News

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Harmful Algal Blooms Nutrient Ecology

Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research
School for Environment and Sustainability
University of Michigan
 
Summary
A postdoctoral fellowship is available for a highly qualified individual to join the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR, https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/). The successful candidate will work with a team at CIGLR and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) to improve models of how nutrient availability and nutrient imbalance affect harmful algal blooms. Numerous studies have found direct or correlative evidence that available phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, or alternatively the N:P ratio, drive bloom biomass, community composition, and toxin concentration. However, parsing the effect of each of these drivers from environmental sampling data is problematic because;

  1. Available N, P, and N:P (measure of imbalance) are covariate through time, particularly during bloom periods.
  2. These effects are strongly scale-dependent.
  3. The outcomes from such investigations are often counter-intuitive or do not match the causal mechanisms as understood from mechanistic laboratory experiments.

The candidate will apply complementary statistical methodologies to separate the effects of N and P concentrations, and imbalance in N:P, on bloom biomass, community composition, and toxin concentration using our long-term dataset from western Lake Erie and potentially other datasets.  In addition to statistical modeling, the candidate will assist with planning and overseeing laboratory chemostat experiments using Microcystis isolates from Lake Erie.

Required Qualifications
  • A Ph.D. in natural sciences with research experience in limnology, plankton or aquatic microbial ecology, or a similar field.
  • Research or graduate experience in contemporary statistical modeling techniques (e.g. Bayesian multilevel models, path analysis, causal analysis).
  • Familiarity with data analysis and visualization in a scripting environment using R, Python, or similar software.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze data and lead the writing of manuscripts for refereed journal publication.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with harmful algal blooms and nutrients
  • Experience with confronting environmental data with predictions from laboratory experiments or physiological mechanisms
  • Experience working with chemostat cultures (not necessarily phytoplankton)
For more information and to apply:
The application deadline is 7/01/2023.
——
Margaret Throckmorton (she | hers)
Administrative Project Coordinator
University of Michigan
Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR)
@ NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL)
4840 South State Road | Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.647.3299

2023 PACE Applications Virtual Workshop

The 4th annual PACE Applications Workshop, scheduled virtually September 6-7 on the Swapcard platform. Registration is open; we hope that you all attend! Find out more and register here: https://pace.oceansciences.org/events_more.htm?id=56

  • When you register you’ll see a prompt about the poster session – this year it will be run differently and will be open to the entire PACE community. We encourage you to participate and share how you’ve been preparing for launch!

Abstract deadline for #GHRSST24 meeting extended until 7 July 2023

Abstract submission for the GHRSST24 International Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Users Symposium and science team meeting has been extended until the 7 July 2023. The symposium will bring together SST experts with applied users, and also feature a training event where attendees can learn more about how SST products are generated, and how to use different products for a variety of marine applications. Submissions from early career researchers and applied users of SST data are particularly encouraged. Funding support is available for those using Copernicus satellite data in their research. More details can be found at https://www.ghrsst.org/ghrsst-news/24th-international-science-team-meeting-ahmedabad-india-ghrsst-xxiv-ghrsst24/

USGS job opportunity – based in Santa Cruz, CA

The U.S. Geological Survey are looking for a Physical Scientist / Geographer (https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726707500) to join our team at the Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California.

 Specific duties will include:  

      • Use ArcGIS, MATLAB, Python, and Google Earth software for applications to ecosystems and climate change impact studies in coastal settings.
      • Process and manipulate various complex geospatial datasets (e.g., remote sensing imagery, bathymetric data sets, sediment composition) to interpret geologic and oceanographic processes and delineate benthic habitats.
      • Use ArcGIS and related software for applications for estuarine, coastal, and marine topographic, bathymetric, and sediment transport studies.
      • Manage and co-author reports and maps to inform the scientific community of results of research.
      • Work directly with editing and publishing groups to see products through the complete publication process.
      • Support dissemination of public information including writing press releases, informational documents, newsletter articles, and web pages.

The work will initially support our science on tropical coastal hazards and ecosystems across the globe, from the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean to the Virgin Islands in Caribbean. See these links for more information on the science questions and goals:

Coral Reef Project: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/science/coral-reef-project

Coastal Climate Impacts Project: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/science/coastal-climate-impacts

Physical demands: Field assignments involve outdoor work where there is considerable walking and climbing over rough terrain. The work required physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds and working on vessels at sea. The applicant must be AAUS-quality scientific scuba diver certified.

Salary: $70,674 – $111,157 per year

Pay scale & grade: GS-9 to GS-11, depending on qualifications

Duration: This is a 13-month position, renewable up to 4 years.

Remote Job: No
Telework eligible: Yes — as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required: Occasional travel — You will be expected to travel for this position.

Vacancy Announcement: USGS-SAC-23-11921495-DE-YN (will close Friday 30 June 2023)

The full job announcement and how to apply can be found here:  https://www.usajobs.gov/job/726707500

Please feel free to share with colleagues. Thank you!