C-DEBI Newsletter – February 17, 2015
C-DEBI Newsletter – February 17, 2015This newsletter is also accessible via our website.
Extremophiles should not be viewed through an anthropocentric lens; what’s extreme for us may be a perfectly comfortable environment for a microbe. By C-DEBI researcher Jeffrey Marlow and director Jan Amend.
Open Access eBook: Subseafloor Biosphere Linked to Hydrothermal Systems
Hiromi Watanabe (JAMSTEC) and numerous colleagues recently completed a project entitled TAIGA, to reveal the linkage between hydrothermal activity and micro- to mega-organisms, and the results are summarized in an e-book, which can be downloaded freely from SpringerLink. The results of the project have been summarized comprehensively in 50 chapters, and this book provides an overall introduction and relevant topics on the mid-ocean ridge system of the Indian Ocean and on the back-arc systems of the Southern Mariana Trough and Okinawa Trough.
Request for Articles: Frontiers in Microbiology special issue
A special issue of Frontiers in Microbiology journal on the topic of “Recent Advances in Geomicrobiology of the Ocean Crust” is seeking contributions from the C-DEBI community. Over the last five years, several major international programs focused on understanding life in oceanic crust were initiated. In addition, there have been many field and laboratory programs focused on understanding hydrothermal vent systems, which are an expression of fluids altered in the subseafloor crust, as well as in continental exposures of seafloor crust, including ophiolites and ore bodies. This research topic brings together recent discoveries of the microbial presence, diversity and activity in these environments, with analysis of the implications for global systems. Specifically, this research topic will address genetic strategies for survival in these diverse, extreme habitats; rates of metabolic and alteration processes; the impact of crustal life on global carbon cycles; and constraints on the magnitude of biomass in subsurface oceanic crust. Articles in the research topic are in tribute to the late Katrina J. Edwards, who was a pioneer in diverse aspects of exploring life in oceanic crust. For more information, contact topic editors Beth Orcutt, Cara Santelli, or Jason Sylvan, or visit the journal webpage.
Proposal Calls
Applications for the 2015 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program are now open. The L’Oréal For Women in Science program recognizes and rewards the contributions women make in STEM fields and identifies exceptional women researchers committed to serving as role models for younger generations. More than 2,000 women scientists in over 100 countries have been recognized since the program began in 1998. The L’Oréal USA For Women In Science fellowship program will award five post-doctoral women scientists in the United States this year with grants of up to $60,000 each. Applicants are welcome from a variety of fields, including the life and physical/material sciences, technology (including computer science), engineering, and mathematics. Applications are due on Friday, March 20, 2015.
IODP: Apply to sail on Expedition 362 Sumatra Seismogenic Zone aboard the JOIDES Resolution
The 2004 Mw 9.2 earthquake and tsunami that struck North Sumatra and the Andaman-Nicobar Islands devastated coastal communities around the Indian Ocean. This earthquake showed unexpectedly shallow megathrust slip that was focused beneath the accretionary prism, including the distinctive prism plateau offshore North Sumatra. This intriguing seismogenic behavior and forearc structure are not well explained by existing models and by relationships observed at margins where seismogenic slip typically occurs further landward. The correspondence between the 2004 rupture location and the overlying prism plateau, and evidence for a strengthened thick sediment input section, suggests that the input materials are key to driving this distinctive slip behavior and long-term forearc structure. Expedition 362 aims to establish the initial and evolving properties of the North Sumatran incoming sediments and their potential effect on seismogenesis, tsunamigenesis, and forearc development for comparison with global examples. The expedition will occur from 31 July to 30 September 2016. Additional information on this expedition can be found here. Opportunities exist for researchers, including graduate students, in all specialties, including sedimentologists, structural geologists, paleontologists, biostratigraphers, paleomagnetists, petrophysicists, borehole geophysicists, microbiologists, and inorganic/organic geochemists. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership; please visit: www.iodp-usssp.org/expeditions/srv/bindings/f0978f5a03ed4907826b7fa42ba9b99c/home/474207.cloudwaysapps.com/xgnadywkjx/public_htmlly-to-sail. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2015.
CIFAR/GBMF: Call for Proposals for Workshops in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution
CIFAR and the Marine Microbiology Initiative (MMI) at GBMF invite workshop ideas that aim to shed novel light on the roles, evolution, and ecology of marine microbial communities. We are especially interested in creative workshop proposals that increase the permeability of ideas between disciplines, including disciplines that have not traditionally interfaced with the field of marine microbial ecology. Proposals are due Monday, March 9, 2015.
NSF: Genealogy of Life (GoLife) program solicitation
Full proposal deadline: March 25, 2015.
ECORD: Research Grants for Graduate Students and Postdocs at ECORD Country Institutions
Applicants should be enrolled in either a PhD or “early-career,” post-doctoral research programme at any institution from an ECORD country. The deadline to apply for an ECORD Research Grant is March 31, 2015.
NSF: Dimensions of Biodiversity Program Solicitation
Full proposal deadline: April 09, 2015.
National Academies Research Associateships for Graduate, Postdoctoral and Senior Researchers
There are four annual review cycles and the next closes May 01, 2015.
IODP-USSSP: Proposals for Pre-Drilling Activities and Workshops
The U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP) accepts proposals on a rolling basis for pre-drilling activities and semi-annually for workshops, next submission deadline May 15, 2015, related to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).
C-DEBI: Community College Research Internship for Scientific Engagement (CC-RISE)
CC-RISE is an eight-week, paid, summer research internship program for community college students run by C-DEBI. Students gain firsthand exposure to the scientific process by working in a faculty-led research lab at the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) or Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL). In addition to research, students 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 present their results to an audience of peers and mentors.
- UCSC: June 15 – August 7, 2015 [flyer]: apply online (due March 16, 2015), or contact Dr. Adina Paytan (apaytan@ucsc.edu) for more information.
- MBL: June 15 – August 7, 2015 [flyer]: apply online (due March 13, 2015), or contact Gretta Serres (mserres@capecod.edu) or Julie Huber (jhuber@mbl.edu) for more information.
The Data Incubator: Winter Data Science Fellowship Opportunity
The Data Incubator is an intensive six-week fellowship that prepares masters, PhDs, and postdocs in STEM + social science fields seeking industry careers as data scientists. The program is free for fellows and supported by sponsorships from dozens of employers across multiple industries. In response to the overwhelming interest in our earlier sessions, we will be holding another fellowship. Locations: There will be both an in-person (in NYC and DC) and online section of the fellowship. Dates: All sections will be from 03/23/15 to 05/01/15. Who should apply: Anyone within one year of graduating from a masters or PhD program or who has already obtained a masters or PhD is welcome to apply. Applications from international students welcome.
WHOI: Woods Hole Partnership Education Program, June 1 – 26
The Woods Hole Partnership Educational Program (PEP) is designed primarily for college juniors and seniors who want to spend a summer gaining practical experience in marine and environmental science. Priority in admissions and financial support will be given to students who have applied on or before February 20, 2015.
Stanford: Hopkins Microbiology Course, June 19 – July 18
Application deadline: March 1, 2015.
Workshop goals are to exchange research results, methods and ideas related to microbial single cell genomics (SCG), in this way stimulating further progress in this exciting research field. Building on the success of SCG workshops that were held in 2007 and 2010, we aim to provide an opportunity for effective, creative interactions among PIs, postdocs and students who utilize SCG in microbiology research or develop SCG technology for diverse research applications. The number of participants will be limited to about 90. As the field of microbial single cell genomics matures, we anticipate that the upcoming workshop will include presentations on significant technological progress as well as major discoveries in ecology, evolution, human health, biogeochemistry, industrial bioprospecting, and other areas of microbial research.
Astrobiology Science Conference 2015: Habitability, Habitable Worlds, and Life, June 15-19, 2015, Chicago, IL
The deadline for abstract submissions is Wednesday, March 4. There are many session groups relevant to the C-DEBI community, including “Extreme Earth: Omics Research on Microbial Communities, Their Chemistries, and What it Means for Life in the Solar System.”
IODP: Workshop for Scientific Drilling in the Indian Ocean Crust and Mantle
For more information and to register, please visit: http://web.whoi.edu/indian-ocean-drilling/us-china-international-ocean-discovery-program-workshop/.
Employment
UTK: Professor and Head Department of Microbiology, The College of Arts & Sciences
Review of applications will begin on March 31, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled.
UAF: Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Chemical Oceanography, SFOS
Specialties of interest include ocean acidification, marine inorganic carbon chemistry, carbon biogeochemistry, carbon cycle-climate interactions, isotope biogeochemistry, and evaluation of the biological impact of ocean acidification. We are particularly interested in applicants whose research plan involves the new ice-capable, Global Class Research Vessel Sikuliaq. Review of applications will begin February 15th. For full consideration applications should be received by March 1st, 2015.
Moore Foundation: Program Officer, Marine Microbiology Initiative
The Foundation is seeking an accomplished scientist with expertise in a biological, oceanographic or other field relevant to marine microbial ecology, a passion for broad scientific inquiry and advancement, and excitement about MMI’s goals.
The review of materials will begin December 01, 2014, and will continue until the position is filled.
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography: Two Tenure Track Faculty Positions in Oceanography
The committee will begin to review applications on October 24, 014 and will continue until the positions are filled.
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