[ECOLOG-L] PhD Fellowship Opportunity in Terrestrail C Biogeochemistry - UPenn
The Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Laboratory in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science of the University of Pennsylvania invites applicants for competitive Ph.D. fellowships in one of two research areas: Soil carbon biogeochemistry: Projects seek to quantify and characterize the recalcitrant pools of pyrogenic and geogenic carbon in soils. We’ll examine chemical transformations and dissolution as mechanisms controlling their fate in the critical zone. Urban biogeochemistry: New and evolving research projects to study the biogeochemical functioning of urban ecosystems with emphasis on cycling and storage of carbon and nutrients. Positions are ideal for candidates who have completed an MSc in soil science, geosciences, environmental chemistry, ecosystem science or related fields, but outstanding BSc graduates in such programs will be considered. For further information, please contact Dr. Alain Plante by email (apla...@sas.upenn.edu) or consult the department website (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/earth). Applications can be submitted directly online (https://www.applyweb.com/upenng/) before December 15.
[ECOLOG-L] PhD fellowships in terrestrial biogeochemistry - Univ of Pennsylvania
The Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Laboratory in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science of the University of Pennsylvania invites applicants for competitive Ph.D. fellowships in one of two research areas: Soil carbon biogeochemistry: The primary focus is on the various biological, chemical and physical processes that contribute to soil organic matter stabilization and destabilization in both temperate and tropical surface soils. The current opportunity centers on the further development and application of thermal analysis to the characterization of soil organic matter, with increasing emphasis on cross-correlations with other advanced analytical techniques, and the quantification of pyrogenic carbon forms such as biochar. Urban biogeochemistry: New and evolving research projects are being developed to study the biogeochemical functioning of urban ecosystems in collaboration with the USFS Philadelphia Field Station. Emphasis will be on the cycling and storage of carbon and nutrients in soil, biotic and aquatic components of urban, suburban and peri-urban ecosystems. These fellowships are ideal for candidates who have completed an MSc in ecosystem ecology, soil science, geosciences, environmental chemistry, or related fields, but outstanding BSc graduates in such programs will be considered. Good written and oral communication skills and ability to work on a team are necessary. For further information about current research and available positions please contact Dr. Alain Plante by email (apla...@sas.upenn.edu) or consult the departmental website (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/earth). Applications can be submitted directly online (https://www.applyweb.com/upenng/) before December 15.
[ECOLOG-L] Synthesis Postdoc Opportunity in Fine Sediment Transport at the Luquillo CZO
The Department of Earth & Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania is currently accepting applications for a synthesis postdoctoral investigator. The synthesis postdoc would act as the nucleus of a research team at Penn examining various aspects of fine sediment (and associated carbon and nutrient) transport in the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory. Potential projects would examine the provenance, age, mineralogy, organic matter content and composition of fine sediment transported and exported from tropical mountain watersheds in Puerto Rico. The postdoc will work alongside Drs. Doug Jerolmack, Alain Plante and Jane Willenbring as well as many other researchers from the broader LCZO community (http://criticalzone.org/luquillo/). Support (competitive salary and benefits) is available for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled, and the expected start date is June 1st, 2014. Interested candidates should send a covering email, CV and names of two references to apla...@sas.upenn.edu.
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral research opportunity in soil organic matter research
Postdoctoral Position Available Biogeochemistry - Soil Organic Matter Research University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA For further information, please contact: Dr. Alain Plante Email: apla...@sas.upenn.edu Phone: (215) 898-9269 __ A postdoctoral position is available in the Department of Earth & Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Our research program seeks to develop quantitative assessments of soil organic matter stability by conventional (e.g., biological, chemical and physical) and new thermal methods (e.g., thermogravimetry and scanning calorimetry). Several projects and experiments are underway and could be further developed. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in soil science, biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry, ecosystem science, or related fields. Experience with advanced analytical techniques (e.g., thermal analysis, py-MS, NMR, FTIR, etc.) and advanced multivariate statistics is preferred. Candidates with experience in thermal analysis should demonstrate experience with environmental samples. A strong publication record and good communications skills are required. The position is available immediately. Funding is available for one year with a strong potential for renewal, and will include a competitive salary and benefits package. Interested applicants can email a cover letter, current CV, and names and contact information of two references. More details concerning the research group are available at: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/earth/plante_r.html.
[ECOLOG-L] PhD opportunity in climate change in Mongolia
The Ecology and Evolution graduate group in the Department of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications from students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in association with a 5-year grant on global climate change from the NSF Program in International Research and Education (PIRE). This project, now in its second year, addresses the combined ecological consequences of climate change and grazing pressures by nomadic pastoralism in northern Mongolia, a region of the world expected to experience some of the largest temperature increases in the coming years. The project is a collaboration among researchers at Penn, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the National University of Mongolia and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Graduate students associated with the project will receive support through a combination of PIRE fellowship and teaching assistantship funds, and will conduct field-based Ph.D. research in Mongolia with Penn faculty and members of the collaborating institutions. For further information on the PIRE Mongolia project, please visit http://mongolia.bio.upenn.edu/ or contact Peter Petraitis [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Brenda Casper [EMAIL PROTECTED] For information on how to apply to the Biology Graduate Program at Penn, please see http://www.bio.upenn.edu/programs/graduate/applying/appinstructions.html or contact the Biology Graduate Coordinator, Colleen Gasiorowski [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PhD opportunity in soil organic matter biogeochemistry
The Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania invites applicants for competitive, multi-year PhD fellowships in soil organic matter biogeochemistry. Excellent research opportunities exist in soil C biogeochemistry, soil organic matter characterization, and soil organic matter dynamics. We seek a PhD student for a DOE-funded project to quantify parameters of soil organic carbon fractions used to predict potential maximum limits to organic carbon stabilization as a function of climate, C inputs, disturbance, texture and mineralogy. We also seek a student for research in methods for characterizing soil organo-mineral complexes to validate a relationship between thermal and biological stability. Additional information about the projects is available from Dr. Alain Plante ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Additional information about the graduate program in the Department and the application process are available on the Departmental web page at (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/earth/graduate). Applications are due Dec 1.
Soil Carbon Sessions at Fall07 AGU Meeting
We would like to call your attention to two sessions planned for the Fall07 AGU Meeting (December 10-14) on Soil Carbon Stabilization and Responses to Climate Change. Please post or forward this to any other interested parties, and apologies for multiple receipts. Abstract submissions are due September 6th at http://submissions3.agu.org/submission/entrance.asp BG14: Soil Carbon: Mechanisms of Stabilization Soil organic matter contains more reactive organic carbon than any other single terrestrial pool. Consequently, SOM balance (the difference between accumulation of decaying plant materials and combined losses due to SOM oxidation to CO2 and leaching or volatilization of dissolved compounds) plays a major role in determining C storage in ecosystems and in regulating atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Despite the critical roles played by SOM within ecosystems, in the global C cycle, and in the Earths climate system, controls on SOM balances in ecosystems remain poorly understood. In the latest Investigators Meeting of the North American Carbon Program, soil carbon storage and dynamics was pointed out as one of the key areas of uncertainty in the carbon balance of North America. This session will focus on studies of soils and carbon: storage potential, mechanisms of stabilization/destabilization/long term storage. Invited talks will fall into two categories: those that address mechanisms and process, and those that use modeling approaches to understand response of C storage to climate change and employ techniques to quantify change accurately at meaningful scales for a landscape, a regional and/or the globe. Co-conveners: Kate Lajtha ([EMAIL PROTECTED], Oregon State University), Nancy Cavallaro ([EMAIL PROTECTED], USDA-CSREES) To be held in conjunction with: GC11: Soil Carbon: Response to Climate Change This session will present the mechanisms of soil carbon stabilization and their responses to climate change. Research on the mechanisms controlling the response of soil and litter decomposition to changes in temperature has progressed significantly in recent years because changes in temperature could have a dramatic impact on decomposition and on detrital and soil carbon stocks. Diverse research approaches have led to advances in understanding biological, chemical, and physical controls on decomposition responses to temperature and in integrating those responses into modeling efforts. This special session will serve as a forum to distill fundamental principles and identify opportunities to resolve apparent conflicts in experimental studies. We invite presentations of process- and mechanism-level studies of soil and litter carbon dynamics under changing temperature and of studies integrating that new understanding into models. Co-conveners: Alain Plante ([EMAIL PROTECTED], University of Pennsylvania), Richard Conant ([EMAIL PROTECTED], Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory), Serita Frey ([EMAIL PROTECTED], University of New Hampshire)
PhD Assistantship - Soil organic matter dynamics
The Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science invites applicants for competitive PhD fellowships. Possible areas of research include, but are not limited to: temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter dynamics, organic matter accrual during soil formation, characterization of soil organic matter protection mechanisms. The position is ideal for candidates who have completed an MSc. Position starts Fall 2007 and includes tuition and stipend. Send CV, GRE and TOEFL scores, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Alain Plante, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), Dept. of Earth & Environ. Sci., University of Pennsylvania, 254B Hayden Hall, 240 South 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-6316.
REU opportunity in climate change science at Villanova University
We are searching for a creative, meticulous, and motivated environmental science undergraduate student to lead a summer-long global change research project. This NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project is part of a larger collaborative project being carried out jointly at the Department of Biology at Villanova University and the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University. The aim of the project is to better understand the impact of global climate change on the organic carbon balance in terrestrial ecosystems. The specific goals of the REU project are to study how changes in temperature alter the decomposition rate of organic matter that is more or less physically protected by soil aggregation. The REU student will be directly involved in method development, data collection and analysis. The ultimate goal of this summer project is to produce a scientific publication in the peer-reviewed literature. In addition to a competitive summer salary, the REU student will be a full team member contributing to cutting-edge ecosystem ecology research. Funds will also be available for the student to attend the 18th World Congress of Soil Science, held in Philadelphia, July 9-15 2006. This is a unique opportunity to participate in an international conference attended by thousands of researchers from around the world. Applications received by May 1st, 2006 will be guaranteed full consideration, with a starting date soon thereafter. The ideal candidate should have an interest in earth science, biology, ecology, environmental science or climate change, and be pursuing an undergraduate degree in a related field. Previous laboratory experience is preferred, but not required. Villanova University is located in Villanova, PA (approximately 10 mi outside of Philadelphia, PA), and is easily accessible by public transit. Applicants should submit a cover letter stating their interest in the project, a current CV, a copy of their most recent course transcripts, and have two (2) letters of recommendation sent under separate cover. Submit application materials electronically to [EMAIL PROTECTED], or by mail to Dr. Alain Plante, Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085. Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Alain Plante ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Villanova University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
