Aurora

Employment & Opportunities

Tenure Track Assistant Professor Cluster Hire - University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma seeks three new colleagues to fill tenure-track Assistant Professor positions within the School of Geosciences in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy to begin in August 2021.

1. Critical Zone (CZ) Geoscience: This position will strengthen burgeoning transdisciplinary collaborations across environmental science, policy, and justice by integrating knowledge and expertise from OU’s research strengths in geoscience, meteorology, geography, anthropology, environmental science and engineering, public policy, economics, and community planning focused around key issues that affect how humans live and work sustainably within our ecosystem. Potential areas of research include, but are not limited to: geomorphology, soil science, groundwater/surface water interactions, geobiology, geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, carbon and/or nutrient cycling in soils and the hydrosphere, computational modeling of CZ processes, responses of the CZ to climate change (past, present, or future), and/or isotope geochemistry applied to critical zone processes. We expect this faculty member to teach a general education geoscience course (e.g. Earth, Energy, and the Environment!; the Dynamic Earth; Earth Resources and the Environment; or a new course of their design), and upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses within their area of expertise. For more information see the full description, or direct questions to the search committee at ougeosciencesczsearchchair@ou.edu.
2. Environmental Geophysics: This position will promote interdisciplinary, collaborative projects that use systems-based geophysics to study the near-surface and critical zones.  We are looking for a broad-minded geophysicist with strong research skills and interdisciplinary interests who uses geophysical methods to solve challenging problems relevant to environmental and energy systems, including global climate change. Potential research areas might combine geophysics with data analytics (statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, etc.), sedimentary geology, hydrogeology, and/or biogeochemistry to develop new approaches to characterize and monitor the shallow subsurface and the near-surface including soils, sediments, water, air, and life within Earth’s critical zone. This interdisciplinary research is critical to investigate process-response systems, prevent near-surface geohazards, and maintain global sustainability.  The faculty member is expected to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses within their areas of expertise, example courses include, but are not limited to Environmental/Applied Geophysics, and Geophysical Field Camp. For more information see the full description, or direct questions to the search committee at ougeophysicssearchchair@ou.edu.
3. Applied Structural Geology/Tectonics: This position will contribute to and expand upon existing interdisciplinary strengths in the department via the study of the 3D architecture and evolution of Earth's surface/crust, associated deformation and deformation processes, and application to practical questions. It supports college initiatives and research priorities in energy geosciences, seismicity, and water. We are looking for a broad-minded colleague whose skills and interests will complement and build upon existing areas of focus within the department. The research area is open but can include topics such as landscape evolution and geologic hazards, the structure and long-term stability of subsurface reservoirs, and tectonics & the carbon cycle. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate in new and existing areas of research in carbon sequestration, geothermal & hydrogen energy resources, and machine learning.  The faculty member is expected to develop and !
   teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise; example courses include, but are not limited to Applied Structural Geology, Tectonic Geomorphology, Faulted & Fractured Reservoirs, and Tectonics & Climate. For more information see the full description, or direct questions to the search committee at geology@ou.edu.

To apply, please submit the following materials via ByCommittee using the position-specific links above: 

• a 1-2 page cover letter describing your interests in and qualifications for the position;
• your current CV including contact information for three potential references;
• a 1-2 page teaching statement briefly describing your teaching philosophy, teaching interests and potential teaching contributions to the School;
• a diversity statement describing your knowledge of and/or experience addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the geosciences (1 page);
• and a 1-2 page research statement describing your research focus, methods, and future trajectory.

Please direct questions to the appropriate search committee using the email address above. The applications will begin to be reviewed on January 4nd, 2021 and will continue to review applications until the positions are successfully filled.

MSc and PhD Positions - HydroGeoScience for Watershed Management

HydroGeoScience for Watershed Management invites applications for two fully funded MSc and PhD positions on “Process-based evaluation of streamflow vulnerability to climate change across North America” in Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of British Columbia (Vancouver).

Project Aim:
The successful candidate(s) will work under the supervision of Dr. Ali Ameli to determine the impacts of climate change on shallow and deep subsurface hydrologic processes, and their linkages to flood-rich, drought-rich and drought-driven wildfire periods. In doing so, the successful candidate(s) will work with a recently-developed database. In addition to scientific achievements, this project will provide management authorities in Canada and USA with science-based decision-making tools to inform watershed management and land-use development, under the changing climate.

The ideal candidates will have

• Knowledge on catchment hydrology
• Competence in GIS tools and programming in GIS environment
• Experience with model scripting/programming
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English
• Strong quantitative skills
• Basic knowledge of data science and statistical modelling (an asset, but not necessary)
• Basic knowledge of process-based modelling (an asset, but not necessary)

Students from disciplines including, Civil, Geological or Environmental Engineering, Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography, Forestry and similar disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Applications should include: i) a cover letter with detailed explanations on how the applicant meets the requirements for the position, ii) a curriculum vita, iii) unofficial academic transcript(s), and iv) the names and contact information of two professional references. Application materials should be combined into a single PDF document and be sent to Hg.wm.contact@gmail.com, by January 4, 2021.

Postdoctoral Fellow Position - HydroGeoScience for Watershed Management

The Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences in collaboration with the Departments of Statistics at UBC and Simon Fraser University invite applications for a recently funded Post-Doc position on “Identifying Causes of Hydrological Disturbances Under Changing Climate: A Statistical Machine Learning approach”.

Project Aim:
Research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Ali Ameli and will include interactions with a collaborative mentoring team comprised of investigators at UBC’s Statistics and SFU’s Statistics spanning expertise in Hydrology, Climatology, Functional Data Analysis, and Gaussian Process. The successful candidate will develop new generalizable statistical learning tools using multivariate functional data to 1) identify causes and consequences of hydrological disturbances (e.g., flood, drought, drought-driven wildfire); 2) identify individual and interactive controls on landscape vulnerability to multi-dimensional hydrological disturbances; and 3) reflect the bi-directional feedbacks between hydrological disturbances and the functions of earth systems. In doing so, the successful candidate will work with a recentlydeveloped database. Opportunities are available for professional development in grant writing, scientific communication, mentorship and leadership.

The ideal candidates will have:

• Sound knowledge of statistical methods for causal inference
• Experience with learning from high-dimensional data and/or multivariate functional data
• Experience with model scripting/programming
• Basic knowledge of GIS tools and techniques
• Basic knowledge of hydrology and climate sciences (an asset, but not necessary)
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English
• High interest in writing manuscripts related to hydro-climatology and climate change impact assessment

Candidates from disciplines including, Civil, Geological or Environmental Engineering, Statistics, Computer Sceince, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography and Forestry are encouraged to apply.

Applications should include: i) a cover letter with detailed explanations on how the applicant meets the requirements for the position, ii) a curriculum vita, iii) academic transcripts, and iv) the names and contact information of three professional references. Application materials should be combined into a single PDF document and be sent to Hg.wm.contact@gmail.com, by Monday February 1, 2021.

Marine Acoustic Non-Tenure Professor Position - Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER)

The Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER) of the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), one of the most important academic research institutes in marine sciences in Canada, is seeking a new professor in marine acoustics for a 3-year term.

The successful candidate will develop a research program as part of the Marine Acoustic Research Station project (MARS) recently funded by Transport Canada, the Quebec Ministry of Economy and Innovation and several other partners. This joint research project between ISMER-UQAR and Innovation maritime (IMAR) consists of setting up and operating a world-class underwater acoustic research station in the St. Lawrence Estuary offshore Rimouski in order to document the effect of ships on the sound environment of the St. Lawrence, but also to propose concrete means to reduce ship noise. The St. Lawrence Estuary, recognized for the abundance and diversity of the marine mammals that frequent it, has several favorable characteristics for the establishment of the marine acoustic research station (bathymetry, weak currents, etc.). These characteristics and the configuration of the moorings planned for the station will make it possible to measure the acoustic signature of ships operating on the St. Lawrence according to recognized international standards. Its unique characteristics will allow a world leading research activity on many themes such as the establishment of models on the noise radiated by ships according to their characteristics, as well as the evaluation of the
radiated noise measurement standards, their applicability and precision. The measurements carried out with the station could also be used for related research themes such as physical oceanography (acoustic inversion), acoustic monitoring of cetaceans, ambient noise, signal processing applied to acoustic data, etc.

Requirements:

• PhD in Oceanography, physics, engineering, mathematics, biology or a related discipline
• Specialization in Marine Acoustics, research topics including the impact of anthropogenic noise on the marine environment, acoustic inversion, and acoustic signal processing
• Postdoctoral experience would be an asset

To apply: Send the following to presid-assemblee_ismer@uqar.ca

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum vitae including all research and training activities
• The name and contact details of three referees

The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Postdoc and PhD Positions - UiT the Arctic University of Norway

The Arctic University of Norway is pleased to announce the following postdoc and PhD positions:

• 2.5-year postdoc position to look at deep ocean circulation changes in the Arctic Ocean and the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean using Nd isotopes during the last interglacial and the Pliocene. Details can be found here.
• Fully funded 4-year PhD position to work on culturing polar planktic foraminifera. Details can be found here.

Deadline to apply: 05/01/2021.

News & Events

Book Launch Event - Greening East Asia

Title: Book Talk – Greening East Asia: The Rise of the Eco-developmental State

Speakers: Book authors & contributors

Date & Time: Thursday, December 10th, 2020 at 5:00 PM

Register here.

Summary: 

On December 10 at 5PM (PST), join the online book talk hosted collaboratively by UBC’s Centre for Chinese Research, Centre for Japanese Research, and Centre for Korean Research. The event will feature the authors and contributors of a newly published book—Greening East Asia: The Rise of the Eco-developmental State, edited by Ashley Esarey, Mary Alice Haddad, Joanna I. Lewis and Stevan Harrell. We will take a look into the regional shift in East Asia from development to “Eco-Development.” Opening remarks by CCR and IAR director Tim Cheek and CJR Co-director Yves Tiberghien.

Book information: 

East Asia hosts a fifth of the world’s population and consumes over half the world’s coal, a quarter of its petroleum products, and a tenth of its natural gas. It also produces a third of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major contributor to climate change. The region—whose countries share ecological, sociocultural, and political characteristics while varying in size, resource wealth, history, and political systems—offers excellent insights into the complex dynamics influencing environmental politics, advocacy, and policy. With essays addressing Japan after Fukushima, coal plants and wind turbines in China, environmental activism in Taiwan, and sustainable rural development in South Korea, Greening East Asia explores a region’s shift from development to “eco-development” in acknowledgment that environmental sustainability is a critical component of economic growth. 

IOS Seminar: Dr. Patrick Thompson

Title: Spatiotemporal changes in groundfish biodiversity and composition in Canadian Pacific waters

Date & Time: Friday, December 11th at 10:15am

Place: Zoom Room

Abstract:

The groundfish community in British Columbia is comprised of a diverse assemblage of species. Understanding how the composition and diversity of groundfish communities are shaped by local environmental conditions and how these communities are changing through time is critical for their management and for predicting the impacts of future environmental changes. We have used a multispecies Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify the factors that structure the groundfish community sampled by the synoptic trawl survey and to predict how the community has changed through time. In this presentation, I will present predictions from this model to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What environmental drivers determine the biodiversity and composition of the groundfish community?
2. How does the diversity and biomass of the community vary across the region?
3. How has the diversity, biomass, and composition of the community changed over the past two decades?
4. What role has temperature played in these changes?