CENTER for DARK ENERGY BIOSPHERE INVESTIGATIONS

C-DEBI Newsletter – November 1, 2019

C-DEBI Newsletter – November 1, 2019
This newsletter is also accessible via our website.
 

 

Meetings & Activities

Networked Speaker Series Seminar, NEXT Thursday, November 7, 2019, 12:30pm PST
With Dr. James Bradley, Queen Mary University of London on “The power of microbial life in marine sediments.” Abstract: Marine sediments harbor more than half of all microbial cells in the ocean, many of which have been shown to survive for millennia – calling into question the limit for life. The energy turnover, i.e. power, of subseafloor microorganisms sets a limit on gene expression, mutation rates, and the survival of rare and novel taxa. However outside of measurements, laboratory experiments and modelling from specific sites, the power of subsurface life is virtually unknown. Here, we simultaneously quantify the distribution, rate and thermodynamic properties of particulate organic carbon degradation, as well as the global distribution of cells, and electron acceptors. Based on these factors, we estimate cell-specific power utilization in all Quaternary sediments. We report extreme and widespread energy-limitation in subseafloor sediments: >80% of cells subsist at powers that are less than the lowest energy flux calculated for any microbial habitat previously. Furthermore, we find global delineation of major subsurface metabolic zones, with stepwise decreases in per-cell power utilization following the redox state of the sediment. We assert that sediments should be considered as critical to understanding the cell-specific minimum power requirement for survival, as well as to predict the habitable boundaries of life on Earth.

Missed the last seminar with Dr. Jessica Labonté on “You are what you eat: a geochemical and microbial study of a 3000-year old stratigraphic sediment succession”? Watch it on YouTube.

AGU: 2019 Fall Meeting Deep Biosphere-Related Sessions of Interest – NEW!
Attending the 2019 AGU Fall Meeting in Washington D.C., December 9-13, 2019? Be sure to check out these C-DEBI-related sessions of interest:,

See also the Deep Carbon Observatory’s AGU Fall Meeting Guide. Missing a session of interest? Let us know.

IODP-USSSP: Workshop on Demystifying the IODP Proposal Process for Early Career Scientists, February 17-20, 2020 – UPDATED!
The deadline to submit an application has been extended to November 6, 2019.

IODP: Submit an IODP Workshop Proposal
The submission deadline is December 1, 2019.

Ongoing Activities:

 

Education & Outreach

IODP: Expedition 385 Guaymas Basin Cruise Blog
Follow along on IODP Expedition 385 “Guaymas Basin Tectonics and Deep Biosphere” with the cruise blog of Andreas Teske, co-chief scientist and professor in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. This expedition will explore the most famous ocean spreading center in the Gulf of California, Guaymas Basin, by drilling a Northwest-to-Southeast transect across its flanking regions and axial valley.  Look for expedition updates and images from the drill ship, the JOIDES Resolution, and for background on this expedition, deep earth science, hydrothermal vents, seafloor spreading in action, and subsurface microbiology and geochemistry. Take this opportunity to follow an exciting expedition probing the inner workings of an active seafloor spreading center!

 

Proposal Calls

NSF: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
Proposal deadline November 19, 2019.

NSF: Research Traineeship (NRT) Program
Next letter of intent window: November 25, 2019 – December 6, 2019.

IODP: Apply to sail: Expedition 392 Agulhas Plateau Cretaceous Climate
The deadline to apply is December 2, 2019.

IODP-USSSP: Schlanger Ocean Drilling Fellowships
The deadline for submission is December 6, 2019.

Rolling Calls:

 

Employment

UofSC: Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Marine Population Dynamics in a Changing Climate
The position will remain open until filled, and the search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 6, 2019.

UofSC: Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Marine Microbial Ecology
Review of complete applications will begin November 6, 2019.

NSF: Marine Geosciences Section, Science Assistants
Statements of interest will be accepted until November 15, 2019. 

CIW: Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships – NEW!
The Geophysical Laboratory invites applications for Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowships. Current research at the Geophysical Laboratory falls primarily within three overlapping thematic areas: Earth and Planetary Science, Astrobiology and the Origin of Life, and the Chemistry and Physics of Materials at Extreme Conditions. Synergies among these thematic areas, as well as links to many closely related research pursuits at Carnegie’s co-located Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, provide Carnegie Fellows with exceptional opportunities for collaboration. Investigations in earth and planetary sciences focus on the origin and evolution of earth and the terrestrial planets, core formation in planetary bodies, planetary melting and differentiation and the structure and dynamics of planetary interiors. Astrobiology focuses on the conditions and reactions necessary for life to emerge and be sustained on planetary bodies and the detection of life on and in extraterrestrial objects and ancient earth. Studies of the physics and chemistry of materials focus on understanding material behavior at extreme conditions, and the development of new synthesis pathways for novel materials and the design of property-specific materials from first principles. Completed applications for a Carnegie fellowship should be submitted no later than December 1, 2019.

Dalhousie U: 2020 Killam Postdoctoral Program
The application deadline is December 16, 2019.

SIO: Fisheries Oceanographer/Protistan Biologist/Sea-Going Benthic Ecologist – Assistant Professor – NEW!
Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California San Diego invites applications to an assistant-level faculty position to be filled in one of the fields described below. We seek a motivated, broad-thinking scientist-educator to establish a vigorous research program and provide intellectual leadership in their field while complementing existing expertise at Scripps and other UCSD departments. SIO is a world-renowned center of marine research with approximately 200 principal investigators leading research programs in various earth, ocean, biological and atmospheric sciences. We are committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. The department seeks candidates who have demonstrated commitment to excellence by providing leadership in teaching, research, service, and building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment. The successful candidate will develop a vigorous extramurally supported research program, be committed to active teaching and mentoring of graduate students and teach in the marine biology undergraduate major. The successful candidate will have opportunities to interact with SIO’s large-scale interdisciplinary field research programs, including the California Current Ecosystem-LTER, the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), and others. We seek to hire in one of the following areas: Fisheries Oceanographer, Protistan Biologist or Sea-Going Benthic Ecologist (see original posting for more details). For full consideration, please apply by December 20, 2019.

U Akron: Post-Doctoral Position in Geochemistry/Astrobiology – NEW!
The Department of Polymer Science, University of Akron has an open position for a post-doctoral research scientist in the areas of low-temperature geochemistry applied to Astrobiology and the Origins of Life. The position requires a Ph.D. in Geochemistry or Chemistry or related field. The candidate must have experience in using a geochemical modeling software for water-rock interactions, preferably Geochemist’s Workbench® or EQ3/EQ6, to model water-rock interactions. The position is available immediately. The position includes, but is not restricted to, design and execution of modeling (and, potentially, experiments) to fulfill project goals, interpretation of results, writing and submitting manuscripts for publication, providing regular written and oral updates of progress on the project, working with our collaborators, helping to write research proposals for funding, maintaining the laboratory, training high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and being involved in outreach and education activities, as needed. Applicants should contact Prof. Nita Sahai. Prof. Sahai has appointments in the Department of Polymer Science, Department of Geosciences and the Integrated Bioscience Program at the University of Akron. The application should include the following documents: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, pdfs of two-three published papers, and names and contact information of at least three references. Send applications to: sahai@uakron.edu. For more information, see: https://biomin.uakron.edu/dr-sahai/.

U of Georgia: Assistant or Associate Professor – Biological Oceanography – NEW!
The University 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 Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah, GA. Successful candidates will be interdisciplinary, self-motivated, and eager to pursue innovative research and education in a supportive academic environment. We seek biological oceanographers who excel in addressing interdisciplinary and large-scale questions, especially in the context of climate change and other anthropogenic influences. The appointment is expected to be made at the Assistant Professor level, but consideration will be given to exceptional applicants seeking appointment at the Associate Professor level. The successful applicants will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including advanced courses in their area of specialization. Expertise in marine phytoplankton, protists and viruses, symbiosis ecology, or the role of biota in biogeochemical cycles, and with sea-going experience, are particularly encouraged to apply. The committee will review applications starting on November 15, 2019, continuing until the positions are filled.

WHOI: Tenure Track Scientist – Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry – NEW!
The Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) invites candidates to apply to the open full-time exempt tenure track position(s) on our scientific staff.  We seek to hire one or more scientists at the Assistant Scientist level; however, qualified candidates may be considered at Associate Scientist without Tenure, Associate Scientist with Tenure, or Senior Scientist levels. As one of the largest and thematically diverse marine chemistry/geochemistry departments in the US, MC&G scientific staff conducts research throughout the world’s open-ocean, deep-sea, coastal and inland environments, develops sensors for in-situ measurements, analyzes samples using state-of-the-art analytical techniques, carries out laboratory-based experimental studies, and develops and applies computer models and remote sensing techniques. The successful candidate(s) will conduct research in any area of marine chemistry and geochemistry that complements and strengthens existing programs on the chemistry of the ocean and its interactions with the Earth as a whole. Opportunities for interdisciplinary research exist through collaborations with colleagues in the other science departments, centers, and labs, as well as with researchers in the broader Woods Hole scientific community. WHOI’s Scientific Staff is expected to provide for their salaries from grants and contracts. The Institution provides salary support when no other funding is available, as well as internal funding opportunities for developing innovative research projects. Candidates hired at the junior level will receive an initial appointment for four years. To apply, please visit http://careers.whoi.edu and respond to Job Reference 19-10-11. Review of applications will begin on December 16, 2019.

Oklahoma State U: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor – Hydrogeochemistry/Low Temperature Geochemistry

WWU: Assistant Professor in Marine Molecular Biology

COL: Program Specialist, Ocean Exploration and Research

MBL: Computational Postdoctoral Scientist

UH Manoa: Assistant Researcher (Theoretical Ecologist)

 

 
 
 
Don’t forget to email me with any items you'd like to share in future newsletters! We will also broadcast this information on our social media outlets, Twitter and Facebook. You are what makes our deep biosphere community!

 

Best, 
 
Matt
 
— 
Matthew Janicak
Data Manager
Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)
University of Southern California
janicak@usc.edu
3616 Trousdale Pkwy, AHF 209, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371
Phone: 708-691-9563, Fax: 213-740-2437
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