EES NEWSLETTER
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5, 2024
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CANDIDATE TALKS THIS WEEK
EJ Candidate - Tuesday, November 5, 3:30 - 4:30PM, PBB S121 (Pappajohn Business Building)
EJ Candidate - Friday, November 8, 3:30 - 4:30PM, TH 125 (Trowbridge Hall)
REMINDERS
- Early Registration - Winter ‘24 & Spring ‘25: 11/11 - 11/30
- Single Thesis Deposit Due By 5pm Cst: 12/9
- Close Of Classes: 12/13
- Final Exam Week: 12/16 -12/20
EES / GSS CANDIDATE MEET AND GREETS
Student Commons (109 TH) will be temporarily closed on the following dates and times for ESS and GSS grad students to meet with faculty candidates. Students are encouraged to
11/7/2024: 3:15 – 4:00PM - Environmental Justice Faculty Candidate
11/11/2024: 2:30 – 3:15PM - Environmental Geophysics Faculty Candidate
11/14/2024: 9 – 9:45AM - Environmental Geophysics Faculty Candidate
11/18/2024: 9:45 – 10:30AM - Environmental Geophysics Faculty Candidate
11/22/2024: 1:30 – 2:15PM - Environmental Geophysics Faculty Candidate
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH EES
ENVS:3230: Special Topics: Prairie Restoration students and their instructor, Mike Fallon, have been involved in a prairie restoration project in West Burlington.
This fall, he and his class of 25 students joined IISC’s partnership with the city of West Burlington to create a pollinator garden. They visited the city three times to tour potential sites, meet with local experts and city staff, and, finally, to plant 400 native plants at Pat Klein Park.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
UNDERGRAD/ENTRY LEVEL
MASTERS OPPORTUNITY IN GEOLOGIC MAPPING & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - TOWSON UNIVERSITY - TOWSON, MD
Interested in working with the Maryland Geologic Survey and contributing to the state geologic map, while pursuing a funded MS in Environmental Science at Towson University?
We are seeking a self-motivated student to conduct a research and geologic mapping project focusing on the Conowingo Quadrangle in northeast Maryland, starting August 2025.
Advised by Dr. George Guice, your research and mapping project will help you to develop skills in field geology, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, economic geology and tectonics, as well as gaining an understanding of Appalachian geology. You will be trained in modern geologic mapping techniques and rock preparation skills, and use several analytical methods, including: scanning electron microscopy; X-Ray fluorescence; and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
By the end of the program, you will have produced a 1:24,000 scale geologic map of the Conowingo Dam area, which will form a major part of your masters thesis. You will also work alongside Maryland Geologic Survey (MGS) geologist Rebecca Kavage-Adams and have the opportunity to interact with other MGS geologists, as well as scientists at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to your project, you will take a small number of Environmental Science classes of your choice.
**Please note that this funded opportunity is contingent upon successful funding from the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) EDMAP program. Confirmation of successful or unsuccessful funding from EDMAP will be received in May 2025. The annual stipend is expected to be ~$20-21k and you will not pay tuition.**
Your qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in geology, geoscience, earth science or related degree (if you are scheduled to graduate in Spring 2025, you are very welcome to apply!);
- Prior fieldwork experience.
- Skills in Mineralogy, Petrology and Structural Geology.
- Strong motivation and organization skills.
Desirable qualifications:
- Prior experience with ARC-GIS and/or graphics software (e.g., Inkscape; Illustrator; CorelDRAW).
A note on working in the field:
Fieldwork may involve: walking and climbing over rough and/or steep terrain; exposure to inclement weather; and possible encounters with wild animals, briars, poison ivy, biting and stinging insects. The successful candidate will be provided with appropriate PPE and receive training from MGS geologists.
To apply:
Send a CV, cover letter and copy of your unofficial university transcript (including classes taken and grade) to Dr. George Guice (GGUICE@TOWSON.EDU) by 1st December 2024. Please include the names and email addresses of 2 academic references in your CV.
Please note that the successful applicant will need to formally apply to the MS Environmental Science program (application fee: $50), but this should only be done after being notified that they are our preferred candidate.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact George Guice (GGUICE@TOWSON.EDU).
The Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science Residency Program in the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is looking for graduates with Earth and space science backgrounds (geology, mineralogy, paleontology, oceanography, astronomy, environmental geology, and more) who want to make a difference in the world of STEM education. This teaching fellowship combines coursework, mentoring, and real-world experience to prepare Earth and space science graduates for rewarding careers as culturally responsive middle and high school teachers.
All degree candidates will receive free tuition, books, and a $40,000 stipend towards the cost of living. In return, candidates commit to teaching in a high-needs school for three years.
With a sole focus on preparing new Earth science teachers, the program is a full-time, 15-month Master's degree program that takes place at the Museum and in urban partner schools. We seek a student body with a passion for social justice and diverse life and career experiences.
We are currently accepting applicants for the class that will begin in June 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to attend an Information Session or to contact us for more information. For questions, you can contact the program office directly at mat@amnh.org or (212) 313-7464.
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at Purdue University is looking for enthusiastic and self-motivated graduate students for a variety of research projects in Geology and Geophysics, Planetary, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences. As a multidisciplinary department within the College of Science, EAPS draws students from a variety of STEM backgrounds. Students with demonstrated academic and research excellence are invited to explore research opportunities at http://www.eaps.purdue.edu/gradresearch. Well qualified prospective graduate student candidates who are being considered for admission will be invited to attend our Graduate Student Expo, February 21 – 22, 2025. We believe diversity makes our department stronger and our science better, and so we proudly encourage students from underrepresented or minoritized groups to apply or simply contact us to learn more about our program by emailing Emjai Gregory at egregor@purdue.edu.
We are seeking a graduate student for an NSF-funded project to examine the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in Antarctica through sediment coring and surface sampling. The project is led by Dr. Tom Tobin and Dr. Becky Totten, both in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama, as well as collaborators at other institutions around the country.
The position will be funded (stipend, tuition waiver, benefits) by a mix of GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) and GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistant) support, and students may be eligible for internal fellowship awards. We are looking for a student to enroll in Fall 2025, and participate in field work planned for Spring 2026. Specific research areas include sedimentology, sedimentary and invertebrate geochemistry, and micropaleontology.
More information, including a form to express interest in the position, are available at: https://ttobin.people.ua.edu/csi-antarctica.html
PROFESSIONAL / POST-GRAD
LABORATORY COORDINATOR, PHYSICS - UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO - RENO, NV (CLOSING DATE: 11/8/24)
The Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno is seeking applications for a Laboratory Coordinator position. This position coordinates research activities and academic outreach at the Shock Wave Laboratories within the SAGE and Leifson Physics buildings and is the primary supervisor of the launch systems at the Shock Wave Laboratories. Technical support for research is also provided through conceptualization, design, drawing, fabrication, installation, and operation of apparatus, lab equipment, machinery, vacuum systems, parts and components. Position supervises, assigns work, monitors work progress and reviews/assesses completed work of assigned staff. This position oversees lab safety, equipment maintenance and facility needs. Position reports to the PI for the Shock Wave Laboratories within the Physics Department, Richard Kraus.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and two years of related work experience OR Master’s degree and one year of related experience
Related experience: Engineering/technical experience in a teaching, research or clinical laboratory
Schedule or Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required
EEO/AA. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP
LAND LAW EXAMINER ASSISTANT - MINERALS MANAGEMENT - GEOCORPS AMERIC - LAKEWOOD, CO
Two GeoCorps participants will work closely with Land Law Examiners at the BLM Colorado State Office to review and process a range of solid mineral cases for accuracy and completeness. The participant will aid BLM staff in performing a variety of independent case actions in the following areas: leases and permits, mining claims, and related activities. Workflows and ongoing projects will focus on cases related to locatable minerals (such as gold, silver, etc.). Project work includes, but is not limited to, administrative tasks, GIS work, legal description verification, ascertaining legal clarifications, and providing information in response to public inquiries. This position will require office work, analytical skills, the ability to utilize GIS effectively, and the ability to demonstrate good public relation skills/experience. Applicant experience and/or objectives related to legal studies, geography, GIS, mining, economic geology, or a similar field is preferred among candidates. This project is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps™ America Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management.
Primary responsibilities include assisting BLM Land Law Examiners in the following areas:
- Collecting data related to land or mining cases
- Assisting with work that determines the accuracy and proper execution of claims and qualifications of applicants for legal rights requested
- Assisting BLM staff in tasks related to adjudicating routine lands, mining, and/or mineral leasing applications
- Providing information or assistance with drafting basic adjudication decisions
- Utilizing data systems to collect, enter, assess, update and maintain data
- Helping others to review and process a full range of lands and minerals cases
- Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
- Two GeoCorps participants will assist with ongoing work in the following areas based on the State Office’s current workflow needs. The participants may work on the following, in no particular order:
- Help with data entry for new claims in the Mine Land Reclamation System (MLRS).
- Assist with GIS-related tasks for Legal Land Determinations associated with new mining claims.
- Help identify and work on special-need areas (i.e., mining claims under Public Law 359).
- Help with tasks to support adjudicating, verifying, and filing records related to mining claim maintenance fees, including updates to casefile records.
- Help pull receipts to update mining claim maintenance fee admin and casefile records.
- Assist with mailing notifications to claimants of record.
- Assist with fulfilling return receipt requests/mailings around key deadlines during the year.
- Help staff prepare follow-up notifications related to maintenance fees.
- Assist with tasks related to basic adjudication filings to help improve their completion time.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be adept at analytical thinking, reading, and will demonstrate an ability to translate these skills to tasks like interpreting legal documents and communicating with others. The candidate should have the ability to utilize GIS effectively and demonstrate good public relation skills/experience. The candidate must be detail-oriented and may have an interest in, or exposure to, education or experience in law and policy. Any experience or background that provides familiarity or experience dealing with laws, rules, regulations, procedures, etc. is helpful. The ability and desire to work up to a year is ideal, and not just the minimum 12 weeks. The training for this position presents a learning curve, so being able to work for a longer period of time is much more advantageous to all parties.
The ideal candidate may also demonstrate strengths in the following areas:
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Information management
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem or puzzle solving skills
- Writing
- Reasoning
- External awareness
Other helpful qualifications might include:
- Experience, educational background, and/or objectives related to legal studies, geography, GIS, mining, economic geology, or a similar field. Training or coursework in geology, surveying, GIS, and/or legal studies is an asset.
- Background with public interaction and report writing would be helpful.
- Work experience outside of academia is preferred (work experience does not need to be geology-related and should be practical; examples include working at a restaurant, store, front desk, mailroom, rideshare or delivery service, or another business).
- Background in GIS and file management.
- Past participants have typically included recent graduates from either bachelor's or master's degree programs.
- Ability to work well individually, as part of a team, and with the general public.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, the participant will need to pass a background check with either the host agency, GSA’s staffing partner, or both.
Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable): Driving is not considered necessary for project-related duties. Should the need for offsite work arise, a government vehicle will be available to the individual for work-related purposes only, after successful completion of defensive driving training, which will also be provided by the agency. Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and a good driving record in order to drive a government vehicle. A personal vehicle is recommended for commuting, personal errands, and recreation in the surrounding area.
Position Dates: Start date ASAP from October 2024 forward.
Position Duration: 52 weeks (with a minimum trial or probationary period of 12 weeks)
Hourly Wage: $20.00/hour
Housing Details: The participant will be responsible for finding their own housing. A personal vehicle is recommended for commuting, personal errands, and recreation in the surrounding area.
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact GSA's GeoCorps managers. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please direct them to the contact(s) listed in the project description. Remember, application materials can only be submitted online. The project contact(s) will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full program details at the GeoCorps homepage.
PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Lesley Petrie
Education and Outreach Program Coordinator
3300 Penrose Place
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 357-1097
lpetrie@geosociety.org
SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Matthew Dawson
Assistant Director, GSA Center of Professional Excellence
3300 Penrose Place
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 357-1025
mdawson@geosociety.org
STEMSEAS IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A CRUISE IN 2025
STEMSEAS aims to provide ship-based, 6-10 day exploratory experiences for undergraduates from diverse backgrounds aboard NSF-funded research vessels. Students will sail with experienced faculty and graduate student near-peer mentors, and engage in geoscience and oceanography activities (while also having fun)!
For students specifically interested in the marine technician field, we are now accepting applications for this special expedition.
When: February 1-9, 2025
Where: Honolulu
Ship: R/V Sikuliaq
Deadline: November 20, 2024
Application Process: To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or over and enrolled in an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university. The application includes:
- A completed application form
- A copy of your latest unofficial transcript
- A recommendation from a professor, adviser or employer (current or former)
About the selection process: We select participants for cruises in the order they occur in the calendar. We will contact you for an interview 8-10 weeks prior to a cruise if you are a finalist. If you do not hear from us, then you are not selected for that cruise. But we will continue to consider your application for each cruise for which you’ve indicated you are available. Contact us privately with any specific questions!
2025 UNOLS-MATE MARINE TECHNICAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN:
The U.S. Academic Research Fleet of UNOLS-designated research ships will host 1 long-term (approximately 6 months) and 12-14 short-term (2-12 weeks each) marine technical internships in 2025. Departure dates will depend on the schedule of each research cruise. We will first select candidates for internships starting in Winter, Spring, and then in Summer and Fall. Applications will stay on file the entire year until all positions have been filled.
The selected interns will work with marine technicians and other crew members on shore and at sea and learn how to operate and maintain a variety of scientific and navigational equipment in support of shipboard scientific research. The program will pay a stipend of $600 per week plus airfare, lodging and other approved travel expenses. Interns will work, eat, and sleep aboard the research vessel, and be provided lodging and a meal plan off ship as needed. Internship projects will vary from one hosting organization to another and correspond to the objectives set by each specific cruise mission. Shipboard sleeping arrangements vary vessel to vessel. Previous interns have worked on cruises to support science projects ranging from chemical oceanography to marine biology, seafloor mapping surveys, geological studies, ROV missions, and much more! Many successful internships have resulted in job offers. Please email Maria Osiadacz, Program Manager, maria@unols.org, with questions about the program and life aboard research vessels.
To apply, read the requirements listed below, prepare your documents and complete the online application
Requirements:
· Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. permanent residents.
· A valid U.S. passport is required for internships that require international travel.
· Applicants must be enrolled in or a recent graduate from an accredited higher education institution in the U.S.
· Applicants should be interested in the field of Marine Technology in support of oceanographic research.
· Previous time at sea is not required, but highly desirable. Being on a multi-week research cruise is not a good time to learn you are not able to manage motion sickness.
· Applicants may be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and be tested before boarding the ship.
Required references and supporting documents (in PDF or Word format only):
· Contact information for three (3) professional references.
· Your most current professional resume.
· A letter of recommendation from an instructor or a supervisor, preferably someone who has knowledge of your technical skills. If your professional reference prefers to submit a letter directly to the Program Manager, please share this link with them: 2025 UNOLS-MATE Internship Recommendation Form
RESEARCH
Positions are available for two MS-level projects and one Ph.D. project in the Graduate Program in Environmental Science (https://www.esf.edu/envscience/gpes/) at SUNY ESF starting in the Summer of 2025. These projects seek to improve our ability to measure and model how climate change and the increase in extreme weather events will influence the hydrology of forested watersheds in the Northeastern United States. This work is part of a larger collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Forest Service, integrating sensor-based soil moisture measurements with modeling and remote sensing to better understand soil moisture dynamics in forested watersheds under climate change in order to improve forest management operations.
The project, based at the at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, provides opportunities to work within an interdisciplinary team of soil scientists and hydrologists from the USDA Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The project will feature a combination of field, laboratory, and modeling analysis with an expectation of extended visits to the field site throughout the duration of the study. Below are brief summaries of the individual projects:
MS Project 1: Focused on characterizing the dynamics of infiltration and water flow. This student will be responsible for conducting site characterization of the study locations, installing additional site monitoring instrumentation, and constructing a site conceptual model details (i) the partitioning of water among the canopy, vadose zone, and saturated zone and (ii) the timing and magnitude of water fluxes from these respective storages.
MS Project 2: Focused on using LiDAR data to create maps of soil moisture at different spatial and temporal resolutions. The student will be responsible for (i) installation of plot-based LIDAR sensors and managing data collection and storage, (ii) characterization of study plot vegetation and canopy characteristics (tree species, dbh, height, biomass), and understory plants (species, density), (iii) collection and display of LIDAR data for interpretation of tree distribution and microtopography characteristics. This student will be focused on downscaling soil moisture data from the finest resolution attainable by our on-site sensors to lower resolution (i.e. satellite) data sets, examining how downscaling can influence soil moisture estimates for a given pixel.
PhD Project 1: The PhD graduate student will be responsible for assisting the MS Student 1 installing field instrumentation, as well as constructing a numerical model using DHSVM that is based on the site conceptual model (developed by MS student) and using high-resolution 2D datasets of soil moisture proxies (e.g., from UAVs and plot-based sensors) processed by MS Student 2 as additional calibration targets. The resulting numerical model will be used to investigate whether the inclusion of groundwater data and high-resolution soil moisture surveys can improve model predictions of soil moisture following precipitation events. The PhD student will then use these soil moisture predictions to generate dynamic maps of soil trafficability in the study area that account for precipitation events of different magnitudes.
Graduate assistantships provide competitive annual stipends and benefits, including health insurance and a full tuition waiver. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to develop meaningful teaching, mentoring, and networking experiences.
Requirements: for the MS projects, a bachelor's degree in geology, hydrology, civil engineering, soil science, environmental science, or similar field is required. PhD candidates must have a MS degree in one of the previously listed fields, along with experience in numerical modelling.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Nathan Young (nyoung07@esf.edu) with their curriculum vitae (CV) and a brief statement of interest. This statement should outline academic goals, relevant experience, and motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at SUNY ESF. Please include "SUNY ESF-NRCS Hubbard Brook Project" in the subject line.
WINTER BREAK, 3-CREDIT FIELD COURSE ALONG THE CARIBBEAN COAST OF MEXICO (ECOSYSTEM FIELD STUDIES)
Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies
December 28, 2024 - January 17, 2025
- Earn 3 undergraduate college transfer credits in this exciting 3-week, hands-on, marine field study course.
- Learn practical scientific skills & field research methods through snorkeling, SCUBA diving & investigating the coral reef, beaches & spectacular coastal ecosystems of the Caribbean.
- Engage & connect with a dynamic & diverse group of student peers from throughout the US and beyond.
- Get out in nature by the ocean, breath fresh air, earn credit, and enjoy a safe and inspiring field science course in the Caribbean Coral Reef
Open to students from all universities & majors | Accredited by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program: ENST 391- for 3 undergraduate semester transfer credits
Direct questions to Professor Steve Johnson, EcoFS Director at steve@ecofs.org
Visit www.ecofs.org for all info!
UPCOMING EVENTS
CAMPUS EVENTS
A webinar featuring employers who represent our Environment & Sustainability career community.
Industry Insights is a new webinar series of employer panels hosted by the Pomerantz Career Center aimed at providing UIowa students, staff, and faculty with valuable perspectives on various industries. Designed to help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry experience, these webinars will feature the expertise of employer partners as they provide invaluable industry insights to attendees, helping you to understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field. For our final Industry Insights webinar of the semester, we will be hosting employers who represent our Environment & Sustainability career community.
This event includes an optional networking breakout session for students!
See our panelists and register here: https://uiowa.careers/iienv
WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING IN THE WEEKLY EES NEWSLETTER?
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 clas-ees@uiowa.edu, with the subject heading "Newsletter item," on Fridays by noon, and your submission will be added to the following Tuesday's newsletter.
Thank You & Have a Great Week!