers. Application deadline: October 27, 2017.
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is seeking a qualified and highly motivated individual for a postdoctoral research scientist position. The hired scientist will work on a project investigating the diversity and dynamics of viruses, as well as the effect of viruses on phytoplankton in marine-derived lakes of the Vestfold Hills in Antarctica (https://www.nsf.gov). These “natural laboratories” allow examination of microbial processes and interactions that would be difficult to characterize elsewhere on earth. This project does not require fieldwork in Antarctica. Instead, it will leverage already collected and archived samples that have concurrent measurements of physicochemical information. This project will also capitalize on approximately 2 terabyte of Next Generation Sequencing, including metagenomes, SSU rRNA amplicons and single virus genomes (this project) generated through an ongoing collaborative effort with other institutions. The project is led by Dr. Joaquín Martínez Martínez, and utilizes cutting-edge molecular technologies, and takes advantage of significant bioinformatics support and computational resources at Bigelow Laboratory. Applicants must have a PhD degree or post-degree experience in relevant fields, such as environmental microbiology/virology, bioinformatics, and oceanography. Additional preferred qualifications include working knowledge in one or more of the following techniques: Flow Cytometry, nucleic acids purification, quantitative PCR, whole-genome amplification, and sequencing. Review of applicants will begin immediately and proceed until the position is filled.
Expedition 382 aims to recover 600 m long Late Neogene sedimentary sequences from the Scotia Sea to reconstruct past variability in Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) mass loss, oceanic and atmospheric circulation and to provide the first spatially integrated record of variability in iceberg flux from Iceberg Alley, where a substantial number of Antarctic icebergs exit into the warmer Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). This will (a) constrain iceberg flux during key times of AIS evolution since the Middle Miocene glacial intensification of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, (b) provide material to determine regional sources of AIS mass loss, address interhemispheric phasing of ice-sheet and climate events, and the relation of AIS variability to sea level, (c) provide information on Drake Passage throughflow, meridional overturning in the Southern Ocean, water-mass changes, CO2 transfer via wind-induced upwelling, sea-ice variability, bottom water outflow from the Weddell Sea, Antarctic weathering inputs, and changes in oceanic and atmospheric fronts in the vicinity of the ACC, and (d) provide dust proxy records to reconstruct changes in the Southern Hemisphere westerlies to evaluate climate-dust coupling since the Pliocene, its potential role in iron fertilization and atmospheric CO2 drawdown during glacials. Expedition 382 will also core a sediment drift on the Falkland slope to obtain subantarctic multi-proxy intermediate water depth records of millennial to orbital scale variability in the ocean, atmosphere, nutrients, productivity and ice-sheet dynamics in the SW Atlantic through at least the last 1 Ma. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2017.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is largely marine-based, highly sensitive to climatic and oceanographic changes, has had a dynamic history over the last several million years, and if completely melted, could result in a global sea-level rise of 3.3-4.3 m. Expedition 379 will obtain records from the continental shelf and rise of the Amundsen Sea to document WAIS dynamics in an area unaffected by other ice sheets as well and that currently experiences the largest ice loss in Antarctica. The primary objectives include (a) reconstructing the Paleogene to Holocene glacial history of West Antarctica, (b) correlating the Amundsen Sea WAIS-proximal records with global records of ice volume changes and air/seawater temperature proxy records, (c) constraining the relationship between incursions of warm water masses onto the continental shelf and the stability of marine-based ice sheet margins, and (d) reconstructing major WAIS advances onto the middle and outer shelf, including the first ice sheet expansion onto the continental shelf of the Amundsen Sea Embayment and its possible control by the uplift of Marie Byrd Land. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in these expeditions should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program – visit. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2017.
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is searching for a full-time Research Technician to perform laboratory and data handling tasks related to microbial single cell genomics, with the primary focus on genomic sequencing. The candidate should be willing to work with fastidious techniques that require extreme cleanliness and accuracy, operating robotic systems, handling advanced data management systems, and quickly learning new methods. A Masters degree in biology or related field or a relevant Bachelors degree and at least three years of post-degree experience working in a molecular biology laboratory are required. Prior experience with Illumina DNA sequencing technology is preferred. Excellent communication skills and ability to work harmoniously in a collaborative research environment are crucial. For full consideration, the application should be received by September 1, 2017.
FAU’s Harbor Branch, located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and FAU’s Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE), located in Boca Raton, Florida, seek candidates for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Research Professor with expertise in geochemistry/geochemical sensing and a research background in one or more of the following areas: marine chemistry, nutrient cycling, carbon transformations, particle fluxes across continental shelves, trace metal distributions, and electrochemical sensing. Candidates will also display a broad interest in marine ecology, biological oceanography, marine microbiology, and in situ sensing technologies. Applications are sought from individuals with excellent research/publication records and demonstrated potential to lead a strong, extramurally funded research program that explores opportunities with state, federal agencies, industry and private foundations. Applicants whose research provides a strong background in geochemical processes at sediment-water interfaces are preferred. Applicants must apply electronically by August 31, 2017.
The Boone Pickens School of Geology at Oklahoma State University seeks to fill a tenure track position in paleontology/sedimentary geology at the rank of assistant professor. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2018. The successful applicant should have a Ph.D. degree in geosciences or related field at the time of appointment. For this position, we are seeking a geoscientist with research and teaching interest in paleontology as well as sedimentary geology and stratigraphy. Desired areas of specialization include but are not limited to invertebrate paleontology, biostratigraphy, palynology, ichnology, and paleoecology. The successful candidate will collaborate as part of a diverse faculty with specialties spanning the geosciences and core strengths in disciplines relating to energy and environment. We are seeking an individual who will develop a vigorous, innovative, externally funded research program, who will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, and who will supervise MS and PhD students. Candidates will be expected to support the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to engaging communities underrepresented in the academy. Screening of candidates will begin on September 15, 2017 and will continue until the position is filled.
The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) at Texas A&M University invites applications for a Research Associate (Clearance and Permitting Specialist) in the Science Operations Department. The position will be responsible for obtaining research clearance for R/V JOIDES Resolution International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, environmental studies or permitting, and ensuring clearance for seafloor cables and other seafloor hazards. A Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences or related field (e.g., Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography, Geography), plus two years of relevant experience is required. A Master’s degree is preferred, which is equivalent to two years of experience. We will begin reviewing applications on August 28, 2017, but will continue to accept applications until candidates are selected for interviews.
The Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new, and potentially transformative approaches to STEM graduate education training. The program seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. IGE focuses on projects aimed at piloting, testing, and validating innovative and potentially transformative approaches to graduate education. IGE projects are intended to generate the knowledge required for their customization, implementation, and broader adoption. The program supports testing of novel models or activities with high potential to enrich and extend the knowledge base on effective graduate education approaches. The program addresses both workforce development, emphasizing broad participation, and institutional capacity building needs in graduate education. Strategic collaborations with the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, national laboratories, field stations, teaching and learning centers, informal science centers, and academic partners are encouraged. Full Proposal Deadline: October 25, 2017.
The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships to recent recipients of doctoral degrees to carry out an integrated program of independent research and professional development. Fellowship proposals must address scientific questions within the scope of EAR disciplines and must align with the overall theme for the postdoctoral program. The program supports researchers for a period of up to two years with fellowships that can be taken to the institution of their choice (including institutions abroad). The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential, and provide them with research experience, mentorship, and training that will establish them in leadership positions in the Earth Sciences community. Because the fellowships are offered only to postdoctoral scientists early in their career, doctoral advisors are encouraged to discuss the availability of EAR postdoctoral fellowships with their graduate students early in their doctoral programs. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows. Full Proposal Deadline: October 25, 2017.
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine seeks a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to help carry out a project working with lithotrophic Fe-oxidizing bacteria. The primary aims of this project are to learn more about the composition of extracellular micro-structures produced by different groups of Fe-oxidizing bacteria, and what environmental factors most influence their production. The position will be in Dr. David Emerson’s laboratory at Bigelow, and is a collaborative project with Dr. Clara Chan at the University of Delaware. The goal is to learn more about the potential utility of these biogenic materials for uses as varied as developing metal-fiber reinforced materials, or organo-metallic frameworks for chemical catalysis, or selective filtering systems. This will be a laboratory-intensive project involving growth of both marine and freshwater Fe-oxidizing bacteria, some biochemical analysis of their products, as well as development of laboratory systems for controlled growth and monitoring, via imaging, of the bacteria, including the use of RNA-seq based transcriptome approaches. In addition, comparative genomics will play an important part in strategizing research approaches. The well-suited candidate will have experience in geomicrobiology, microbial ecology and/or physiology with a strong interest and inclination toward experimental laboratory work, as well as an adequate background in genomics. It’s important to have an intellectual interest in applying this knowledge to the capacity for lithotrophic bacteria to grow on iron, as well as the potential for the development of novel materials. There will be opportunities to do some local field work. For full consideration, the application should be received by August 31, 2017.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is issuing a special call for petrophysics/downhole measurements and fluid geochemistry specialists to apply for Expedition 376 Brothers Arc Flux aboard the JOIDES Resolution. The deadline to apply is August 4, 2017.
The Physical Oceanography Program supports research on a wide range of topics associated with the structure and movement of the ocean, with the way in which it transports various quantities, with the way the ocean’s physical structure interacts with the biological and chemical processes within it, and with interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, solid earth and ice that surround it. Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2018.
The Biological Oceanography Program supports research in marine ecology broadly defined: relationships among aquatic organisms and their interactions with the environments of the oceans or Great Lakes. Projects submitted to the program for consideration are often interdisciplinary efforts that may include participation by other OCE Programs. Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2018.
The Chemical Oceanography Program supports research into the chemical components, reaction mechanisms, and geochemical pathways within the ocean and at its interfaces with the solid earth and the atmosphere. Major emphases include: studies of material inputs to and outputs from marine waters; orthochemical and biological production and transformation of chemical compounds and phases within the marine system; and the determination of reaction rates and study of equilibria. The Program encourages research into the chemistry, distribution, and fate of inorganic and organic substances introduced into or produced within marine environments including those from estuarine waters to the deep sea. Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2018.
The Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department is searching for two Postdoctoral Investigators to join their team. These are temporary positions and the initial appointment will be for one year starting (available immediately) with the possibility of an extension for up to two years. These positions will work in Dr. Julie Huber’s laboratory at WHOI. Dr. Huber’s research focuses on the composition and function of microbes in the deep-sea, to understand microbial dynamics and the resulting biogeochemical implications. Much of her work has involved the ocean crustal aquifer (e.g., hydrothermal systems; ocean ridge and arc volcanoes; off-ridge sub-seafloor crust). More broadly, her research interests span from the deep-sea to coastal ponds and astrobiology. The Postdoctoral Investigator positions will participate in studies of subseafloor crustal microbial communities. The emphasis is on examining microbial community biomass, function, and activity in the subseafloor habitat. While the primary focus of the work will be in research, the postdoctoral investigator will have an opportunity to participate in educational and outreach activities associated with the project.
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Postdoctoral Scholars Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in JPL’s Planetary Ices Group. Dr. Laurie Barge will serve as JPL postdoctoral advisor to the selected candidate. The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature. The “Becoming Biotic” project, funded by the NSF-NASA Ideas Lab for the Origins of Life, aims to provide the first direct examination of hypotheses regarding the emergence of metabolic pathways. The goal is to attempt to recapitulate ancient metabolic pathways by replacing protein enzymes with non-protein catalysts in early Earth conditions. The two-year project will consist of tasks conducted in a multi-institution effort between JPL, University of Southern California, and Oberlin College. Frequent communication and coordination will be required with the USC/Oberlin Co-I’s and their postdocs and students. The successful candidate will: 1. Identify a set of early Earth conditions under which we will test whether the cofactors can drive metabolic reactions. This will be done jointly with Co-I’s at USC and Oberlin. 2. Test individual cofactors for their ability to catalyze metabolic reactions in the absence of protein enzymes. This Task will also involve the development of synthesis procedures for organic and inorganic cofactors. 3. Measure the kinetics of cofactor-driven reactions for a set of ancient metabolic pathways under several early Earth conditions. 4. Recapitulate an ancient metabolic pathway under several early Earth conditions using cofactors without protein enzymes. Candidates should have a recent Ph.D. in chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, geochemistry or related fields. Most important is direct experience in protein cofactor chemistry outside of cellular environments, mineral synthesis, and anoxic chemical synthesis methods. Candidates should have experience working with analytical methods (particularly 1H liquid NMR) and working with hazardous chemicals (e.g. thioacetic acid, hydrogen sulfide).
The Division of Ocean Sciences, NSF, is pleased to announce that they are partnering with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), NASA, and NSF’s Office of Polar Programs (OPP), via the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), in a “Broad Agency Announcement” (ONR BAA # N000014-17-S-B016) regarding three ocean research and technology topics of mutual and emerging interest. Up to $18.5 million over five years may be available for this solicitation, subject to appropriation, availability of funds, and final approval by the participating NOPP agencies. The BAA provides research opportunities for the following three topics, and please note that Topic 3 is further subdivided:
For Topic 3, Letters of Intent are required by November, 22 2017 and full proposals are due February 16, 2018. Additional information may be found at http://www.nopp.org/2017/fy-18-nopp-funding-announcement/ and http://www.nopp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/N00014-17-S-B016.pdf.
Planning on attending the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, OR? Consider submitting your abstracts to these deep biosphere-related sessions. Abstracts due: September 6, 2017.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 378 South Pacific Paleogene Climate aboard the JOIDES Resolution. IODP Expedition 378 will investigate the record of Cenozoic climate and oceanography through a drilling transect in the far southern Pacific Ocean. In particular, it will target sediments deposited during the very warm Late Paleocene and Early Eocene including the Paleocene-Eocene boundary, as well as the Eocene-Oligocene transition to investigate how the Eocene earth maintained high global temperatures and high heat transport to the polar regions despite receiving near modern levels of solar energy input. Investigation of the recovered sediments also will constrain the subpolar Pacific climate, oceanographic structure, and biogeochemical cycling of much of the Cenozoic. These sediments will be used to characterize water masses, deep and shallow ocean temperature, latitudinal temperature gradients, the strength of upwelling, and the strength of the zonal winds to study both the atmospheric and oceanic climatic subsystems. The expedition will occur from 14 October through 14 December 2018. Additional information about this expedition can be found on the Expedition 378 webpage. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in all shipboard specialties, including but not limited to sedimentologists, micropaleontologists, paleomagnetists, inorganic/organic geochemists, petrologists, petrophysicists, microbiologists, and borehole geophysicists. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program, by visiting http://usoceandiscovery.org/expeditions. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2017.
The Hatzenpichler Lab at Montana State University, Bozeman, is looking for a postdoctoral scholar to study the spatial organization of microbial activity in marine sediments. Specifically, we seek to analyze the identity, 3d distribution, and cell-cell interactions of metabolically active microbes in salt marsh and deep-sea sediments. The postdoc will use a unique combination of cutting-edge techniques, including bioorthogonal labeling of translationally active cells, stable isotope probing and Raman micro-spectroscopy, as well as sorting and sequencing of individual metabolically active cells. The position will be available starting Sept. 1st 2017, is funded for 24 months, and will include full benefits. More information about the position and details on how to apply can be found at www.environmental-microbiology.com.
IUSE: GEOPATHS invites proposals that specifically address the current needs and opportunities related to undergraduate education within the geosciences community. The primary goal of the IUSE: GEOPATHS funding opportunity is to increase the number of undergraduate students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees and/or post-graduate degrees in geoscience through the design and testing of novel approaches for engaging students in authentic, career-relevant experiences in geoscience. In order to broaden participation in the geosciences, engaging undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented groups or from non-geoscience degree programs is a priority. The IUSE: GEOPATHS solicitation features two funding tracks: (1) Engaging students in the geosciences through extra-curricular experiences and training activities (GEOPATHS-EXTRA), and (2) Improving pathways into the geosciences through institutional collaborations and transfer (GEOPATHS-IMPACT). Letter of intent due date: August 18, 2017.
Karen G. Lloyd (University of Tennessee) leads the next C-DEBI Professional Development Webinar on “How to Negotiate in Academia,” covering why negotiation is essential, tips for how to do so successfully and what to expect from post-doc and assistant professorship job negotiations. Missed the last webinar on “Proposal Writing, Management, and Budget Planning”? Watch it on YouTube.
The 1% Microgrant is intended to support 1% of a single investigator’s salary for a single year, approximately 20-30 hours, or an equivalent dollar amount to cover materials and other expenses for a project of roughly that duration. Creative proposals aimed at supporting research, education, outreach, or professional development in STEM disciplines (including social and behavioral sciences, or interdisciplinary humanities/STEM projects) will be considered. This award is intended to provide protected time or resources for a small side project that would otherwise not be possible for an active scientist/educator. Ideally it will be self-contained and not a supplement to a large funded or ongoing project. Examples include but are not limited to: course development, an exploratory field trip, a single experiment, professional development (learning or teaching), or a special student session. The award will cover 1% of an investigator’s effort, up to 30% fringe, and their institution’s negotiated rate for federal indirect (facilities and administration) charges. Pre-applications should be made via Twitter. At approximately 9 am EDT on August 1, 2017, @MindlinFndtn will post an announcement tweet. Proposals should be a single reply to that tweet.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) and San José State University (SJSU) are seeking well-qualified applicants for a full-time, tenure-track position to provide quality undergraduate and graduate instruction, and to pursue a vigorous research program in the general area of Chemical Oceanography. We are seeking a field-oriented scientist with broad interests in Chemical Oceanography, possibly including environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biological/chemical/physical interactions. The successful applicant must have a strong commitment to quality instruction and a record of a vigorous research program that can involve graduate students. A Ph.D. is required.Teaching responsibilities include courses in chemical oceanography, biogeochemical processes, and other classes in specific areas of expertise. The candidate is expected to establish and maintain a vigorous extramurally funded research program involving MS students. The successful candidate will be a SJSU faculty member but will be located at the MLML facility, with all or most of their teaching/research conducted at MLML. Applications due August 23, 2017.
You are invited to join us for our Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium featuring research on coastal ocean processes, subseafloor microbes and more by undergraduates of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies Summer REU program and the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations C4 and GGURE programs. Light refreshments will be served. Please send an email to Gwen Noda gnoda@usc.edu to let us know that you plan to attend. See the flyer for more details.
The Beckman Young Investigator (BYI) Program provides research support to the most promising young faculty members in the early stages of their academic careers in the chemical and life sciences, particularly to foster the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that will open up new avenues of research in science. Projects proposed for the BYI program should be truly innovative, high-risk, and show promise for contributing to significant advances in chemistry and the life sciences. They should represent a departure from current research directions rather than an extension or expansion of existing programs. Proposed research that cuts across traditional boundaries of scientific disciplines is encouraged. Proposals that open new avenues of research in chemistry and life sciences by fostering the invention of methods, instruments, and materials will be given additional consideration. Application deadline: August 14, 2017
The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program, ICDP invites scientists from upcoming scientific drilling projects to apply for the ICDP Training Course on Continental Scientific Drilling to be held from November 5-10, 2017 either at Caernarfon (UK) nearby the ICDP-sponsored JET drilling project or at the Geocenter KTB in Windischeschenbach (Germany). This training course will touch upon all relevant aspects of continental scientific drilling, including project planning and management, pre-site surveys, drilling engineering, sample handling and storage, on-site studies, downhole logging, data management, and post-drilling measures. The training course is recommended for PhD students, post-docs and scientists involved in scientific drilling. Preference will be given to applicants involved in ICDP drilling projects, applicants from ICDP member countries, developing countries, and those from countries considering ICDP membership. For the successful candidates, expenses for travel, visa, meals and accommodation will be covered by ICDP. Deadline for application is August 18, 2017.
C-DEBI teamed up with the Consortium for Ocean Leadership’s Marine Geoscience Leadership Symposium (MGLS) for this comprehensive webinar on proposal preparation June 15, 2017. The webinar focused on topics related to preparing research proposals by providing advice on writing, constructing planning timelines, managing a team through the process, and preparing a budget. In addition to the 1 hour 20 minute video, PDFs are available of the presentation slides and a supplemental question answered from the extensive Questions and Discussion at the end of the webinar.
Do you love science but feel that a career as a scientist isn’t enough to sate your desire to learn more about the natural world? Do you enjoy reading papers outside your chosen area of research? If your answer is ‘yes’ to these questions, you could be the person we are looking for to join the editorial team of Nature Geoscience. We seek an associate or senior editor to represent the biogeochemistry research community at the prestigious journal Nature Geoscience. The editor will promote the journal’s coverage of the various fields within this broad discipline in the primary research, reviews and opinion sections of the journal. The successful candidate will ideally have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a discipline that falls broadly within the field of biogeochemistry. However, strong candidates from all areas of the geosciences will be considered. Postdoctoral experience and broad training will be an advantage. Key elements of the job include the selection of manuscripts for publication, as well as commissioning, editing and writing for the journal. Close contact with related research communities, through conferences and laboratory visits, will be an essential component of the work. The role is demanding and intellectually stimulating, and it calls for a keen interest in the practice and communication of science. The successful candidate will be highly motivated and outgoing, and must possess excellent interpersonal skills. The salary and benefits are competitive, reflecting the critical importance and responsibilities of the role. The position will ideally be based in our London or Berlin office, but exceptions can be considered for strong candidates. Closing Date: July 11, 2017.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) at Texas A&M University is seeking a qualified individual who strong organizational skills, excellent ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others to fill the full-time Research Specialist II position. The position oversees the supervision of IODP repository facilities and curating all core, samples, residues, and special collections to ensure scientific utility and integrity, according to guidelines established by IODP. Enforce IODP sampling policy, fill sample requests, prepare budgets and support IODP education and public relations initiatives. Minimum qualifications is a Bachelor’s degree and six years’ of relevant experience. Three years’ in core processing, curation, sampling techniques in scientific, and supervisory experience are preferred. The ideal candidate will have a background in oceanographic sciences, scientific ocean drilling and research cruise participation experience, and database management system usage. We will begin reviewing applications on August 1, 2017, but will continue to accept applications until candidates are selected for interviews.
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from early-career faculty at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. Proposal deadlines due July 19-21, 2017 depending on directorate.
The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) at Texas A&M University invites applications for a Research Scientist [Manager of Technical and Analytical Services (TAS)] to lead our Department of Technical and Analytical Sciences. The Manager of Technical and Analytical Services is responsible for the scientific laboratories aboard the R/V JOIDES Resolution, the JRSO staff who support those facilities, and serves as a member of the JRSO management team. Texas A&M is seeking an individual with the vision and knowledge to provide and support state of the art analytical facilities in a challenging, seagoing environment. The successful candidate will be a proven leader, who will oversee thirty-two staff who support directly the shipboard laboratories on IODP expeditions. The successful applicant will have demonstrated the ability to cooperate and work harmoniously with others, to foster collaboration among diverse scientific participants, and to engage the broader scientific ocean drilling community in setting priorities for shipboard scientific measurements and methods. A Ph.D. in geosciences or related field, 6 years’ of relevant professional experience, and demonstrated proficiency in directing a research laboratory(s) is required. Experience in project management and/or seagoing scientist, especially in scientific ocean drilling, is preferred. We will begin reviewing applications on August 1, 2017, but will continue to accept applications until candidates are selected for interviews.
The U.S. Science Support Program is seeking dynamic speakers to convey the excitement of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) to geoscience communities and the public across the United States. Since 1991, more than 800 presentations have been made to audiences at U.S. colleges, universities, and informal learning centers. Your help is requested to identify scientists interested in participating as lecturers in the Ocean Discovery Lecture Series Program during the 2018-2019 academic year. Lectures focus on the discoveries and results of scientific ocean drilling and are primarily aimed at undergraduate and graduate students, museums, science departments, and the scientifically literate public. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an Ocean Discovery Lecturer, email their name, institution, and potential lecture topic to the USSSP Outreach Coordinator, Nicole Kurtz (nkurtz@ldeo.columbia.edu), by the nomination deadline of July 21, 2017.
The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) of Stony Brook University seeks applicants for a Postdoctoral Associate position in microbial oceanography under Prof. Gordon T. Taylor’s supervision. This position is associated with SoMAS’s Nano Raman Molecular Imaging Laboratory (NARMIL), whose mission is to provide novel microspectrometric solutions to problems in marine microbiology, biogeochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and allied fields in the natural sciences and engineering. Incumbent will be expected to utilize sable isotype probing, Confocal Raman Microspectrometry and Atomic Force Microscopy to develop cutting edge single-cell techniques to examine flow of major elements, particularly carbon, through planktonic microalgal and bacterial hosts to their viral pathogens and to dissolved pools. This transdisciplinary project includes collaboration with Dr. Joaquin Martinez Martinez (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences). Incumbent will also assist in the supervision and management of the lab. This will be an initial 18-month position funded by a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation grant, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance and funding. Further information about this position and SoMAS, visit http://www.somas.stonybrook.edu/jobs/. Application due July 2, 2017, but will be accepted until filled.
The 2017 Science Showcase Video Contest celebrates the best in researcher-created science videos. A staggering number of people use YouTube — over 200 million in the U.S. alone – many of whom are passionate about science. Yet there are remarkably few researchers making videos that people want to watch. This is a huge missed opportunity, and one we’re on a mission to address. Wouldn’t it be awesome if scientists were as fluent in “YouTube” as they are in “Blog” and “Twitter”? The Science Showcase Video Contest is all about getting researchers excited about communicating their science to curious-minded people on YouTube. So if you are doing cool research, and have a passion for telling others about it, get creating! Qualifying videos will be showcased on the Science Showcase YouTube channel, and the best reviewed by our panel of distinguished guest judges, including BrainCraft’s Vanessa Hill, NPR’s Richard Harris, ACS Reaction’s Adam Dylewski, and Google’s Cat Allman. Submissions close August 31, 2017.
The U.S. Science Support Program is seeking one U.S.-based senior scientist to serve on the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board (JRFB), as well as new members for the U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling (USAC) and the Science Evaluation Panel (SEP). All new members will serve three-year terms, beginning in October 2017. The deadline to apply is July 21, 2017.
Proposals are solicited to support needs of the marine seismic research community that are currently provided by the specialized seismic research vessel R/V Marcus G. Langseth. The vessel is owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (LDEO). NSF has determined that the current operational model is unsustainable and, with this solicitation, seeks proposals that provide comparable access to marine seismic capability through innovative approaches to R/V Marcus G. Langseth use or by other means.The successful proposal will be administered as a Cooperative Agreement over the five-year period of performance. Full proposal deadline: August 21, 2017.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a postdoctoral scholar to study microbial remediation of asbestos through chemosynthesis. The position involves the cultivation of chemosynthetic microorganisms relevant to Fe- and N-based energy metabolisms. DESIRED LABORATORY SKILLS INCLUDE: (i) experience with microbial cultivation under batch and/or continuous culture conditions, (ii) experience with aqueous geochemistry techniques, (iii) experience with epifluorescent, SEM and/or TEM microscopy and (iv) basic molecular techniques. [Note: these are the required skills for the implementation of the project. Training in certain areas can be provided, as long as the intellectual motivation is well aligned with this research]. DESIRED ACADEMIC SKILLS INCLUDE: (i) team-working and interpersonal skills, (ii) excellent written and oral communication skills, (iii) commitment to developing peer-reviewed manuscripts, and (iv) desire to work at the intersection between geology, chemistry and biology. The position includes full benefits and is for two years. Candidates should submit a CV, max 2-page statement of experience/interests and the names of 3 contact references. Please send application materials and/or informal inquiries to Dr. Ileana Pérez-Rodríguez (ileperez@sas.upenn.edu). The position is available starting September 1st. Applications are accepted until position is filled. The successful candidate must have completed his/her Ph.D. at the time of the appointment.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is issuing a special call for experienced scientists to apply for IODP Expedition 381 Corinth Rift Development aboard a Mission Specific Platform provided by the ECORD Science Operator in the following specialties: inorganic geochemistry, foraminifer micropaleontology, and nannofossil micropaleontology. The call is only for scientists able to sail during the offshore phase (56 days starting between October 2nd and 16th, 2017 from Corinth, Greece). The new deadline to apply is June 9, 2017 (by 11:59 PM EDT).
The hired scientist will be engaged in a large-scale study of the lineage boundaries, mechanisms, rates, and consequences of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in marine bacterioplankton. Bacterial and archaeal HGT enables fast adaptation to environmental changes, as suggested by studies of human pathogens. Therefore HGT may also play an important role in bacterioplankton responses to natural and human-induced perturbations. However, microevolutionary processes are often overlooked in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry studies. The specific mechanisms, rates and consequences of microbial HGT in nature remain largely unknown, to a large degree due to methodological limitations. Unlike earlier, cultivation-based and metagenomic approaches, single cell genomics is well suited for in situ studies of HGT, because it recovers genomes from a randomized subset of unicellular individuals and successfully captures genome regions that have divergent evolutionary histories (e.g. HGT events) or are located on separate DNA molecules (e.g. plasmids). The project is led by Dr. Stepanauskas, utilizes single cell genomics and other cutting-edge technologies, and takes advantage of significant bioinformatics support and computational resources at Bigelow Laboratory and collaborating institutions. Candidates must have a PhD degree or post-degree experience in relevant fields, such as evolution, bioinformatics and microbiology.
C-DEBI’s last annual meeting was preceded by a C-DEBI/Metcalf Institute Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Professional Development Workshop on “Building Leadership in Science Communication.” The following workshop speaker videos are now available on YouTube:
More resources from the day-long workshop are available at http://metcalfinstitute.org/tr
Speakers: Donna Blackman (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) and Beth Orcutt (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences). For our upcoming C-DEBI Professional Development Webinar, we have teamed up with the Consortium for Ocean Leadership’s Marine Geoscience Leadership Symposium (MGLS) to bring you a comprehensive webinar on proposal preparation. The webinar will focus on topics related to preparing research proposals by providing advice on writing, constructing planning timelines, managing a team through the process, and preparing a budget. Please register to access the webinar link and receive last-minute email reminders!
A new series of DCO webinars focusing on big data modeling and visualization will launch Wednesday, 17 May 2017 at 2 pm EDT. Called “DCO Webinar Wednesdays,” this webinar series builds on the successful workshop program at the Third DCO International Science Meeting and will take place monthly over the summer. We hope you join in to learn from DCO experts in data science, modeling, and data visualization, who will guide you through a series of available modeling tools and software packages that you can integrate into your research now. Synthesis Group 2019 and the DCO Engagement Team are hosting this series. You can join the webinars live, and follow along on Twitter on the hashtag #DCOWebWed. All webinars will begin with a 30-minute presentation, followed by 15 minutes for open discussion and Q&A. We will archive the webinars as they happen, so don’t worry if you miss one! The final webinar of this series on 12 October 2017 will bring together the presenters for a live Q&A, giving you plenty of opportunity to view the archive and have your questions answered by our panel of experts. Contact Katie Pratt (katie_pratt@uri.edu) or Darlene Trew Crist (dtcristdco@gmail.com) with any questions about the webinar series, or if you would like to propose a future series.
This solicitation seeks the services of a qualified organization to manage and operate an Ocean Bottom Seismometer Instrument Center established and sponsored by Marine Geology and Geophysics research programs within NSF’s Division of Ocean Sciences. Research activities requiring the use of the existing pool of instruments supported by NSF are expected to continue well beyond the period of performance for the existing Ocean Bottom Seismometer Instrument Pool Management Office award, scheduled to expire in early 2018. The award resulting from this solicitation will be administered as a Cooperative Agreement with a single Lead Institution that will perform the OBSIC activities described herein. Full Proposal Deadline: October 25, 2017.
Dear C-DEBI Colleagues,
Last month we urged you to fill out the JR Renewal Online Survey. You all reacted in great numbers; with a total of 876 survey takers (for all of IODP participants, including 410 from the U.S.) we are showcasing the great, wide and enthusiastic interest in IODP utilizing the JR. Thank you so much!
However, the survey was only the first step in the two-step JR Renewal process. Now we need your PARTICPATION in the Denver 2 Meeting that is officially called the JOIDES Resolution Assessment Workshop! This workshop will bring together close to 80 scientists with strong interests and/or experience in IODP, from all career stages and from all U.S. institutions. We are hoping for a strong showing from deep biosphere colleagues to represent our interests in future IODP Expeditions. SEE THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS AND PLEASE APPLY SOON (Deadline for application is TOMORROW, June 2nd)!!!
From the perspective of the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board (JRFB) this workshop is critically important for renewal:
The results of the Denver 1 Workshop in 2012 allowed NSF to successfully secure approval by the National Science Board (NSB) for starting the 2013-2019 portion of the current IODP program. However, it also provided the ingredients for a new business and operational model that now has been implemented (to great success) by the JRFB. As always, your PARTICIPATION, ENERGY AND IDEAS are key to making Denver 2 the greatest possible success!!!
Thank you, and all the best,
Jason Sylvan & Jennifer Biddle.
Axial Seamount is the most magmatically active submarine volcano in the northeast Pacific and has been the focus of inter-disciplinary study for over three decades. The range of scientific interests includes volcanology, geophysical characterization and monitoring, hydrothermal vent formation and geochemistry, quantification of heat and chemical fluxes, hydrogeology, and the diversity and evolution of microbiological and animal communities. Axial Seamount erupted in January 1998, April 2011, and April 2015, thus the site presents a unique opportunity to study the interaction between volcanic, hydrothermal, and biological responses to magmatic and volcanic events. For these reasons, Axial Seamount was chosen as one of the key sites on the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s (OOI) cabled observatory network, the Cabled Array (CA). Now that the CA is fully operational with data streaming live to shore for two years from a diverse suite of cabled instruments, we want to explore how ocean drilling and related studies can complement seafloor-based investigations by gaining access to the subseafloor to expand our understanding of microbiological, geophysical, hydrologic, and geochemical processes at Axial Seamount. The overall goal will be to develop a full IODP proposal for drilling and related experiments at Axial Seamount. The workshop will bring together a multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers across a broad spectrum of ocean sciences and engineering to discuss recent engineering advances and practical issues related to drilling into zero-age oceanic crust, and to identify high priority science objectives and research opportunities that can only be achieved with ocean drilling at Axial Seamount. Contact Julie Huber (jhuber@whoi.edu) with any questions and to apply for the workshop. Deadline to apply: June 30, 2017.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 377 Arctic Ocean Paleoceanography aboard a Mission Specific Platform (MSP) provided by the ECORD Science Operator. To learn more about the scientific objectives of this expedition, life at sea, and how to apply to sail, please join in a web-based seminar on Monday 22 May 2017 at 1pm GMT (9:00 am EDT). To register for the webinar, click here.The offshore phase of Expedition 377 is provisionally scheduled for a maximum of 60 days during Autumn 2018, with only a subset of the Science Party participating. Offshore activities will focus on core recovery, curation, sampling for ephemeral properties, biostratigraphy, physical properties, preliminary lithostratigraphy (whole core observed at core ends and through plastic liners), and downhole logging. The cores will not be split at sea. Subsequently, an Onshore Science Party (OSP) will be held at the MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Germany, in early 2019 (exact dates to be confirmed), where the cores will be split. The OSP will be a maximum of 4 weeks long, the exact length dependent on core recovery. All members of the Science Party must attend the Onshore Science Party. Successful applicants will be invited either as an offshore-onshore participant, or as an onshore-only participant. Please note that there are no opportunities for offshore-only participation. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in all specialties. While other expertise may be considered, specialists in the following fields are required: sedimentology, paleontology, palynology, organic geochemistry, inorganic geochemistry, structural geology, paleomagnetics, microbiology, physical properties, geophysics, stratigraphic correlation and downhole logging. For the offshore phase of the expedition, we are particularly looking for the following fields: sedimentology, paleontology, organic geochemistry, inorganic geochemistry, microbiology, physical properties, and petrophysics/downhole logging. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2017.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the International Indian Ocean Expedition and the beginning of a new phase of coordinated international research dubbed the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2). This 5-year global science initiative is engaging the international science community in collaborative research to improve our understanding of key ocean and climate drivers in the Indian Ocean basin. To harness growing interest among US scientists in Indian Ocean research, the US IIOE-2 Steering Committee is organizing an Indian Ocean community workshop September 11-13, 2017 in La Jolla, CA. Through a combination of plenary sessions and smaller group discussions, participants in this workshop will work across disciplines of biological, chemical, physical, and geological oceanography, as well as climate dynamics and atmospheric science to generate integrated observing and process experiment strategies to address some of the leading, multidisciplinary science questions in the Indian Ocean basin. The workshop will be sponsored by the US Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) Program, NASA Physical Oceanography, NOAA Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). Abstract submission deadline: July 14, 2017.
The Simons Foundation invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships to support research on fundamental problems in marine microbial ecology. The foundation is particularly interested in applicants with training in different fields who want to apply their experience to understanding the role of microorganisms in shaping ocean processes and vice versa, as well as applicants with experience in modeling or theory development. While these cross-disciplinary applicants will receive particular attention, applicants already involved in ocean research are also encouraged to apply. The foundation anticipates awarding five fellowships in 2017. Applicants should have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree within two years of the fellowship’s start date. Preference will be for applicants with no more than one year of postdoctoral experience. Applicants may be citizens of any country. Awards can only be issued to nonprofit research universities or research institutions in the U.S. Application deadline: June 15, 2017.
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate in the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Essay Competition. This essay competition was created to inspire students to explore connections between human rights and science, engineering and the health professions. Students may write on any topic at the intersection of science and/or technology with human rights. Submissions should be written in the form of an analytical or critical paper that raises thought-provoking questions. For example, potential essay topics might include: the applications of a scientific approach or a new technology to address specific human rights concerns; an analysis of synergies between human rights obligations and the social responsibilities of scientists, engineers and/or health professionals; or the ways in which full implementation of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress may influence realization of other human rights. These examples are only provided to spark ideas: students are encouraged to write essays that reflect their own ideas, interests, and insights. Essay submission open through April 30, 2017.
The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces that proposals will now be accepted for U.S. researchers to use the drill ship JOIDES Resolution to collect cores using the Advanced Piston Coring (APC) system up to sub-bottom depths of 100 meters to address research on multiple aspects of the ocean basins. This program, referred to as “JR100,” was outlined in a previous Dear Colleague Letter (NSF 17-018). This new NSF Dear Colleague Letter provides the specific dates and geographic area of operation for the first JR100 cruise and updates information previously provided on proposal preparation requirements. JOIDES Resolution is scheduled to be transiting from Papeete, Tahiti, to Punta Arenas, Chile, from 19 December 2018 to 18 January 2019. Approximately thirteen (13) days during this transit period will be available for cruise operations (including coring and site-to-site transit time) with the remaining seventeen (17) days allocated to the direct transit route between ports. The cruise participants will stay on the ship during the entire thirty days. For a successful proposal, the NSF science program to which the proposal is submitted will provide funding for the types of items normally included in an ARF-based coring proposal including, but not limited to, funding for PI and cruise participant salaries, core shipments, non-standard analytical equipment required at sea, and post-cruise research funding. Funding sources for the ship operations to implement successful proposals will be determined through conversations between cognizant NSF Program Directors.
The Rita Allen Foundation and WGBH Boston are pleased to announce the Rita Allen Fellowship for Science Communication. This new program will provide a year’s support for one fellow to study the field of science media, experiment with successful media formats and work to expand science literacy in the general public. The fellow will embed at WGBH, one of the pre-eminent science media producers in the US and home to the flagship public media science series NOVA. The goal of the Rita Allen Fellowship is to identify ways to expand how and to whom science news and information are communicated. It also aims to discover new information by experimenting with best practices that will provide all science media producers with tools to reach new audiences more effectively. The Fellow will receive a stipend of $82,000 plus benefits, for the year. Applications due June 30, 2017.
With support from the Rita Allen Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences is pleased to offer two awards of $37,500 each to support the formation and development of collaborative science communication researcher-practitioner partnerships. These awards are intended to facilitate the efforts of science communication researchers and practitioners to plan collaborative projects that pursue shared research interests aligned with the recently released consensus report, Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda. Those receiving awards will present details about their collaborations at a special session of the Arthur M. Sackler Colloquium on the Science of Science Communication III to be held on November 16-17, 2017. Additional support for the Colloquium is provided by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. To apply for these awards, researchers and practitioners who have agreed to work in partnership should submit a proposal by June 1, 2017.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for Expedition 380 NanTroSEIZE Frontal Thrust Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System (LTBMS) aboard the D/V Chikyu. The Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) Project comprises multiple expeditions over a multi-year period aimed at sampling and instrumenting the up-dip transition into the subduction seismogenic zone. The goal of Expedition 380 is to install an LTBMS in the accretionary toe region near the trough axis at Site C0006, previously drilled during IODP Expeditions 314 and 316. The LTBMS sensors will include: seafloor reference and formation pressure sensors, broadband seismometer, tiltmeters, volumetric strainmeter, geophones, and accelerometers. This will be the third LTBMS installed for the NanTroSEIZE project. The expedition is currently planned for 43 days, beginning on 23 October, sailing on 26 October (after three days of portcall), and finishing on 5 December, 2017. If LTBMS/CORK installation goes ahead of schedule, the ship will return early to port and the expedition will be complete. Additional information about this expedition can be found in the Expedition 380 Call For Participation. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) to sail on the expedition. Scientific specialties that will likely be required for the shipboard science party include observatory science and downhole logging. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2017.
USSSP periodically sponsors seagoing Earth systems research and education workshops—the “School of Rock”—aboard the JOIDES Resolution. During times when the ship is unavailable, the School of Rock is conducted at the Gulf Coast Repository, located at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, or other institutions. Over 150 formal and informal educators have participated in the School of Rock program since it was initiated in 2005. During the 7-14 day School of Rock workshop, educators have daily opportunities to conduct geological, physical and/or chemical analyses of sediment and hard-rock cores in laboratories on the ship or at the repository. Scientists who specialize in IODP research instruct participants on topics such as seafloor spreading, mid-ocean ridges, composition and structure of the oceanic crust, paleomagnetism, paleoceanography, biostratigraphy, sedimentology, hydrogeology, and methods for sampling the subseafloor environment. The workshop also provides educators with time to brainstorm and begin planning classroom activities based on their research and newly acquired knowledge. Application deadline: April 7, 2017.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded an Early Career Scientist Training Cruise in Seismic Data Acquisition and Processing to take place aboard the R/V Revelle in September 2017.The official announcement and application form for this opportunity will be forthcoming.nAs part of this effort, the program’s Principal Investigators will be hosting a three-part webinar series, which will provide participants with necessary information to complete the application package, including a 2-page (max) science proposal. The webinars will introduce the participants to the process of defining science goals, developing detailed cruise plans to meet those goals, and to fundamentals of active source marine seismology. The course will also cover the use of currently available data, open source processing, and interpretation tools to help develop a proposal. The cruise has been designed for (but is not limited to) graduate students and early career scientists who are “non-specialists” in active source seismic, but we welcome any interested parties for this webinar series! The program PIs are: Masako Tominaga (TAMU), Anne Trehu (OSU), Mitch Lyle (OSU), and Gregory Mountain (Rutgers), with additional support from Nathan Bangs (UTIG). Interested individuals can sign up for the free webinars, even if they do not intend to apply to the cruise opportunity. Please RVSP at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSWSeismicWebinars and the UNOLS Office will send login and participation instructions prior to the start of the webinars. The deadline for webinar registration is April 3, 2017.
We seek to fill a full time Education and Broadening Participation Manager position within the new National Science Foundation STROBE Science and Technology Center for Real-Time Functional Imaging. The successful candidate will serve as the day-to-day project manager for STROBE activities directed to education and broadening participation. STROBE is a partnership of University of Colorado Boulder, UC Berkley, UC Los Angeles, UC Irvine, Fort Lewis College, and Florida International University. The mission of Strobe is to create powerful and broadly-applicable real time nano-to-atomic scale imaging modalities to advance imaging science and increase access, that can be used to address grand challenges in science and technology, while building a diverse STEM workforce. In addition to research, STROBE emphasizes knowledge transfer, education and broadening participation in the STEM workforce. For more information about STROBE, visit STROBE.colorado.edu. The goals of STROBE’s Education and Broadening Participation efforts are to develop, implement, assess and disseminate new education programs, innovative instructional materials, and models for other programs that inspire and prepare a diverse group of students to be innovative and globally competitive in imaging science and technology. STROBE will create unique learning approaches and experiences in imaging science through four core and integrated programmatic approaches that focus on transforming graduate programs, developing new pathways for those underrepresented in our fields, efforts in communication and engaging the public, and developing models for transdisciplinary STEM education. The successful candidate will be an employee of CU Boulder. The initial appointment will be for 24 months, renewable subject to University policies and the availability of funding. Review of applications will begin April 14, 2017 and will continue until the position is filled.
The goal of the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is to prepare graduate students for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission, by providing graduate thesis research opportunities at DOE laboratories. The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students to pursue part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE laboratory in areas that address scientific challenges central to the Office of Science mission. The research opportunity is expected to advance the graduate students’ overall doctoral thesis while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at the DOE laboratories. The SCGSR program is sponsored and managed by the DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS), in collaboration with the 6 Office of Science research programs and the DOE national laboratories. Online application and awards administration support is provided by Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) under Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). The SCGSR program provides supplemental funds for graduate awardees to conduct part of their thesis research at a host DOE laboratory in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist within a defined award period. The award period for the proposed research project at DOE laboratories may range from 3 to 12 consecutive months. Applications are due May 16, 2017.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California San Diego (http://scripps.ucsd.edu) invites applications for one or more full-time Researcher positions to be funded by extramural research grants and contracts. The Researcher series at SIO parallels the Professor series in terms of research and service, but carries no teaching requirements. Researchers receive nine-month appointments with 25% salary support from institutional sources. Researchers are expected to establish an externally funded research program that provides the remainder of their salary support, including an opportunity for summer salary. Researchers at SIO often obtain lecturer appointments in the SIO department and serve as graduate student advisors. Although the specific research area within ocean biosciences is open, candidates with interests and experience in marine genomics/bioinformatics, marine natural products, fisheries science, aquaculture, or marine resource policy are especially encouraged to apply. For full consideration, please apply by the April 18, 2017 deadline.
Proposals are invited from all fields of scientific interest to be represented at the most influential gathering of Earth and space scientists in the world. This year sessions on the topics of data and geohealth are of particular interest to the Fall Meeting Program Committee. Data & Emerging Technologies: Data is critical to scientific advancement and improving our understanding of how natural systems and phenomena operate and change. Data should be openly accessible and archived for reuse into the future. Emerging technologies are creating new instruments, sensor arrays, and platforms that enable the collection of new data types and/or improve the resolution, accuracy, and precision of data collection methodologies. Frontier computational techniques and visualization tools are rapidly influencing the way we collect data and conduct science, thus forming a fertile breeding ground for new ideas and never-before-attempted science. Geohealth: This rapidly growing science covers the interface between the Earth, health, ecosystem, and agricultural sciences. The topic connects and brings together talks on climate change and human health, medical geology, natural hazards and health, atmospheric science, air pollution, the health effects of fire, the interface between water quality and health, and much more. Submission deadline: April 19, 2017.
The Hamdan Lab, in the Division of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi seeks an exceptional student to participate in marine microbial ecology studies in deep-sea habitats. This funded position will support independent research on the effects of oil spills on benthic ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. The research assistantship will support (stipend, tuition, benefits) a highly motivated PhD or MS study for up to three years beginning in Fall 2017. A student is sought to conduct independent research that investigates microbial population structure, metabolic capability, biodiversity and biogeochemistry of benthic environments. This position will involve laboratory studies using molecular biological techniques (DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing), bioinformatics, classical approaches to environmental microbiology (microscopy, metabolic tracers), and analytical chemistry techniques (stable carbon isotope studies, elemental analysis, bulk carbon pool analysis). Individuals interested in this position should contact Dr. Leila Hamdan (leila.hamdan@usm.edu), and provide a cover letter outlining specific interests and experience in the study of marine microbial ecology or biogeochemistry and a curriculum vita. Application for Fall 2017 admission at USM is required.
The Hamdan Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi seeks a qualified and highly motivated individual for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist position. This position will support research on the effects of oil spills on benthic ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically sought is a Postdoc to investigate the long-term consequences of oil and chemical dispersant exposure on the preservation of 20th century historic steel shipwreck in the deep biosphere. The individual will design and implement ROV deployable seafloor experiments to monitor microbially induced corrosion. Individuals with experience with microbiology and biogeochemistry, with specific knowledge and molecular biological techniques (DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing) are encouraged to apply. Experience and proficiency in bioinformatics and statistical analysis is desired for this position as well as proficiency with analytical chemistry techniques, including hydrocarbon analysis. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in coastal or marine sciences, geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry or similar field. The hire will be encouraged to participate in the planning and execution of oceanographic research onboard USM’s research vessel Point Sur for periods of up to two weeks at sea, and contribute to student mentoring. Excellent written and oral communication skills are needed, as well as a commitment to developing peer-reviewed manuscripts. Pending funding, the position will support the hire for 3 years, starting as early as June 2017.
2017 Summer School on Engineered Living Systems (ELS) will convene forward-looking thought-leaders whose primary goal is to develop the scientific/engineering base and probe the ethical implications that arise from these complex biological interactions; their resultant emergent behaviors; and the ultimate creation of complex biological systems engineered to perform specific, targeted functions. Priority deadline for rolling admissions: March 31, 2017.
The Deep Carbon Observatory, in collaboration with the Department of Earth Sciences of Sapienza University (Rome), is hosting its third Early Career Scientist Workshop in Nicolosi (Etna), Italy, 28 August-2 September 2017. This workshop will bring together the next generation of researchers active in deep carbon studies from around the world. Building on the success of the first and second DCO Early Career Scientist Workshops, this third workshop (~50 scientists) of early career researchers will continue to foster collaboration and community within the ever expanding DCO Science Network. The workshop is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and aims to financially support as many participants as possible. There is no registration fee for this workshop (accommodation and meals will be provided). Successful applicants will be eligible for up to 100% reimbursement of travel costs. Senior graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, fellows, and newly appointed assistant professors, are encouraged to apply. The application window is open through April 14, 2017.
Since 2011, the Deep Carbon Observatory’s (DCO) Deep Life Community has sponsored the Census of Deep Life (CoDL) that has supported surveys of the diversity of microbes present in several deep continental and subseafloor environments. The first surveys (2011-2012) were conducted using 454 pyrosequencing and subsequently (2013) Illumina sequencing strategies were adopted. Through this initiative, the Deep Life Community has allowed the characterization of diversity of subsurface microbial communities at numerous sites worldwide including the subseafloor and deep continental locations from a range of geologic settings (e.g., large igneous provinces, subglacial lakes, methane hydrate-rich sediments, cratons). The Illumina platform provides increased numbers of reads for more samples at reduced cost. For DNA samples submitted to the CoDL for sequencing, proponents have the option of obtaining 400-450 nt sequences that span the V4V5 region of Bacterial and Archaeal rRNA coding regions or a greater number of reads for V6 regions that through complete overlap of forward and reverse reads allows detection of lower abundance taxa with reduced stochastic error rates. Shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing for key samples can also be performed. This call for proposals aims to support sequencing that represents expanded analyses from ongoing Deep Life Community projects or projects that represent sites and investigators new to the DCO’s Deep Life Community. Proposal deadline: April 30, 2017.
July 10-12, 2017; Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA. Interactions between the land and ocean can provide important feedbacks to climatic evolution and surface processes. The Asian monsoon is an impressive example of these interactions as a major component of Earth’s climate affecting over half of the world population. In the Indian Ocean sector, close interactions between physical and biogeochemical processes with the tectonics of the India-Eurasia collision zone may have controlled both regional and global climate during the Cenozoic. The record of such interactions is best preserved in the ocean and was the target of recent scientific drilling across the region. Land-ocean interactions also play a critical role in modulating climate over Africa where complex interactions between the Indian monsoon and Atlantic occurs. Between 2013 and 2016, a series of IODP expeditions drilled in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific oceans covering the Asian and Australian monsoon domains and adjacent regions. The goal of this 2.5-day workshop is to review results of the recent regionally-focused scientific drilling expeditions in the Indian Ocean, to propose possible paths for an integrated understanding of the role and response of climate in regulating Indian Ocean hydrology, hydrography, sedimentation, and biogeochemistry, and to synthesize practical lessons for future scheduled and proposed regional IODP drilling campaigns. The workshop is open to U.S. and international participants, and the deadline to apply is April 28, 2017.
The NSF Continental Scientific Drilling Coordination Office (CSDCO) at the University of Minnesota requests participation in the development of a community Long Range Science Plan. If you plan to core or drill on Earth’s continents in the next 10 years, your ideas should be included in the Science Plan. This workshop is for scientific disciplines other than Paleorecords requiring continental drilling and coring: Critical Zone, Deep Biosphere, Tectonics/Magmatism, Fault Zone, Impact Structures, Hydrology, Geothermal, Geochemistry, and others. Travel is supported through CSDCO funding from NSF. The goal of this workshop is to identify and prioritize for each discipline the compelling science drivers, drilling/coring targets, strategic frameworks, and timelines focusing on continental localities in the coming decade. Projects include, but are not limited to, collaborative efforts and co-funding with international partners. Investigators with committed funding from the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), or those who will seek such support, are particularly encouraged to participate. Application deadline: April 14, 2017.
Please consider submitting your abstract to Goldschmidt Session 15h: Geobiology of the Modern Convenors: Fumio Inagaki, Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Chuanlun Zhang, Brian Hedlund, Fengping Wang, Stefan Sievert, Karen Lloyd, Benedicte Menez. Keynote: Victoria Orphan (Caltech). Abstract: The deep ocean and subseafloor biosphere is vast and diverse, harboring many uncultured clades of microorganisms. Energy and nutrients are supplied primarily by transformations of biologically and/or abiotically produced organic matter and the redox chemistry of water-rock interactions. Recent technological breakthroughs in biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology and molecular biology, as well as in obtaining pristine samples from the hadal zone of the ocean and the deep-subsurface biosphere enable us to address essential questions about microbial community composition, biogeochemical contribution, and limits to microbial ecosystems in the deep ocean and subseafloor biosphere. In this session, we would like to highlight studies broadly focusing on the triangular relationship between microbiology, geochemistry, and geophysics in (but not limited to) diverse oceanic and subseafloor biosphere settings. Given the slow pace of deep life activity and the associated challenges for detecting biosignatures in the most extreme sections of the Earth’s microbial ecosystems, we also encourage submissions addressing the exploration of biomarkers. Abstract deadline: April 1, 2017.
The Orsi lab at the University of Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München) is searching for a postdoctoral scholar within the framework of a newly funded project on microbial transcriptional activity in subseafloor sediment. The position involves the extraction and analysis of DNA and RNA from a high number of samples in order to constrain shared and unique biochemical subsistence strategies of subseafloor life. Desired skills in the ideal candidate are experience working with DNA and RNA from low biomass samples, and experience with bioinformatic analysis of large datasets of next generation sequencing data. The city of Munich is located less than 1 hour from the alps and hosts a vibrant and intellectually stimulating academic environment, that includes major Geoscience centers such as the Munich GeoCenter, Munich GeoBio Center, and Origins of Life Munich initiative. The position includes full benefits and is for two years, with the possibility for extension of an additional year (total of 3 years). The position also comes with the possibility (albeit not a requirement) for lecturing at the Bachelors and Masters level, depending on the candidates interests. Interested candidates should submit informal inquiries to Prof. Dr. William D. Orsi (w.orsi@lrz.uni-muenchen.de).
In conjunction with a team of international colleagues, the ANZIC members have proposed a major regional IODP workshop (SW Pacific, Southern and eastern Indian Oceans) to be held in Sydney in June 2017. The goal of the workshop is to trigger development of new IODP proposals and reinvigorate existing, compelling proposals. The workshop will be an opportunity to entrain a new generation of young scientists to work collaboratively to plan a new phase of ocean drilling in the Australasian region. The workshop will cover all possible IODP platforms, not just the JOIDES Resolution. European-funded alternative platforms are suitable for work in shallow-water reefal areas and on the Antarctic continental shelf. There is considerable optimism that IODP Proposal 871, for the use of the Chikyu to drill deep into the Cretaceous on the Lord Howe Rise, will soon come to fruition and provide strong encouragement for those hoping to use the Chikyu elsewhere in the Australasian region. This workshop is co-funded through a workshop award from the U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP), the IODP Program Member Office for the U.S. This special call invites applications from early career researchers (PhD students and post-docs) from U.S. institutions. It is anticipated that 5 to 6 early career researchers can receive travel support to join the workshop. Applications due April 17, 2017.
Authors: Janelle J. Sikorski and Brandon R. Briggs
Microbial processes in the deep biosphere affect marine sediments, such as the formation of gas hydrate deposits. Gas hydrate deposits offer a large source of natural gas with the potential to augment energy reserves and affect climate and seafloor stability. Despite the significant interdependence between life and geology in the ocean, coverage of the deep biosphere is generally missing in most introductory oceanography textbooks, so there is a need for instructional materials on this important topic. In response to this need, a course module on the deep biosphere with a focus on gas hydrate deposits was created. The module uses Google Earth (Google, Mountain View, CA) to support inquiry-based activities that demonstrate the interaction of the deep biosphere with geology. The module was tried as both a series of in-class exercises and as an out-of-class assignment in an introductory, undergraduate oceanography course. The students took short, preactivity and postactivity quizzes to determine the effectiveness of the module in improving student knowledge about gas hydrates. The module was effective at increasing student knowledge about the basic environmental and biological controls on the formation of gas hydrates on the seafloor. Students showed a consistently low initial comprehension of the content related to gas hydrates, but most (>80%) of the students increased their quiz scores for all module activities. This module on gas hydrate deposits increases the available teaching resources focused on the deep biosphere for geoscience educators.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) at Texas A&M University is seeking a qualified individual to oversee curation efforts in support of JOIDES Resolution expeditions and the IODP Gulf Coast Core Repository. The Curator is responsible for oversight of the IODP core and sample collections at the Gulf Coast Repository (GCR) and on JOIDES Resolution expeditions, conservation of the core collection for future use, and supervision of all personnel and activities in the Gulf Coast Repository. The Curator is also expected to develop innovative uses of the core collection and repository. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in a supervisory/management position, including experience with financial, programmatic, reporting, and personnel management. We prefer a background in project management, curation, and familiarity with IODP core curation policies. In addition, the Curator may sail on IODP expeditions if curation support is required. Although the Curator is not expected to sail routinely, the ability to sail is mandatory. At sea, the Curator will be responsible for creating a sampling plan for each site, processing cores as they are received, and training and supervision of the science party in IODP curatorial practice. We will begin reviewing applications on April 1, 2017, but will continue to accept applications until candidates are selected for interviews.
The major goal is to bring PhD students and young Postdocs in touch with IODP at an early stage of their career, inform them about the exciting research within IODP as (I)ODP and DSDP have been proven to be the most successful internationally collaborative research programs in the history of Earth sciences, and and to prepare them for future participation in IODP expeditions. Such training will be achieved by taking the summer school participants on a “virtual ship” where they get familiarized with a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art analytical technologies and core description and scanning methods according to the high standards of IODP expeditions. In addition, the thematic topic of the summer school will be reviewed by various scientific lectures by the leading experts in the field. The application deadline is May 5, 2017.
Please consider submitting your abstract to Goldschmidt Session 15b: Hydrothermal Biogeochemistry and Geobiology Convenors: Christopher German, Wolfgang Bach, Costantino Vetriani, Donato Giovannelli. Keynote: Ken Takai (JAMSTEC). Abstract: Hydrothermal systems are increasingly recognized to involve biological, particularly microbial, aspects to their geochemical cycles – whether in the case of subseafloor water-rock interactions or in terms of the fate of their export products released into the overlying water column. Both the depth of hydrothermal systems and their geologic setting can play an important role in the nature of the systems that arise and their impact on the oceans – up to and including the photic zone. In the limit, such systems can also provide new insights to the origins of life on Earth and the potential for life-hosting habitats on other Ocean Worlds. This session will seek to bring together researchers interested in sharing their newest findings from a wide range of seafloor hydrothermal settings, from understudied shallow hydrothermal vents and other previously under-represented settings – ranging from the ultra-slow spreading Arctic ridges to subduction-related venting in the SW Pacific and from intra-plate volcanic hotspots to tectonically controlled fracturing of the ocean crust. We welcome contributions on the biogeochemistry and geobiology of hydrothermal systems throughout Earth’s oceans, as well as comparative studies ranging from continental geothermal studies to putative submarine venting beyond Earth. Abstract deadline: April 1, 2017.
The 2nd Petrophysics Summer School will provide a unique workshop that will bring together experts from both academia and industry to give training in the theory and practice of petrophysics and, notably its applications across both IODP and industry. It will include lectures, discussion groups, and practical exercises on the different elements and data types used in petrophysical analysis. In addition, basic training in an industry-standard software package, Schlumberger’s Techlog, will form a core part of the school. The European Petrophysics Consortium and its collaborators offer this unique training opportunity for a summer school through the provision of technical and scientific expertise in the fields of downhole logging and core petrophysics. The course is open to applicants from the international community, but applications from early career researchers (including PhD students) are particularly encouraged. For more information and to apply to participate, visit the Petrophysics Summer School webpage. U.S.-affiliated students and researchers may apply for partial travel support through the U.S. Science Support Program. A limited number of travel grants are available. To apply for U.S. travel support, visit the USSSP webpage to submit an online application. Note: Applicants must be accepted to participate in the course itself to receive travel support from USSSP. The deadline to apply for travel support and for the course is March 17, 2017.
EarthCube is a community-driven activity sponsored through a partnership between the NSF Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) and the Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering’s (CISE) Division of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (ACI) to transform research in the academic geosciences community. EarthCube aims to create a well-connected and facile environment to share data and knowledge in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner, thus accelerating our ability to understand and predict the Earth system. EarthCube Integration projects must demonstrate two essential components, 1.) implementation of a technical capability across resources that improves interoperability, and 2.) innovative, cross-disciplinary geosciences research outcomes. EarthCube RCNs are intended to advance geosciences cyberinfrastructure through interaction, discussion and planning between geoscientists and cyberinfrastructure experts. RCNs provide opportunities for academic geosciences communities to organize, seek input, come to consensus and prioritize data, modeling, and technology needs, as well as standards and interoperability within and across domains. Proposal deadline: March 14, 2017.
The Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology and the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University invites applications for a full time, tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek a highly creative, productive and collaborative scientist whose work addresses fundamental topics in the areas of marine microbial dynamics and the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, carbon, phosphorous, silicon), the physiological ecology of microbes in their natural environment, viral/microbe dynamics, microbial evolution, and/or the microbial production of biomaterials.
To explore the interaction among rocks, life and climate, we will to hold the 4th International Conference of Geobiology in 2017 at Wuhan, central China. Interaction and co-evolution between organisms and environments at critical periods of geological history and in modern days will be the subject of this meeting. Tentatively, symposia including one session on the deep biosphere are suggested, and more session proposals are encouraged. The deadline for abstract submission is April 1, 2017.
Who: For dedicated early career researchers who care about the Oceans: PhD candidates and honors MSc students majoring in one of the ocean science fields, professors, lecturers and active young scientists holding an equivalent advanced degree with specialization in oceanography. What: Work at sea, and conduct analyses in the laboratory. Sampling, sample preservation, designing and executing experiments, computer-supported exercises, lectures, paper discussions, model development. Application deadline: March 10, 2017.
CC-RISE is an eight-week, paid, summer research internship program for community college students run by the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations. Students will gain firsthand exposure to the scientific process by working in a faculty-led research lab at the University of California Santa Cruz or at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA. In addition to research, students will participate in activities focusing on how to transition from a two-year college to a university and information on graduate school. At the end of the program, students will present their results to an audience of peers and mentors. Applications are due March 20, 2017 for UCSC and March 24, 2017 for WHOI.
Goldschmidt is the foremost annual, international conference on geochemistry and related subjects, organized by the European Association of Geochemistry and the Geochemical Society. Deep biosphere-related themes include: Geobiology of the Modern, Geo-omics Meets Organic Geochemistry, Innovation in Geochemical Methods and Models and Data in Geochemistry. Abstract submissions are due April 1, 2017.
This US National Science Foundation sponsored Antarctic Biology Course will be held during January 2018 in Antarctica, at the United States Antarctic Program’s McMurdo Station. The training program is designed to provide early-career scientists with opportunities to work in Antarctica and to study polar biology. Applications are invited from graduate students currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program and researchers who have completed a Ph.D. within the past five years. This is an international training program, open to all nationalities. Partial support is available to cover the cost of travel from each participant’s home institution. While in Antarctica, full support is provided for room & board and science activities. The emphasis of the Antarctic Biology Course is on integrative biology, with laboratory- and field-based projects focused on adaptations to extreme polar environments. This program will also provide opportunities to understand and appreciate the complexities and logistical challenges of undertaking successful science in Antarctica. A diverse instructional faculty will offer participants the opportunity to study a wide range of Antarctic organisms (bacteria, algae, invertebrates, fish), using different levels of biological analysis (spanning molecular biology, physiological ecology, species diversity, and evolution). Deadline for receipt of completed applications is April 17, 2017. More information and the on-line application form are at https://www.usfca.edu/arts-sciences/antarctic-biology-training-program and https://goo.gl/forms/7zAH4pzRf85x5Tt62.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 376 Brothers Arc Flux aboard the JOIDES Resolution. Expedition 376 will investigate the fundamental, interrelated processes governing subseafloor hydrothermal activity at Brothers volcano, southern Kermadec arc. The primary objectives are to (1) Characterize the subsurface, magma-derived volatile phase for testing models predicting the existence of either a single-phase gas or a two-phase brine-vapor; (2) Explore the distribution of base and precious metals and metalloids at depth as well as the reactions that have taken place during their precipitation along fluid migration pathways to the seafloor; (3) Quantify the mechanisms and extent of fluid-rock interaction, and what this implies for the mass flux of metals and metalloids to the ocean as well as the role of magma-derived carbon and sulfur species in acting as agents for those fluxes; and (4) Assess the diversity, extent, and metabolic pathways of microbial life in an extreme, acidic, and metal-toxic (sub)volcanic environment. The expedition will occur from 5 May through 5 July 2018. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in specialties including (but not limited to) sedimentologists, petrologists (igneous/metamorphic/sulfide), structural geologists, paleomagnetists, petrophysicists, borehole geophysicists, microbiologists, and inorganic/organic geochemists. To learn more about the scientific objectives of Exp. 376, life at sea, and how to apply to sail, please join us for a web-based seminar on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 1:00 pm EDT (register). U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program, by visiting http://usoceandiscovery.org/expeditions. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2017.
Despite centuries of discovery, most of our planet’s biodiversity remains unknown. The scale of the unknown diversity on Earth is especially troubling given the rapid and permanent loss of biodiversity across the globe. The goal of the Dimensions of Biodiversity campaign is to transform, by 2020, how we describe and understand the scope and role of life on Earth. This campaign promotes novel integrative approaches to fill the most substantial gaps in our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. It takes a broad view of biodiversity, and focuses on the intersection of genetic, phylogenetic, and functional dimensions of biodiversity. Successful proposals must integrate these three dimensions to understand interactions and feedbacks between and among them. While this focus complements several core programs in BIO, it differs by requiring that multiple dimensions of biodiversity be addressed simultaneously, in novel ways, to understand their synergistic roles in critical ecological and evolutionary processes, especially pertaining to the mechanisms driving the origin, maintenance, and functional roles of biodiversity. Full proposal deadline date: February 21, 2017.
The Center for Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Tennessee is now recruiting undergraduate students for the International Research Experience for Students (IRES) program IRES program, funded by the NSF, which take place June 8-July 22, 2017 in Russia. The research projects will focus on the microbiology and biogeoscience of Siberian deep subsurface permafrost. Stipends and travel expenses will be covered by the program. The newly extended deadline is February 14, 2017. More information about the IRES program and application process could be found here: http://micro.utk.edu/ires/index.php. Please contact Karen Lloyd, klloyd@utk.edu, with any questions.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is currently accepting applications for Expedition 381 Corinth Active Rift Development aboard a Mission Specific Platform provided by the ECORD Science Operator. To learn more about the scientific objectives of this expedition and the technical plans, please join a web-based seminar on Tuesday, 14 February 2017 at 8:00 am EST (1:00 pm GMT). To participate in the webinar, you need access to the Internet and a computer with a speaker and microphone (optional). To register, click the following link: Exp 381 webinar. The expedition is provisionally scheduled for a maximum of 60 days during October and November, 2017, with only a subset of the science party members participating. Subsequently, an Onshore Science Party will be held at the MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Germany, in February 2018 (exact dates to be confirmed). All science party members must attend the entire duration of the onshore science party. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in all specialties. While other expertise may be considered, specialists in the following fields are required: paleontology, sedimentology, organic geochemistry, inorganic geochemistry, structural geology, paleomagnetics, physical properties, geophysics and petrophysics/downhole logging. For the offshore phase of the expedition, we are particularly looking for the following fields: paleontology, sedimentology, organic geochemistry, inorganic geochemistry, physical properties, and petrophysics/downhole logging. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating on this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP); please visit http://usoceandiscovery.org/expeditions/. The U.S. deadline to apply is March 13, 2017.
The Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize (The Taira Prize) is given annually to one honoree in recognition of “outstanding transdisciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling.” Established in 2014, the Taira Prize is a partnership between the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU), and is made possible through the generous donation from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International (IODP-MI). The prize is given in honor of Dr. Asahiko Taira of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Nominations due March 15, 2017.
The 1st International Workshop on Methane Hydrate R&D was held in March 2001 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The primary objective of that and subsequent workshops was to provide a forum where hydrate researchers and stakeholders could freely exchange information and identify research priorities in an effort to promote collaboration. Subsequent workshops have been held, on average, every 1.5 years in different countries including the U.S., Chile, Canada, the U.K., Norway, New Zealand, Japan, and India. This effort has resulted in a broad range of field and laboratory research pertaining to gas hydrate distributions, stability and formation, and contribution to climate change and coastal ocean carbon cycling. Based on previous workshop foci and developments in this field over the last 16 years, the 11th workshop will focus on: 1) Gas Hydrate Energy: exploration, production, and economics; 2) Methane and Climate Change: Arctic, Antarctic and regions in between; 3) Natural and Anthropogenic Warming Contributions to Coastal and Industrial Platform Stability; and 4) Carbon dioxide injection for methane acquisition and sequestration. We hope that previous participants in this workshop series, as well as other interested parties, will be able to join us in Corpus Christi this winter December 6th through 8th, 2017. The Workshop website is under construction and is expected to be operational May 2017. The 2nd Announcement will be distributed electronically once the website is up, and will include information on registration, logistics, and a call for abstracts. Questions? Please email Workshop Liaison Mrs. Alessandra Garcia at Alessandra.Garcia@tamucc.edu.
To the IODP and ICDP Communities: Following discussions with the AGU Fall Meeting Program Chair, Denis-Didier Rousseau, a three-year plan (2017-2019) for IODP-ICDP sessions at the AGU has been defined, culminating with the celebration of the AGU Centennial in 2019. We have highlighted three overarching, societally relevant themes that are well aligned with both IODP and ICDP science plan themes. These themes (and examples of topics; identified priorities are underlined) are the following: 1) Georesources, Storage, and Sustainability:
Unconventional Energy (Supercritical and magma geothermics, EGS, methane and gas hydrates, hydrogen resources and storage), Deep Carbon fluxes and storage and Water resources (Groundwater vs. Seawater). 2) Climate, Environment and Ecosystem: Life in extreme environments: the hidden biosphere, Links between geological and biological systems at depth, Analogs and models of recent climate changes in geological archives, Impact of climate and ocean changes on ecosystems, Impact of Earth processes on Earth’s environment. 3) Geological Hazards: Monitoring and mitigating man-made geohazards? (e.g., induced seismicity, landslides), Hazards in the geological record: from improving risk assessment and prediction of catastrophic events towards mitigation, Underlying mechanisms of geological hazards: faulting, earthquakes, volcanoes, impacts. We seek potential conveners (who must be AGU members) to submit AGU session proposals on these three overarching themes. Please keep us informed so that actions and proposal submissions can be coordinated. The provisional dates of the call for session proposal are February 15th – April 19th, 2017.
The Oceanographic Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination (OTIC) Program supports a broad range of research and technology development activities. Unsolicited proposals are accepted for instrumentation development that has broad applicability to ocean science research projects and that enhance observational, experimental or analytical capabilities of the ocean science research community. Specific announcements for funding opportunities are made for additional projects involving Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML) and the National Ocean Partnership Program. Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2017.
The Chemical Oceanography Program supports research into the chemical components, reaction mechanisms, and geochemical pathways within the ocean and at its interfaces with the solid earth and the atmosphere. Major emphases include: studies of material inputs to and outputs from marine waters; orthochemical and biological production and transformation of chemical compounds and phases within the marine system; and the determination of reaction rates and study of equilibria. The Program encourages research into the chemistry, distribution, and fate of inorganic and organic substances introduced into or produced within marine environments including those from estuarine waters to the deep sea. Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2017.
The Biological Oceanography Program supports research in marine ecology broadly defined: relationships among aquatic organisms and their interactions with the environments of the oceans or Great Lakes. Projects submitted to the program for consideration are often interdisciplinary efforts that may include participation by other OCE Programs. (See information provided under Related URLs below). Full Proposal Target Date: February 15, 2017.
The Hadal Science and Technology Research Center (HAST) of Shanghai Ocean University invites applications for two faculty positions, one in bioinformatics and one in proteomics. HAST was established to explore the largely unknown hadal zones of the world’s oceans. The center’s activities are a balanced mix of basic and translational scientific research with an emphasis on hadal technology development. We are in the final stage of developing a “movable laboratory” which includes three full ocean depth (FOD) landers, one FOD hybrid AUV/ROV unmanned vehicle (ARV), one FOD human occupied vehicle (HOV), and a dedicated mothership of 5000-ton displacement. Faculty position in Bioinformatics: Preference will be given to candidates conducting high impact research in one of the following areas: genomics, functional genomics, and computational biology algorithm development. Experience in metagenome, metatranscriptome and whole genome analysis is a plus. Faculty position in Proteomics: All areas of proteomic research will be considered, and we are particularly interested in those whose research deals with protein structure, function, and interactions. Applications from researchers with expertise in lipidomics, glycomics, or metabolomics or other biology based omics-disciplines are also encouraged. Candidates with the following qualifications are desired: in-depth understanding of both hardware and software of LC-electrospray MS; proficiency in LC-MS related software and data analysis; and experience in both top-down and bottom-up proteomics. Review and evaluation of applications will begin immediately. Applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Contact: Dr. Jiasong Fang (jsfang@shou.edu.cn).
Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA, August 27 – September 1, 2017. Please join us in Woods Hole on beautiful Cape Cod as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents at the Galapagos Spreading Center in 1977. This has forever changed our perception of life on Earth and has sparked a new line of research to investigate the role of chemosynthesis in various ecosystems, from cold seeps and organic falls to the extensive oxygen deficient zones of the oceanic water column. The discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents 40 years ago has thrust the process of chemosynthesis into the limelight. However, it is only more recently that chemosynthesis has been identified to be an important driver for many environmentally relevant processes on a global scale. CBE6 represents the 6th iteration of a successful symposium series that started back in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal in 1997 and has since been held in Brest, France (2001), San Diego, USA (2005), Okinawa, Japan (2009), and most recently in Victoria, BC, Canada (2013), ever broadening in scope from an initial focus on the biology of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. We look forward to hosting an exciting meeting that will highlight the newest discoveries and developments in studying chemosynthesis-based ecosystems and their societal relevance, while at the same time also evoking the early days of deep-sea vent discovery – in a way connecting the past with the present, with a glimpse into the future! The program will be as diverse as the ecosystems being studied, and will include topics such as biogeography, biogeochemistry, chemosynthetic habitats and society, community structure and dynamics, evolution and evolutionary history, metapopulation and metacommunity (including connectivity and resilience), microbiology, physiology and adaptation, symbiosis, and trophic interactions, including chemosynthetic energy transfer. We look forward to seeing you in Woods Hole! Abstract submission deadline March 17, 2017.
We invite applications to the International Workshop on “Marine Geomicrobiology – a Matter of Energy” which will take place at the beautiful Sandbjerg Manor in southern Denmark during August 28 to September 1, 2017. An outstanding program of 35 international speakers will explore how microorganisms harvest energy from sunlight, from chemical reactions and even from electric currents to drive key processes of element cycling in the ocean and seabed. We will focus on recent discoveries and on open questions that provoke curiosity and require new research. The workshop marks the ten years of the Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University, and the retirement of Bo Barker Jørgensen. We invite researchers and students to participate in the workshop and to present a poster on their research. Application takes place through the workshop webpage where the program and other relevant information are provided (see link below). Deadline for applications is April 1, 2017.
Following three very successful International Geobiology Conferences held in Wuhan (2010, 2012, 2014) and the recent Geobiology Gordon Research Conference in Galveston (2016), the newly created Geobiology Society will host a 3-day meeting in June 2017 at the Banff Conference Center. With 400 anticipated attendees from across the globe, this meeting will be an ideal venue for us to discuss the latest developments in Geobiology and build international collaborations in a relaxed but stimulating environment. “Geobiology 2017” will take a page out of the 1-day regional Geobiology meetings held across the United States and Western Canada, emphasizing the work of early career scientists – graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and assistant professors. The three days are designed to cover various topics pertaining to how microbial processes affect the modern environment and leave imprints on the rock record. Days 1 and 2 will explore the modern tools of organic and inorganic geochemistry, molecular biology and microbial ecology, sedimentary geology and paleontology. Day 3 will focus on the interpretation of the rock record, and how the modern can be used to infer the past. To investigate these topics, the mornings will be devoted to oral sessions while the afternoons will be devoted to extended poster sessions. Each evening will also offer either a talk by an awardee or a point-counterpoint discussion on a topic of timely importance. Abstract deadline: March 15, 2017.
This RII Track-I project, named ‘Ike Wai (from the Hawaiian ‘ike, meaning knowledge, and wai, meaning water) tests the central hypothesis that hydrogeology of the Hawaiian islands depends critically on the internal structure of the volcano. ‘Ike Wai will collect new geophysical and groundwater chemistry and microbial data, integrate these data into new, detailed groundwater models, and generate a much improved understanding of subsurface water location, volume and flow paths. Data and outputs from ‘Ike Wai will provide decision making tools to address challenges to water sustainability from climate variability, increasing population demands, and water contamination. The successful applicants for these three-year postdoctoral positions will interact with scientists and students across disciplines and actively engage in professional development training in areas such as leadership, diversity, pedagogy and mentoring. Within the objectives and scope of ‘Ike Wai, applicants will have significant flexibility in defining projects that capitalize on the diverse expertise and collaborative interests of the team as they relate to water sustainability. ‘Ike Wai postdoctoral researchers will participate in a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with diverse communities in Hawai‘i and the Pacific on issues surrounding water sustainability. Applications due January 24, 2017.
To understand the dynamics of onshore-offshore shore hydrologic systems, this IODP- and ICDP-sponsored workshop will focus on the coupling between glacial dynamics, sea-level variations, and groundwater flow for Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA and the U.S. Atlantic continental shelf offshore Martha’s Vineyard. The overall goals of the workshop (May 22-23, 2017; Woods Hole, Massachusetts), are to develop a new operational plan for IODP Proposal 637 and establish an amphibious component of the project to accomplish its science objectives. These goals will be accomplished by (1) developing ideal sampling and measurement plans for geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and microbiology across the shoreline and the shelf; (2) prioritizing onshore and offshore scientific operations including site order and target depths; and (3) formulating specific plans for pursuing external funds for the drilling project. Travel support is available for a limited number of participants through USSSP (for U.S.) and ICDP (for international). For more information, visit the workshop website. The workshop is open to U.S. and international participants and the deadline to apply is February 17, 2017.
Funding for a Ph.D. student is available starting Summer/Fall 2017 to work on an NSF-funded project in Isotope Biogeochemistry lab at the University of South Carolina. The goals of the project are to explore how microbes survive and thrive in a warm, high pH serpentinization system, to investigate the fate of deep sea organic matter as it passes through the rocky subsurface, and to determine whether small organic molecules are formed abiotically. This research has implications for the earliest development of life on Earth and other planets, and on Earth’s carbon cycle. Field work includes a 22-day oceanographic expedition with the remotely operated vehicle Jason to the Lost City Hydrothermal Field. Stipend and tuition support are available for the length of the project in a combination of research and teaching assistantships. We are looking for a motivated, curious, problem-solver who enjoys being in the lab and field. A background in chemistry and/or isotopes, HPLC, GC, or IC is particularly welcome. For additional information, please visit our website (http://www.seoe.sc.edu/lang-lab). Interested students can send a letter of interest, CV, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Susan Lang at slang@geol.sc.edu and/or submit applications through the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment (http://www.seoe.sc.edu/academicdegrees). Preference will be given to submission prior to January 27, 2017 but the position will remain open until filled.
The Proposal Database System (PDB) is the web-based interface for completing and submitting IODP proposals. PDB offers specific guidance and many proposal components are now created interactively; proponents are advised to begin working with PDB as soon as a proposal is planned. Complete proposal preparation guidance, format requirements, and review policies are explained in the IODP Proposal Submission Guidelines. A Call for Scientific Ocean Drilling Proposals is usually published at least two months in advance of the deadline with specifics about what types proposals are being sought. Proponents are strongly encouraged to contact the Science Operators to discuss platform-specific operational and fiscal constraints before developing proposals. The IODP Proposal Manager has sole authority to accept proposals or grant exceptions to deadlines and policies. Next Proposal Submission Deadline: April 3, 2017.
We seek a biological oceanographer focused on understanding changing biological processes from the organismal to ecosystem levels. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, food-web dynamics, benthic habitats, population ecology, and ecosystem modeling. The new hire will have access to the Marine Science Research Facilities, estuarine research on URI small boats, and the opportunity to participate in the active sea-going community of GSO on ships. Preference will be given to scientists conducting sea-going research in coastal or open-ocean regions. We invite applicants with a strong commitment to research, to excellence in teaching and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, and to outreach activities. The search will remain open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 17 January 2017. Second consideration may be given to applications received by 15 February 2017.
Undergraduates in Bigelow Laboratory’s summer REU Program spend ten weeks at the Laboratory conducting independent research with guidance from a scientist mentor. Directed by Senior Research Scientist Dr. David Fields, and funded by the National Science Foundation, the REU Program is designed to give students pursuing degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering a laboratory-based research experience with an emphasis on hands-on, state-of-the-art methods and technologies. REU students are immersed in the Bigelow community and participate in seminars, field trips, Laboratory outreach programs, social events, and more. Each student in the program is paired with a Bigelow Laboratory scientist based on mutual research interests. During the ten weeks, students work with their mentors to identify a research question, develop a proposal, conduct their research, and prepare an abstract and poster. At the end of the program, students present their poster and give a talk at a student symposium. Research areas include the deep biosphere (check out C-DEBI researcher Orcutt’s lab page), as well as marine microbiology, ocean biogeochemistry, optical oceanography, remote sensing, bioinformatics, sensory biology and phytoplankton ecology. The 2017 program dates are May 30 through August 4 and will be held at the Laboratory’s East Boothbay campus. Successful applicants receive a stipend, free housing, and funds for travel to and from Bigelow Laboratory. Applications due February 15, 2017.
The International Geobiology Course is an intense, multidisciplinary summer course that explores the co-evolution of the Earth and it’s biosphere, with an emphasis on how microbial processes affect the environment and leave imprints in the rock record. Participants get a hands-on learning experience in cutting-edge geobiological techniques including molecular biology, microbiology, geochemistry, and sedimentology and work in research groups to solve real research questions.
Themes for this years’ course include:
This year the course will be directed by Alex Sessions, Woody Fischer, Victoria Orphan, and Hope Johnson, but remains in a format similar to previous years. It begins with a field trip up the eastern Sierra Nevada to visit hot springs, Cambrian rocks, and Mono Lake, and back down to the coast near Ventura to study sulfur springs and tar seeps, and a world-famous exposure of the Monterey Formation. Two weeks of lab rotations at Caltech will introduce students to cutting-edge analytical techniques, followed by two weeks at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.
The 2017 course is open to graduate students and postdocs at any level. The cost of the course is US$4000. This year, two fellowships are available to help support postdocs trained in other fields who wish to enter geobiology as a new field of study.
Applications due February 10, 2017.
Abstracts are due shortly (Wednesday, January 18) for the upcoming Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) 2017 meeting in Mesa, Arizona (April 24-28, 2017). Among others, deep biosphere-related topics include “Seeking Evidence of Habitable Conditions and Life Activity in Serpentinizing Systems” (organizers: Beth Orcutt and Alexis Templeton) and “Earth’s Deep Biosphere and the Astrobiosphere: New Connections Made Through Advanced Instrumentation and Field Approaches” (organizers: D’Arcy Meyer-Dombard and Dawn Cardace). The topic organizers encourage you to consider submitting an abstract about your research!
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society invites high school, undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the 2017 Student Research Showcase, an innovative opportunity to develop their science communication skills using a virtual platform. Effective communication to a broad audience is becoming increasingly important in our digital-driven world. Participants in the Student Research Showcase create a website that contains three components; a short video to introduce their project, an abstract, and a technical slideshow. They receive feedback from judges, who are qualified Sigma Xi members and the public. Monetary awards of up to $500 are given to the top Graduate, Undergraduate and High School winners. The winner of the People’s Choice Award is selected based on a public vote and receives a $250 monetary award. All student presenters will receive a certificate of participation.Project approval and registration deadline: February 22, 2017.
It is our pleasure to host the SoCal Geobiology Symposium 2017 at the University of Southern California! We would like to welcome scientists in the area who do research broadly related to geobiology, geochemistry, paleoclimatology, and more. This year, the symposium will take place on April 8, 2017 at the beautiful Mudd Hall on USC campus. We invite attendees of all career levels, and encourage undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows to submit abstracts for posters and 15 minute talks. Registration and abstract submission is free. You may confirm your attendance and submit your abstracts by clicking on this link and completing the google form. We look forward to hearing from you, and please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns by emailing us at socalgeobio2017@gmail.com. Feel free to forward this message to other researchers who would be interested in attending as well. Abstract submission is due March 3, 2017.
Are you a community college student who has a novel idea that uses science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)? The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) present the third annual Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) that asks student teams to innovate a STEM-based solution to a real-world problem. Teams will submit projects in one of three themes: Maker to Manufacturer, Energy and Environment, and Security Technologies. Form your team with a faculty mentor and community and/or industry partner to enter. An entry consists of a written portion and a 90-second video. Visit the Promotional Toolkit, where you can download posters, postcards and more. Entry period closes February 15, 2017.
The Hibbitt Early Career Fellows Program provides talented scientists a rare opportunity: the chance to set up research programs of their own as an alternative to traditional postdoctoral positions. Recent Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) graduates with proven excellence in research will be given the necessary resources to work as P.I.’s, free from financial constraints and distraction by formal faculty responsibilities. As their research program matures, Fellows will be able to attract funding from federal grants or other sources. Applications are encouraged in research areas that can benefit from and contribute to MBL’s strategic strengths, in particular those relevant to marine and aquatic organismal biology and/or marine microbial diversity and ecology. Hibbitt Early Career Fellows will be based at the MBL full-time. They will receive an annual salary plus benefits and an additional research and travel stipend. Application review begins January 1, 2017.
