[DIALOGnews] DISCCRS News 2/8/2007
Ruth Ladderud
ladderra at whitman.edu
Fri Feb 9 13:20:06 CST 2007
DISCCRS News
2/8/2007
************************************
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESOURCES and FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Inter-Research Journal - Online archive now available - Back catalog
of articles; full-text searchable PDF files.
www.int-res.com
Water Quality for Ecosystem and Human Health is available in English
in PDF and “Digital Atlas” formats at
http://www.gemswater.org/publications/index-e.html and at
http://www.gemswater.org/freshwater_assessments/index-e.html.
SCIENCE NEWS
Republican and Democratic US Congress members polled on climate change
http://syndication.nationaljournal.com/images/
203Insiderspoll_NJlogo.pdf
Global climate report gets final polish before release
(see NEWS 1 below)
Pew Center coverage of the IPCC Comprehensive Report on Science of
Climate Change
(see NEWS 2 below)
Climate of Opinion: The latest U.N. report shows the "warming" debate
is far from settled. The Wall Street Journal weighs in on IPCC
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009625
(see NEWS 3 below)
Game Over on Global Warming?
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-
emissions5feb05,1,3200012.story Or: http://tinyurl.com/yolsw6
(Registration Required)
(see NEWS 4 below)
Branson Launches $25 Million Climate Bid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6345557.stm Or:
http://tinyurl.com/2frvvu
(see NEWS 5 below)
Nanoengineered Concrete Could Reduce CO2 Emissions
http://tinyurl.com/2qo8rh
(see NEWS 6 below)
Evangelical, Scientific Leaders Launch Effort to Protect Earth
Unprecedented collaboration aims to instill sense of urgency on
elected officials, advance sound environmental policies and practices
http://www.allgodspeople.com/madison/content/view/43403/16/
(see NEWS 7 below)
SUMMER PROGRAMS, COURSES, INTERNSHIPS, MEETINGS, OPPORTUNITIES
Third Workshop: International Young Scholar Network for Earth Systems
Science - June 2-5, 2007 - Bristol (UK)
(see WORKSHOP 1 below)
JOBS
Director And Professor, Florida Sea Grant Program (FSG) - Sea Grant
College - University Of Florida -Gainesville, FL (USA) Position #
0001-3307
(see JOB 1 below)
Global Warming Scientist - Conservation Programs – National Wildlife
Federation – Reston, VA (USA)
https://secure.nwf.org/careergateway/index.cfm?
fuseAction=view&positionID=10288
(see JOB 2 below)
Postdoc Fellowship - Sea Ice Forecasting - U.S. National/Naval Ice
Center - Washington, DC in Suitland, Maryland (USA)
http://www.vsp.ucar.edu/07nic_open.html
(see JOB 3 below)
Post-doc - Modeling Marine Microbes at MIT: From Genomes to
Biogeography – Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge,
MA (USA)
(see JOB 4 below)
Research Faculty (two) - Marine Science - Coastal and Marine
Laboratory - Florida State University – St Teresa, FL (USA)
http://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/currentopenings.html
(see JOBS 5 below)
Postdoc - Environmental Sciences Policy and Management Department -
UC Berkeley (USA)
(see JOB 6 below)
PostDoc - Interpret recent satellite observations to provide
constraints on aerosol processes - Dalhousie University (Canada)
(see JOB 7 below)
3-5 Research Scientists - Land-Atmospheric Interaction - Beijing
Normal University, Beijing (China)
(see JOB 8 below)
Lecturship - Environmental Modelling and/or Earth Observation Science
- Department of Geography - Kings College London (UK)
(see JOB 9 below)
Asst. Professor - Geoscience (The position is currently held by a
Climatologist, and continuation of this situation is encouraged!) -
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC (USA)
(see JOB 10 below)
Post-doc - Dept. of Oceanography - University of Cape Town (Rep. of
South Africa)
(see JOB 11 below)
Post-doc - Numerical modelling of ice-ocean interactions in
Antarctica - The Institute for Geophysics - Westfalische Wilhelms
University (Germany)
(see JOB 12 below)
Research Associate - Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory -
Beltsville, MD (USA)
(see JOB 13 below)
Postdoctoral Researcher - Aquatic Microbial Ecology - Limnology
section at the Department of Ecology & Evolution, Uppsala University
(Sweden)
http://www.personalavd.uu.se/ledigaplatser/205forsk_eng.html
(see JOB 14 below)
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Science News
(NEWS 1) Global climate report gets final polish before release
Margaret Munro - CanWest News Service - Thursday, February 01,
2007 The report on the state of Earth's climate, to be released
Friday, is one of the most scrutinized, heavily edited and carefully
coded documents ever written.
Climatologists hope it also will have the power to change the
world, and what humans are doing to it.
Almost three years in the making, with input from hundreds of
researchers, the report is now undergoing a last-minute, closed-door
edit by high-level government delegates and scientists in Paris.
"We'll be going over it line by line," says Francis Zwiers, a top
Environment Canada scientist, and one of the researchers and
government officials holed up near the Eiffel Tower negotiating how
best to describe the remarkable changes underway as the planet warms.
Reports Wednesday suggested the experts are falling behind in
their task of reaching consensus on the wording. All governments
involved must agree on the language in the summary.
"We are at 30 per cent (complete) and we have used 60 per cent of
our time," said Arthur Petersen, who represents the Dutch Environment
Ministry.
Leaked drafts of Friday's report, widely quoted in the media in
recent weeks, say the evidence of climate warming is "unequivocal."
The change is visible in the air, oceans and melting ice and largely
driven by ever-increasing human emissions of greenhouse gases.
The marathon session in Paris is massaging and tweaking the
draft, which is just 12 to 15 pages long and summarizes the key
findings of science teams that have produced an 11-chapter tome -
more than 1,000 pages of eye-glazing detail to be published later
this spring. Every word of the summary is being weighed with the kind
of precision only scientists and bureaucrats could dream up.
For handy reference at the Paris meeting there is a 56-page
technical summary, complete with a chart calibrating the meaning of
loaded phrases - "virtually certain" means greater than 99 per cent
probability, "likely" translates to more than 66 per cent, while
"exceptionally unlikely" is less than one per cent probability.
The definitions are supposed to add precision to Friday's summary
report. They also help counter last-minute attempts to water down or
exaggerate the climate change underway.
"Our job is only to accept changes consistent with our chapter's
findings," says Ken Denman, another Canadian researcher burning the
midnight oil in Paris.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, was
established in 1988 to bring together climate scientists to assess
the risks posed by the billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide and methane gas that humans pump into the atmosphere
each year.
Scientists say there is little in IPCC reports that has not been
widely reported in science journals and been the fodder of headlines
for years.
What sets the reports apart, they say, is the way they pull all
the pieces together, build consensus and command attention. As the
IPCC delegation gathered in Paris this week there were already calls
for a world summit on climate change from the United Nations
Environment Programme.
Friday's report is based on the fourth assessment, Climate Change
2007: The Physical Science Basis, and focuses on how greenhouse gases
have locked the planet into a human-induced warming trend that will
be felt for centuries to come. Two other IPCC reports, to be released
in April and May, will describe how society needs to adapt to the
coming change and lay out options for cutting emissions.
The authors of this week's report say they have weighed all the
evidence and theories about how and why temperatures are rising. They
have also assessed 19 climate models from labs and meteorological
services around the world, including one run by Environment Canada's
supercomputer in Dorval, Que., that replicate past climates with
uncanny accuracy and forecast big change in coming decades.
Scientists from around the globe have been involved since 2004 -
Denman's co-ordinated input from 14 lead authors and about 60
contributing authors for his chapter on how carbon moves between the
land, ocean and atmosphere. Hundreds more have been writing and
reviewing the other 10 chapters. Critics and skeptics were encouraged
to get involved."I actually was a bit pushy about it because I think
if people are going to complain, then let them complain in a
constructive way," Denman said in a recent interview in his office at
the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis in Victoria,
where he's on secondment from the Fisheries and Oceans Department.
His chapter attracted 3,000 individual comments. "And we had to
respond in writing to every single one," Denman says flipping through
the thick binder holding them all. "It's a brutal job," says Denman,
an expert on the carbon cycle and IPCC veteran who helped write the
1995 report that helped focus international attention on the
greenhouse gas problem.
Climatologist Andrew Weaver at the University of Victoria is also
one of the nine Canadian researchers heavily involved in producing
this year's report.
The debate between scientists has been right down to the wire.
Two weeks ago Weaver says they were still arguing over the chance of
an abrupt collapse of Atlantic currents that carry heat from the
tropics to Europe. Is it "unlikely" (less than 33 per cent
probability) or "very unlikely" (less than 10 per cent probability).
"It took many hours, with many people around the world for that one
paragraph," says Weaver.
Negotiators in Paris this week can - and are - haggling over the
wording in the summary. "But they can't change the science," says
Weaver. It is already all laid out in the IPCC report, the final
draft of which covers more than 1,000 pages. "It's an outstanding
piece of scientific research, it covers all aspect of the climate,"
says Weaver, who is already using it for teaching and reference.
"It's the go-to place for anything to do with climate science."
The IPCC has its critics. Toronto geologist and climate blogger
Steve McIntyre is harshly critical of the IPCC for delaying
publication of the full report until three months after Friday's
summary is released at a carefully orchestrated press conference.
"Unbelievable," says McIntyre, who has chastised the IPCC for
having the "gall" to institutionalize a process that will generate
enormous political pressure for action before the full details are
made public. "Words fail me."
Gordon McBean, a former Environment Canada official now at the
University of Western Ontario, says the IPCC process could be more
open and streamlined. "I think the process has actually become overly
bureaucratic," says McBean. "But I don't think the present process is
controlled by government as some people argue," says McBean. McBean
headed the Canadian delegation to the 1995 IPCC negotiations that
concluded the balance of evidence suggests "a discernable human
influence" on the global climate. The line helped lead to the Kyoto
Protocol, the international agreement that aims to, but has so far
failed, to curb total global emissions. This time around McBean is a
reviewer for the upcoming IPCC assessment on the impacts of climate
change and the need to adapt. He says the more than 180 countries in
the United Nations are party to the IPCC process and have the right
to comment on Friday's summary, as long as the document stays true to
the science. "They all legitimately can participate," says McBean,
who is unaware of any other documents that undergoes such intense
review, debate and editing. "Not that I know of," says McBean, who
like many of his colleagues is hoping this week's report will jolt
the world into making "significant" emission reductions.
******************
(NEWS 2) Pew Center coverage of the IPCC Comprehensive Report on
Science of Climate Change
On February 2, 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) released a summary of the current science of climate
change. The summary, directed at policymakers, is based on six years
of review of scientific literature by experts from around the world,
convened under the auspices of the IPCC's Working Group I. The
report calls the evidence of climate warming "unequivocal." The
report finds that rates of both observed warming and sea level rise
have accelerated over the past century, and discusses other important
changes being observed, including more intense precipitation in some
regions, prolonged droughts in others, and intensification of
hurricanes in some tropical regions.
Read the Pew Center's coverage of the report:
http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=436458&l=136622
Pew Center's summary of the report (93 KB pdf):
http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=436458&l=136623
Pew Center statement on the report:
http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=436458&l=136624
Facts and Figures:
http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=436458&l=136625
"Sea Level Rise - The State of the Science", a new Pew Center
fact sheet:
http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=436458&l=136626
Hurricanes and Global Warming Q&A:
http://ealert.pewclimate.org/ctt.asp?u=436458&l=136627
********************
(NEWS 3) Climate of Opinion: The latest U.N. report shows the
"warming" debate is far from settled. The Wall Street Journal weighs
in on IPCC
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009625
The Wall Street Journal (Editorial page) - February 5, 2007 -
Last week's headlines about the United Nations' latest report on
global warming were typically breathless, predicting doom and human
damnation like the most fervent religious evangelical. Yet the real
news in the fourth assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) may be how far it is backpedaling on some key
issues. Beware claims that the science of global warming is settled.
The document that caused such a stir was only a short policy
report, a summary of the full scientific report due in May. Written
mainly by policymakers (not scientists) who have a stake in the
issue, the summary was long on dire predictions. The press reported
the bullet points, noting that this latest summary pronounced with
more than "90% confidence" that humans have been the main drivers of
warming since the 1950s, and that higher temperatures and rising sea
levels would result.
More pertinent is the underlying scientific report. And according
to people who have seen that draft, it contains startling revisions
of previous U.N. predictions. For example, the Center for Science and
Public Policy has just released an illuminating analysis written by
Lord Christopher Monckton, a one-time adviser to Margaret Thatcher
who has become a voice of sanity on global warming.
Take rising sea levels. In its 2001 report, the U.N.'s best high-
end estimate of the rise in sea levels by 2100 was three feet. Lord
Monckton notes that the upcoming report's high-end best estimate is
17 inches, or half the previous prediction. Similarly, the new report
shows that the 2001 assessment had overestimated the human influence
on climate change since the Industrial Revolution by at least one-third.
Such reversals (and there are more) are remarkable, given that
the IPCC's previous reports, in 1990, 1995 and 2001, have been
steadily more urgent in their scientific claims and political tone.
It's worth noting that many of the policymakers who tinker with the
IPCC reports work for governments that have promoted climate fears as
a way of justifying carbon-restriction policies. More skeptical
scientists are routinely vetoed from contributing to the panel's
work. The Pasteur Institute's Paul Reiter, a malaria expert who
thinks global warming would have little impact on the spread of that
disease, is one example.
U.N. scientists have relied heavily on computer models to predict
future climate change, and these crystal balls are notoriously
inaccurate. According to the models, for instance, global
temperatures were supposed to have risen in recent years. Yet
according to the U.S. National Climate Data Center, the world in 2006
was only 0.03 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in 2001--in the
range of measurement error and thus not statistically significant.
The models also predicted that sea levels would rise much faster
than they actually have. The models didn't predict the significant
cooling the oceans have undergone since 2003--which is the opposite
of what you'd expect with global warming. Cooler oceans have also put
a damper on claims that global warming is the cause of more frequent
or intense hurricanes. The models also failed to predict falling
concentrations of methane in the atmosphere, another surprise.
Meanwhile, new scientific evidence keeps challenging previous
assumptions. The latest report, for instance, takes greater note of
the role of pollutant particles, which are thought to reflect
sunlight back to space, supplying a cooling effect. More scientists
are also studying the effect of solar activity on climate, and some
believe it alone is responsible for recent warming.
All this appears to be resulting in a more cautious scientific
approach, which is largely good news. We're told that the upcoming
report is also missing any reference to the infamous "hockey stick,"
a study by Michael Mann that purported to show 900 years of minor
fluctuations in temperature, followed by a dramatic spike over the
past century. The IPCC featured the graph in 2001, but it has since
been widely rebutted.
While everyone concedes that the Earth is about a degree Celsius
warmer than it was a century ago, the debate continues over the cause
and consequences. We don't deny that carbon emissions may play a
role, but we don't believe that the case is sufficiently proven to
justify a revolution in global energy use. The economic dislocations
of such an abrupt policy change could be far more severe than warming
itself, especially if it reduces the growth and innovation that would
help the world cope with, say, rising sea levels. There are also
other problems--AIDS, malaria and clean drinking water, for example—
whose claims on scarce resources are at least as urgent as climate
change.
The IPCC report should be understood as one more contribution to
the warming debate, not some definitive last word that justifies
radical policy change. It can be hard to keep one's head when
everyone else is predicting the Apocalypse, but that's all the more
reason to keep cool and focus on the actual science.
********************
(NEWS 4) Game Over on Global Warming?
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-
emissions5feb05,1,3200012.story Or: http://tinyurl.com/yolsw6
(Registration Required)
Los Angeles Times (Registration Required) - Everybody in the
United States could switch from cars to bicycles. The Chinese could
close all their factories. Europe could give up electricity and
return to the age of the lantern. But all those steps together would
not come close to stopping global warming.
A landmark report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, released last Friday, warns that there is so
much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that
even if concentrations held at current levels, the effects of global
warming would continue for centuries.
There is still hope. The report notes that a concerted world
effort could stave off the direst consequences of global warming,
such as widespread flooding, drought and extreme weather. Ultimately
eliminating the global warming threat, however, would require radical
action.
********************
(NEWS 5) Branson Launches $25 Million Climate Bid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6345557.stm Or:
http://tinyurl.com/2frvvu
BBC News Online - Millions of pounds are on offer for the person
who comes up with the best way of removing significant amounts of
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson
launched the competition today in London alongside former US vice-
president Al Gore.
A panel of judges will oversee the prize, including James
Lovelock and Nasa scientist James Hansen. Sir Richard said humankind
must realise the scale of the crisis it faced. "The Earth cannot wait
60 years," he said at the news conference. "I want a future for my
children and my children's children. The clock is ticking."
He said if the planet was to survive, it was vital to find a way
of getting rid of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. He said he
believed offering the $25 million (12.5 million pounds) Earth
Challenge Prize was the best way of finding a solution.
********************
(NEWS 6)
Nanoengineered Concrete Could Reduce CO2 Emissions
http://tinyurl.com/2qo8rh
In an effort to find ways to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions, a group of engineers at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) are working on the nanostructure of concrete, the
world's most widely used material. The production of cement, the
primary component of concrete, accounts for 5 to 10 percent of the
world's total carbon dioxide emissions; the process is an important
contributor to global warming, the MIT researchers said.
...The researchers said if they can find -- or nanoengineer -- a
different mineral to use in cement paste, one that has the same
packing density but does not require the high temperatures during
production, they could conceivably cut world carbon dioxide emissions
by up to 10 percent.
Franz-Josef Ulm: http://cee.mit.edu
*******************
(NEWS 7) Evangelical, Scientific Leaders Launch Effort to Protect
Earth Unprecedented collaboration aims to instill sense of urgency
on elected officials, advance sound environmental policies and practices
http://www.allgodspeople.com/madison/content/view/43403/16/
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, evangelical and scientific
leaders announced a collaborative effort to protect the environment.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington, DC, a dozen leaders of
the effort shared concerns about human-caused threats to creation –
including climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, species
extinction, the spread of human infectious diseases, and other
dangers to the well-being of societies.
“More than takers, we are care-takers," said University of
Wisconsin professor Cal DeWitt, a member of the coalition. "By
returning Creation’s service with service of our own, we care for
Creation, we restore what has been spoiled, we preserve the species,
and care for the climate system we hold in trust.”
The coalition released an “Urgent Call to Action” statement
signed by 28 evangelical and scientific leaders. The statement –
sent to President George W. Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
bipartisan Congressional leaders, and national evangelical and
scientific organizations – urges “fundamental change in values,
lifestyles and public policies required to address these worsening
problems before it is too late. Business as usual cannot continue
yet one more day.” The group pledged to “work together toward a
responsible care for creation and call with one voice” to the
religious, scientific, business, political and educational arenas to
join them in this historic initiative.
“There is no such thing as a Republican or Democrat, a liberal
or conservative, a religious or secular environment. We all breathe
the same air and drink the same water. Scientists and evangelicals
share a deep moral commitment to preserve this precious gift we have
all been given,” said Dr. Eric Chivian, Nobel laureate and Director
of the Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global
Environment.
“Great scientists are people of imagination. So are people of
great faith. We dare to imagine a world in which science and
religion cooperate, minimizing our differences about how Creation got
started, to work together to reverse its degradation. We will not
allow it to be progressively destroyed by human folly,” added Rev.
Rich Cizik, Vice President for Government Affairs of the National
Association of Evangelicals.
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Summer Programs, Courses, Internships, Meetings, Opportunities
(WORKSHOP 1) Third Workshop: International Young Scholar Network for
Earth Systems Science - June 2-5, 2007 - Bristol (UK)
http://www.aimes.ucar.edu/activities/YSN/2007_UK/YSN_BRISTOL.shtml
This small workshop will focus on understanding decision making
on land-use issues, in order to move towards modelling these
processes in Earth System Models. We encourage interdisciplinary
applicants from the natural and social sciences, economics, engineers
and scholars from the humanities with research interests in the Earth
system. The goal of the YSN workshop will be a manuscript reviewing
the state-of-art in decision-making in land-use modelling and its
impacts on biogeochemistry and climate from an Earth's System
perspective, and prioritise future research topics. Participants will
be expected to write whitepapers before the workshop, and continue
finalizing the manuscript after the workshop.
AIMES is a Core Project of the International Geosphere-Biosphere
Project (IGBP). Approximately, 25 young scholars (within 10 years of
Ph.D.) will be supported to attend the YSN meeting, pending funding.
To apply, send your CV, statement of research interests and a letter
of recommendation from your supervisor or department head to
marko.scholze at bristol.ac.uk. Applications are due by February 28,
2007. -- Marko Scholze, QUEST, Department of Earth Sciences,
University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol
BS8 1RJ, UK Tel: +44 (0)117 331 5132 Fax: +44 (0)117 925 3385
http://QUEST.bris.ac.uk Quantifying earth system processes and
feedbacks for better informed assessments of alternative futures of
the global environment
***************************************************
Jobs
Planktonnet: Great listserv for aquatic-science jobs
To subscribe to the list, send an empty email to:
planktonnet-subscribe at yahoogroups.com
Or, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/planktonnet/ and click on
'Join this group'
********************
(JOB 1) Director And Professor, Florida Sea Grant Program (FSG) - Sea
Grant College - University Of Florida -Gainesville, FL (USA) Position
# 0001-3307
Review of candidates will begin on March 22, 2007 and continue
until position is filled
We are seeking an innovative unit leader with broad programmatic
vision and enthusiasm for leadership. The Director is the
administrative head of the Sea Grant College and provides leadership
and support for research, education, communications, and extension in
the Florida Sea Grant programs (FSG).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director provides vision in
planning, develops and implements FSG programs, and acquires
extramural funds with private support. The Director plays an active
role in overseeing a diverse set of programs and leading strategic
planning initiatives to design effective programs for the state,
universities and stakeholders. Current Sea Grant program areas
emphasize marine biotechnology, fisheries, aquaculture, seafood
safety, boating and waterways, waterfront communities, ecosystem
health, coastal hazards, graduate education and marine education.
The federal Sea Grant portion of the program covers about 50% of
the funding for 100+ faculty and students who conduct research,
education, communications, and extension programs. Approximately 12
staff are managed at the Sea Grant College located on the Gainesville
campus while the remaining staff are located at various locations
throughout the state of Florida. The Director is actively engaged
with stakeholders such as the National Sea Grant College Program
Office located within the National Ocean and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) in Silver Springs, MD. In addition the
Director interacts with the 31 Sea Grant Programs across the U.S. to
conduct regional and national programs. The current annual budget,
including federal Sea Grant Funds, non-federal matching funds, and
extramural funds is approximately five million dollars.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: An earned Ph.D. with a record of excellence
in research and scholarship in marine, coastal, natural resources, or
related areas is required. A sustained record of publications and
grants sufficient for academic appointment as Professor with tenure
in a UF academic department is required. The applicant’s record must
document a commitment to the Sea Grant concept of research,
education, communication, and extension.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
Extensive knowledge of ocean and coastal resources issues is
preferred along with a proven record of innovative leadership and
sound management. Experience working in a university environment,
work with multiple external constituencies, writing interdisciplinary
grant proposals, and an understanding of the federal funding process
is required. Demonstrated competency in working with federal, state,
and private groups involved in research, education, communications,
and extension programs in the marine, coastal or natural resources
area also is required.
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS: This position is available July 1, 2007,
and will be filled as soon thereafter as the successful candidate is
available. The salary will be commensurate with the experience and
qualifications of the selected applicant.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Interested individuals should provide -- as PDF or Word file attached
to an email – (1) a formal letter of application which includes a
brief statement of the applicant’s leadership skills and vision,
administrative philosophy, and ideas on the role of the Sea Grant
College, and (2) current curriculum vitae which includes a
biographical sketch, leadership roles, service, consultant roles, and
a complete list of publications. Under separate cover, letters of
reference must be received from at least three individuals qualified
to comment on the applicant’s competencies in the areas identified
above. Items (1) and (2) should be sent to ewallace at ufl.edu. The
mailing address for letters of reference is listed below. Women and
minorities are encouraged to apply.
REFERENCE LETTERS SHOULD BE SENT TO: Director and Professor,
Florida Sea Grant Program – Search Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences, IFAS Office of Human Resources, University of
Florida, P.O. Box 110281, 2038 McCarty Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-0130
PLEASE SEND NOMINATIONS AND INQUIRIES ABOUT POSITION TO: Position
# 0001-3307, Karl E. Havens, Chair of Search and Screen Committee,
7922 NW 71st Street, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32653.
Telephone: 352-392-9617 x 232 E-mail: khavens at ufl.edu Individuals
wishing to nominate candidates should do so by contacting the Search
Committee Chair at the address listed above, by e-mail or by
telephone no later than February 23, 2007.
********************
(JOB 2) Global Warming Scientist - Conservation Programs – National
Wildlife Federation – Reston, VA (USA)
https://secure.nwf.org/careergateway/index.cfm?
fuseAction=view&positionID=10288
National Wildlife Federation is seeking an individual with a
doctoral degree and experience directly related to global warming
climate science, energy use and water use to join its global warming
team in its program to reduce global warming pollution and protect
wildlife.
Primary responsibilities will include: (1) Enabling NWF to stay
current on the latest scientific research on energy use, alternative
and renewable energy, and energy related technologies that can
contribute to reducing global warming pollution. (2) Enabling NWF's
global warming team and field staff to understand the nexus between
global warming and water use, availability as impacted by climate
change and potential shifts in distribution and timing of water
(rainfall and in stream flow) across the United States. (3) Staying
current on the latest research and implementation of renewable energy
options, especially ethanol fuel production methods and impacts, wind
generated electricity and advances in solar technology. (4)
Cooperating closely with NWF's wildlife protection staff and Senior
Science Advisor to provide information needed to ensure global
warming pollution reduction policies and programs benefiting
wildlife. (5) Working closely with NWF's communications and media
team to provide expert commentary to journalists and electronic media
outlets on the science behind NWF's global warming initiatives. (6)
Being an active member of the national and international community of
climate scientists studying global warming, projecting impacts of
global warming and developing technical solutions to reduce
emissions. (7) Support NWF's national policy development work on
global warming, renewable energy, and related issues, including
developing expert testimony.
Full-Time. Salary Range: Commensurate with experience and market
Qualifications: (1) PhD in climate science, or related field with
demonstrated knowledge of global warming and renewable energy
solutions that reduce emissions. Knowledge of global warming and
water highly desirable. (2) Five years post-doctorial experience. (3)
Demonstrated ability to communicate science to lay audiences, both
through media and written and verbal communications. (4) Willingness
and ability to travel and to be an active member of the global
warming climate science community.
********************
(JOB 3) Postdoc Fellowship - Sea Ice Forecasting - U.S. National/
Naval Ice Center - Washington, DC in Suitland, Maryland (USA)
http://www.vsp.ucar.edu/07nic_open.html
The U.S. National/Naval Ice Center (NIC) seeks to fill a
postdoctoral fellowship position, through the University Corporation
for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Visiting Scientist Programs, to
assist in the development and implementation of new sea ice
forecasting techniques. NIC is a primary source of ice charts for
U.S. agencies in support of assets that include ice-breaking ships,
submarines, and commercial shipping and scientific research vessels.
The position involves analysis of new observations from ice mass
balance buoys and other remote sensing and in-situ sea ice
observations to validate the Gerson and Perchal (1973) ice thickness
model, and to exploit the significant lag correlations found between
variations in atmospheric circulation and sea ice concentration to
produce long range forecasts of arctic sea ice conditions. This
project involves collaborative research between the NIC and the Polar
Science Center, University of Washington.
Applicants should have a recent PhD in meteorology, oceanography,
or a related discipline. Strong working knowledge of statistical
analysis, remote sensing, ice physics, and ice modeling is required.
The NIC Science and Applied Technology Department currently works in
a Linux and Windows development environment. Preference will be given
to individuals with prior data assimilation experience. The position
lasts for up to two years, and the successful candidate will be an
employee of UCAR.
The application review process has begun and the position will
remain open until filled.
********************
(JOB 4) Post-doc - Modeling Marine Microbes at MIT: From Genomes to
Biogeography – Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge,
MA (USA)
The Earth Systems Initiative at MIT seeks post-doctoral
scientists to develop and explore cross-scale models of marine
microbial communities, ocean biogeochemical cycles and climate.
Through the development and application of novel modeling approaches
we seek to understand and simulate the ecological, biogeochemical and
physical regulators of marine microbial communities from the genomic
and cellular scales, through metabolic networks, to emergent, global
biogeography.
Successful candidates will join a new, interdisciplinary effort
which links several departments at MIT (Earth, Atmospheric and
Planetary Sciences; Civil and Environmental Engineering;
Computational and Systems Biology) under the
auspices of the Earth Systems Initiative (http://esi.mit.edu).
This interdisciplinary project provides an opportunity for
motivated candidates to drive forward and explore cutting-edge and
novel approaches to modeling marine microbes and their interactions
with global biogeochemical cycles.
For more information please email or call Dr. Mick Follows
(mick at mit.edu; 617 253 5939), Prof. Penny Chisholm (chisholm at mit.edu)
or Prof. Bruce Tidor (tidor at mit.edu).
To apply, please send a CV and one-page statement of your
research interests to Dr. Mick Follows, preferably by e-mail
(mick at mit.edu).
Requirements: Candidates must have, or must be close to
completing a doctoral degree in arelevant scientific discipline. Pre-
doctoral candidates must complete their doctoral degree prior to
commencing employment. Candidates should have a background in one or
more of the following fields: environmental genomics, ecology,
systems biology or marine biogeochemistry with experience and
interest in mathematical and/or numerical modeling.
********************
(JOBS 5) Research Faculty (two) - Marine Science - Coastal and Marine
Laboratory - Florida State University – St Teresa, FL (USA)
http://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/currentopenings.html
The Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory
(FSUCML) (http://www.marinelab.fsu.edu) invites applications for two
research faculty positions (12 month renewable appointments) in
Marine Science. We seek highly motivated individuals with notable
research achievements, the ability to develop well-funded independent
research programs, and a commitment to excellence in outreach. Salary
is provided at 100% for the first two years, 75% in the 3rd year, and
50% from the 4th year forward, with the expectation that the 100%
salary is met through external funding. The background of the
candidates may be in any area, but it is expected that successful
candidates would emphasize either ecological or physical processes
related to the local environments. Applicants should have a Ph. D.
To apply, please submit electronic copies (PDF files preferred)
of a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research, and the
names and e-mail addresses of three references to: Chair, FSUCML
Search Committee, email: mmarxsen at mailer.fsu.edu. Informal
enquiries about the position may be addressed to Dr. Felicia Coleman,
Director (coleman at bio.fsu.edu). Review of applicants will begin
February 15 and continue until successful candidates are identified.
The Coastal and Marine Laboratory is committed to building a
research program focused on coastal and marine issues of ecological
importance that provides the scientific basis for policy decisions.
Areas of interest include, but are not restricted to, predator-prey
interactions, benthic-pelagic trophic coupling, and nearshore/oceanic
physical transport mechanisms. The developing program is
interdisciplinary in nature, based on an ecosystem level approach,
and thus requires the interaction of scientists from a number of
different fields. Opportunities for collaboration are encouraged
between resident FSUCML scientists and faculty on the FSU campus in
Tallahassee.
*******************
(JOB 6) Postdoc - Environmental Sciences Policy and Management
Department - UC Berkeley (USA)
A postdoc is sought for a NSF funded project in the Kelly Lab at
UC Berkeley examining methane cycling in the Sacramento Bay Delta
area in California. The position is appointed for one year, with a
likely extension to two years. Candidates with degrees in
Geography, Ecology, Environmental Engineering or related fields with
experience in remote sensing, spatial modeling, web programming, and
biogeochemistry will be considered. Successful candidate will help
with remote sensing imagery analysis and scaling of field biophysical
measurements to regional-scale. Some web and database experience a
plus. Salary range: $36,732 – $43,632 depending on qualifications.
Position is open immediately until filled.
To learn more about the Kelly Lab, see http://kellylab.berkeley.edu.
Project description: Temperate peatlands are hotposts of soil
carbon storage and biological diversity, and they provide key
economic (grazing, peat production) and ecosystem (pollutant filters,
carbon sequestration) services. They likely plan an important role in
climate change. This project seeks to use experimental and modeling
approaches to determine the biophysical processes that control
coupled flues of carbon dioxide, water and methane in temperate
peatlands. We will quantify the land-atmosphere exchange of carbon
and water, and integrate these fluxes across a spectrum of time and
space through field-based measurements, remote sensing and spatial
modeling. For more information, see: http://kellylab.berkeley.edu/
research_methane.htm.
Please send vitae with name of three references to Maggi Kelly
mkelly at nature.berkeley.edu, with POSTDOC in the subject line. Maggi
Kelly, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Policy & Management, UC Berkeley
********************
(JOB 7) PostDoc - Interpret recent satellite observations to provide
constraints on aerosol processes - Dalhousie University (Canada)
I have an opening for a postdoc to interpret recent satellite
observations to provide constraints on aerosol processes. The
project will include the CALIPSO lidar, the Canadian global climate
model, and the GEOS-Chem model of atmospheric chemistry. Contact
Randall Martin, Assistant Professor, randall.martin at dal.ca http://
fizz.phys.dal.ca/~atmos
******************
(JOBS 8) 3-5 Research Scientists - Land-Atmospheric Interaction -
Beijing Normal University, Beijing (China)
The Climate Modelling and Analysis Program at the Beijing Normal
University invites applicants to apply for 3-5 postdoctoral research
positions in the area of climate system modeling and analysis. We
seek highly motivated individuals who are willing to take an active
role in promoting research, education, and interdisciplinary
interactions. Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. and an
established or emerging research program of international prominence.
We are seeking individuals in four areas: (1) Climate Modeling -
Regional to global scale climate modeling. Ability to link atmosphere
with surface processes. (2) Surface Hydrology - Process-based
studies and/or modeling of surface hydrology or land surface-
atmosphere interactions at the watershed, regional, or continental
scale. (3) Satellite Remote Sensing - Using remote sensing data to
characterize climate model land surface processes and the impact of
land use/cover change on surface hydrological processes. (4)
Terrestrial Carbon Processes - the effects on carbon sources and
sinks of past, present, and future land-use change and resource
management practices at local, regional, and global scales. 5£(r)
Aerosols, their direct and indirect effects.
Applicants should specify which position they are applying for
and submit a vita, description of research interests, and the names
of at least three references to: Yongjiu Dai, School of Geography,
Beijing Normal University, No.19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing
100875, China
Questions regarding the positions can be directed to Professor
Yongjiu Dai (yongjiudai at bnu.edu.cn, +86-10-5880-5436, Fax:
86-10-5880-5274).
Consideration of candidates will begin on April 1, 2007, and
continue until the positions are filled. Further information about
the university is available on the web at http://www.bnu.edu.cn.
Beijing Normal University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity
employer.
********************
(JOB 9) Lecturship - Environmental Modelling and/or Earth Observation
Science - Department of Geography - Kings College London (UK)
The Department of Geography, King's College London seeks to
appoint a new Lecturer within the Environmental Monitoring &
Modelling Research Group. Details of the EMM Research Group can be
found on the 'research' pages at www.kcl.ac.uk/geography. We are
seeking a person to further strengthen existing group collaborative
expertise in earth observation science and/or modelling of land or
atmospheric processes, and ideally the links between these.
Candidates with research interests that relate to the carbon and
hydrological cycles are particularly welcomed. The successful
candidate will be expected to build an international research profile
and contribute to teaching and learning at both the undergraduate and
postgraduate levels and encouraged to build working relations with
the other three Departmental Research Groups.
The post will be appointed at Lecturer A/B level within the
salary range £25,334-£38,449 per annum plus London Allowance of
£2,323 per annum.
Applicants wishing to discuss the post informally may contact
Professor Tim Butler, Head of Department (tim.butler at kcl.ac.uk) or
Professor Martin Wooster (martin.wooster at kcl.ac.uk).
Further particulars and an application form may be obtained from
Strand Human Resources Office, King's College London, Strand, London
WC2R 2LS (fax: 020 7848 1352; e-mail: strand-recruitment at kcl.ac.uk,
quoting reference A2/DAR/15/07 on all correspondence. The closing
date is 9 March 2007.
Background
1) Despite the relatively junior nature of the posts, we would
endeavour to recruit a candidate with excellent research potential.
We would require an existing publication record, with the expectation
that over time the selected candidate would be able to build a
research council (and other) income stream. We would be looking for
evidence of these in any selected candidate.
2) We must consolidate and build on our existing (many) strengths
and not try to waste energy (perhaps unrealistically) competing
unnecessarily with other already existing centres of excellence. Thus
we wish to complement existing expertise by adding more depth and
additional skills, but not opening up completely new areas of study
(i.e. the EMM Group requires sufficient but manageable diversity but
must possess strength in depth in the modelling/EO/other areas it
focuses on).
3) We have proposals for new Masters courses in "Carbon Science &
Policy" and "Water Science and Policy" (exact names to be confirmed).
These will require significant development and any new recruit would
very likely be asked to contribute to the former, and potentially the
latter.
4) We ideally want to recruit a numerate scientist working in the
area of Earth Observation and/or environmental modelling to further
strengthen and ideally further link these areas, and to link with the
existing work of the Group. An ideal candidate may cross the EO/
modelling divide, or at least show proven willingness to do so. In
terms of modelling we suggest we preferentially focus on large-scale
modelling work of the sort that EO can actually link with (either of
land surface or atmosphere), with a careful view to the potential
links between this new staff member and existing strengths. In terms
of EO we would very likely have preference for a candidate who
already works in a recognisable and successful niche area rather than
a generalist.
*******************
(JOB 10) Asst. Professor - Geoscience (The position is currently
held by a Climatologist, and continuation of this situation is
encouraged!) - Meredith College, Raleigh, NC (USA)
Meredith College seeks qualified candidates for an Assistant
Professor position in the Department of Chemistry, Physics, and
Geoscience with expertise in areas of Earth Systems. Applicants must
have a Ph.D. in one of the following areas: atmospheric science,
oceanography, or geology; and have some coursework or experience in
the other listed areas, as well as in Geographic Information
Systems. Responsibilities will include teaching courses and other
involvement with the Department, participation in college-wide
committees and initiatives, mentoring undergraduate research
students, student advising and professional development. Excellence
in teaching and research potential at the undergraduate level are
important factors in the selection process. Teaching experience is
desired.
Meredith College is a private comprehensive college for women
with 2140 students and offers both liberal arts and professional
programs. The College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina near the
world-renowned Research Triangle area.
Applications will be reviewed beginning February 2007 and
continue until the position is filled. The online submission process
is preferred. Applicants may go to www.meredith.edu and select
"employment." Submit a letter of application, resume, statements of
teaching philosophy and professional goals, copies of transcripts and
three recent letters of support. Application materials may also be
sent to Dr. Carol Hazard, Department of Chemistry, Physics, and
Geoscience, Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC
27607-5298.
********************
(JOB 11) Post-doc - Dept. of Oceanography - University of Cape Town
(Rep. of South Africa)
We would like to advertise honours (R25 000), masters (R40
000), doctoral (R65 000) and postdoctoral (negotiable) positions at
the Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
The project, entitled "Antarctic impacts on South African
climate" will be run by Prof. Chris Reason and Dr. Juliet Hermes.
The overall goal of the project is to better understand variability
in the Southern Ocean and the impacts this has on South African
rainfall, addressing an area of oceanography that is both significant
and topical. Depending on the student's interests, the project offers
a chance to develop essential modelling skills and the training
needed to run a regional ocean model. These types of skills are
becoming increasingly important for a career in oceanography and
climate studies.
As well as computer based skills, the students will be able to
gain observational/field work skills as there will be cruise
opportunities to the Antarctic as well as the Prince Edward Islands.
Students will also have the chance to present at both national and
international conferences.
For more information, please send your c.v. and a brief summary
of your research interests to Juliet Hermes, jhermes at ocean.uct.ac.za,
Department of Oceanography University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3,
Rondebosch, 7701
South Africa Tel +27 21 6503625 Fax +27 21 6503979
********************
(JOB 12) Post-doc - Numerical modelling of ice-ocean interactions in
Antarctica - The Institute for Geophysics - Westfalische Wilhelms
University (Germany)
We aim to elucidate the influence of small-scale grounding
regions within ice shelves on their dynamics and mass budget in the
framework of a DFG-funded (German Research Society) research project
Ice Rumples (Ice shelf – ocean dynamics and their interaction in the
vicinity of ice rumples. A coupled 3D-model and application to
selected Antarctic regions). Ice rises and ice rumples as anchor
points of ice shelf flow and because of their limited spatial extent
are of particular importance given the climate induced changes in the
Cryosphere. We envision improvement and coupling of three already
existing models for grounded ice, ice shelf and ocean. The main task
of the prospective researcher will lie in the coupled modelling of
ice shelf-ocean interactions. We expect applications of PhDs in
physical oceanography/geophysics/physics, solid expertise in
numerical modelling and the application of numerical models to the
Polar Regions. Experiences in polar research would be an advantage.
The position is limited to a total of two-years (with possible
extension by one year). The salary amounts to the German TV-L 13
(previously BAT IIa) for a full-time position.
We intend to fill the position at the earliest possible date.
The Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster encourages
applications from women and will give preference to applicants with
disabilities. Please send your application (also via Email) no later
than 20.02.2007 to :Institute for Geophysics, University of Muenster,
Prof. Dr. Manfred Lange, Corrensstrasse 24, 48149 Muenster, Germany
email: langema at uni-muenster.de Tel.: +49 251 8333591 Fax: +49 251
8336100
*******************
(JOB 13) Research Associate - Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory
-Beltsville, MD (USA)
Description of duties: The position is located in the Hydrology
and Remote Sensing Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. The incumbent
will be involved in one or more of the following research areas: 1)
validate and refine algorithms and models for estimating land surface
states and fluxes using various remote sensing methods in combination
with conventional and operational meteorological forcing data, 2)
determine the spatial scaling (point, network, and sensor footprint)
relationships of soil moisture, surface temperature and other
hydrologic states and resulting impact of land surface model
predicted fluxes, 3) determine fundamental linkages between the land
surface hydrologic processes and the atmospheric boundary layer
through observational data and atmospheric model simulations, and 4)
develop methods, including data assimilation, for incorporating soil
moisture and surface temperature observations in hydrologic and
agricultural applications such as routine large area
evapotranspiration monitoring and drought assessment.
Qualification requirements: Recent Ph.D. in hydrology,
meteorology, atmospheric science, biometeorology or closely related
field is required. Experience with soil-vegetation-atmosphere-
transfer modeling and satellite image processing is desirable. The
incumbent should be knowledgeable in several of the following areas:
radiative transfer modeling, micro and macro meteorology, atmospheric
boundary layer processes, environmental biophysics, soil physics,
photosynthesis, and remote sensing of land surfaces.
Information on salary is available at: http://www.opm.gov/oca/
07tables/html/dcb.asp
Information on employee benefits is available at: http://
www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp
For specific information on the duties and responsibilities of
this position or to submit an application, contact: Dr. William
Kustas, USDA/ARS, Building 007, Room 104, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD
20705 Phone: 301-504-8498 Fax: 301-504-8931 Email:
bkustas at hydrolab.arsusda.gov
*******************
(JOB 14) Postdoctoral Researcher - Aquatic Microbial Ecology -
Limnology section at the Department of Ecology & Evolution, Uppsala
University (Sweden)
http://www.personalavd.uu.se/ledigaplatser/205forsk_eng.html
The Limnology section at the Department of Ecology & Evolution,
Uppsala University, is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to
contribute to a project on the ecology, and diversity of
microorganisms involved in degradation of organic compounds in
freshwater ecosystems. The position is a 2-year appointment linked to
Uppsala Microbiomics Center (UMC) funded by Formas
(www.microbiomics.se).
The successful candidate must have documented experience in
microbial ecology and bioinformatics. Skills in advanced microscopic
and nucleic acid-based methods are highly desirable but not essential
for the position.
For further information about the project and the position,
please contact Dr. Stefan Bertilsson, Limnology/Department of Ecology
& Evolution, Uppsala University, Box 573, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden.
E-mail: stebe at ebc.uu.se, phone: +46-18-471 2712. Information about
the group and our current research can be found at: http://
www.ebc.uu.se/limno/research/mirco/microbial.html. Union
representatives are Anders Grundström, SACO-rådet, phone: +46 18-471
5380, Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST, phone: +46 18-471 1996, and Stefan
Djurström, SEKO, phone: +46 18-471 3315.
To apply, send a cover letter with a brief description of
research interests and past research experience, the name and contact
information of three personal references and a Curriculum vitae
including a complete publication list to the Registrars office at
Uppsala University, Box 256, SE-75105 Uppsala, Sweden, or e-mail;
registrator at uu.se before March 1, 2007. Representative publications
can be attached to the application. Label the application with
reference number UFV-PA 2007/205.
**************************************************
This newsletter has been developed by C. Susan Weiler to distribute
information of potential interest to recent PhDs engaged in
interdisciplinary aquatic science or climate-change research, and to
build an international sense of community among recent grads. It
provides an international forum for the exchange of information and
opinions regarding research, professional and social issues. The
views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the
funding agencies or sponsoring societies. Dr. Weiler reserves the
right to edit or reject material submitted to the list.
Please submit announcements of interest to recent PhDs to
phd at whitman.edu. Send a short message in the body of an e-mail
message, and link to any appropriate websites. Do not send attachments.
Moving? Send address changes to dialog at whitman.edu or
disccrs at whitman.edu
**********
C. Susan Weiler, Ph.D.
Office for Earth System Studies Tel: 509-527-5948
Whitman College Fax: 509-527-5961
Walla Walla, WA 99362
weiler at whitman.edu
Programs for Recent PhDs http://aslo.org/phd.html
DISCCRS poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/disccrsposter.pdf
Workshop Report, Meeting the Needs of
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Graduates in a
Changing Global Environment
http://marcus.whitman.edu/~weilercs/biocomplexity/
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