EES NEWSLETTER
WEEK OF OCTOBER 22, 2024
EES 5010 GEOSCIENCE SEMINAR - 10/25/2024 - 125 TROWBRIDGE HALL - 3:30PM
EES Geoscience Seminar Distinguished Alumni Lecturer Series: Dr. Bruce Railsback:
An Earth Scientists’ Periodic Table of the Elements and Their Ions
Dr. Bruce Railsback - Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (BA, History - Iowa, ‘80; BS, Geology - Iowa, ‘81, MS, Geology - Iowa, ‘83; PhD - University of Illinois, ‘89)
Talk adapted from Dr. Railsback's publication: L. Bruce Railsback; An Earth Scientist's Periodic Table of the Elements and Their Ions. Geology 2003;; 31 (9): 737–740. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G19542.1
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 ANNUAL HOMECOMING EVENT - 10/25/24
Join us on Friday afternoon, 10/25, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Department of Geology at the University of Iowa!
Friday, October 25
- 9:00AM - Noon - EES Alumni Board Meeting, 135 TH
- 1:30 - 2:30PM - Dr. Emily Finzel will present regarding the new School of Earth, the Environment and Sustainability, 125 TH
- 2:30 - 3:30PM - Poster Session on First Floor Trowbridge (students - please sign up for a poster board in the main office; we have 20 spots and they are going fast!)
- 3:30 - 4:30PM, Distinguished Alumni Lecture: Dr. Bruce Railsback (BA, History - Iowa, ‘80; BS, Geology - Iowa, ‘81, MS, Geology - Iowa, ‘83; PhD - University of Illinois, ‘89), “An Earth Scientists’ Periodic Table of the Elements and Their Ions”
- 5:00 - 7:00PM - All Alumni Reception @ Dandy Lion (111 S Dubuque St)
Saturday, October 26
- 11:00AM - 2PM - All Alumni Tailgate @ Hancher Parking Lot, hosted by EES graduate students
VOLUNTEERS (UNPAID) WANTED TO WASH MASTODON BONES
Do you have the patience to gently wash mud from fragments of bone on a Tuesday evening (5pm - 7pm) in Trowbridge Hall? Contact Tiffany Adrain (tiffany-adrain@uiowa.edu) if so or stop by TH 235 or 236 any afternoon.
IN MEMORIAM
We are sad to report the recent passing of Dr. Thomas Stemann (PhD, '91). Tom received his Ph.D. under the direction of Prof. Nancy Budd, with whom he worked after graduation, later becoming a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Tom's research focused on Caribbean reef coral diversity and paleoecology patterns from the Cretaceous through to the present.
We must also report the passing of Dr. David M. Work (Ph.D. '93) in August 2023. David received his Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Brian Glenister, and became internationally known for his work on ammonoids. He was curator of geology at the Maine State Museum from 2003-2020.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
UNDERGRAD/ENTRY LEVEL
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.
PROFESSIONAL / POST-GRAD
As the Center Director for the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, you will be responsible for defining the overall science program of the Science Center and for overseeing the planning, conduct, and completion of all center science activities, which encompass research in earth surface processes, mineral and energy resources, paleoclimatology, and crustal structure. Some of your specific duties will include
- Responsible for all aspects of the leadership, administration, operation, and management of the Science Center.
- Lead and develop collaborations with other USGS Science Centers, Other Federal and State agencies, universities, Tribes, and non-governmental organizations.
- Responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, and managing broad, research in earth surface processes, mineral and energy resources, paleoclimatology, and crustal structure.
- Work with the center's science leadership to develop long and short-term science and monitoring strategies in response to current and expected future needs of the Southwest Region and beyond.
- Manage the Center's science portfolio and core capabilities consistent with USGS mission priorities and oversee the fiscal considerations that support those activities.
- Provide advice and guidance to top agency management in multidisciplinary earth-science investigations involving earth surface processes, mineral and energy resources, paleoclimatology, and crustal structure at national and regional meetings, seminars, and conferences, actively promoting USGS programs and coordinating with other participants.
- Engage as a team member with other USGS Science Center Directors in the Southwest Region, Southwest Regional Office Leadership, Research Programs within multiple USGS Mission Areas, and others, to employ science capabilities in the most effective manner with the highest standards of science quality.
- Operate a governmental owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, all grade levels.
A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
*OR*
B. A combination of education and experience--education equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
Agency Contact Information: Michelle Liu, mliu@usgs.gov, 916-278-9449
PHYSICAL HYDROGEOLOGIST - KANSAS GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS - LAWRENCE, KS
Review of applications will begin December 16, 2024, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified. Tentative start date is August 2025, exact date is negotiable.
About the Position: The Kansas Geological Survey is seeking a Physical Hydrogeologist to develop and lead research on aquifer characterization and groundwater resource assessment. Specific areas of research expertise may include, but are not limited to, analysis and interpretation of aquifer responses to anthropogenic and natural stresses, hydrogeophysics, and geostatistics. While these are areas of potential focus, demonstrated research excellence and future research potential are more important than the candidate’s specific area of specialization in physical hydrogeology. We plan to hire at the Assistant or Associate Scientist rank, depending on qualifications.
About KGS Scientists: Scientists at the KGS are state-funded, faculty-equivalent academic staff with sabbatical eligibility. Scientific staff are expected to develop research programs that are of international stature and highly relevant to Kansas, with similar standards to academic faculty in terms of research productivity and external funding. Scientific staff may also teach and serve as advisors of graduate research, and typically have courtesy appointments with one or more academic departments.
The Geosciences Department at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences in Paleontology/Geologic Time and Life History. Initial appointment to this position will be for a term of four years, beginning fall semester of 2025, and will carry the rank of Assistant Professor.
The Geosciences Department consists of five permanent faculty, a lab manager/GIS instructor, a staff member who provides technical support for teaching and research, and on average, 14 majors graduating per year. Students actively participate in research with faculty and routinely present at national meetings and co-author papers. Facilities and equipment include rock crushing and mineral separation equipment, rock and thin-section preparation facilities, petrographic microscopes for teaching and research, a variable pressure scanning electron microscope with SE, BSE, CL, EDS, EBSD detectors, a new LA-ICP-MS laboratory for trace element and isotopic analysis, three germanium detectors (two broad energy), and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Instrumentation for additional spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction are available elsewhere on campus. In addition, Oberlin College has competitions for small research grants each semester. For more information on the department, candidates can visit our web page at: http://www.oberlin.edu/geosciences.
The incumbent will teach the standard teaching load (4.5 courses per year) in the general area of Paleontology/Geologic Time and Life History. We seek a colleague with a passion for teaching Earth Sciences to undergraduates and increasing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of both the department and our field. Applicants’ research should not substantially overlap with continuing members of the department, and should focus on the history and/or evolution of life on our planet as recorded by biogenic and/or sedimentary records. The successful candidate will teach a 200-level historical geology course with a laboratory (Evolution of the Earth). Other classes will include some combination of 1-2 topical introductory courses proposed by the successful candidate, contributing to our physical geology course, and an advanced-level course with or without laboratory in an area of the applicant’s expertise.
The incumbent will also be expected to engage in sustained scholarly research and/or other creative work appropriate to the position and participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including academic advising, mentoring undergraduate research and service on committees.
Qualifications:
Among the qualifications required for appointment is the PhD degree (in hand or expected by first semester of academic year 2025). Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful teaching experience at the college level is desirable.
Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Completed applications received by the January 2nd deadline will be guaranteed full consideration.
Questions about the position can be addressed to: zpage@oberlin.edu or F. Zeb Page, Chair of Geosciences, at 440-775-7610.
The Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies, and Education (RISE), in the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) at the U.S. National Science Foundation, is seeking a Program Director to join the Geosciences Cyberinfrastructure (GEO CI) incubator. The incubator manages an evolving portfolio that supports 1) open science practices; 2) data science education and workforce expansion; 3) innovation in artificial intelligence methods and policies; and 4) development of large and small-scale geoscience data systems. Two recent examples of GEO CI programs include the Collaborations in AI and Geosciences (NSF 24-518) and the Geosciences Open Science Ecosystem (NSF 23-534).
More broadly, the Program Director will be responsible for communicating current NSF opportunities to the geoscience community and for, reciprocally, communicating stakeholder needs to NSF leadership. Program Directors solicit, receive and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations, administer awards, and undertake interaction with research communities in these fields. The position requires a commitment to high standards of intellectualism and ethical conduct, a considerable breadth of interest, receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.
A strong candidate for this specific Program Director position will not only have experience with modern computer-assisted research (e.g., machine learning or artificial intelligence, geospatial statistics), but will also have a broad familiarity with the current landscape of data systems and best practices for data collection, management, and sharing used across the geosciences. Applicants must additionally possess effective oral and written communication skills, the capacity to function effectively as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams, and demonstrated leadership abilities to guide GEO investments that enhance the mission of NSF and GEO.
To Apply
Applications of interest should be submitted by email to riseipadcl@nsf.gov with the GEO-CI incubator referenced in the subject line and must include contact information, a current CV, and a statement briefly describing the candidate's background that specifically relates to the position's duties and requirements. Applicants may also wish to include their timeframe of availability and a list of references. Review of applications will begin on November 18, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.
Further important information about the requirements for this position and the application process can be found here. Future opportunities in the RISE division can be found by subscribing to the RISE Reporter.
INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS 2025 AT FREEPORT-MCMORAN
Freeport-McMoran is the largest publicly traded producer of copper in the world. It is headquartered in Phoenix and the North American mines are in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Internship categories include geology, environmental science, geomechanical engineering, mine engineering, and other types of engineering and supply chain. Working at a mine or in mining is a unique experience!
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gBvnHNMy
Qualifications include: Full-time student currently enrolled at an accredited four-year university majoring in an appropriate discipline or closely related field; OR Recent college graduate having graduated within 12 months prior to internship start date with a degree or closely related field
The estimated pay range for this role is currently $27.50 - $34.25 /hour
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!
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!