Postdoc (Sediment Biogeochemistry), The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, GA, USA

Postdoctoral Opportunity in Sediment Biogeochemistry UGA Job Openings: G/R01501P
The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory at the University of Georgia is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sediment Biogeochemistry. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team investigating the biogeochemical processes of contaminant metals in the water and sediment of constructed wetlands and riparian systems. Responsibilities include establishing own research project relative to the sequestration, remobilization, transport, and toxicity of metals in the soil/sediment and assisting with ongoing studies including sediment core collection and chemical analysis.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in an ecotoxicology/environmental science with a strong chemistry background and experience in soil and sediment study. Research experience in wetland studies and using micro-profiling system is highly desirable.
The successful applicant is expected to demonstrate commitment to timely completion of deliverables, commitment to publication of results in peer-reviewed journals, and strong potential to work collaboratively with other scientist from multiple disciplines. The successful applicant also is expected to assist with training graduate and undergraduate students involved in these research programs.
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory: The position is located at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in Aiken, SC.  The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory is a research unit of the University of Georgia located on the 801 km2 Savannah River Site, a Department of Energy facility near Aiken, SC. With a staff of about 100 faculty, postdocs, research professionals, technicians, and graduate students, the laboratory pursues basic and applied research at multiple levels of ecological organization, from atoms to ecosystems. SREL also provides opportunities for graduate and undergraduate research training, and service to the community through environmental outreach. Throughout its 60+ year history SREL has strived to acquire and communicate knowledge that contributes to sound ecological stewardship.
Applications will be reviewed starting March 18th, 2019 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified. The initial appointment will be for 2 year with the possibility for renewal.  Salary will be $50,000 per year plus benefits.
To apply, please send a 1) cover letter summarizing your research interests and qualifications for the position, 2) a CV, and 3) names and contact information for three references to Xiaoyu Xu: xiaoyuxu@uga.edu. Finalists will be required by University policy (www.hr.uga.edu) to provide a signed consent form authorizing the University to conduct a background check. Actual background investigations will be conducted on a post-offer/pre-employment basis. The starting date is negotiable, but June 3rd, 2019 is preferred.
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Research Technician (Wetland Biogeochemistry), Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), Cocodrie, LA, USA

The Roberts Lab of Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry (http://robertsresearchlab.weebly.com/) at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) is seeking at least one research technician in Wetland Biogeochemistry to participate in a series of field/laboratory and manipulative experiments studying the effects of the Macondo Oil Spill on coastal marsh ecosystems. The technician will join a large, multi-institution team of researchers on the Coastal Waters Consortium (CWC) project (http://cwc.lumcon.edu/) funded by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative to study the impacts of the oil spill and future spills on marshes and coastal environments. The position is associated with a collaborative subproject on wetland biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and plant ecology led by Drs. Brian Roberts (LUMCON), Anne Giblin (Marine Biological Laboratory), and Anne Bernhard (Connecticut College). Our objectives since beginning this project in 2012 have been to 1) improve our understanding of temporal and spatial patterns in marsh biogeochemical process rates, associated microbial communities, and factors regulating these communities and rates; and 2) evaluate the impact of and recovery from oil exposure on marsh biogeochemical processes and associated microbial communities. The research technician will support the field and laboratory analytical activities designed to accomplish these objectives including a combination of field/lab studies and manipulative experiments at multiple scales including a large scale oiling experiment being initiated this summer in our new, state of the art marsh mesocosm facility. The position will be based at LUMCON and will require extensive field and laboratory work.  This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with top scientists from around the United States in a large, interdisciplinary research project of great importance to the US Gulf Coast and other ecosystems impacted by oil-related activities.
Qualifications:  The candidate must have a B.S. in ecology, wetland science, biogeochemistry or a related field. Familiarity with analytical instrumentation including nutrient autoanalyzers, TOC/TN analyzers, elemental analyzers, and/or gas chromatographs is desired. The candidate will be expected to participate in field work that may require physical effort to transport equipment in field sites that are accessible only by small boats. The ability to work in a group setting is essential, as this researcher will work collaboratively with the PIs, post docs, graduate and undergraduate students, and other research technicians on this project and the larger CWC effort. The position requires high organizational and communication skills as well as significant database management capabilities.
Duration and Start Date:  The position is available immediately and will run through the end of 2019 with possible additional support dependent upon funding and satisfactory performance.
Location: The position will be based at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) Marine Center in Cocodrie, LA (visit http://www.lumcon.edu for information on the facility).
To Apply: Send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the name, address, phone and email contact for at least three individuals qualified to comment on scientific and work qualifications to Dr. Brian Roberts (broberts@lumcon.edu) with “Wetlands Research Technician positionâ€� in the subject line. For questions or more information contact Dr. Roberts by email or phone (985-851-2821).
Deadline: Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
LUMCON offers state benefits and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that actively seeks diversity among its employees.

Graduate studentship: the University of Idaho, ID, USA

3 PhD STUDENT POSITIONS IN LANDSCAPE GENOMICS, ECOLOGICAL GENOMICS AND MODELING OF AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO NSF-EPSCoR GEM3
We seek highly motivated students for 3 Ph.D. positions at the University of Idaho in the recently funded NSF-EPSCoR GEM3 program (https://www.idahogem3.org).  The program seeks to understand how genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity affect species response to environmental change, shaping both population response and adaptive capacity.  The program is focused primarily on two taxa: redband trout, a subspecies of rainbow trout, and sagebrush.  These taxa are integral to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems across the American West and are central to land-use management decisions that drive the economy of the region.  Two of the PhD positions will focus on these taxa, and the third will focus on landscape genomics and adaptive interactions of terrestrial wildlife species reliant on sagebrush systems such as southern Idaho ground squirrels, pygmy rabbits and sage grouse.
These Ph.D. students will join an interdisciplinary cohort of postdoctoral researchers and students working at scales from genomic characterization of physiological traits in trout and sagebrush, to mapping and modeling of complex ecological, evolutionary, and social-economic systems.  Students will have the opportunity to gain skills such as molecular population genomics, landscape genetics analysis, and agent-based and systems modeling.
The possible start dates for these positions are August 2019 or January 2020.  Students will be co-advised by Lisette Waits (Fish & Wildlife Sciences) and Paul Hohenlohe (Biological Sciences).  Students in the GEM3 program may choose from several degree programs at UI, including Natural Resources, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Environmental Science, or Biology.
To apply, please submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, GRE scores, and contact information for three references to Paul Hohenlohe (hohenlohe@uidaho.edu).  In your letter of interest please indicate your which of the 3 positions you would like to be considered for as well as your top choice.  Review of applications will begin immediately; for full consideration please apply before April 19.

Postdoc (Shellfish population genomics), Bielefeld University, Germany

2-year postdoc position:  population genomics of Antarctic shellfish With Dr Joe Hoffman (Bielefeld University, Germany)
An outstanding opportunity is available for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the population genomics of Antarctic shellfish.  The position is available in Joe Hoffman’s research group (www.thehoffmanlab.com) in the Department of Animal Behaviour at Bielefeld University.  It runs from July 2019 for approx. two years and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
your tasks
There is a vacancy for a postdoctoral position within the research group of Prof. Dr. Joe Hoffman in the Department of Animal Behaviour. The main aim of the project is to use genomic data in a comparative framework that facilitate cold adaptation and speciation in Antarctic invertebrates. The research will be carried out in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Lloyd Peck from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in Cambridge. We will search for genomic signatures of cold adaptation and their role in speciation processes in various invertebrate taxa. Numerous sample material for these questions exists already. The project will combine a genomic with a phylogeographicapproach.
research tasks (95 %)
RAD-sequencing and analyses of SNP-data sets of spineless organisms in Antarctica phylogenetic analyses in conjunction with the genomic data sets statistical data analyses writing-up of the results for publication in international, peer-reviewed journals help with the running of the research group and the department (5 %)
your profile
We expect
completed scientific degree (e. g. Master) in biology, genetics or another relevant field PhD in a relevant field (e. g. biology, genetics, evolution) comprehensive experience with lab work, especially genomics experience with statistical analyses, preferably using R experience with genetic techniques interest in behavioral, genetic and evolutionary questions ability to work independently and as part of a team excellent written and oral communications skills in English
Preferable qualifications
publications in peer-reviewed journals
experience with diverse genetic and genomic techniques experience with next generation sequencing techniques experience with working with multiple, large-scale data sets
Remuneration
Salary will be paid according to Remuneration level 13 of the Wage Agreement for Public Service in the Federal States (TV-L). As stipulated in §2 (1) sentence 1 of the WissZeitVG(fixed-term employment), the contract will end after three years. The employment is designed to encourage further academic qualification. The position is advertised as a full-time position. In principle, these full-time position may be changed into a part-time position, as long as this does not conflict with official needs.  Bielefeld University is particularly committed to equal opportunities and the career development of its employees. It offers attractive internal and external training and further training programmes. Employees have the opportunity to use a variety of health, counselling, and prevention programmes. Bielefeld University places great importance on a work-family balance for all its employees.
application procedure
For full consideration, your application should be received via either post or email (a single PDF) document sent to joseph.hoffman@uni-bielefeld.deby April 3rd, 2019. Please mark your application with the identification code: wiss19036. Please do not use application portfolios and send only photocopies of original documents because all application materials will be destroyed at the end of the selection procedure. Further information on Bielefeld University can be found on our homepage at http://www.uni-bielefeld.de.
PostalAddress
Universität Bielefeld
Fakultät für Biologie
Herrn apl. Prof. Dr. Joe Hoffman
P.O. Box: 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld
Contact
Name: apl. Prof. Dr. Joe Hoffman
Phone: (+49) 521 106-2711
Prof. Joseph Hoffman
Department of Animal Behaviour
University of Bielefeld
Postfach 100131
33501 Bielefeld
Germany
+49 (0)521 1062711

Postdoc (Aquatic Evolutionary Ecology), University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria

University Assistant – Postdoc (40 hours per week), University of Innsbruck, Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, Austria, starting on 2nd June 2019, duration 3 years.
Main tasks:
–  Research as PI in the field of Aquatic Evolutionary Ecology, with focus on freshwater microzooplankton (rotifers)
–  Teaching in Evolutionary Ecology
–  Supervision of technical assistants and graduate students
–  Acquisition of extramural funds and research management
Qualifications:
–  PhD in aquatic ecology, international research experience beyond the PhD level in Evolutionary Ecology, experimental Population Ecology and microevolution of microzooplankton (rotifers)
–  Teaching experience (Zoology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology) including supervision of graduate students
–  Publications in high-ranking journals, acquisition of third-party funds
–  Foreign country experience
–  Social and integrative abilities in team-leading and team-playing and flexibility are essential.
We are looking forward to receiving your online application by 13th April 2019. Please apply online via the Career portal of the University of Innsbruck
Travel costs cannot be reimbursed.
Job profile: The description associated with this job duties and requirements can be found at https://www.uibk.ac.at/universitaet/profile-wiss-personal/post-doc.html
Salary: The minimum gross salary for this position amounts to â,¬ 3.804,00 per month (14 times). Furthermore, the university has numerous attractive offers. http://www.uibk.ac.at/universitaet/zusatzleistungen/.

Graduate studentship: University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Study opportunities in marine sedimentary ancient DNA (aDNA), available now.
Supervisor: Dr Linda Armbrecht, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD) at the University of Adelaide, Australia
Marine phytoplankton are globally important microorganisms that live in the ocean’s surface. When these tiny organisms die, they sink to the seafloor and over time build up complex layers in the ocean sediments. By extracting ancient DNA from such sediments, past phytoplankton communities can be reconstructed, providing information on past environmental conditions and climate. This novel knowledge about past marine community adaptation to previous regional and global warming periods helps inform predictions of future marine ecosystem resilience guiding management efforts of marine ecosystems during present-day climate change.
Study opportunities on all levels (Internships, Honours, Masters, PhD) are available with regard to the reconstruction of Antarctic phytoplankton communities and their responses to variations in climate. Sediment cores used for this research were collected off East and West Antarctica, and are dated to the Last Glacial Maximum (~20-25 kyr). This research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning across marine science, biological/palae-oceanography, and palaeo-genomics, and a good
understanding in at least one of these disciplines is required.  Study activities include, for example, marine field-work (topic-dependent), laboratory tasks, bioinformatics and data analysis.
International students should note that they must meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/handbook/03-considerations-in-applying/02-entry-requirements/03-english-language/>
requirements, and must apply for an International Scholarship <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/research-international/>).
These scholarships are highly competitive and based on an excellent academic record.  Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for admission (in relation to PhD or MSc study) prior to contacting us.
If you are interested to commence a degree or conduct an internship in this research area please contact linda.armbrecht@adelaide.edu.au, outlining your motivation and relevant research experience, including your CV, and, if applicable, your current transcript. Please also visit the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD) <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/acad/study/> website for further information about our research centre.

Summer internship available studying Harnful Algal Blooms

The Erdner laboratory is seeking a Summer Research Intern to assist in studies of the toxic dinoflagellate that causes ciguatera fish poisoning. The position is primarily laboratory-based and will include algal culture and molecular biology tasks such as DNA extraction and PCR. Other studies are possible, depending on background. The position is at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, TX (http://sites.utexas.edu/erdnerlab/). Questions about the position should be directed to derdner@utexas.edu.

Eligibility: We are looking for motivated and dedicated applicants with an interest in being an active part of our lab group. We encourage applicants from groups that are underrepresented in marine science. You should be an undergraduate student, i.e. expected to be enrolled during the Fall 2019 semester. Coursework in molecular biology and prior experience with basic techniques is desired, but not required. The pay range is $10-15 per hour, depending on experience, with a 40-hour workweek expected, for 10 weeks. Dormitory housing is available at the Institute, and it is included as part of the internship.

We will begin to review applications on April 15, 2019, and may continue to accept applications after that date if needed. To apply, please send the following to Dr. Deana Erdner at derdner@utexas.edu:

1)    Cover letter/email stating why you are interested in the internship

2)    Resume or CV

3)    List of coursework: either an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or list of courses taken and grades.

4)    The names and contact information of two references

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy applications can be mailed to:

Dr. Deana Erdner

University of Texas

Marine Science Institute

750 Channel View Dr.

Port Aransas, TX 78373

Early warning method for cyanobacteria toxin, taste and odor problems by the evaluation of fluorescence signals

TO fluorescence

Authors

C. Moldaenke, Y. Fang, F. Yang, A. Dahlhaus

Permanganate and ozone are often used in drinking water treatment plants for the oxidation of taste and odor compounds, toxins, and algae as well as the reduction of mussel activity. The disadvantage of an overuse of such oxidants is the potential lysis of cyanobacterial cells. Cell lysis causes taste and odor components as well as toxins to be released into the water, which results in the need for even more treatment to remove these compounds completely. Our research in the CLIENT-SIGN project investigated an innovative method to monitor the lysis of cyanobacteria cells: increases in a specific fluorescence emission spectrum of the cyanobacteria pigment phycocyanin were used as a proxy for cell lysis and other compounds (taste/odor, toxins) leaving the cells. We call this form of phycocyanin “free phycocyanin” or “unbound phycocyanin”. By monitoring free phycocyanin via a relatively fast and inexpensive measurement, water utilities will be better able to optimize the dosage of pre-oxidation compounds to remove extracellular compounds while preventing the lysing of cells. Laboratory studies and a case study at Yangcheng Lake (adjacent to Lake Taihu, Yangcheng Lake Water Treatment Plant, Suzhou Industrial Park, China) are presented herein. An online surveillance system that monitors incoming raw water and the water after pre-oxidation is proposed to better cope with changing water conditions.

Extending the forecast model: Predicting Western Lake Erie harmful algal blooms at multiple spatial scales

lake-erie-algae

Authors

Nathan F. Manning, Yu-Chen Wang, Colleen M. Long, Isabella Bertani, Michael J. Sayers, Karl R. Bosse, Robert A. Shuchman, Donald Scavia

Lake Erie is a classic case of development, recovery from, and return to eutrophication, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms. Forecast models are used annually to predict bloom intensity for the whole Western Lake Erie Basin, but do not necessarily reflect nearshore conditions or regional variations, which are important for local stakeholders. In this study we: 1) developed relationships between observed whole basin and nearshore bloom sizes, and 2) updated and extended a Bayesian seasonal bloom forecast model to provide new regional predictions. The western basin was subdivided into 5 km near-shore regions, and bloom start date, size, and intensity were quantified with MODIS-derived images of chlorophyll concentrations for July–October 2002–2016 for each subdivision and for the entire basin. While bloom severity within each subdivision is temporally and spatially unique, it increased over the study period in each subdivision. The models for the 5 km subdivisions explained between 83 and 95% of variability between regional sizes and whole bloom size for US subdivisions and 51% for the Canadian subdivision. By linking predictive basin-wide models to regional regression estimates, we are now able to better predict potential bloom impacts at scales and in specific areas that are vital to the economic well-being of the region and allow for better management responses.

Precipitation of calcium carbonate mineral induced by viral lysis of cyanobacteria: evidence from laboratory experiments

BGA CO2 precip

Authors

Hengchao Xu, Xiaotong Peng, Shijie Bai, Kaiwen Ta, Shouye Yang, Shuangquan Liu, Ho Bin Jang, and Zixiao Guo

Viruses have been acknowledged as being important components of the marine system for the past 2 decades, but their role in the functioning of the geochemical cycle has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. Virus-induced rupturing of cyanobacteria is theoretically capable of releasing intracellular bicarbonate and inducing the homogeneous nucleation of calcium carbonate; however, experiment-based support for virus-induced calcification is lacking. In this laboratory study, both water carbonate chemistry and precipitates were monitored during the viral infection and lysis of host cells. Our results show that viral lysis of cyanobacteria can influence the carbonate equilibrium system remarkably and promotes the formation and precipitation of carbonate minerals. Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and aragonite were evident in the lysate, compared with the Mg(OH)2 (brucite in this paper) precipitate in noninfected cultures, implying that a different precipitation process had occurred. Based on the carbonate chemistry change and microstructure of the precipitation, we propose that viral lysis of cyanobacteria can construct a calcification environment where carbonate is the dominant inorganic carbon species. Numerous virus particles available in lysate may coprecipitate with the calcium carbonate. The experimental results presented in this study demonstrate both the pathway and the outcome with respect to how viruses influence the mineralization of carbonate minerals. It is suggested that viral calcification offers new perspectives on mechanisms of CaCO3 biomineralization and may play a crucial role within the Earth system.