C-DEBI Newsletter – November 2, 2020

C-DEBI Newsletter – November 2, 2020
This newsletter is also accessible via our website (https://www.darkenergybiosphere.org) .

Publications & Press
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Life in Extreme Environments
Metabolic and taxonomic diversity in antarctic subglacial environments (http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108683319.016) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Trista J. Vick-Majors, Amanda M. Achberger, Alexander B. Michaud*, John C. Priscu
*C-DEBI Contribution 504

Aquatic subglacial habitats occur throughout the cryosphere where basal melting is sufficient to produce aqueous environments (Priscu & Christner, 2004). Heat energy for melting of basal ice is produced by frictional heating due to glacier movement and geothermal heat flux (Fisher et al., 2015). These heat sources in concert with the lowering of the pressure melting point due to the weight and insulating properties of the overlying ice all contribute to basal ice melting.

Genome Biology and Evolution
Supersized Ribosomal RNA Expansion Segments in Asgard Archaea (http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaa170) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Petar I. Penev, Sara Fakhretaha-Aval, Vaishnavi J. Patel, Jamie J. Cannone, Robin R. Gutell, Anton S. Petrov, Loren Dean Williams, Jennifer B. Glass*
*C-DEBI Contribution 536

The ribosome’s common core, comprised of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and universal ribosomal proteins, connects all life back to a common ancestor and serves as a window to relationships among organisms. The rRNA of the common core is similar to rRNA of extant bacteria. In eukaryotes, the rRNA of the common core is decorated by expansion segments (ESs) that vastly increase its size. Supersized ESs have not been observed previously in Archaea, and the origin of eukaryotic ESs remains enigmatic. We discovered that the large ribosomal subunit (LSU) rRNA of two Asgard phyla, Lokiarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota, considered to be the closest modern archaeal cell lineages to Eukarya, bridge the gap in size between prokaryotic and eukaryotic LSU rRNAs. The elongated LSU rRNAs in Lokiarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota stem from two supersized ESs, called ES9 and ES39. We applied chemical footprinting experiments to study the structure of Lokiarchaeota ES39. Furthermore, we used covariation and sequence
analysis to study the evolution of Asgard ES39s and ES9s. By defining the common eukaryotic ES39 signature fold, we found that Asgard ES39s have more and longer helices than eukaryotic ES39s. Although Asgard ES39s have sequences and structures distinct from eukaryotic ES39s, we found overall conservation of a three-way junction across the Asgard species that matches eukaryotic ES39 topology, a result consistent with the accretion model of ribosomal evolution.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Global diversity of microbial communities in marine sediment (http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1919139117) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Tatsuhiko Hoshino, Hideyuki Doi, Goichiro Uramoto, Lars Wörmer, Rishi R. Adhikari, Nan Xiao, Yuki Morono, Steven L. D’Hondt*, Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Fumio Inagaki
*C-DEBI Contribution 544

Microbial life in marine sediment contributes substantially to global biomass and is a crucial component of the Earth system. Subseafloor sediment includes both aerobic and anaerobic microbial ecosystems, which persist on very low fluxes of bioavailable energy over geologic time. However, the taxonomic diversity of the marine sedimentary microbial biome and the spatial distribution of that diversity have been poorly constrained on a global scale. We investigated 299 globally distributed sediment core samples from 40 different sites at depths of 0.1 to 678 m below the seafloor. We obtained ∼47 million 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences using consistent clean subsampling and experimental procedures, which enabled accurate and unbiased comparison of all samples. Statistical analysis reveals significant correlations between taxonomic composition, sedimentary organic carbon concentration, and presence or absence of dissolved oxygen. Extrapolation with two fitted species–area relationship
models indicates taxonomic richness in marine sediment to be 7.85 × 10^3 to 6.10 × 10^5 and 3.28 × 10^4 to 2.46 × 10^6 amplicon sequence variants for Archaea and Bacteria, respectively. This richness is comparable to the richness in topsoil and the richness in seawater, indicating that Bacteria are more diverse than Archaea in Earth’s global biosphere.

See also the URI (https://today.uri.edu/news/microbial-diversity-below-seafloor-is-as-rich-as-on-earths-surface/) and NSF (https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=301541&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1) press releases.

mBio
Atribacteria Reproducing over Millions of Years in the Atlantic Abyssal Subseafloor (http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01937-20) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Aurèle Vuillemin, Sergio Vargas, Ömer K. Coskun, Robert Pockalny, Richard W. Murray, David C. Smith, Steven L. D’Hondt*, William D. Orsi
*C-DEBI Contribution 545

How microbial metabolism is translated into cellular reproduction under energy-limited settings below the seafloor over long timescales is poorly understood. Here, we show that microbial abundance increases an order of magnitude over a 5 million-year-long sequence in anoxic subseafloor clay of the abyssal North Atlantic Ocean. This increase in biomass correlated with an increased number of transcribed protein-encoding genes that included those involved in cytokinesis, demonstrating that active microbial reproduction outpaces cell death in these ancient sediments. Metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing all show that the actively reproducing community was dominated by the candidate phylum “Candidatus Atribacteria,” which exhibited patterns of gene expression consistent with fermentative, and potentially acetogenic, metabolism. “Ca. Atribacteria” dominated throughout the 8 million-year-old cored sequence, despite the detection limit for gene expression being reached in 5
million-year-old sediments. The subseafloor reproducing “Ca. Atribacteria” also expressed genes encoding a bacterial microcompartment that has potential to assist in secondary fermentation by recycling aldehydes and, thereby, harness additional power to reduce ferredoxin and NAD^+. Expression of genes encoding the Rnf complex for generation of chemiosmotic ATP synthesis were also detected from the subseafloor “Ca. Atribacteria,” as well as the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway that could potentially have an anabolic or catabolic function. The correlation of this metabolism with cytokinesis gene expression and a net increase in biomass over the million-year-old sampled interval indicates that the “Ca. Atribacteria” can perform the necessary catabolic and anabolic functions necessary for cellular reproduction, even under energy limitation in millions-of-years-old anoxic sediments.

Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Changing Brine Inputs Into Hydrothermal Fluids: Southern Cleft Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge (http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2020gc009360) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Charles Geoffrey Wheat*, Robert A. Zierenberg, Jennifer B. Paduan, David W. Caress, David A. Clague, William Chadwick
*C-DEBI Contribution 546

In 2016, temperature recorders were recovered, temperatures were measured, and fluid samples were collected from Vent 1, a high temperature (338°C) hydrothermal discharge site on the southern Cleft Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Coupled with previous sampling efforts, this collection represents a 32‐year record of discharge from a single chimney structure, the longest record to date. Remarkably, the fluid has remained brine‐dominated for more than three decades. This brine formed during phase separation and segregation prior to initial observations in 1984. Although the chloride concentration of the discharging fluid has decreased with time, the fluid temperature has remained nearly constant for at least 3.3 years and probably for 15 or even 22 years. Compositions of the discharging fluids are consistent with inputs from a deep‐sourced brine, which was last equilibrated at >400°C at a depth consistent with the base of the sheeted dikes and the brittle‐ductile transition. This brine
mixed (diffusion or dispersion) with a likely non‐phase‐separated, hydrothermal fluid prior to discharge. A survey of hydrothermal endmember fluids with chlorinities in excess of 700 mmol/kg shows, with the exception of Fe, a single trend between major ion concentrations and chlorinity even though data are from a range of crustal compositions, spreading rates, and water and magma depths. Calculated deep‐sourced brines from hydrothermal fluid data are similar to data based on fluid inclusions and estimates of brine assimilation in magmas. A better understanding of brines is required given their potential duration of discharge and capacity for mobilizing metals.

Environmental Microbiology
NanoSIMS sample preparation decreases isotope enrichment: magnitude, variability and implications for single‐cell rates of microbial activity (http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15264) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Nicolette R. Meyer, Julian L. Fortney, Anne E. Dekas*
*C-DEBI Contribution 549

The activity of individual microorganisms can be measured within environmental samples by detecting uptake of isotope‐labelled substrates using nano‐scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS). Recent studies have demonstrated that sample preparation can decrease ^13C and ^15N enrichment in bacterial cells, resulting in underestimates of activity. Here, we explore this effect with a variety of preparation types, microbial lineages and isotope labels to determine its consistency and therefore potential for correction. Specifically, we investigated the impact of different protocols for fixation, nucleic acid staining and catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH) on >14 500 archaeal and bacterial cells (Methanosarcina acetivorans, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Pseudomonas putida) enriched in ^13C, ^15N, ^18O, ^2H and/or ^34S. We found these methods decrease isotope enrichments by up to 80% – much more than previously reported – and that the effect varies
by taxa, growth phase, isotope label and applied protocol. We make recommendations for how to account for this effect experimentally and analytically. We also re‐evaluate published nanoSIMS datasets and revise estimated microbial turnover times in the marine subsurface and nitrogen fixation rates in pelagic unicellular cyanobacteria. When sample preparation is accounted for, cell‐specific rates increase and are more consistent with modelled and bulk rates.

PeerJ
Biases in genome reconstruction from metagenomic data (http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10119) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
William C. Nelson, Benjamin J. Tully*, Jennifer M. Mobberley
*C-DEBI Contribution 550

Advances in sequencing, assembly, and assortment of contigs into species-specific bins has enabled the reconstruction of genomes from metagenomic data (MAGs). Though a powerful technique, it is difficult to determine whether assembly and binning techniques are accurate when applied to environmental metagenomes due to a lack of complete reference genome sequences against which to check the resulting MAGs. We compared MAGs derived from an enrichment culture containing ~20 organisms to complete genome sequences of 10 organisms isolated from the enrichment culture. Factors commonly considered in binning software—nucleotide composition and sequence repetitiveness—were calculated for both the correctly binned and not-binned regions. This direct comparison revealed biases in sequence characteristics and gene content in the not-binned regions. Additionally, the composition of three public data sets representing MAGs reconstructed from the Tara Oceans metagenomic data was compared to a set of
representative genomes available through NCBI RefSeq to verify that the biases identified were observable in more complex data sets and using three contemporary binning software packages. Repeat sequences were frequently not binned in the genome reconstruction processes, as were sequence regions with variant nucleotide composition. Genes encoded on the not-binned regions were strongly biased towards ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, mobile element functions and genes of unknown function. Our results support genome reconstruction as a robust process and suggest that reconstructions determined to be >90% complete are likely to effectively represent organismal function; however, population-level genotypic heterogeneity in natural populations, such as uneven distribution of plasmids, can lead to incorrect inferences.

Have an upcoming manuscript about the deep subseafloor biosphere and want to increase your press coverage? NSF’s Office of Legislative and Public Affairs is looking to coordinate press releases between your home institution and the NSF to coincide with the date of publication. Please contact us as soon as your publication is accepted! (mailto:janicak@usc.edu)

IODP: 2050 Science Framework: Exploring Earth by Scientific Ocean Drilling (https://iodp.org/2050-science-framework) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the release of the completed 2050 Science Framework, entitled Exploring Earth By Scientific Ocean Drilling. Thanks to your scientific input and active participation in the review process, the 2050 Science Framework is now finished, endorsed by the IODP Forum, and available for download. On this website you can download three beautifully designed documents, prepared by the international IODP science community: the full 124-page 2050 Science Framework, a short 12-page summary, and a two-page pamphlet. The full-length framework document will guide scientists on the important research frontiers that scientific ocean drilling should pursue and often that only can be achieved through scientific ocean drilling. The framework focuses on the many ways in which scientific ocean drilling will increase our understanding of the fundamental connections among Earth system components while addressing a range of natural and human-caused environmental challenges
facing society. The shorter summary and pamphlet versions are intended for a much wider, more general audience, to help us explain the societal importance and value of advancing these scientific frontiers through scientific ocean drilling.

Meetings & Activities
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-C-DEBI: Networked Speaker Series Seminar, THIS THURSDAY, November 5, 2020,12:30pm PST (https://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/outputs-resources/networked-speaker-series/nss-julia-mcgonigle/) –
With Dr. Julia McGonigle, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences on “Formate metabolism by Chloroflexi is key in unlocking deep carbon for the Lost City chimney ecosystem.” Abstract: The Lost City hydrothermal field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge supports dense microbial life on towering calcium carbonate chimney structures. This microbial life is fueled by chemical reactions between the ultramafic rock under the chimneys and ambient seawater. These serpentinization reactions provide reducing power (as hydrogen gas) and organic compounds that can serve as microbial food. Previous studies have characterized the interior of the chimneys as a single-species biofilm inhabited by the Lost City Methanosarcinales, but genomic evidence indicating this methanogen is able to metabolize the most abundant carbon source (formate) is lacking. I will present recent metagenomic results that suggest the non-formate utilizing species inhabiting Lost City chimney biofilms might rely on carbon-cycling activity of a
Chloroflexi population. I will also present current comparative genomic work on a distantly-related Chloroflexi population, obtained through hydrothermal fluid sampling, suspected to reside in the subsurface habitat under the Lost City chimneys.

Missed the last NSS seminar with Dr. Rose Jones, University of Minnesota on “Menu for a deep microbe; attempts in understanding microbe-mineral interactions in the deep marine seafloor”? Watch it on YouTube (https://youtu.be/YrehulKKqrc) .

NOMEC Council: Seeking Public Input on Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Efforts in the U.S. EEZ (https://mailchi.mp/ldeo/virtual-public-listening-sessions-nomec-seeks-input-on-us-eez-mapping?e=852d62bb1f) – (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) — NEW!
The National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council (NOMEC Council), a group of federal agencies established to carry out the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200611-FINAL-STRATEGY-NOMEC-Sec.-2.pdf) , is requesting your input on developing an Implementation Plan and setting strategic priorities for the effort to map the entire U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2040 and explore and characterize strategic areas. The public is invited to two Virtual Public Listening Sessions to discuss the NOMEC Strategy and Implementation Plan: Session #1: Ocean Exploration and Characterization [Register (https://nsf.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItfumsqDwoGIDLdHYa_l4ASgzeK_mWmwI) for November 16, 2:00-3:30pm EST via Zoom]; Session #2: Ocean Mapping [Register (https://nsf.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscemqqjkuGj4ou4-EL5AZJ6f8pZJw0Sc) for November 18,
2:00-3:30pm EST via Zoom]. Request for Comments: The public is particularly encouraged to provide comments via email on the development of the NOMEC Implementation Plan and strategic priorities. 1) Implementing a National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the U.S. EEZ The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that the NOMEC Council requests input from all interested parties on the development of an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the U.S. EEZ (“National Strategy”) 85 Fed. Reg. 64446 (10/13/20) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/13/2020-22411/request-for-comment-implementation-plan-for-the-national-strategy-for-ocean-mapping-exploring-and) . 2) Strategic priorities for mapping, exploring, and characterizing the U.S. EEZ NOAA issued a second notice stating that the NOMEC Council requests input from all interested parties on the strategic priorities to be included
in the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy 85 Fed. Reg. 64448 (10/13/20) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/13/2020-22413/request-for-information-implementation-plan-for-the-national-strategy-for-mapping-exploring-and) . Please submit comments and letters by email no later than November 12, 2020, to nomec.execsec@noaa.gov (mailto:nomec.execsec@noaa.gov) , with subject line “Public Comment on Implementation Plan for the National Strategy” for request #1 and subject line, “Public Comment on Exploration Priorities for the Implementation Plan” for request #2.

AGU: 2020 Fall Meeting Deep Biosphere-related Sessions of Interest (https://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/meetings-and-activities/deep-biosphere-related-sessions-of-interest/) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) – NEW!
Attending the 2020 AGU Fall Meeting, December 1-17, online? Check out these deep biosphere-related sessions:
* B018 – Chemolithotrophs as extreme ecosystem engineers; how microbial communities and environments influence each other under non-standard conditions (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/101817)
* B028 – Evaluating the role of the deep biosphere in the global carbon cycle: novel methodologies and tools from field sampling to lab scale investigations (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/104445)
* B077 – Coupled Elemental Cycles in Microbial Metabolism I Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/104131)
* B091 – Investigating the Role of the Extreme Biosphere in the Global Element Cycles: How Microbial Communities and Environments Influence Each Other in the Deep Subsurface and Beyond II Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/107033) ,
B098 – Investigating the Role of the Extreme Biosphere in the Global Element Cycles: How Microbial Communities and Environments Influence Each Other in the Deep Subsurface and Beyond I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/110845)
* B095 – Soils in the Anthropocene: Mechanisms of Stabilization and Change III Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/107046)
* B111 – Geovirology: Viruses in Earth’s Biomes and Their Impacts on Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry II Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/103979) ,
B124 – Geovirology: Viruses in Earth’s Biomes and Their Impacts on Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/110865)
* B113 – Advances in Understanding and Predicting Microbial Functions in Earth System Processes Under Climate Change II Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/108127)
* H081 – Reactive Transport in Real Rocks: From the Pore to the Field Scale I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109316)
* H160 – Fluids in the Earth’s Crust: From Depth to Surface I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109001)
* OS016 – Seafloor Cold Seeps Dynamics: Local to Global Impacts of Methane Emission and Gas Hydrates on the Marine Environment I Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/101584)
* OS024 – The Science Behind the Framework for Scientific Ocean Drilling Through 2050 II Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/102799) ,
OS026 – The Science Behind the Framework for Scientific Ocean Drilling Through 2050 I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/106988)
* OS043 – Hydrocarbon (Methane or Oil) and Carbon Dioxide Seepage into Marine, Lacustrine, and Terrestrial Environments: Emissions and Impacts on Local to Global Scales I Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/101955)
* P055 – The New Mars Underground (and Beyond) 3.0 III Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/102528) ,
P057 – The New Mars Underground (and Beyond) 3.0 I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109482) ,
P058 – The New Mars Underground (and Beyond) 3.0 II (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109487)
* P064 – Getting the Most Out of Data in Astrobiology: Overcoming the Too Little, Too Rare, and Too Different I Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/105276)
* P075 – Ice and Ocean Worlds: Geology, Oceanography, Chemistry, Habitability I (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109366) ,
P076 – Ice and Ocean Worlds: Geology, Oceanography, Chemistry, Habitability IV Posters (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/101069) ,
P083 – Ice and Ocean Worlds: Geology, Oceanography, Chemistry, Habitability II (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109371) ,
P086 – Ice and Ocean Worlds: Geology, Oceanography, Chemistry, Habitability III (https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meetingapp.cgi/Session/109376)

Missing a session of interest? Let us know! (mailto:janicak@usc.edu)

Ongoing Activities:
* C-DEBI: Rolling call for Community Workshop support (http://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/research-activities/research-support/workshops/)
* C-DEBI: Protocols.io Group Page (https://www.protocols.io/groups/center-for-dark-energy-biosphere-investigations)
* C-DEBI: Subseafloor Cultures Database (http://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/outputs-resources/subseafloor-cultures-database/)
* C-DEBI: Join us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/c-debi-center-for-dark-energy-biosphere-investigations/)

Proposal Calls
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-NSF: International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20598/nsf20598.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Track I: IRES Sites (IS) due dates: November 12, 2020 and September 21, 2021. Track II: Advanced Studies Institutes (ASI) due dates: November 9, 2020 and September 28, 2021.

-NSF: Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into the Earth, Ocean, Polar and Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences (IUSE:GEOPAths) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20516/nsf20516.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Letter of Intent Due Date: November 17, 2020.

-NSF: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20602/nsf20602.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Full proposal deadline: November 18, 2020.

IODP-USSSP: Submit a Workshop Proposal (https://usoceandiscovery.org/workshops/) – (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) — NEW!
The U.S. Science Support Program sponsors workshops to promote the development of new ideas related to the study of the Earth’s processes and history via scientific ocean drilling. The primary goal is to identify promising new scientific objectives and research opportunities. The workshop program encourages wide scientific community involvement to bring a broader and multidisciplinary approach to standing hypotheses and to explore new directions for IODP research and communication. Workshop topics should be related to objectives outlined in the IODP Science Plan, Illuminating Earth’s Past, Present, and Future. Workshops may focus on a specific scientific theme or topic, or they may focus on a geographic region, integrating multiple topics. Regionally-focused workshops offer opportunities to develop drilling proposals for future target areas based on projected ship tracks, or to synthesize scientific results from past expeditions. Workshop proposals must be submitted by researchers
affiliated with a U.S. institution. Funding may be requested for U.S.-based workshops or to support U.S. participants at large, international workshops. Proposals are accepted biannually and evaluated competitively by an independent review panel. The next proposal deadline is December 1, 2020.

-NSF: Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5483&WT.mc_id=USNSF_46&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Small Grants for Research (SGR) deadline: December 10, 2020.

IODP-USSSP: Apply for a Schlanger Ocean Drilling Fellowship (https://usoceandiscovery.org/fellowships/) – (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) — NEW!
The U.S. Science Support Program is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Schlanger Ocean Drilling Fellowship Program. The Schlanger Fellowship Program offers merit-based awards for graduate students enrolled in a Ph.D. program to conduct research related to the International Ocean Discovery Program. Research may be related to the objectives of past expeditions or it may address broader science themes. Selected fellows will receive an award of $30,000 for a 12-month period that can be used for research, stipend, tuition, or other approved costs. Schlanger Fellowships are open to all graduate students enrolled at U.S. institutions in full-time Ph.D. programs. Applications require reference material from two referees, one of which must be the student’s faculty advisor. All application materials, including reference material, must be submitted by December 11, 2020.

-USGS: Mendenhall Research Fellowship: Geology, geochemistry and global context of deep-ocean marine minerals (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/mendenhall/19-8-geology-geochemistry-and-global-context-deep-ocean-marine-minerals) –
The deadline for submission of applications, which include research proposals, will be January 4, 2021.

MBARI: 2021 Postdoctoral Fellowship (https://www.mbari.org/2021-postdoctoral-fellowship/) – (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) — NEW!
Applications for the postdoctoral fellowship program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) are currently being accepted. MBARI is dedicated to the development of state-of-the-art instrumentation, systems, and methods supporting scientific research in the oceans. Ongoing programs at MBARI span marine robotics, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and engineering. Located in Moss Landing, California at the head of Monterey Canyon, MBARI enjoys convenient access to a diverse range of ocean environments. The Institute operates two ocean-going research ships, a coastal workboat, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, oceanographic profilers and moorings, the MARS seafloor cabled observatory, and a wide range of oceanographic equipment. MBARI is a non-profit oceanographic research institute supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Offers will be made to selected candidates from the fields of biological, chemical and physical
oceanography, marine geology, and engineering. Candidates must be awarded a Ph.D. degree prior to commencing the two-year appointment starting between July 2021 and June 2022. Applicants should communicate with potential research sponsors at MBARI for guidance on project feasibility, relevance to ongoing research projects, resource availability, and expected start date. Application deadline: January 20, 2021.

-NSF: Research Traineeship (NRT) Program (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505015&WT.mc_id=USNSF_46&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Full Proposal Deadline Date: February 6, 2021.

-NSF: Biological Oceanography (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11696&WT.mc_id=USNSF_46&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Full proposal target date: February 15, 2021.

-NSF: Chemical Oceanography (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11698&WT.mc_id=USNSF_46&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Full proposal target date: February 15, 2021.

-NSF: Physical Oceanography (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12729&WT.mc_id=USNSF_46&WT.mc_ev=click) –
Full proposal target date: February 15, 2021.

-JGI: CSP New Investigator (https://jgi.doe.gov/user-programs/program-info/csp-overview/csp-new-investigator/) –
Next deadline: March 1, 2021.

NSF: EarthCube: Developing a Community-Driven Data and Knowledge Environment for the Geosciences (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21515/nsf21515.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click) – (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) — NEW!
This Solicitation supports the following funding opportunity to advance geosciences research: Science-Enabling Capabilities: This opportunity builds capabilities to improve geosciences data use and reuse for observational, experimental, and computational research that is interoperable with emerging standards and resources, as well as efforts to integrate different datasets and tools from multiple GEO disciplines. In addition to the solicited opportunity, the EarthCube program will accept requests for supplements to support adoption of emerging EarthCube open web standards and existing cyberinfrastructure (CI) by science projects and data resources. Supplements must abide by the guidelines for supplements in the PAPPG. Prospective PIs should contact an EarthCube program director to discuss a potential supplement. The EarthCube program will accept requests for supplements of the following types: Science adoption: Target broadening or enhancing existing geoscience projects to achieve new
research and education outcomes through adoption of existing data and software tools (including, but not limited to, products from EarthCube projects). Possible projects include the adoption of data standards to support the science goals of a project. Data resource adoption: Support data facilities and data resources to adopt robust standards and/or implementation of pilot tools/activities to improve discovery, interoperability and access to data and CI services. In conjunction with EarthCube/Council of Data Facilities developments, these awards would facilitate adoption of new semantic web standards and machine-readable publishing patterns, such as for the EarthCube data repository and resource registries. These awards are meant for an initial implementation of these standards and are not meant to sustain existing core functions of data facilities. Full proposal deadlines: March 2, 2021.

-IODP: Call for Drilling Proposals (http://iodp.org/proposals/call-for-proposals) –
The next submission deadline will be in early April, 2021.

Rolling Calls:
* C-DEBI: Rolling call for Research Exchange proposals (http://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/research-activities/research-support/exchange/)
* IODP-USSSP: Proposals for Pre-Drilling Activities (http://usoceandiscovery.org/pre-drilling-activities/)
* NSF: Antarctic Research Program Solicitation (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20568/nsf20568.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: Arctic Sciences Program Solicitation (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16595/nsf16595.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: DCL: Collaborative Proposals under NSF and US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) Collaborative Research Opportunities (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20094/nsf20094.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: DCL: Colleague Letter: Poorly Sampled and Unknown Taxa (PurSUiT) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20059/nsf20059.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: DCL: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21013/nsf21013.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: DCL: UKRI/BBSRC-NSF/BIO Lead Agency Opportunity in Biological Informatics, Microbes and the Host Immune System, Quantum Biology and Synthetic Cell (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20118/nsf20118.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: Division of Environmental Biology (core programs) (DEB) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20502/nsf20502.htm)
* NSF: Enabling Discovery through GEnomic Tools (EDGE) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20532/nsf20532.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research (IIBR) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18595/nsf18595.htm)
* NSF: Instrument Capacity for Biological Research (ICBR) (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505542&WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18102/nsf18102.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_179)
* NSF: Research Assistantships for High School Students (RAHSS): Funding to Broaden Participation in the Biological Sciences (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18088/nsf18088.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* NSF: Research Experience for Teachers (RET): Funding Opportunity in the Biological Sciences (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18089/nsf18089.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
* UNOLS: Cruise Opportunity Program (https://www.unols.org/unols-cruise-opportunity-program)

Employment
————————————————————

WHOI: Research Assistant / Research Associate – MC&G (https://careers-whoi.icims.com/jobs/1292/research-assistant—research-associate—mc%26g/job) – (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116386) — NEW!
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Research Associate to join the Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry Department. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits. A Biogeochemical scientist/data analyst is sought to contribute to projects studying ocean biogeochemistry using sensor-based ocean observing systems. A central role for the Research Associate will be to contribute to the Biogeochemical Argo (https://biogeochemical-argo.org/) activities at WHOI, as part of the larger WHOI Argo effort (https://www2.whoi.edu/site/argo/) . The successful candidate will join a team pioneering advancements in ocean observations and the development of innovative data products. Responsibilities will include management and quality control of biogeochemical data collected by autonomous oceanographic platforms including Argo floats. Additional tasks will include sensor testing and evaluation, assisting with float pre-deployment checkout, coordinating
cruise opportunities, and organizing and archiving cruise validation datasets. The successful candidate must be able to work well in a team, and with national and international partners including contributing to co-authored manuscripts for peer review and reports for internal and external audiences.

-NC State U: Assistant Professor – Chemical Oceanography (https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/133726) –
Review of applications began on October 12, 2020 and the position will remain open until filled.

-MSU: Postdoctoral Researcher position on Asgard archaea ecophysiology (http://nebula.wsimg.com/0dd35b7a90a75a854de76f3fcdb9cb4e?AccessKeyId=48B9AC89493A56C67DF6&disposition=0&alloworigin=1) –
We currently expect the earliest start date to be November 1, 2020 but all applicants able to start the position by April 1, 2021 will be considered.

-MBARI: Principal Investigator or Principal Engineer (focus on seafloor patterns and processes) (https://www.mbari.org/principal_investigator_engineer/) –
We are currently receiving applications for this position, which will remain open until filled.