[ECOLOG-L] postdoc position in Basel
Please see description below, good luck. Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 or 02-6626-9565 Editor for Plos ONE, Heliyon (Elsevier), HardwareX (Elsevier) Book: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - is.gd/labautobook Open-source autosampler: bit.ly/2QVnDJU The Physiological Plant Ecology Group at the University of Basel has an opening for a postdoc to work on an isotope data analysis project that deals with a unique dataset made up of over 4000 herbarium samples collected over the past 200+years. Details can be found here: https://ppe.duw.unibas.ch/en/news/details/open-postdoc-position/ Open PostDoc position The Physiological Plant Ecology group is looking for a PostDoc in Stable Isotope Physiology and Global Change Ecology (80%, start in spring 2019) The Physiological Plant Ecology group (Prof. Kahmen) of the University of Basel investigates the ecophysiological processes in plants that determine the fluxes of water, nitrogen and carbon in natural and agricultural ecosystems. The goals of our research are to understand how plants operate in the context of their environment and to reveal how plants shape the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. The open position is within the ERC project HYDROCARB, where we seek to determine the potential of stable isotope ratios in archived plant materials to assess long-term metabolic responses of plants to global environmental change. Your position In the past years our lab has analyzed the stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios from more than 4000 herbarium specimen. The herbarium specimen originate from across Switzerland and have been collected in the past 200+ years and cover a wide range plant species from different habitats. The key objective of the advertised position is to analyze this dataset with geospatial and physiological models in order to identify long-term physiological changes in a wide range of plant species during the past century as a response to environmental changes. Your profile We are looking for a dynamic, reliable and motivated candidate with a PhD in biology, environmental sciences or related disciplines. Strong interest in process-oriented research in plant physiology, the ability to work analytically with large datasets and experience with process-based modelling are required. Teamwork within the group and project partners requires spoken and written English language skills. We offer you We offer an interesting position in an international and interdisciplinary research environment at the University of Basel. The position will initially be for one year with the option of a one-year extension, depending on the performance of the candidate. Salary and social benefits are provided according to University of Basel rules. Application / Contact Please send your complete application (CV, letter of motivation, contact information of three references) to Mrs. Maura Ellenberger (maura.ellenber...@unibas.ch). Application deadline is February 15th 2019. Further information on the project can be obtained from Prof. Kahmen (ansgar.kah...@unibas.ch).
[ECOLOG-L] Free stable isotope book
Dear all, stable isotopes are very useful for ecological research. So I believe many of you will want to know that there is a brand-new, up-to-date book on the analytical aspects of the technique that costs absolutely nothing. Get it from here: http://www.forensic-isotopes.org/gpg.html Best regards, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 or 02-6626-9565 Editor for Plos ONE, Heliyon (Elsevier), HardwareX (Elsevier) Book: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - is.gd/labautobook Open-source autosampler: bit.ly/2QVnDJU
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc job - Researcher, Kumasi Hive, Ghana
See description below, and please contact them if interested. Good luck, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 or 02-6626-9565 Editor for Plos ONE, Heliyon (Elsevier), HardwareX (Elsevier) Book: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - is.gd/labautobook Open-source autosampler: bit.ly/2QVnDJU * A position is available for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to develop a local manufacturing facility for molecular biology enzymes in Kumasi, Ghana. The project aims to overcome barriers in accessing these important research tools and build capacity to underpin emerging bioeconomies. The successful applicant will join the Biolab Team at Kumasi Hive, collaborating closely with the Open Bioeconomy Lab at the University of Cambridge. The project will focus on implementing and optimising protocols for affordable manufacturing and purification of DNA polymerases and other enzymes. The position will start in Feb 2019. The successful candidate will have a strong background in molecular biology including a PhD in a relevant area (or have submitted a PhD by the time of appointment). Experience with cell-free and in vivo protein expression and purification, synthetic biology approaches, protocol optimisation and quality assurance will be advantageous. An interest in open source technologies, sustainable development and frugal innovation is encouraged. This is a fixed-term position: The funds for this post are available for 6 months, with potential for an extension to 28 Feb 2020. To apply online for this vacancy, please submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter to Dr Jenny Molloy and Jorge Appiah via j...@openbioeconomy.org by the deadline of 15 January. Informal enquiries are encouraged before submitting an application
[ECOLOG-L] Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is seeking a Research Collections Manager
Hi, see job post below, please do not contact me about it, but seek contact information in the message body. Good luck to the interested. Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 or 02-6626-9565 Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - https://is.gd/labautobook Editor for Plos ONE, Heliyon (Elsevier), HardwareX (Elsevier) YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation "Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" - Richard Feynman Research Collections Manager: REQ04453 Position Summary: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is seeking a Research Collections Manager. The Research Collections Manager is responsible for the development, management, and care of specimen-based collections at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, including, but not limited to, the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Museum (HBOM) and the Marine Biotechnology Reference Collection (MBRC). Responsible for ensuring the proper storage, care and preservation of biological and geological samples held by HBOI. Primary responsibilities are management and oversight of daily operations, curation, and research activities of the HBOM and MBRC. Summary of Responsibilities: Works with HBOI collection curators to help set collections policy, goals, and guidelines. Assigns accession numbers, compiles accession records, classifies, and physically numbers museum specimens. This will initially involve bar-code labelling the MBRC collections. Performs data entry, including annotation of videos related to specimen collections. Manages and assures accuracy, security, and retrievability of collection databases. Conducts regular inventories of collections and performs reconciliation with databases. This will initially involve review and revision of specimen-based collection databases, including the HBOM and MBRC, and involve manual comparison of field notes and other documentation with existing databases. Performs routine curation of specimens. Manages, orders supplies for, and upgrades storage, maintenance, care, and preventive conservation of collections. Works with the collection curators regarding possible deaccessions and manages documentation and disposal according to collections policy. Manages collection-related budget in consultation with supervisor. Assists with development of proposals for collections use, management and care. Oversees development, maintenance, security, and upgrades of collections database. Provides limited access to collections in response to requests for loans, research, and specimen information, consistent with HBOI collections policies. Retrieves and prepares specimens for research, education, outreach, and other museum needs. Handles arrangements, condition reporting, packing, shipping, and insurance for both incoming and outgoing loans and assures that sample shipments are in compliance with hazardous materials and CITES requirements. Trains and oversees part-time and volunteer personnel in clerical work, collection duties, and collections care. Assists faculty, students, staff, and collaborators with questions on identification of specimens. Responds to collection-related inquiries, surveys, etc., from museums, researchers, and students. Tracks publication citations of collections and provides data as requested. Presents information on collection-related topics as needed. Evaluates current practices, stays current with professional standards, and develops new practices in collections management and care in order to develop multiple access systems, meet the needs of a diverse audience, make use of changing technology, address legal issues of collections, and plan for changing needs of staff and the public. Ensures research and facility compliance with all institutional and occupational requirements. Develops reports for the collection curators, HBOI, Division of Research or others as needed. Oversees issues of intellectual property and rights which pertain to collections. Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in biology or a related field from an accredited institution; or a Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field from an accredited institution and at least two years of applicable experience in a museum, including work with collections required. Prior experience working in a biological specimen museum preferred. Working knowledge of principles, and practices of collections management, care, documentation, and classifications required. Experience with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and general office equipment required. Skilled in use of Microsoft Office Access database and WoRMS required. Working knowledge of collections conservation required. Ability to work in a team-oriented environment and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
[ECOLOG-L] Special Issue on Open-Hardware for Environmental Sensing and Instruments
Dear all, HardwareX, the new Elsevier journal about open-source devices, is inviting contributions for its special edition on instruments applied to environmental sensing, which I think applies closely to ecological field research. If you have developed a device that helps you with your research, don't keep it to yourself, show it to the world! See more details here: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/call-for-papers/open-hardware-for-environmental-sensing-and-instruments Best regards, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 or 02-6626-9565 Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - https://is.gd/labautobook Editor for Plos ONE, Heliyon (Elsevier), HardwareX (Elsevier) YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation "Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" - Richard Feynman
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc position in Canada
Hi, I am forwarding the message below at request of the sender. Please do not contact me about it. Good luck to the interested. Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 or 02-6626-9565 Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - https://is.gd/labautobook Editor for Plos ONE, Heliyon (Elsevier), HardwareX (Elsevier) YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation "Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" - Richard Feynman Hi there; The Ecosystem Indicators Team of the Ocean Frontiers Institute at Memorial and Dalhousie University, in collaboration with Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Nunatsiavut Government, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in biogeochemistry to join an interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at (1) uncovering the processes and interactions supporting coastal ecosystems of Newfoundland and Labrador and (2) developing indicators for responses of these ecosystems to climate change. Research efforts will primarily focus on understanding how climatic changes along the land-sea continuum will impact the chemistry and primary productivity within coastal ecosystems. Specifically, the candidate will design studies to investigate how changes in the chemical composition and isotopic signatures of dissolved and particulate organic matter will impact primary productivity and nutrient cycling across geographically and climatically different watersheds. Location The position will be based at Memorial University, located in beautiful, historic St. John’s, Newfoundland (https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/top-destinations/st-johns) in eastern Canada, and has a student population of ~18,000. Field sites will encompass rivers and their downstream estuaries within southern and eastern Newfoundland and northern Labrador. Minimum Qualifications Candidates must have a PhD or be obtaining one by March 31, 2019 from an accredited college or university in earth or environmental sciences, oceanography, or similar program. Preferred qualifications · Ph.D. in biogeosciences or related field such aquatic biogeochemistry, aquatic microbial ecology, or chemical oceanography · Experience performing organic matter extractions and spectrometric and biomarkers analyses. · Experience collecting and isolating dissolved or particulate organic matter · Experience and willingness to work in diverse and potentially remote field settings. · Strong written and oral communication skills with significant motivation to publish in the peer reviewed literature. · Strong interest in team-based interdisciplinary science, with the willingness and ability to work independently when required. · Demonstrated ability to handle and analyze diverse types of datasets using contemporary scripting languages such as R, MATLAB, and/or Python. · Willing and able to be involved in outdoor work in rugged environments. Project supervisors. Drs. Susan Ziegler, Canada Research Chair in Boreal Biogeochemistry and Rachel Sipler, Canada Research Chair in Marine Biogeochemistry, Application details. To apply please send CV, including contacts for at least three references and letter describing your background and suitability for this research program to Rachel Sipler (resip...@mun.ca) and Sue Ziegler (szieg...@mun.ca). Position is fully funded for 30 months with some potential opportunity for extension and the preferred start date between November 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Best, Sue
[ECOLOG-L] Marine Biologist Out Of The Blue Adventures - Ballina NSW AU$60,000 - AU$64,000 a year
Good luck for the interested: https://au.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=e17855125c01c415 Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation
[ECOLOG-L] Nine PhD student opportunities in Italy
http://www.szn.it/index.php/en/education/doctorate-–-international-phd-iii-level/positions-on-offer-phd Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation
[ECOLOG-L] Open-source autosampler and other low-cost devices for research
Hi all, check out these awesome low-cost devices for research (including ecological research). And, why not? Submit your own and join MIT, Stanford, and Zuckerberg in the revolution! https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067217300287 Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position - N2O cycling in a novel waste treatment system
See below my signature a message about a PhD position opening in Australia. Good luck, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation Hi Everyone, A new PhD opportunity has come up within our group, please see the details below. PhD position “Unravelling the pathways of nitrous oxide production in a novel zero energy wastewater treatment system” Position: The Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry at Southern Cross University, in collaboration with the University of QLD’s Advanced Water Management Centre, is offering a PhD project in the field of environmental engineering/biogeochemistry. This project will examine the pathways and magnitude of nitrous oxide (N2O) production within a novel ‘zero energy’ wastewater treatment system. Background: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP’s) have a significant carbon footprint owing to their high power consumption and production/release of greenhouse gases such as N2O. While anaerobic methane generation and combustion can partially offset the power demand of WWTP’s, the process is currently inefficient with only 5-7% of the available energy being accessed. A new method in which free nitrous acid is used to breakdown waste organic material and increase biogas production has the potential to dramatically increase the energy generation potential of WWTP’s. Indeed it has been estimated that this technology will ultimately lead to zero energy WWTP’s. However, the impact of this new technology on N2O production is currently unknown. In this project, we aim to determine how the implementation of the free nitrous acid technology will influence the pathways and magnitude of N2O production in WWTP’s. Role: The successful applicant will be working as part of a broader team that includes researchers from the Advanced Water Management Centre at the University of QLD, as well as key industry partners including Queensland Urban Utilities. The project involves the use of cutting edge instrumentation (laser spectroscopy and isotope ratio mass spectrometry) together with stable isotope labelling to quantify the source and magnitude of N2O production in laboratory and pilot scale experimental systems. Pre-requisites: Applicants will need to have a 1st Class Honours or Masters degree in a related field such as environmental engineering, biogeochemistry, or environmental chemistry. Previous experience with wet chemistry, mass spectrometry, and/or stable isotope techniques will be viewed favourably, but are not essential. Stipend and application procedure: The three year PhD scholarship will provide an annual stipend of $25,861 AUD. Interested applicants should send their CV, and a short letter highlighting their research background and interest in this area, to Dr Dirk Erler – dirk.er...@scu.edu.au. Short-listed applicants will be notified within 2 weeks of the closing date. The application closing date is 5 pm Friday 30th June 2017. Kind regards Dr Dirk Erler Senior Lecturer/Researcher Southern Cross University Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Military Rd, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia Ph: +61 2 6620 3256 Mob 0429 952 790 http://scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry/index.php/10
[ECOLOG-L] watch live stream from the deep sea
Link: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/this-robot-is-livestreaming-all-the-gnarly-stuff-its-seeing-in-the-deep-sea Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation
[ECOLOG-L] nice job in Australia
Hi, see below this interesting offer in Australia (after my signature): Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation __ Senior Research Scientist - Ecology Posted on 07 Apr 2017 Victoria State Government - Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Australia, Melbourne Go to application page 27 days left to apply 2 of your skills match this job. Update skills Location: Heidelberg Salary: $111,484 to $149,188 + super. Position No: 921217 Ecology Environmental Research Location: Heidelberg Lead the delivery of high quality research undertaken at the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) for Environmental Research. We are building an inclusive workplace to help realise the potential of our employees, embrace our differences, and apply our diverse thinking to innovation and delivering services to Victorian communities. All jobs can be worked flexibly and we encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The Senior Research Scientist, Ecology will lead the Riparian and Wetland Ecology Program within the Applied Aquatic Section at ARI. The position will provide high level scientific skills, research leadership and support across ARI via direct involvement in strategically important projects and oversight of science quality standards and processes at the Institute. If you have a research portfolio with high level science record and skills applicable to the Riparian and Wetland Ecology program, along with demonstrated advanced skills in the identification of threats to ecological systems, their assessment, monitoring, synthesis and analysis, you are strongly encouraged to apply. A science degree, preferably PhD, with a major in ecology is mandatory. This is a fixed term position for a period of 3 years. To be considered for this position, your application should include a supporting statement demonstrating that you meet the key selection criteria and any job requirements specified in the position description. Applications close at midnight 7 May 2017. APPLY: https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/jobs/VG-921217A
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in Australia
Hello, see down below details about a PhD position in Australia. Good luck, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation PhD project and scholarship on Seagrass denitrification, Australia The Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry (www.scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry) at Southern Cross University (Lismore, Australia) is offering a PhD scholarship on Seagrass denitrification. Seagrass habitats are “hotspots” of biogeochemical cycling due to large amounts of organic matter produced by high rates of in situ primary productivity and associated respiration, and because they trap large amounts of externally generated organic matter (e.g. phyto-detritus). In sediments where the overlying water is well-oxygenated with low nitrate, typical of seagrass habitats, the supply of labile carbon is the most important controlling factor on denitrification. Despite a supply of organic matter, earlier measurements in temperate seagrass communities found low rates of denitrification. The low rates of denitrification were thought to be due to coupled nitrification-denitrification in the rhizosphere of temperate seagrass communities being suppressed due to competition for N resources between nitrifying bacteria and seagrass and benthic microalgae. However, we recently measured much higher rates of denitrification in (sub)tropical seagrass communities than have previously been reported for temperate seagrass communities (Eyre et al., 2011 Biogeochemistry 102, 111-133; Eyre et al., 2013. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 27, 1-13; Eyre et al., 2016. L 61, 1144-1156). This study is designed to test the hypothesis that previous differences in seagrass denitrification rates are due to either (1) different rates of biogeochemical processes, which may, in part be driven by species differences and/ or (2) different methodologies used to measure rates of denitrification. As such, this work will use three different denitrification techniques (N2:Ar, isotope pairing, NO3 microsensor) and N-fixation, N2O, anammox and DNRA measurements in different seagrass communities in Australia and Denmark. This project involves collaboration with Prof. Ronnie Glud at the University of Southern Denmark and there may be opportunity to undertake field work in Denmark. Submitting an Application Applicants will need to have a 1st Class Honours or Master degree in English in a related field such as biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry, or closely related. Previous research experience with benthic process measurements (cores and/or benthic chambers), seagrasses and/or aquatic nitrogen cycling will be viewed favourably. The projects will involve extended periods in the field, including in small boats, and previous small boat experience will be advantageous. Interested applicants should send their CV, and a short letter highlighting their research background to: Prof. Bradley Eyre – bradley.e...@scu.edu.au Only short-listed applicants will be notified. Closing date October 15 2016, although may extend longer if the position is not filled. Starting date, by January 30 2017. The scholarship currently valued at $25,800 is open to both Australian and international applicants and is tax free. Tuition fees will be waived. The project will be undertaken in the Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry (www.scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry) at Southern Cross University which received the highest rank of 5.0, well above world average, in geochemistry in the most recent assessment of research excellence by the Australian government.
[ECOLOG-L] New reference material for stable isotope measurement
Dear all, I believe some of you are involved in using stable isotope measurements for ecological studies. Then you may want to know that IAEA released a substitute for the long-gone NBS19 (if you know what I am talking about, you are part of the club:) ). Here goes the link for the new standard: https://nucleus.iaea.org/rpst/referenceproducts/referencematerials/Stable_Isotopes/13C18and7Li/IAEA-603/index.htm Regards, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc position in Australia
Please see position anoucement below my signature. Don't contact me, but the person mentioned there. Good lulck, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation The Algal Biology Lab at the University of Melbourne would like to offer a recent PhD graduate in phycology the opportunity to apply for a McKenzie postdoctoral fellowship. The McKenzie scheme aims to attract recent doctoral graduates to Melbourne. It offers a 3-year fellowship plus $25,000 to be spent on research activities. Research in the lab focuses on the evolutionary diversification of marine algae, using molecular phylogenetics to explore their diversification and answer specific questions about their evolution. Bioinformatics and phylogenetics take a central position in our approach to these research questions. We focus on a range of topics in algal biology. Some of our active projects include: - genome dynamics of secondary endosymbiosis events - biodiversity and genome biology of coral symbionts - biogeography and the evolution of niches through geological time - chloroplast phylogenomics of green and red algae - the emergence of cellular and physiological innovations and the genetic changes underlying them - taxonomy, focused on new ways to integrate molecular and morphometric data in algal species delimitation For additional details about the research in the lab, see http://phycoweb.net/ The primary eligibility criterion for McKenzie fellowships is that your PhD must be awarded on or after 1 January 2014. However, the scheme is competitive and only those candidates with multiple publications in international peer-reviewed journals will be considered. If you are interested in applying, please email me (heroen.verbrug...@gmail.com) with a brief statement about the type of research you would like to pursue and a CV including an up-to-date publication list. More information about the McKenzie scheme can be found here: http://research.unimelb.edu.au/work-with-us/funding/internal/mckenzie-fellowship You will be living and working in Melbourne, named as the world's most liveable city for the fifth year running. The lab is located within the School of Biosciences (http://biosciences.unimelb.edu.au/), providing a vibrant and supportive working environment. Best regards, Heroen -- Heroen Verbruggen Senior Lecturer School of BioSciences University of Melbourne http://phycoweb.net/ heroen.verbrug...@gmail.com
[ECOLOG-L] New peer-reviewed journal for tinkers/scientists
Please notice a new journal where the creative efforts of scientists when creating customized devices can be showcased for free and for the overall benefit of other scientists. The name of the journal is HardwareX, hosted by Elsevier. See below some good reasons to publish in this journal, by its Editor in Chief, Dr. Joshua Pierce, from MTU: Greetings from the Editor-in-Chief of HardwareX Scientists have always made their own equipment. As anyone knows that has done this the traditional way – from scratch or trying to decipher a photocopy of a hand-drawn diagram in a monograph – it is a non-trivial exercise. Although this ancient art is still practiced, the majority of experimental scientists now purchase their equipment, generally from proprietary vendors. This has helped science advance, while at the same time pulling back the reigns of progress because of the exorbitant price of scientific equipment. Low volume scientific hardware is not able to benefit to the same degree from economies of scale as has more common consumer items. At the same time, if a scientist purchases a proprietary tool, the warranty is often voided if the tool is adapted or improved for a novel experiment. Millions of dollars of scientific hardware sits in the corners of labs all over the world collecting dust because proprietary vendors no longer offer support for their products due to a litany of reasons including: 1- lost key technical staff, 2- planned obsolescence of equipment to sell new models, 3- stopped supporting software to run their old hardware as operating systems have changed, 4- they have canceled making specific products, or 5- in the worst case, simply gone out of business. Worse, as proprietary tools often create vendor lock-in, some dishonest vendors hold science hostage with critical upgrades until enormous ransoms are paid. All of this creates risk for active research scientists as they try to determine the best equipment investment for their hard-earned research funds. In the past, there was really only two choices: invest blood, sweat and tears developing your own equipment or rely on commercial hardware. Today, there is a third, much better path: fabricate scientific hardware released under free and open source licenses* using digital manufacturing techniques. HardwareX has been created to help accelerate this third path. With the rise of digital manufacturing it is now possible to fabricate custom components for shockingly little money using tools like the self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) and its various perturbations as a 3-D printer, laser cutter, or PCB mill. Simultaneously the field of open source electronics has expanded rapidly and now inexpensive minicomputers, microcontrollers and electronic prototyping platforms are available for a few dollars. This has resulted in an explosion of open source scientific hardware, which generally costs only 1-10% of commercial proprietary tools with identical functionality. Scientists can thus make the exact custom tool they need for a new experiment with a minimum investment of time and money. The quantity and diversity of tools enable the creation of entirely open source labs. Following the open source evolutionary path, free scientific hardware is proliferating rapidly as scientists and engineers make progressively more sophisticated tools available for the scientific community. Our work is not done, however, just because a tool is open source does not make it good enough to use for real science. There is a desperate need to have high-quality source of the state-of-the-art scientific tools, which have been validated and tested to produce precise and accurate results. In addition, these validated tools must come with all the design files (e.g. bill of materials (BOM), instructions, firmware, CAD, and software) to build, operate and maintain them effectively. HardwareX fulfills this need. In addition, rather than bury hardware tools that may be relevant to many disciplines deep in the specialty literature, HardwareX provides a central free repository of proven designs. Finally, it provides scientists a place to receive academic credit for the hard work involved in the development of high-quality scientific instruments. I believe we are on the verge of a new era when you read of the latest advance in your sub-discipline and then follow a link to HardwareX to download the equipment plans. You can use them to recreate or perhaps improve upon the low-cost scientific open hardware alternative and then you may push the next breakthrough. By sharing, we all win and science moves faster than it ever has before. Submit your manuscripts today. Thank you, Joshua M. Pearce Editor-in-Chief * These licenses ensure that if someone uses your designs and improves upon them they are obligated to re-share their improvement with you and the rest of the world under the same license. This can provide
[ECOLOG-L] Two PhD positions in Australia
Please find two PhD positions open in Australia in the links below my signature, and only contact the persons listed at the bottom if interested. Good luck, Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate - IRMS Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University 04-8899-0092 02-6626-9565 Editor of HardwareX (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/hardwarex/editorial-board Author: Practical Laboratory Automation made easy with AutoIt - www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/ISBN978-3-527-34158-0/ YouTube channel: http://is.gd/lab_automation I would like to draw your attention to the following PhD scholarship opportunities based at Southern Cross University, Australia. The positions are open to national and international applicants. Closing date is 28th August 2016. __ The Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry (www.scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry) at Southern Cross University (Lismore, Australia) is offering two PhD scholarships. Project 1: Seagrass denitrification Seagrass habitats are “hotspots” of biogeochemical cycling due to large amounts of organic matter produced by high rates of in situ primary productivity and associated respiration, and because they trap large amounts of externally generated organic matter (e.g. phyto-detritus). In sediments where the overlying water is well-oxygenated with low nitrate, typical of seagrass habitats, the supply of labile carbon is the most important controlling factor on denitrification. Despite a supply of organic matter, earlier measurements in temperate seagrass communities found low rates of denitrification. The low rates of denitrification were thought to be due to coupled nitrification-denitrification in the rhizosphere of temperate seagrass communities being suppressed due to competition for N resources between nitrifying bacteria and seagrass and benthic microalgae. However, we recently measured much higher rates of denitrification in (sub)tropical seagrass communities than have previously been reported for temperate seagrass communities (Eyre et al., 2011 Biogeochemistry 102, 111-133; Eyre et al., 2013. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 27, 1-13). This study is designed to test the hypothesis that previous differences in seagrass denitrification rates are due to either (1) different rates of biogeochemical processes, which may, in part be driven by species differences and/ or (2) different methodologies used to measure rates of denitrification. As such, this work will use three different denitrification techniques (N2:Ar, isotope pairing, NO3 microsensor) in different seagrass communities in Australia and Denmark. This project involves collaboration with Prof. Ronnie Glud at the University of Southern Denmark and there may be opportunity to undertake field work in Denmark. Project 2: Whole-system additions of stable isotope tracers to investigate carbon and nitrogen cycling in coastal ecosystems Anthropogenic activities are changing the quality and quantity of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs to coastal systems. Coastal ecosystems, located at the land-sea interface, are in a prime position to intercept these inputs. The transformation of C and N within coastal ecosystems therefore determines the quality and quantity of inputs from the land to the sea and affects the ultimate impact of changing land-uses and anthropogenic inputs on oceanic and global C and N budgets. Stable isotopes, particularly when used as deliberate tracers, are widely recognised as a powerful technique for tracing the flows of C and N in the environment (e.g. Oakes et al. 2012. Limnology and Oceanography 57, 1846-1856; Eyre et al. 2016. Limnology and Oceanography in press). Deliberate tracer studies of whole ecosystems are relatively rare, but can provide important information on the role of whole ecosystems in carbon and nitrogen processing (e.g. Erler et al., 2010. Limnology and Oceanography 55, 1172-1187). In this project we propose to use rare stable isotopes of C and N in whole-system labelling studies to unravel the role of coastal ecosystems in the uptake and transformation of C and N. The study will include the use of stable isotope tracers, biogeochemical process measurements, and the measurement of stable isotopes within compartments including dissolved compounds, particulate matter, animals, gases, sediment, and biomarkers to create budgets for C and N transformation and fate. There is potential to work within habitats including mangrove forests, salt marshes, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Submitting an Application Applicants will need to have a 1st Class Honours or Master degree in English in a related field such as biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry, or closely related. For project 1 previous research experience with benthic process
