PhD study in environmental fluid dynamics

The Faculty 7: Natural and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a PhD position (part time 75%) at the Institute for Environmental Sciences at the Campus Landau/Pfalz, Germany.
The appointment is for 3 years and salary will be according to 75% of the German public service salary scale TV-L 13.

Topic: The PhD study investigates fluid mixing and transport around swimming zooplankton organisms using particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence techniques. The candidate is expected to develop, conduct and to analyze laboratory experiments and to publish the results. The study is funded by the German Research Foundation. As a member of the environmental physics group, the PhD candidate will have access to state of the art instrumentation and will work within the young and interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Institute for Environmental Sciences.

Requirements: The successful candidate holds a degree (M.Sc, M.Eng, Diploma) in a relevant field (e.g., physics, environmental engineering, or biology), has a strong background in fluid mechanics, and is fluent in English language. She/he is interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface between hydromechanics and aquatic ecology/zoology, has the necessary practical skills and creativity for developing experimental designs and corresponding analyses techniques.
Please contact Prof. Dr. A. Lorke (lorke@uni-landau.de) for further information.

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 letter of motivation and a complete curriculum vitae. Please send your application before 13 February 2011 using the reference number Ld. 45/2010 to the following address: Andreas Lorke, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Institut für Umweltwissenschaften, Fortstraße 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany.

Graduate Student Position in Phytoplankton Ecophysiology/Molecular Biology

A graduate student position in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is available within the Marchetti Lab, specializing in the ecophysiology and molecular biology of marine phytoplankton.

The candidate will conduct laboratory and field experiments investigating the development of molecular indicators to determine the physiological status of a variety of marine phytoplankton. Environmental factors to be tested include variations in nutrient and trace metal concentrations and light as well as other parameters that will be influenced by future climate change.

All highly motivated candidates with a degree in oceanography, biology or related fields are encouraged to apply. Prior experience in trace-metal clean phytoplankton culturing, using molecular techniques and performing field experiments, and/or knowledge about phytoplankton ecology and physiology would be an asset. Familiarity with computer programming languages such as R and SQL would also be beneficial.

The position will commence in the summer/fall of 2011. Further details about the research conducted in the Marchetti Lab can be found at the following website: http://marchettilab.web.unc.edu. Requests for more information should be directed to Dr. Adrian Marchetti (amarchetti@unc.edu). Candidates interested in applying for this position are encouraged to contact Dr. Marchetti by e-mail or by phone (919-843-3473). This position will remain open until filled.

University of Florida Water Institute PhD Fellowship

The University of Florida Water Institute seeks applicants for up to 6 Ph.D. Fellows to join an interdisciplinary team working on complex, emerging issues related to nutrient dynamics, management and policy in watersheds. The 4-year fellowships include a $25,000 stipend, tuition waiver and health insurance.

Fellows will explore interdisciplinary research issues affecting watershed management in the face of EPA’s new nutrient criteria for Florida waters. We seek students who have: 1) an interest in integrative, cross-disciplinary research, 2) a passion for understanding interactions between human and natural systems, and 3) an eagerness to develop research in one facet of the program, i.e. nutrient best management practices, hydrologic processes, riverine nutrient processing, ecological consequences of nutrient enrichment, paleolimnology, environmental policy and governance, and systems modeling.

Fellows will be supported by an internal research grants program and will benefit from international field experiences and integrative activities that enhance interdisciplinary skills. Applicants must have a Masters degree in natural sciences, social sciences or engineering with strong demonstrated interest in water issues.

For more information and the online application visit http://waterinstitute.ufl.edu/WIGF or contact Wendy Graham, Director of the UF Water Institute at wgraham@ufl.edu, or 352-392-5893 x2113. Applications are due by 2/11/2011.

One MS or PhD graduate research/teaching assistantship in Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University and Lyman Briggs College

Topic: Characterize and quantify sublethal effects of sea lamprey parasitism on lake trout using molecular/biochemical/quantitative tools

Requirements:
BS in Biology, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Zoology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology or related field. Applicant must meet admission requirements for the graduate school and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Michigan State University. Applicant should be comfortable teaching laboratories for a general introductory biology class.


Start date – anytime after April 15, 2010.

Salary as per GTA contract. Tuition waiver and benefits included.

Please submit a letter of interest, resume/CV, contact information for three references, copies of transcripts and GRE scores to: Dr. Cheryl Murphy, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 13 Natural Resources Building ; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824, 517-432-7771. camurphy@msu.edu

Wetlands Ecology Technician

The Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch (PCEB) of the Western Ecology Division (WED) of the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Office Research and Development (ORD) in Newport, OR is seeking individual(s), at least 18 years of age who have obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree specializing in either freshwater/stream ecology, marine or estuarine biology, marine or estuarine chemistry, biological or chemical oceanography, or freshwater/estuarine biogeochemistry to provide services under a contractual agreement in support of laboratory research of environmental health effects. The individual(s) can either be currently enrolled in a degree program at a recognized educational institution or recently graduated within the last 24 months.

PCEB is conducting research to determine effects of nitrogenous nutrients on wetland communities to understand how elevated nutrient concentrations impact ecosystem services. The student contractor will assist with and/or conduct experiments using state of the art instrumentation and sampling equipment to measure changes in water column nutrients through multiple tidal cycles. The student contractor will also provide support to the Branch/Division by performing laboratory inventories, maintaining the organization of laboratory supplies and equipment, preparing standards, solutions and media, sample analysis and preparation, and similar tasks required to maintain the laboratory.

For more information, visit the following website where the full announcement, application instructions, statement of work, etc. are posted:
http://www.epa.gov/oamrtpnc/q1000114/index.htm

** Applications must be received by 04/23/10 **

Questions regarding this student contract should be directed to the contract specialist Jeff Clodfelter, at Clodfelter.Jeffery@epa.gov. Questions regarding the technical aspects of the duties and responsibilities should be directed to Dr. Ted Dewitt, at dewitt.ted@epa.gov.

Graduate Student Assistantship in Zooplankton Ecology

Graduate Student Assistantship in Zooplankton Ecology

The Zooplankton Ecology Lab at LSU has an immediate opening for a graduate student to pursue an M.S. degree in a NOAA-funded research program to digitize the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) zooplankton sample collection.

The thesis research project will focus on the impact of changes in the copepod prey assemblage available to juvenile tunas. Using SEAMAP data, you will explore how differences in copepod size and taxa vary with the intensity of the Loop Current and how such fluctuations are related to fluctuations in the abundances of juvenile tunas. This research will be linked to NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Program. Funding is available for three years at an annual stipend of $18,000. The position could start in mid-August 2010. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Malinda Sutor (msutor1@lsu.edu), 225-578-8055

MSc position, Coastal Ecosystem Biogeochemistry

MSc projects on coastal watershed nitrogen cycling and phycotoxicity at Université de Moncton, campus de Shippagan

An MSc position will be available starting summer 2010 to conduct one of the following projects.

1)Nitrogen fixation and denitrification along coastal rivers of New Brunswick. Estuaries are thought to act as net sinks of nitrogen, thereby preventing terrestrial nitrogen from reaching coastal waters where it may otherwise lead to eutrophication. However, it remains unclear how the relative importance of nitrogen fixation (source) and denitrification (sink) change within watersheds along the hydrological gradient and among watersheds characterized by different land uses. This project will involve river sampling, estimates of nitrogen fixation and denitrification, and models of nitrogen flux to quantify the basic nitrogen cycle at the interface of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.

2)Paleoecological rectonstruction of water quality and algal productivity of coastal waters. In addition to increasing nitrogen inputs from terrestrial systems, coastal zones have experienced mixed signals from both anthropogenic activities (urbanization, agriculture, forestry, mining) and natural phenomena (climatic, hydrologic variability) that may have contributed in part to the recent increases in toxic blooms frequency. Sediment cores will be collected from selected New Brunswick estuaries and analyzed for historical changes in isotopic content (N source) and biological fossils (production) to quantify the relative importance of anthropogenic (manageable) and natural (unmanageable) factors in controlling coastal ecosystem health.

Qualifications: BSc in biology, environmental science or related discipline. Ability to follow courses in French.

Stipend: a $17,500/year stipend is available for the successful applicant.

Interested students should send a current resume with GPA and contact information of three references to Dr. Alain Patoine at alain.patoine@umcs.ca