The Ries Lab (http://nuweb2.neu.edu/rieslab/) in the Department of
Marine and Environmental Sciences at Northeastern University’s Marine
Science Center (MSC) seeks a graduate student interested in conducting
federally funded research on the impact of past and future ocean
acidification and warming on the process of calcareous
biomineralization, to begin summer/fall 2017. Research will include
employing a multi-disciplinary approach (scanning electron microscopy,
x-ray diffraction, isotope geochemistry, microelectrode analysis,
metatranscriptomics, proteomics, biomechanical analysis) to investigate
the impact of past and future ocean acidification and warming on shell
production, mineralogy, elemental chemistry, structure, function, and
calcifying fluid chemistry. This opportunity affords access to newly
acquired state-of-the-art analytical equipment at the MSC, including a
laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer for trace
element analysis, a powder x-ray diffractometer for mineralogical
characterization, an environmental scanning electron microscope with
energy dispersive spectrometry and electron backscatter diffraction for
micro-imaging and elemental/mineralogical mapping of skeletal
ultrastructure, and a 72-tank array for conducting ocean
acidification/warming experiments. The selected graduate student will
receive interdisciplinary training in global change research, carbonate
biogeochemistry, invertebrate biomineralization, isotope geochemistry,
and deployment of pH microelectrodes and pH-sensitive dyes for
quantifying calcifying fluid chemistry. The graduate student will be
based at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center
(http://www.northeastern.edu/cos/marinescience/about/), located on the
shores of Massachusetts Bay on the Nahant tombolo (13 miles north of
downtown Boston). The renovated MSC features a state-of-the-art flow
through seawater facility, direct access to classic New England rocky
shore intertidal study sites, an in-house SCUBA program, and small-craft
research vessels. Highly motivated and creative individuals with strong
writing and analytical skills are encouraged to apply. Interested
individuals should apply to Northeastern’s Department of Marine and
Environmental Sciences’ Ph.D. program in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine
Biology (http://www.northeastern.edu/mes/academics/graduate-
degrees/eemb/) at
https://neugrad.askadmissions.net/emtinterestpage.aspx?ip=account.
Although applications will be accepted through December 15, 2016,
earlier submission is strongly encouraged. Please direct specific
inquiries to Prof. Justin Ries ([email protected]).
