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EES NEWSLETTER

WEEK OF AUGUST 22, 2023

EES 5010 GEOSCIENCE SEMINAR 8/25/2023 – 3:30PM, 125 TROWBRIDGE HALL

WELCOME BACK TO OUR NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS!

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED BY DR. DAVID PEATE, EES DEO

REMINDERS:

Last day to change existing registration on MYUI without authorization - 8/21 – 27
Last day to add without dean's approval - 9/1
Last day to change existing registration - 9/1
Last day to drop without a 'W' - 9/1
Last day for late registrations - undergrad & grad - 9/1
Office closed Labor Day - 9/4 (University holiday)
Degree application deadline - 9/29

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Congratulations to the following faculty and students for their outstanding accomplishments and awards:

Faculty

Emily Finzel, Associate Professor: New Grant, Characterizing surface-mantle interactions in deepwater turbiditic successions, northern and central Apennines, Italy, sponsored by US National Science Foundation - $502,351
Jessica Meyer, Assistant Professor: New Contract, Preliminary shallow pump and treat system performance assessment and update of site discrete fracture network matrix models to support evaluation of plume front retardation, sponsored by Hydrite Chemical Co. - $110,000
Bill McClelland, Professor: New Grant, Bedrock Geologic Mapping of the Western Phillip Smith Mountains A-1 NW Quadrangle, Brooks Range, Alaska, sponsored by US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey - $35,000

Students

Nathan Platt (PhD Candidate): received the Rodney M. Feldmann Award Student Research Grant from the Paleontological Society for summer research - $1200
Samuel Hudziak (PhD Candidate):
NASA summer internship through Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Parameterization of Digital Terrain Models for Lunar Analog Simulations
NASA Exploration Science Forum (NESF) 2023 - poster presentation "Sharpening our Tools: Building Landers-Scale Synthetic DEMs Using Analogs to Prepare for Exploration at the Lunar South Pole"
link: https://sservi.nasa.gov/nesf2023/posters/stephen-scheidt-sharpening-our-tools-building-lander-scale-synthetic-dems-using-analogs-to-prepare-for-exploration-at-the-lunar-south-pole
Invited traveler: Team member of NASA's Augmented Reality Data Visualization Analog Research Campaign (ARDVARC) expedition to Flagstaff, Arizona
Invited traveler: Team member of NASA's Goddard Instrument Field Team (GIFT) expedition to Long Valley, California
GSA Lipman Research Award from the Howard and Jean Lipman Foundation on my proposal for “Constraining the age and stratigraphic correlation of the Saunders Ash, Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand”.
Trent Olson (PhD Candidate):
Samuel Calvin Award for Outstanding PhD Student (EES Department Award)
Lipman Research Award from the Geological Society of America
Nathanael Kilburg (MS Candidate): Lipman Research Award from the Geological Society of America - $2500
Samson Bruxvoort (MS Candidate): 2023 Geological Society of America Student Research Grant

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

UNDERGRADUATE/ENTRY LEVEL

TWO PH.D. RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS IN GEOCHEMISTRY, WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY - MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

We have openings for two fully funded Ph.D. positions in IsoBioGeM Lab at the Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University. We are interested in recruiting enthusiastic students interested in working on projects related to the water-gas-rock interactions in subsurface hydrogen and carbon storage systems, and critical minerals extraction from shale and coal. The students will work closely with other members of IsoBioGeM Lab, WVU Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research and have opportunities to collaborate with researchers at DOE’s National Energy Technology Lab.

WVU is a R1 research land grant University located within 90 minutes of Pittsburgh and 3.5 hours from the Washington DC/Baltimore area. Morgantown has been recognized as one of the most livable small cities in the U.S.

For more information, please contact Professor Shikha Sharma at shikha.sharma@mail.wvu.edu

MS/PHD OPPORTUNITIES IN COASTAL, RIVER, AND ICE PROCESSES, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS - FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS, uaf.edu/cfos) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seeking 1-2 MSc or PhD student(s) (research assistant) to join an exciting new lab—led by Dr. Steven Dykstra—focused on the physical and geomorphic processes of coasts, deltas/estuaries, and rivers. The funded opportunity includes a competitive stipend, paid tuition, and benefits. In addition to classes, students will learn skills in conducting fieldwork, timeseries analysis, analytical modeling, and communication. For more information see https://findajob.agu.org/job/8021280/ms-phd-assistantships-in-coastal-river-and-ice-processes/ and to apply, send a one-page letter of motivation, a CV, and contact information for 3 references to sdykstra@alaska.edu. Application reviews will begin August 21 and continued on a rolling basis.

MS STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP, GEOPHYSICS, MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY - SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI

Kevin Mickus at Missouri State University is seeking a MS candidate to work on gravity and magnetic data from Iraq. This is a 12 month funded position for 2 years. The MS degree at MSU is Geography and Geology with a Geology Emphasis. The student must take at least 3 GIS type courses in addition to other geology/geophysics courses. The position could start in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024. If interested, contact kevinmickus@missouristate.edu

PROFESSIONAL/POST-GRAD

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN GEOCHEMISTRY, WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY - MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

We seek a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the IsoBioGeM Lab in the Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University. The successful candidate will work on modeling rock-fluid-gas interactions in subsurface systems using a combination of geochemistry and reactive transport modeling approaches. The candidate will have a Ph.D. in geochemistry, earth sciences, or a related field. They should have expertise in geochemical modeling, reactive transport modeling, and a strong understanding of rock-fluid-gas interactions and transport mechanisms in subsurface systems. Experience with geochemical modeling softwares such as GWB, PHREEQC, Tough family code or MOOSE, and programming skills in Python, MATLAB, etc. is required. The holder of this position will be a key associate of the WVU Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research and have opportunities to collaborate with DOE’s National Energy Technology Lab.

WVU is a R1 research land grant University located within 90 minutes of Pittsburgh and 3.5 hours from the DC/Baltimore area and has been recognized as one of the most livable small cities in the U.S.

For more information, please contact Professor Shikha Sharma at shikha.sharma@mail.wvu.edu

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/CLIMATE SCIENCE, TENURE-TRACK POSITION (START FALL 2024), GRINNELL COLLEGE

GRINNELL COLLEGE - GRINELL, IOWA

The Environmental Studies program at Grinnell College invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in climate science beginning Fall 2024. Assistant Professor (Ph.D.) preferred; Associate Professor possible. We seek to hire a broadly trained earth scientist who studies climate change. Possible areas of specialization include, but are not limited to: atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, climate modeling, hydrology, glaciology, paleoclimatology, and oceanography. Teaching responsibilities will include an introductory geoscience course, an intermediate-level course in climate science, an upper-level elective in the candidate’s area of specialization, and the Environmental Studies senior seminar. The candidate is expected to develop an active research program involving undergraduate students.

For more details and application instructions, go to https://jobs.grinnell.edu. Deadline October 1, 2023. Questions about this search should be directed to the search chair, Professor Andrew Graham, at ClimateSearch@grinnell.edu or 641-269-3169. EEO. Background check required.

TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, BATES COLLEGE

BATES COLLEGE - LEWISTON, MAINE

The Program in Environmental Studies (ES) at Bates College seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in environmental science to begin August 2024. The new faculty member will join ongoing cross-STEM initiatives in inclusive pedagogy and curricular renovation. We are especially interested in individuals trained in environmental science who are comfortable working with other natural scientists as well as with social scientists and humanists. FMI and to apply, please see https://apply.interfolio.com/130443

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY - BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

The Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley invites applications for an Assistant Professor Faculty position with an expected start date of July 1, 2024.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Apply Link: https://apptrkr.com/4495949

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The EES Department newsletter is published every Tuesday during the academic year, outside of semester breaks. If you would like to add an event, club meeting, or other item of interest, please submit an email to geology@uiowa.edu, with the subject heading "Newsletter item," on Fridays by noon, and your submission will be added to the following Tuesday's newsletter.