Volume 25 No. 43

– October 26, 2021

Employment & Opportunities

Earth, Marine, and Atmospheric Science PhD Assistantships - University of Miami

We have several Ph.D. research assistantships available in fall 2022. The list below contains some of our available assistantships. Please note that this is not a complete list of opportunities. Prospective students are welcome to reach out to any individual faculty member or the graduate program director to learn more. The majority of Ph.D. students are supported as Graduate Research Assistants during their tenure (typically 5 years). These assistantships provide an annual salary of $30,312, and tuition and health insurance is provided for all students.

Details about PhD Assistantships can be found here.

Environmental Science and Policy Ph.D. Program, Abess Center, EVR
NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center, Dr. Elizabeth Babcock, MBE
FOCUS: Florida Current and Sea Level, Dr. Lisa Beal, OCE
Examining the Causes of Trends in the Context of a Variable Subpolar North Atlantic Ocean, Dr. Amy Clement, ATM
Impacts of Atmospheric Reactions on Air Quality, Dr. Cassandra Gaston, ATM/OCE
The Role of Marine Teleost Fish in the Inorganic Carbon Cycle, Dr. Martin Grosell, MBE
Dynamics of the Agulhas Return Current, Dr. Igor Kamenkovich, OCE
Flood Risk & Climate Change Prepardness, Dr. Katharine Mach, EVR
Water Vapor ‘Lakes’ Over the Tropical Indian Ocean, Dr. Brian Mapes ATM/MPO
Ecology and Evolution of Giant Viruses, Dr. Mohammad Moniruzzaman, MBE
Investigating the Role of Metastable Carbonates in the Oceanic Carbon Cycle, Dr. Amanda Oehlert, MGS
Shallow Marine Diagenesis in 3D, Dr. Amanda Oehlert, MGS
Satellite Remote Sensing of Land-Falling Hurricanes, Dr. Roland Romeiser, OCE
Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions During Hurricanes, Dr. Nick Shay, MPO/OCE
Ocean Heat Uptake and Global Climate Sensitivity, Dr. Brian Soden, ATM/MPO
Aerosol-Cloud Interactions in Global Climate Models, Dr. Brian Soden, ATM/MPO
Radiative Influence on Tropical Cyclone Development, Dr. Brian Soden, ATM/MPO

Virtual Events coming up: Ocean Sciences PhD Recruitment Café Signup (October 28th at 5PM EST): https://miami.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wOlv-UTMQ7Oy3aQuGDFGuQ

Faculty Position in Physical Limnology - EPFL

The EPFL School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor of Physical Limnology in the Institute of Environmental Engineering (IIE). The new professor will be a member of the Limnology Center (LIMNC) and the Center for Climate Impact and Action (CLIMACT), and will have access to the multi-institutional experimental platform for limnological research LéXPLORE, located on Lake Geneva near EPFL.

We seek applicants with acknowledged research expertise on physical processes in inland surface waters and their response to natural and anthropogenic impacts. Particularly welcome are candidates with research interests that include the impacts of climate change on aquatic environments. We also encourage applications from candidates whose research vision encompasses the quantitative interdisciplinary connections between physical, chemical and biological processes that contribute to ecosystem services provided by lakes and other inland water bodies. The appointee is expected to lead an internationally recognized research program in physical limnology that leverages the opportunities offered by EPFL. The professor will be committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate level teaching, and will contribute to the Environmental Engineering program, which emphasizes basic and translational research as the foundation for environmental adaptation and engineering design.

EPFL, with its main campus located in Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva, is a dynamically growing and well-funded institution fostering excellence and diversity. It is well equipped with experimental and computational infrastructure, and offers a fertile environment for research collaboration between various disciplines. The EPFL environment is multilingual and multicultural, with English serving as a common interface. EPFL offers internationally competitive start-up resources, salaries and benefits.

The following documents are requested in PDF format: cover letter including a statement of motivation, curriculum vitae, publication list, concise statements of research and teaching interests (up to 5 pages for each) as well as the names and contact information of three referees who are ready to supply a letter upon request. Applications should be uploaded to the EPFL recruitment web site. Formal evaluation of the applications will begin on January 1, 2022.

Further enquiries should be made to:
Prof. Fernando Porté-Agel
Chair of the Search Committee
e-mail:

For additional information on EPFL, please consult here. EPFL is an equal opportunity employer and a family friendly university, committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Postdoc in Water Isotope Modeling, Clouds and Climate Change - Rice University

The Climate & Water Lab in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University invites applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the field of climate modeling with a specialization in water isotope physics, clouds, and climate change. The position requires a strong background in climate science & modeling, as well as with remote sensing products. Experience in numerical/statistical and geospatial modeling is required, and experience running CAM5/6 and/or CESM is preferred. Candidates will be expected to contribute positively to the diversity of the department through outreach or other means. Both domestic and international applicants are welcome. A Ph.D. is required at the time of appointment.

This NASA-funded project is supported for up to two years, pending satisfactory progress during the first year, and covers an annual stipend of $60,000 with a benefits package and an additional annual discretionary research allowance of $3,500. The principal selection criteria are scientific excellence, a clearly expressed research plan aligning with the scientific topic, and a commitment to fostering diversity in their field of research.

Applicants are required to submit:

A current CV, including a list of publications
A brief synopsis of the applicant’s doctoral dissertation (no longer than one page).
A brief diversity statement that explains the applicants’ interest in, experience with, and/or planned commitment to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their field of research (no longer than one page)
A concise research proposal (no longer than 1 page, including figures, excluding references) describing the applicant’s research interests, and how it prepares the applicant for the proposed work.

Documents should be submitted as a single PDF file to Dr. Sylvia Dee ( ). In addition, letters of reference should be submitted by 2-3 referees to the same email address. Appointment may begin anytime after 1 January 2022. For further information or questions contact .

Rice University is located in Houston, Texas, and is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian university that aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world. Rice fulfills this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor. Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Postdoc position: Improving forecast of water quality in deep-perialpine lakes - Université Savoie Mont-Blanc

Project description: Numerical process-based lake models are powerful tools to simulate processes occurring in aquatic ecosystems and to question the future of lakes. In this regard, one dimensional models have been widely implemented over that last years1–3, but most of these models are calibrated and validated against very few years of limnological records, potentially limiting the robustness in long-term reconstructions and preventing inclusion of future scenarios. To analysis the variability and the effects of climate change on ecological dynamics of deep hardwater lakes, the successful candidate will rely on the Aquatic Ecodynamics model (AED) and on pluri-decadal series of limnological data collected by the French Observatoire des LAcs (OLA). Model simulation will be further validated with published paleolimnological records of oxygen conditions4,5, primary productivity and algal communities for the past 300 years. Altogether, the 1D model approach will help at anticipating the future of the water quality of Lake Annecy at the horizon 2100. As part of the “Plan Lac 2030” around Lake Annecy, the project will seek more specifically to transfer knowledge from model simulations to lake managers to anticipate future changes in Lake Annecy; to use the results as a means of preventing, sufficiently early and through sustainable management, critical changes in water quality as well as in biodiversity and the goods and services that depend on it.

Expected results:

Lake model simulating water quality dynamics for Lake Annecy and long-term forecast for trends in water quality at the horizon 2100.
Improved validation strategies of 1D model approaches based on long-term limnological and paleolimnological records
Recommendations for lake managers

Host institution: The INRAE CARRTEL Center, Technolac, Bourget du lac, France, is a leading limnological institute with a large, diverse and welcoming community of researchers, students, and support staff. CARRTEL contributes to the understanding of how human and climate change affect fundamental resources and ecological functions within lake systems and their watersheds, and how this affects ecosystem services like food, drinking water, biodiversity, maintenance of aquatic fauna and flora, water flow regulation, transfer and sequestration of nutrient or pollutants. CARRTEL has two locations: Technolac campus near Lake Bourget (URL), and a limnological station near Lake Geneva. At the institution level, various in-house technical groups will support the project. In Technolac, the project will be supported by shared analytical platforms, with computing facilities including a shared storage capacity raid and the MUST High Performance Computer cluster. The successeful candidate will be fully integrated into the institute, and benefit from full participation in various interactions facilitated by seminar programs, discussion groups and lab meetings, as well as monthly interdisciplinary keynotes given by high-profile researchers.

Specific requirements

The candidate must hold a PhD’s Thesis
Technical Skills required: Excellent programming skills in typical scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, R, etc.). Willingness to face complex modelling problems. Experience in AED 1D Ecological dynamic model. Ability with mathematics and statistics are essential. Basic knowledge about ecological processes affecting water quality in lakes.
Proficiency in the English language is required, as well as good communication skills, both oral and written.

Conditions

Funder: Syndicat Mixte du Lac d'Annecy (SILA)
Duration: Fulltime employment contract for 18 months, with possibility of extension
Deadline for application: December 15, 2021
Start of contract: January 2022
Supervisor: Dr Jean-Philippe JENNY (INRAE)
Co-Supervisor: Dr Victor FROSSARD (USMB)

Enquires: for additional information on this project, please contact Dr Jean-Philippe JENNY

PhD student openings - University of Rochester

The Ice Core and Atmospheric Chemistry Lab at the University of Rochester has openings for up to 2 hard-working and enthusiastic PhD students.

One of the available projects focuses on improved quantification of natural geologic emissions of methane. Methane is an important greenhouse gas, and its emissions are imperfectly understood, with natural geologic emissions (natural gas seeps, mud volcanoes and microseepage) being highly uncertain. Further, large uncertainties in natural geologic emissions make it more difficult to accurately estimate our methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction and use. This project would involve fieldwork in several hydrocarbon basins in the western US and extensive analysis of new and prior data to provide more accurate estimates of geologic methane emissions. This project is collaborative between the research groups of Profs. Vas Petrenko and Thomas Weber. The following experience and qualifications are desirable: strong mathematical preparation, coding experience, all-weather outdoor experience (e.g., hiking, backpacking), GIS, field geology, work with analytical instrumentation, strong communication skills. For further information, please contact Vas Petrenko at vasilii.petrenko@rochester.edu. For information on applying to the graduate program at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Rochester please see here.
We are also seeking applicants for a project that would involve a collaboration between the Earth and Environmental Sciences and Physics and Astronomy departments at the University of Rochester. This project will seek to improve our understanding of past variability in the galactic cosmic ray flux. Cosmic rays originating from outside of our solar system constantly bombard the Earth, producing nuclides such as Carbon-14 and Beryllium-10 in the atmosphere and in surface materials. Measurements of these nuclides in ice cores and near-surface rocks have been used to study important climate processes and parameters such as solar variability and ice sheet dynamics. In order to fully interpret cosmogenic nuclide measurements, the history of the galactic cosmic ray flux must be known. This project will seek to improve our understanding of this history via measurements of Carbon-14 in Antarctic ice cores. The following experience and qualifications are desirable: strong preparation in physics and mathematics, coding experience, cold-weather outdoor experience (e.g., hiking, skiing), strong communication skills. Interested students may apply to either the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (contact Vas Petrenko at vasilii.petrenko@rochester.edu with questions) or the department of Physics and Astronomy (contact Segev BenZvi at sbenzvi@ur.rochester.edu) depending on their preference.

Managing Director position - COLDEX STC, Oregon State University

The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences is seeking a Managing Director for the COLDEX NSF Science and Technology Center. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

This position provides financial and administrative management of the newly created Center for Oldest Ice Exploration, (COLDEX) a Science and Technology Center (STC) funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and headquartered in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University (OSU). COLDEX is a multi-institution collaboration to explore Antarctica for the oldest possible polar ice samples and analyze those samples to understand the evolution of Earth’s climate system. It will also create and deliver novel educational and professional development programs for teachers, faculty and early career scientists, develop and implement programs to diversify polar science and transfer scientific knowledge to stakeholders and the public.

The Managing Director will play a key role in managing all COLDEX activities including budget & fiscal operations, project planning and reporting, coordinating project meetings and activities, establishing internal processes and controls, and other management functions related to center activities. The Managing Director will also represent the Center at annual meetings of NSF STC directors and interact with other STC managing directors and NSFstaff. The managing director will report to the Center Director and will work closely with other COLDEX Staff, OSU faculty members & students involved in the Center, and faculty and staff at the 14 collaborating institutions. The managing director will support and provide strategic advice and input to the COLDEX executive committee on all decisions regarding Center directions and activities. The Managing Director will act as the Center liaison to other administrative units at Oregon State University, including the Office for Sponsored Research and Award Administration, the Controller’s Unit, and the Procurement Office.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. To apply see posting number P04915UF at here, under Academic Teaching/Research and Administrative/Professional Faculty. For more information about the position contact Ed Brook, .

Education Director position - COLDEX STC, Oregon State University

The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences is seeking an Education Director for the COLDEX NSF Science and Technology Center. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

This position supports the newly created Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX), a Science and Technology Center (STC) funded by the US National Science Foundation and headquartered in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. COLDEX is a multi-institution collaboration to explore Antarctica for the oldest possible polar ice samples and analyze those samples to understand the evolution of Earth’s climate system. It will also create and deliver novel educational and professional development programs for teachers, faculty and early career scientists (including undergraduate and graduate students), develop and implement programs to improve equity, inclusion, and diversity in polar science and transfer scientific knowledge to stakeholders and the public.

The Director of Education will provide overall management of COLDEX educational programs including facilitating programs delivered by partner institutions, recruiting students and post docs, managing the COLDEX research experience for undergraduates (REU) program (including tracking student progress, advising students in the REU program, and facilitating successful student-mentor relationships), providing training in research practices and skills, ethical conduct of research, and other academic skills for undergraduates. The Director for Education will also communicate with COLDEX participants and external stakeholders about educational activities, track progress toward COLDEX educational goals, contribute to annual and other progress reports, and participate in organizing and delivering COLDEX meetings and workshops.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. To apply, see posting number P04916UF at here, under Academic Teaching/Research and Administrative/Professional Faculty, or click link. For more information about the position contact Ed Brook, .

Nine NSF-funded graduate student positions in Antarctic Oldest Ice Exploration and Analysis - Oregon State University

The Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) is looking for nine motivated graduate students to join our multi-disciplinary team effort to search for the oldest ice on planet Earth. COLDEX is a multi-institution collaboration to explore Antarctica for the oldest possible polar ice core samples and analyze those samples to better understand the past and future of Earth’s climate system. The graduate research projects include airborne and ground-based geophysical exploration of Antarctica, Antarctic ice flow modeling, geochemical analysis of old (> 1 million years) ice core samples, and the transfer of scientific knowledge to stakeholders and the public. Participation in Antarctic field work is possible, but not required.

As an interdisciplinary team that values good mentoring, COLDEX strives to maintain a collaborative, inclusive, and equitable team culture, and is committed to broadening participation of people from identities historically minoritized in the polar sciences. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer, People with Disabilities, First-generation, or other identities minoritized in the sciences.

A description of the nine positions and application instructions can be found here. COLDEX hosts weekly graduate student information hours via ZOOM to answer any questions you may have. Applicants are further encouraged to email the contact person for the position of interest for more information. GRE scores are not needed to apply. The nine projects are hosted at the University of Washington (3), University of California San Diego (2), University of California Irvine (1), Oregon State University (1), University of Texas at Austin (1), and University of Minnesota (1). More information about COLDEX can be found at here.

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Opportunities in Greenland Ice Sheet Change and Paleoclimatology - University at Buffalo & University of Washington

starting Summer or Fall 2022

GRate – Integrating data and modeling to quantify rates of Greenland Ice Sheet change, Holocene to future

We are seeking to hire a cohort of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to join our interdisciplinary team to understand the spatial patterns and processes controlling past, present, and future Greenland Ice Sheet change. This NSF-funded project is a continuation of our collaboration established through the Snow-On-Ice project, and will use a combination of paleoclimate proxy record generation, proxy data synthesis, modeling and data assimilation, and ice sheet modeling. There are opportunities to participate in outreach activities. We are looking for highly motivated scholars with excellent communication skills in English (written and oral), and with experience with, or a strong interest in developing skills in, numerical modeling and scientific programming skills. We encourage candidates from groups underrepresented in the geosciences (including, but not limited to, black, indigenous, and people of color) to apply; we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.

If you’re interested in applying to join our team, contact the following project investigators regarding specific project aspects:

Field - work on Greenland, paleoclimate proxy records, and proxy system modeling: Elizabeth Thomas, University at Buffalo,
Ice - sheet modeling: Sophie Nowicki, University at Buffalo,
Geospatial - analysis: Jason Briner, University at Buffalo,
Paleoclimate - modeling and data assimilation, proxy system modeling: Eric Steig ( ) and Greg Hakim ( ), University of Washington

News & Events

20th Swiss Climate Summer School - Extreme weather and climate: from atmospheric processes to impacts on ecosystems and society

28 August - 2 September 2022, Grindelwald, Switzerland, for more details, click here.

Swiss Climate Research, the network of leading Swiss institutions in climate research and education, invites young scientists (PhD students and postdocs) to join high-profile climate researchers in a scenic Swiss Alpine setting for keynote lectures, workshops and poster sessions on the occasion of the 20th Swiss Climate Summer School 2022. Deadline for applications: 16 January 2022

Scope - always with a focus on extreme weather and climate, specific topics include:

Introduction: the atmospheric perspective and the impacts perspective
Atmospheric processes and statistical concepts
Impacts of extreme events on ecosystems, humans and society
Why should we care?

Lecturers for keynotes and workshops (confirmed)

Claus Beisbart (U Bern, CH); Stefan Brem (BABS, CH); David Bresch (ETH Zurich, CH); Stefan Brönnimann (U Bern, CH); Erich Fischer (ETH Zurich, CH); Jörg Franke (U Bern, CH), Katja Frieler (PIK Potsdam, D); Thomas Frölicher (U Bern, CH); Rebecca Morss (UCAR/NCAR Boulder, USA); Christian Otto (PIK Potsdam, D); Christoph C. Raible (U Bern, CH); Olivia Romppainen-Martius (U Bern, CH); Alexander Ruane (NASA GISS, USA); Sonia I. Seneviratne (ETH Zurich, CH); Thomas F. Stocker (U Bern, CH).

Participation is highly competitive and will be limited to a maximum of 70. The registration fee (1300 CHF) includes half board accommodation, excursion and teaching material. Detailed information and the application form are available at here.