[DIALOGnews] DISCCRS News 8/24/2007
Ruth Ladderud
ladderra at whitman.edu
Fri Aug 24 21:31:31 CDT 2007
DISCCRS News
8/24/2007
************************************
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESOURCES and FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
U.S. National Science Foundation Releases Survey on the Impact of
Proposal and Award Management Mechanisms (IPAMM) NOTE: We at DISCCRS
think all those registered with DISCCRS should read this document if
they plan to submit a proposal to the US National Science Foundation.
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pr07096
(see RESOURCES 1 below)
SCIENCE NEWS
Atlantic Yields Climate Secrets
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6946735.stm Or:
http://tinyurl.com/yoo45s
(see NEWS 1 below)
Forget Biofuels - Burn Oil and Plant Forests Instead
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12496-forget-
biofuels--burn-oil-and-plant-forests-instead.html Or: http://
tinyurl.com/yt9omy
(see NEWS 2 below)
Antarctic Icebergs Teem with Diverse Life
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/20070816-9999-
lz1c16grow.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/ytgdn4
(see NEWS 3 below)
Clues from Hurricane 'Fingerprints'
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0816/p13s03-sten.html Or: http://
tinyurl.com/2hybk3
(see NEWS 4 below)
Warming Will Exacerbate Global Water Conflicts
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/19/
AR2007081900967.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/2yqms7
(see NEWS 5 below)
Scramble for the Arctic
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0821/p08s01-comv.html
(see NEWS 6 below)
Research Boom in Arctic Village as Oil Reserves Draw Big Powers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/aug/22/
energy.oilandpetrol Or: http://tinyurl.com/yvq5ad
(see NEWS 7 below)
Change in Hottest Year Fuels Global Warming Skeptics
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0823/p02s01-wogi.html Or: http://
tinyurl.com/yqs34o
(see NEWS 8 below)
Saltier North Atlantic Should Give Currents a Boost
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12528-saltier-north-
atlantic-should-give-currents-a-boost.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/
2ofzvs
(see NEWS 9 below)
Arctic sea ice expected to hit record low in Sept
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16582142.htm
(see NEWS 10 below)
Arctic summer sea ice hits record low
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20316390/
(see NEWS 11 below)
SUMMER PROGRAMS, COURSES, INTERNSHIPS, MEETINGS, OPPORTUNITIES
NCAR Early Career Scientists Assembly (ECSA) - request for proposals
for workshop topics at the 2008 NCAR Junior Faculty Forum on Future
Scientific Directions
http://www.asp.ucar.edu/ecsa/jff/jff08.jsp
(see OPPORTUNITY 1 below)
Abstract Submission: Biogeochemistry in Polar Environments – Fall AGU
meeting – San Francisco, CA (USA)
(see OPPORTUNITY 2 below)
JOBS
Asst Prof - Water and Sustainability - Institute for Resources,
Environment and Sustainability - College for Interdisciplinary
Studies - University of British Columbia – British Columbia (Canada)
(see JOB 1 below)
Researcher - Environmental Microbiology - Institute of Marine
Sciences of UNC - Chapel Hill, NC (USA)
(see JOB 2 below)
Analyst - Geological sequestration - Climate Change Policy
Partnership - Duke University - Durham NC (USA)
http://tinyurl.com/3262va
(see JOB 3 below)
Post-Doc - Species Invasions and Global Change - Department of
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - Brown University - Providence,
Rhode Island (USA)
http://tinyurl.com/387plm
(see JOB 4 below)
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Resources and Funding Opportunities
(RESOURCES 1) NOTE: We at DISCCRS think all those registered with
DISCCRS should read this document if they plan to submit a proposal
to the US National Science Foundation.
U.S. National Science Foundation Releases Survey on the Impact of
Proposal
and Award Management Mechanisms (IPAMM)
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pr07096
The National Science Foundation's Impact of Proposal and Award
Management Mechanisms Working Group (IPAMM) presented its findings to
the National Science Board (Board) during its August 2007 meeting at
NSF headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, USA. The working group was
created in 2006 "to recommend policies and preferred practices to
improve NSF's program announcement and solicitation processes in ways
that achieve appropriate balances between proposal funding rates,
award sizes and award durations."
The IPAMM Final Report is available at:
http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsmedia/IPAMM_Report_Final.pdf
Findings:
- NSF funding rates declined due to a surge in proposals, as NSF was
making a concerted effort to increase the average award size
(absorbing overall NSF budget growth). The annual number of awards
stayed constant. Funding rates dropped between fiscal year (FY) 2000
and FY 2004, and leveled off in FY 2005 and FY 2006.
- Proposals have increased as the applicant pool has increased - due
in part to growth in the research community's capacity, decreases in
funding from other sources, and increases in targeted solicitations
in new areas - and the number of proposals per applicant has increased.
- NSF's peer review system is under stress with great demands on
reviewers, posing challenges in order for NSF to maintain scientific
integrity and stellar quality.
- The overall decrease in funding rate has affected the entire NSF
proposer community proportionately - there has been no disparate
effect on any particular group.
- Reduced funding rates and increased proposal submission rates have
increased the work for all involved.
- The quality of proposals submitted and awarded has not declined due
to increased competition or lowered funding rates.
Because the results of this study do not support a single best or
preferred approach to managing proposal submissions and funding
rates, or in establishing an appropriate balance between funding rate
and award size, IPAMM presented to the Board several recommendations
for consideration.
IPAMM's Recommendations
1. NSF should require that each of the directorates and research
offices develop an overarching strategic framework, incorporating
flexible management approaches.
2. Long-term planning for accommodating growth in the communities and
infrastructure built by research investments (including both physical
infrastructure and human resources) must be incorporated when
developing new funding opportunities.
3. The practice of limiting the number of proposals that a principal
investigator or institution may submit is appropriate in some
situations but should be considered in the context of relevant trade-
offs and impacts on the community.
4. Careful consideration should be given to the short-term use of
various management practices to increase the number of awards and
reduce the need to revise and resubmit highly rated proposals.
5. NSF management should inform the appropriate internal and external
communities when implementing new proposal management practices and
should monitor their concerns during implementation.
6. NSF should ensure that the community has access to specific and
accurate statistical data on funding rates; this will include
evaluating the Budget Internet Information System (NSF's public
portal to award information) and updating it, as needed.
7. NSF should annually update trend analyses for internal review and
include them in the Annual Report on the NSF Merit Review Process to
the Board.
Media Contact: Lisa-Joy Zgorski, NSF Phone: 703-292-8311 E-
mail: lisajoy at nsf.gov
Program Contact: Joanne S. Tornow, NSF Phone: 703-292-7134 E-
mail: jtornow at nsf.gov
The full NSF press release is available at:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pr07096
The IPAMM Final Report is available at:
http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsmedia/IPAMM_Report_Final.pdf
***************************************************
Science News
(NEWS 1) Atlantic Yields Climate Secrets
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6946735.stm Or:
http://tinyurl.com/yoo45s
BBC News Online - Scientists have painted the first detailed
picture of Atlantic ocean currents crucial to Europe's climate. Using
instruments strung out across the Atlantic, a UK-led team shows that
its circulation varies significantly over the course of a year.
Writing in the journal Science, they say it may now be possible
to detect changes related to global warming. The Atlantic circulation
brings warm water to Europe, keeping the continent 4-6C warmer than
it would be otherwise. As the water reaches the cold Arctic, it
sinks, returning southwards deeper in the ocean.
Some computer models of climate change predict this Atlantic
Meridional Overturning Circulation, of which the Gulf Stream is the
best-known component, could weaken severely or even stop completely
as global temperatures rise, a scenario taken to extremes in the
Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow.
********************
(NEWS 2) Forget Biofuels - Burn Oil and Plant Forests Instead
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12496-forget-
biofuels--burn-oil-and-plant-forests-instead.html Or: http://
tinyurl.com/yt9omy
NewScientist - It sounds counterintuitive, but burning oil and
planting forests to compensate is more environmentally friendly than
burning biofuel. So say scientists who have calculated the difference
in net emissions between using land to produce biofuel and the
alternative: fuelling cars with gasoline and replanting forests on
the land instead.
They recommend governments steer away from biofuel and focus on
reforestation and maximising the efficiency of fossil fuels instead.
The reason is that producing biofuel is not a "green process." It
requires tractors and fertilisers and land, all of which means
burning fossil fuels to make "green" fuel. In the case of bioethanol
produced from corn – an alternative to oil - "it's essentially a zero-
sums game," says Ghislaine Kieffer, programme manager for Latin
America at the International Energy Agency in Paris, France.
********************
(NEWS 3) Antarctic Icebergs Teem with Diverse Life
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/20070816-9999-
lz1c16grow.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/ytgdn4
San Diego Union-Tribune (Registration Required) - Fractured from
the ancient ice sheets that encrust Antarctica, the bergs of the
Weddell Sea may appear at first glance to be cold and sterile places,
as lifeless as ice cubes bobbing in a glass of water.
But like their proverbial tips, they have much more below the
surface. New research - perhaps the first of its kind - suggests that
at least some free-floating Antarctic icebergs are biological hot
spots featuring everything from microscopic plankton and diatoms to
krill, fish, seabirds and seals.
"It was the scale that was substantial and surprising," said Ken
Smith, an oceanographer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research
Institute and lead author of the study, which was published in the
journal Science. "There was more abundance and variety than we
expected."
********************
(NEWS 4) Clues from Hurricane 'Fingerprints'
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0816/p13s03-sten.html Or: http://
tinyurl.com/2hybk3
Christian Science Monitor - Hard hats and head lamps are not
tools one usually associates with hurricane hunters. But for Amy
Frappier they are indispensable. The Boston College geochemist and
her colleagues have been searching for signs of hurricanes in
stalagmites that rise like jagged stone fangs from the floors of
caves in Latin America.
In the formations' tree-ringlike growth layers, she and her
colleagues have shown that stalagmites record individual hurricanes
by the unique chemical fingerprints the storms leave on the rain they
dump.
Buoyed by results published last April from a field trip to
Belize in 2001, the team this summer has been focusing its hunt on
caves on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Meanwhile, a group of scientists
at the University of Tennessee has been looking for similar
signatures hidden in tree rings.
********************
(NEWS 5) Warming Will Exacerbate Global Water Conflicts
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/19/
AR2007081900967.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/2yqms7
Washington Post (Registration Required) - FRESNO, Calif. -- Steve
Johnson scans the hot, translucent sky. He wants to make rain --
needs to make rain for the parched farms and desperate hydro
companies in this California valley. But first, he must have clouds.
The listless sky offers no hint of clouds.
Inside a darkened room near the Fresno airport, Johnson's
colleagues study an array of radar screens. If a promising
thunderstorm appears, Johnson will send his pilots into it in sturdy
but ice-battered single-engine planes, burning flares of silver
iodide to try to coax rain from the clouds.
This year, there have been few promising clouds, to the dismay of
the farmers, ranchers and power companies who hire Johnson's cloud
seeders. "We can increase the rainfall by 10 percent. But Mother
Nature has to cooperate. Ten percent of zero is zero," says Johnson,
a meteorologist and director of Atmospherics Inc.
********************
(NEWS 6) Scramble for the Arctic
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0821/p08s01-comv.html
Christian Science Monitor - To help protect this ocean from
exploitation, the US must first join the UN Law of the Sea Treaty.
The prospect of Arctic ice melting in about 36 years has brought
the prospector out of countries that covet its gas, oil, and new sea
lanes. It's a pity then that the US, with a thousand miles of Arctic
coastline, may not have a good seat at the table to decide this
frontier's future.
In recent weeks, Russia, Canada, Denmark, and the US have all
launched various types of Arctic ventures to mark some claim on this
frosty region that's twice the size of France. But the US is the only
Arctic-bordering nation not party to the UN Convention on the Law of
the Sea. That treaty is the legal venue that can help resolve
competing claims beyond each nation's offshore economic zone, based
on still-unresolved findings of continental shelves.
For the US to be a legitimate player in this race for the Arctic,
the Senate must take the long-delayed step of ratifying the 1982
ocean treaty. Happily, hearings on whether to do so start in September.
But any talks between Arctic countries should include ways to
protect rather than exploit this liquefying ocean, as experience has
shown.
In the mid-20th century, the contest to exploit the Antarctic led
to a treaty calling for the southern polar region to be used "in the
interests of all mankind." That was in contrast to the 1884-85 Berlin
Conference that tried to resolve claims on Africa between imperialist
Britain, France, and Germany – only to see a damaging "scramble for
Africa." And in Southeast Asia today, oil riches under the Spratly
Sea remain a source of high tension between China, Vietnam, Taiwan,
the Philippines, and other bordering nations.
Would-be Arctic exploiters must recognize an irony in the fact
that global warming, caused in part by burning fossil fuels, is
helping to open up a race to tap the Arctic's fossil fuels. For
humanity's sake, this valuable but polluting resource should be left
for the day when other oil wells start to run dry.
By one very rough estimate, the Arctic holds a quarter of the
planet's undiscovered petroleum. One practical reason to keep it
underground is that technology to drill and transport it in such
frigid, watery conditions remains underdeveloped. An Arctic oil spill
would not be pretty or short term.
Canada and the US need to set an example for other claimants. The
two long time allies can start moves toward protecting the Arctic by
resolving their own dispute over the long-sought Northwest Passage.
Soon, ships may be able to pass through these now-frozen waters,
cutting 2,500 miles off the normal transit from Europe to Asia.
Canada claims them as their own. The US and many nations see them as
international waters. (US naval subs have long plied the area.)
Meanwhile, Russia, which this month placed a rust-free flag on an
underwater ridge near the North Pole to stake a critical claim, needs
to end such belligerent antics if it wants to be taken seriously in
coming talks on Arctic rights. Such a nationalist move may play well
at home before an election, but it's not 21st-century diplomacy.
The Law of the Sea Treaty was designed to resolve claims over
ocean territory and mineral resources. So far, it has worked fairly
well. The US should join, and in doing so, work to give the Arctic a
special status, one that preserves its unique environment.
********************
(NEWS 7) Research Boom in Arctic Village as Oil Reserves Draw Big Powers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/aug/22/
energy.oilandpetrol Or: http://tinyurl.com/yvq5ad
Guardian (UK) - Lying barely 650 miles from the North Pole and
shrouded in freezing darkness for several months of the year, the
Norwegian islands of Svalbard make an unlikely property hotspot. Yet
at Ny-Alesund, a tiny former coal-mining settlement on the west side,
an international boom is under way.
The Chinese have moved in, bringing with them two marble lions
that stand guard outside their Arctic Yellow River research station,
and so too have Japan and South Korea. Scientists from India's first
expedition to the Arctic are poised to join them. In June, a visiting
delegation from Washington talked of beefing up US interests at Ny-
Alesund, while the Russians are in negotiations.
Should, as some on Svalbard expect, the two former cold war
superpowers move in, they will join established bases run by Norway,
Holland, France, Germany and Britain. On the surface, the
multinational invasion of Ny-Alesund ... is in the name of science.
Experts who visit Svalbard are in an ideal position to study the
atmosphere, glaciers and the region's unique wildlife.
********************
(NEWS 8) Change in Hottest Year Fuels Global Warming Skeptics
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0823/p02s01-wogi.html Or: http://
tinyurl.com/yqs34o
Christian Science Monitor - Was 1998 the hottest year in United
States history, as most reporting on climate change has presumed? Or
was that record set back in 1934 before "global warming" became a
scary household phrase?
A corrective tweak to National Aeronautics and Space
Administration's formulation shows that the hottest year on record in
the US indeed was back during the Dust Bowl days. But does this mean
that all the concern about global warming being a relatively recent
phenomenon tied to carbon-belching power plants and hulking SUVs is a
bunch of Al Gore hooey?
Climate change skeptics and their cheering section among
conservative bloggers and radio shoutmeisters think so - even though
most scientists say, no, the tweak is not a big deal and overall
trends are in the direction of toastier days around the globe.
********************
(NEWS 9) Saltier North Atlantic Should Give Currents a Boost
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12528-saltier-north-
atlantic-should-give-currents-a-boost.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/
2ofzvs
NewScientist - The surface waters of the North Atlantic are
getting saltier, suggests a new study of records spanning over 50
years. And this might actually be good news for the effects of
climate change on global ocean currents in the short-term, say the
study's researchers.
This is because saltier waters in the upper levels of the North
Atlantic ocean may mean that the global ocean conveyor belt ... will
remain stable.
...Tim Boyer of the US National Oceanographic Data Center and
colleagues compiled salinity data gathered by fisheries, navy and
research ships travelling across the North Atlantic between 1955 and
2006. They found that during this time, the layer of water that makes
up the top 400 metres has gradually become saltier.
********************
(NEWS 10) Arctic sea ice expected to hit record low in Sept
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16582142.htm
Reuters - NEW YORK - The extent of Arctic sea ice will likely have
melted to a record low this September partially due to man-made
greenhouse gas emissions, researchers at the University of Colorado
said on Thursday.
There is a 92 percent chance that Arctic sea ice extent in
September will melt to its lowest level at least since the 1970s,
when satellite measuring efforts began, the researchers said. They
had predicted a 33 percent chance of a record low in April, but
changed the forecast after a rapid disintegration of sea ice during
July.
Such high levels of ice melting could have wide implications in
coming years such as changes in temperature and rain patterns across
much of the United States.
********************
(NEWS 11) Arctic summer sea ice hits record low
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20316390/
Expert: In July 'it started to disappear at rates we had never
seen before'
MSNBC staff - The summer sea ice in the Arctic is melting at a
rate never before seen by experts, setting a record low the last two
days that's likely to continue through September, top sea ice experts
said in two new reports that suggest mankind's emissions of
greenhouse gases are at least partly responsible.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center on Friday said conditions on
Thursday and Friday were already below the 2005 record and would
likely stay that way through the end of summer.
“Today is a historic day,” said Mark Serreze, a senior research
scientist with the center, which is located at the University of
Colorado-Boulder. “This is the least sea ice we’ve ever seen in the
satellite record and we have another month left to go in the melt
season this year.”
***************************************************
Summer Programs, Courses, Internships, Meetings, Opportunities
(OPPORTUNITIES 1) NCAR Early Career Scientists Assembly (ECSA) -
request for proposals for workshop topics at the 2008 NCAR Junior
Faculty Forum on Future Scientific Directions
http://www.asp.ucar.edu/ecsa/jff/jff08.jsp
The Early Career Scientists Assembly (ECSA) at NCAR is requesting
proposals for workshop topics at the 2008 NCAR Junior Faculty Forum
on Future Scientific Directions.
The forum is to be held at NCAR (Boulder, CO) for 3 days during
the week of July 7-11, 2008.
The Forum is aimed at junior scientists from US Universities and
NCAR to discuss future scientific directions of selected topics.
Approximately 15-20 University and 20 NCAR attendees are expected for
each accepted workshop topic.
The goals of the Forum are to: 1.have junior scientists create
research plans for future science directions; 2. encourage
collaboration between early career scientists at NCAR and
universities; and 3. expose junior faculty to the facilities that
NCAR provides to the broader community (models, computers,
observational facilities, collaborative opportunities).
1-page proposals outlining proposed workshop topics are due on 1
November 2007.
Proposals should be sent to Andrew Gettelman (andrew at ucar.edu).
Proposals must include a description of the proposed discussion
topic, and why it is timely to hold such a workshop. In order to
ensure significant participation from both the University Community
and NCAR, we request that each workshop be co-chaired by a university
member and an NCAR researcher.
Funding for attendance of outside participants and administrative
support for the workshops will be provided by the NCAR Early Career
Scientists Assembly (ECSA).
If you are a University faculty member and are unsure whom you
could contact at NCAR to co-chair a potential workshop, let us know
and we will provide you with the contact information of relevant
scientists.
For further information on the proposals and past Junior Faculty
Forums, visit http://www.asp.ucar.edu/ecsa/jff/jff08.jsp
********************
(OPPORTUNITY 2) Abstract Submission: Biogeochemistry in Polar
Environments – Fall AGU meeting – San Francisco, CA (USA)
We are hosting a session entitled "Biogeochemistry in Polar
Environments" that will provide a forum for researchers investigating
the interactions of microbes with geology and chemistry in polar and
general cryosphere environments. We invite you to submit an abstract
for presentation at the2007 Fall AGU meeting in San Francisco. The
deadline for submission in September 7. To submit an abstract, visit
the AGU Fall Meeting website at http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm07/ .
The session title and description are listed below.
Biogeochemistry in Polar Environments
The polar regions are unique in many ways, containing ecosystems
that are subject to extended periods of annual light and dark cycles
as well as extreme temperatures. These environments have proven to
be much more dynamic than expected, given the cold, dark conditions
for significant periods of time. Polar ecosystems, though extreme,
can serve as ideal systems to study the relationship between the
microbial world, geology, and chemistry because of limited direct
human impacts and the lower complexity of trophic structure. In
fact, 14% of our planet is polar, yet we know little about it. As the
climate continues to change, polar regions are affected quickly and
dramatically, with potential feedbacks to the rest of the globe.
Understanding polar biogeochemical cycles is essential for better
prediction of impacts of increased temperatures and other climate
change effects. Polar biogeochemical research reveals the workings of
unique ecosystems, documents a baseline of material transformation
for more “complex” temperate regions and highlights ecosystem
functions sensitive to climate change.
We propose a session to bring together an array of researchers
investigating biogeochemical processes and cycling in marine,
terrestrial, atmospheric, and freshwater polar environments, as well
as those that cross over these systems. Studies investigating a
range of biogeochemistry, from trace metals to nutrient cycling are
encouraged, with special emphasis on studies integrating field, lab,
molecular and/or computational techniques.
Hope to see you in December. If you have any questions or would
like more information, please contact any one of us.
Sincerely,
Jenny Baeseman, Arctic Research Consortium of the US
baeseman at arcus.org
Lydia Zeglin, University of New Mexico lzeglin at unm.edu
Michael Gooseff, Pennsylvania State University mgooseff at engr.psu.edu
***************************************************
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) Asst Prof - Water and Sustainability - Institute for
Resources, Environment and Sustainability - College for
Interdisciplinary Studies - University of British Columbia – British
Columbia (Canada)
The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability
(IRES) invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank
of Assistant Professor in the area of water and sustainability, to
commence July 1, 2008. Salary will be commensurate with the
qualifications and experience of the candidate.
IRES has enjoyed over three decades of leading edge
interdisciplinary research on environment and sustainability. It
serves as a crucible of new research partnerships from across the UBC
campus and supports a graduate program of over 80 PhD and 40 master
students. Additional information about the research and teaching
programs, as well as our state-of-the-art research facilities, can be
found at http://www.ires.ubc.ca. This appointment will be shared with
the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences (www.eos.ubc.ca).
We seek an outstanding interdisciplinary scholar in the natural
or social sciences who aspires to develop an internationally
recognized research program on water and sustainability, broadly
defined to include research areas as diverse as water quality and
chemistry, water systems ecology, or aquatic resource decision-
making. An orientation to interdisciplinary, integrative approaches
that incorporate linkages among human and natural systems is required.
The successful candidate will be joining a strong and cohesive
unit with a wide range of skills and interests who has succeeded in
competing for and training the very best students. The successful
candidate must have a completed PhD and must have demonstrated
potential in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level and in
research. The ability to integrate GIS into both research and
teaching is a highly desirable attribute.
Applicants should mail a cover letter identifying teaching and
research interests, a curriculum vitae, and copies of representative
publications to the following address no later than September 30th,
2007. All queries and applications should be directed to: Professor
Gunilla Öberg, Director, Institute for Resources, Environment and
Sustainability, The University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4., e-mail faculty_search at ires.ubc.ca.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment
equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however,
Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
Please indicate your legal status to work in Canada.
********************
(JOB 2) Researcher - Environmental Microbiology - Institute of Marine
Sciences of UNC - Chapel Hill, NC (USA)
The Institute of Marine Sciences of UNC Chapel Hill invites
applications for a postdoctoral associate or highly trained Masters
level employee in environmental water quality/environmental
microbiology. We seek a highly qualified individual with research
experience and interest in the fields of microbial water quality,
environmental microbiology, hydrology, groundwater pollution, and
molecular biology. A Ph.D. or M.Sc. at the time of appointment in
environmental microbiology, hydrology, marine science, molecular
biology, or related fields is required for this position, as well as
a record of research productivity. We particularly seek individuals
who have expertise in the application of molecular techniques to
environmental water quality issues.
Experience with field sampling approaches, boat navigation,
wastewater treatment and septic system design, hydrological modeling,
and TMDL development are also desired, but not requisite. We
especially seek individuals who complement existing department
strengths and can work collaboratively in the marine science/
microbial ecology/water quality research groups at the Institute of
Marine Sciences of UNC Chapel Hill in Morehead City, NC. The
position is available immediately and will be for one year, renewable
for up to 3 years based upon funding availability. To apply, please
send a CV, relevant publications and the contact information of three
references to: Rachel Noble, Institute of Marine Sciences, 3431
Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557, or send electronic copies
of information to rtnoble at email.unc.edu. Applications will be
accepted until the position is filled, special preference will be
given to applications received prior to September 30, 2007.
********************
(JOB 3) Analyst - Geological sequestration - Climate Change Policy
Partnership - Duke University - Durham NC (USA)
http://tinyurl.com/3262va
The Duke University Climate Change Policy Partnership (CCPP) is
seeking an analyst with expertise in geological sequestration to
conduct a comprehensive study of a national CO2 pipeline and storage
system, including technical feasibility, expected cost, environmental
implications, and social, political, and regulatory barriers. The
analyst is expected to translate findings into appropriate policy
proposals that can complement national climate change legislation.
This position is located in Durham, NC and is open to both
postdoctoral and full time permanent hire candidates. For more
detailed information including salary, see http://
www.nicholas.duke.edu/institute/ccpp/professionals.html
Postdoctoral candidates:
The position is fully funded for two years, with potential for
extension based on funding and mutual interest. Requirements include
a PhD in geological scie nces, engineering or a technology-related
field; will also consider a PhD in environmental policy or economics
with background in geology or engineering. Candidate must have prior
experience analyzing geological sequestration and carbon capture and
storage technology. Familiarity with climate policy, technology
policy, and experience in project management a plus
Permanent hire candidates:
Applicants must have either: 1) an MS in geology, engineering or
other relevant technical discipline and experience (or degree) in
policy or 2) an MA in policy with a BA in geology, engineering or
other relevant technical discipline. PhDs are also welcome, but not
required. Must have prior experience analyzing geological
sequestration and carbon capture and storage technology. Familiarity
with climate policy, technology policy, and experience in project
management are also required. Additional desirable qualifications
include:
1. Knowledge of scientific and engineering theories, concepts,
and practices related to fossil and other energy systems.
2. Ability to assess the impacts of policy on energy technologies
and systems.
3. Ability to analyze and recommend mitigation strategies and
related policies
4. Ability to perform a technology risk analysis in the context
of carbon markets, liability concerns, and international policies/
frameworks.
5. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, complex
technical problems and issues
The CCPP is a collaborative effort of the Nicholas Institute for
Environmental Policy Solutions, the Center on Global Change, and the
Nicholas School of the Environment. Please see http://
www.env.duke.edu/institute/ccpp for more information.
TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume (electronic preferred) to
Hallie Knuffman, CCPP Coordinator; hakk at duke.edu; tel: 919-613-8748;
fax: 919-681-7176
********************
(JOB 4) Post-Doc - Species Invasions and Global Change - Department
of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - Brown University - Providence,
Rhode Island (USA)
http://tinyurl.com/387plm
We seek a post-doctoral research associate, for one year with
additional years possible, pending funding, in the Department of
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University; for participation
in a collaborative project with Qinfeng Guo (US Forest Service) and
Dov Sax (Brown University). This project will investigate the role of
climate, land use and other environmental characteristics on plant
invasions in the US, with a focus on forecasting future distributions
of non-native plants. Analyses will include consideration of climatic
conditions in the native range of non-native species. Long-term
project goals include consideration of global change as a driver for
future species invasions. The project has key defined goals, but
there is substantial room for independent and collaborative
exploration of related topics. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in
Ecology, Geography or climate-related studies; strong analytical and
GIS skills are a plus. Salary will be approximately $37,000 (subject
to experience-level) with full benefits. Please send a CV, a brief
statement of research interests, and the names and contact
information for three references to Dov Sax, . Review of applicants
will begin on September 3 and will continue until the post is filled.
We would like the postdoc to begin the position on or before October
1, 2007.
**************************************************
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://disccrs.org
DISCCRS poster http://disccrs.org
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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