C-DEBI Newsletter – October 15, 2014

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• Eight to ten week placement for Nationally selected Native American students
• Prefer placement of two students in the same lab or at the same university
• Project and project funding would need to be supplied by the hosting lab
• Travel and housing support and stipend would be paid by the STC Tribal Initiate grant through STC CMOP (Center for Coastal Margins Observation & Prediction)

Bigelow: Postdoctoral Research Scientist
The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is seeking a qualified and highly motivated individual for a postdoctoral research scientist position to lead independent research on a variety of marine deep biosphere topics in the laboratory of Dr. Beth Orcutt. This work will entail geomicrobiological investigations of subsurface ridge flank environments. Highly successful candidates would have experience with environmental science and/or microbiology, with working knowledge of molecular biology techniques (such as DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing or bioinformatics), microscopy, or geochemical or stable isotope techniques considered as highly desirable. Applicants must have at least a Ph.D in marine sciences, oceanography, environmental microbiology or similar field with a proven publication record. Experience with project management or fieldwork also desired. Proficiency in computer programs for word processing and data entry are a must, as well as good written and oral communication skills. Review of applicants will begin on November 10, 2014, with video-conference screening interviews planned for successful candidates the week of November 24, 2014.

UCSC: C-DEBI research opportunities in Marine Hydrogeology and related fields
Andy Fisher anticipates bringing in one new PhD student and a new postdoctoral researcher for Fall 2015 (postdoc might start Winter or Spring 2016). For both PhD student and postdoctoral researcher candidates, projects will involve studies of seafloor hydrothermal circulation, emphasizing low-temperature (“ridge-flank”) environments. Researchers will develop numerical models to gain understanding as to how these systems work, what factors control the geometry and rate of fluid (heat, solute) transport, relations between crustal structure and fluid flow, etc. There is a lot of observational data that can be used to generate domain geometries and properties, and provides strong constraints on acceptable output. Much of the modeling will be done in collaboration with colleagues who have expertise in biogeochemistry and/or microbiology. Developing and testing models that link hydrogeologic, thermal, chemical and microbiological characteristics is a research frontier and is important to C-DEBI. Fisher and colleagues also have pending proposals for field programs to collect new data and samples, so there may be opportunities for young researchers to gain oceanographic experience through these studies. Although experience with programming is not required, commitment in developing modeling expertise is. Successful applicants will have strengths in some combination of math, physics, chemistry, hydrogeology, geophysics, engineering or related disciplines. More information on Fisher’s research group, projects, and available positions can be found here. Please contact Fisher (afisher@ucsc.edu) with questions and/or to express interest in one of these positions. Graduate student applications to UCSC must be completed by January 5, 2015.

Skidaway Institute of Oceanography: Two Tenure Track Faculty Positions in Oceanography
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography invites applications for two tenure track faculty positions in oceanography at their Savannah, GA campus.  The successful candidate will enhance existing programs within the Marine Sciences Department at SkIO and in Athens. Appointments will be made in the UGA Department of Marine Sciences at the Assistant Professor level, but consideration will be given to exceptional applicants seeking more senior appointments. Applicants working in diverse marine settings are encouraged to apply, although experience and a desire to work in estuarine, coastal and shelf environments are preferred as are researchers who focus on the roles of anthropogenic forcing on marine processes. A full job posting and directions for applying can be found at: http://www.skio.uga.edu/aboutus/jobs/skiofaculty.pdf

Michigan State University: Postdoctoral Positions in Molecular Geomicrobiology
Postdoctoral opportunities are available in molecular geomicrobiology in the lab of Dr. Matt Schrenk at Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI, USA). Microbial communities contained within subsurface environments may be important conduits for the exchange of carbon and energy between the deep Earth and the biosphere- yet surprisingly little is known of their extent, their identities, or their activities. We invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate that will link biogeochemical approaches with studies of microbial physiology and –omics techniques. The research will specifically address microbial activities in subsurface environments influenced by hydrogen and methane and make important contributions to resolving their contributions to carbon fluxes through these ecosystems. Candidates with interests in microbial physiology or analytical biogeochemistry are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information, please see: www.schrenklab.com. For consideration, please submit three items to Dr. Matt Schrenk (schrenkm@msu.edu): (i) a cover letter describing your research goals and your specific motivation to join the laboratory, (ii) a CV, and (iii) contact information for three references, including your Ph.D. supervisor. Applications should be received by December 1, 2014, but will be considered on an ongoing basis.

Michigan State University: Ph.D. Opportunities in Molecular Geomicrobiology
Ph.D. opportunities are available in the molecular geomicrobiology of the deep biosphere in the lab of Matt Schrenk at Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI, USA). The research involves the characterization of microbial ecosystems associated with hydrogen and methane-rich groundwaters and involves multi-disciplinary, international research collaborations. Projects focus on advancing our understanding of the ecology and evolution of microbial communities in the deep biosphere using both molecular and cultivation-based approaches. Research combines bioinformatics analyses of (meta-)genomic and transcriptomic data with field work and laboratory characterization of novel extremophiles. Appropriate applicants with a background in Biology, Earth Sciences, Oceanography, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. For more information, please see: www.schrenklab.com. Applications for the Ph.D. programs in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics or Geological Sciences are due December 1, 2014 (http://biomolecular.msu.edu/index.html). Please contact Matt Schrenk (schrenkm@msu.edu) for further information.

JAMSTEC: 5 Postdoctoral Fellow Positions
JAMSTEC wants to help talented young researchers who have completed a promising PhD thesis to develop their scientific excellence in the fields of ocean and earth sciences. For this purpose, JAMSTEC has created a new international postdoctoral fellowship programme. The successful applicants will receive a research grant that will enable them to work independently on a research topic of their choosing. During the contract period, they will have access to the necessary facilities and equipment at JAMSTEC. The successful applicants to this programme are expected to conduct scientific work independently on a research topic of their own proposing or to proceed with research in collaboration with JAMSTEC staff. During the contract period, they will have access to the necessary facilities and equipment at JAMSTEC. A mentor will be designated to each JAMSTEC Postdoctoral Fellow, who will facilitate their research activities and evaluate their research progress each year. During the fellowship period, the administration section of JAMSTEC will provide support regarding personal issues (e.g., preparing immigration documents, finding an apartment, etc). Applications due November 5, 2014.

Montana State University: Postdoctoral Researcher in Protein Bioinformatics 
For more information, contact Eric Boyd (eboyd@montana.edu) or visit the BETCy EFRC at http://eu.montana.edu/betcy-efrc/opportunities.htm. Screening of applications will begin October 1, 2014 and will continue until position is filled.

WHOI,Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry: Tenure-Track and Tenured Scientific Staff
Review of applications will begin November 1, 2014.

University of South Florida, College of Marine Science: Tenure-Track, Biological Oceanography – Assistant, Associate, or Professor Level
Review of applications will begin after November 1, 2014.

JAMSTEC: Scientist or Technical Scientist, Borehole Informatics Group
Application Deadline: October 20, 2014.

Georgia Tech, Biology Department: Postdoc in Marine Microbial Genomics
This position is available immediately, although there is flexibility in the start date.