PhD Physical Oceanography & Seismic Acoustics m/f

The NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is an independent research institute associated with the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). NIOZ was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest major oceanographic institutions in Europe. Its mission is to pursue curiosity-driven multidisciplinary marine research in coastal and shelf seas as well as in the open ocean through close co-operation between physicists, chemists, geologists and biologists.

Marine research is carried out by five scientific departments: Physical Oceanography, Marine Geology, Marine Biogeochemistry, Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology.

We have a vacancy for a

PhD in Physical Oceanography & Seismic Acoustics (m/f)

Topic: Observational and theoretical study of the equatorial boundary layer

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a Msc in Physical Oceanography, physics or a related subject.

Observations show that dynamically the ocean differs distinctly in a narrow zone of ±1o near the equator compared to off-equatorial regions. This zone is not only dominated by strong, vertically alternating zonal currents that inhibit cross-equatorial transport, but also its stratification, mixing, internal wave climate and biological diversity differ widely. Global ocean and climate models often give a very simplified picture of many processes in this band, and particularly those of small-scale are badly represented, if at all. This is partly due to lack of spatial observational resolution. The consequence is that the predictive value of these models is limited. In particular, neither the choking effect of this band of zonal currents on the meridional transport of heat, in the Atlantic Ocean of relevance to Western European climate, nor its variation under climate change is known.
Geometric focusing of small-scale internal waves, traditionally neglected, might have an important effect on the dynamics of the equatorial zone, which we aim to illuminate by (1) in situ measurements of physical and acoustic fields along a cross-equatorial transect; (2) use of satellite data; (3) comparison to theoretical and numerical model predictions; and (4) development of these models.
The emphasis is on understanding (1) the strong and strongly varying equatorial current pattern; (2) the role of small-scale but intensive internal waves; (3) the role of geometric focusing of internal waves on the vertical transport and distribution of heat, momentum and particles (‘acoustic scatterers’); and (4) the possible consequences thereof for the meridional transport of heat and changes therein due to global climate change. The strategy will be to search latitudinally for coherent patterns in underwater physical and acoustic parameters, combining them with surface meteorological and remote sensing data.

We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years, a pension scheme, a health insurance allowance, a yearly 8% vacation allowance, year-end bonus and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the NWO Research Institutes.

Further information on the project and the position can be obtained from Prof. Leo Maas (+31-222-369419, maas@nioz.nl, www.nioz.nl/maas) or Dr. Hans van Haren (+31-222-369451, hansvh@nioz.nl), or otherwise from Jolanda Evers, Human Resources (Email: Jolanda.evers@nioz.nl, phone +31-222-369371)

Application:
Applicants should sent an application letter, CV, a statement of research interest and the name, postal and email address of two persons familiar with the previous performance of the applicant to the Personnel Department attended to Mrs. Jolanda Evers, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands or e-mail to: jobs@nioz.nl

Closing Date: April 20th 2009 or until a qualified candidate is identified.

Graduate Student Assistantship: Phytoplankton Ecology and Harmful Algal Blooms

A graduate student assistantship is available for a highly motivated and competitive student with an interest in pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. degree starting in the fall 2009 or later in the area of phytoplankton ecology and harmful algal blooms at the the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University in the laboratory of Sibel Bargu. Areas of phytoplankton research include (harmful) algal blooms, their ecology and toxicity, eutrophication and food web implications. Research will involve sea going field work and laboratory aspects. Please e-mail CV (including GPA and GRE scores) and a cover letter with research interests and research experience to Sibel Bargu at sbargu@lsu.edu. The Bargu lab consists of a group of highly motivated researchers passionate about phytoplankton ecology. Please indicate why you think you would be a great addition to our team. Three reference letters are needed for final decision. Applicants should indicate their desire to be considered for a fellowship on the standard application form for the M.S. and Ph.D. program, which can be obtained online at http://appl003.lsu.edu/grad/gradschool.nsf/index. The successful applicant will gain experience in identification of marine phytoplankton from Gulf of Mexico, molecular probe assays for toxic microalgae and chemical and/or biological assays of algal toxins and electron microscopy. Research will be done in conjunction with Dr. Sibel Bargu, Assistant Professor at LSU.

PhD study: Fate of synthetic nano particles in the environment

The Faculty 7: Natural and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a PhD position
in Environmental Physicochemistry at the Institute of Environmental Sciences at the Campus Landau/Pfalz, Germany. The position is
available for a period of 3 years; salary will be according to the German public service salary scale (50% TV-L 13).

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the emerging interdisciplinary research theme of the institute with a study on the environmental fate of engineered nanoparticles.
Project tasks include the investigation of interactions between nanoparticles and natural surfaces in stagnant and flowing water using advanced analytical techniques.
She/he is welcome to supervise graduate students and contribute to teaching of undergraduate and graduate students in the field of environmental chemistry and physics. Please contact Prof. Dr. Gabriele E. Schaumann (schaumann@uni-landau.de) or Prof. Dr. A. Lorke (lorke@unilandau.de) for further information.

Applicants must have completed Master of Science or Diploma in a field relevant for the required tasks (e.g., Environmental Sciences, with a focus on chemistry, physics and/or interface science).

It is the policy of the University Koblenz-Landau to increase the percentage of female employees. If equally qualified, preference will be given to female applicants. Disabled candidates are given priority, if equally qualified. International candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications and a documentation of
previous teaching and research activities. Applications using the reference number 31/2009 must be sent to the following address: Universität Koblenz-Landau, Präsidialamt, Isaac-Fulda- Allee 3, 55124 Mainz, deadline: March 25, 2009.

PhD in Environmental Physics

The Faculty 7: Natural and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a PhD position
in Environmental Sciences / Environmental Physics for a joint project of the Institute for Environmental Sciences at the Campus Landau/Pfalz, and the Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) in Koblenz, Germany.

The initial appointment is for 1 year and
can be extended to 3 years; salary will be according to the German public service salary scale (50% TV-L 13).

Position details:
The PhD project aims at a quantitative and process-based understanding of the flux paths of
dissolved oxygen and nutrients in managed rivers. The relevant sources, sinks and transport rates, e.g. sediment-water fluxes, will be investigated as a function of discharge, turbulence and temperature stratification using state of the art measurement techniques.
This interdisciplinary study is integrated into the BfG project KLIWAS (Consequences of climate
change for navigable waterways and options for the economy and inland navigation) and the
emerging research theme Land-Water Ecotones at the Institute for Environmental Sciences.

Please contact Prof. Dr. A. Lorke (lorke@uni-landau.de) for further information.

Requirements:
Applicants must have completed a Master of Science or Diploma in a field relevant for the required tasks. We further expect advanced education and a strong interest in environmental physics and applied mathematics.
It is the policy of the University of Koblenz-Landau to increase the percentage of female
employees. If equally qualified, preference will be given to female applicants. Disabled candidates are given priority, if equally qualified. International candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, documentation of previous teaching and research activities and research interests. Applications using the reference number 34/2009 must be sent to the following address: Universität Koblenz-Landau, Präsidialamt,Isaac-Fulda-Allee 3, 55124 Mainz, deadline: April 20, 2009.

Graduate Student, Microbial Ecology, Antarctica

A graduate research assistantship is available for a highly qualified student at Montana State University. The successful applicant will be involved in an NSF-funded project that examines microbial communities and dissolved organic matter in the Transantarctic Mountains and McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The student will be based at MSU, but will collaborate with students and PI’s at the University of Colorado-Boulder (McKnight) and The Ohio State University (Chin). Field work will be conducted in Antarctica.

Ph.D. students are preferred, but M.S. students may apply. The assistantship includes a stipend, tuition, health insurance and expenses for research. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Christine Foreman (cforeman@montana.edu) and send a letter of interest (prior accomplishments, research experience and interests, future career goals), a CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. Details about the graduate program at Montana State University can be found through the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (http://landresources.montana.edu), and the graduate school (http://www.montana.edu/wwwdg/). Start date is summer/fall 2009.

Founded in 1893 in the scenic Gallatin Valley just north of Yellowstone National Park, Montana State University has a total enrollment of 12,000 students, including ~ 1,200 graduate students. MSU is recognized as one of 94 U.S. research universities representing the top tier of the Carnegie Foundation rankings. Research funding currently exceeds $100 million annually and has been growing steadily. For more information see the MSU website at http://www.montana.edu. Named an All-American City, Bozeman is an attractive, culturally alive city located in the northern Rocky Mountain region. The 70,000 residents of Bozeman and nearby communities enjoy excellent schools, diversified medical facilities, a vibrant cultural and arts scene, and one of the most superb year-round recreational areas in the nation, including two world-class ski areas, blue ribbon trout fishing streams and the Gallatin National Forest.

PhD Greenhouse gas emission from subarctic lakes

A full time PhD position is available within the project ‘Greenhouse Gas Emission from Lakes in Northern Permafrost Areas: Quantitative Importance and Climate Impacts’. Climate change and thawing of permafrost causes mobilization and decomposition of old carbon stocks from high latitude soils and, hence, releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases(CO2, CH4) to the atmosphere. Data now show that permafrost thawing can also increase the export and decomposition of terrestrial organic carbon stocks in lakes, implying a substantial flux of terrestrial organic carbon to the atmosphere. The project will quantify the importance of lakes and streams for the mineralization of terrestrial organic carbon and the subsequent release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere in regions of melting permafrost. The project will be carried out in the mountain region in subarctic northern Sweden and includes measurements of carbon fluxes in lakes and streams and experimental studies of how thawing of permafrost affect decomposition of terrestrial organic carbon in lakes.

PhD students normally spend 90% of the year to their studies/research, also taking part in other work at the department, doing 10% teaching (or administrative duties); the position will then last for 4 years and 5
months.

The recruitment procedure will follow the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen chapters 5 and 7). Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTScredits (swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level(Master level), or ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (swe. poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS-credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence. Relevant knowledge for the PhD position is aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, limnology and soil science (or similar). Documented experience in aquatic field work and experimental studies are meriting. Proficiency in both written and spoken English and a driving license are required. Your application should include a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the position (1 page), a CV including relevant academic degrees and former positions, and a list of university courses you have taken and the grades you were given, copies of degree certificates, your bachelor’s/master’s thesis and other publications (if any), and the names and contact details of two reference persons.

For further information, please contact Dr. Jan Karlsson, +46-(0)90-786 7769, .
Your complete application, marked with reference
number 313-285-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive April 16, 2009 at the latest.

Marine Technician

The Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction (CMOP) has an opening for a Marine Technician for a temporary duration of six months over the summer from approximately April to October.

CMOP operates fixed stations (underwater environmental monitoring) in the Lower Columbia River Estuary and the Pacific Ocean from a field station in Astoria, Oregon. This position is located in Astoria, Oregon.

This position will assist with the field operations, to include: calibration and repair of oceanographic instrumentation; operating small open boats in estuary and coastal waters; scientific diving; participating in oceanographic research cruises lasting from one day to several weeks; construction of cables and mounting frames; maintenance of research vessel; appraising, processing, and analyzing of oceanographic data; and publication of data and findings from research activity.

Minimum qualifications include: high school diploma; 1st and 2nd year undergraduate courses in science or engineering discipline; BS or equivalent in oceanography, physical science, engineering or related subject preferred; experience with some fieldwork in environmental monitoring; experience with small vessel operation; physical ability for scientific diving (physical examination will be required); scientific diving qualifications preferred; and valid driver's license. This position will regularly work outside in all weather, requires frequent physical exertion and must be able to lift up to 60 pounds.

For more information on the Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction and this position please visit www.stccmop.org.

To Apply: Please apply online at http://www.ohsu.edu/hr/ for job IRC26910.

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