Limnology Jobs & Studentships

Notices on the availability of limnologically-oriented jobs and graduate student opportunities are accepted. There is no charge for the service at this time, which is available to SIL members and non-members. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity. Those deemed inappropriate to the SIL mandate will be rejected at the discretion of the SILNews Editor.

Submissions should include: 1) a short title describing the position (job or graduate studentship), 2) location and duration of the position, 3) closing date for applications, 4) a short paragraph describing the position, including any citizenship, educational or employment prerequisites, and 5) information on where potential applicants may obtain further information, including names of contact persons, telephone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and web site addresses, where appropriate.

Click here to submit an advertisement for the web site.

PhD Positions in Limnology and Fisheries

Duration: four years
Location: Kenya & The Netherlands
Close date: 15 July 2009

The positions include one fully funded PhD position on limnology and fish yield of Lake Naivasha, Kenya and one fully funded PhD position on the riparian biodiversity of Lake Naivasha. These positions are available for Nationals of East Africa only!

For more information, please see advertisement:

http://www.itc.nl/research/phd/phd_opportunities.asp

http://www.itc.nl/research/themes/gisa/projects/_docs/EOIA_Lake_Naivasha.pdf

Contact person:

Robert Becht
Department of Water Resources
ITC-International Institute of GeoInformation Science and Earth Observation
PO Box 6
7500 AA Enschede, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 53 2874297
Email: becht@itc.nl

PhD Student Position in Limnology/Aquatic Biogeochemistry

Duration: four years
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Close date: 27 August 2009

The position is located at the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the Evolutionary Biology Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Water and Environmental Studies, Linköping University, Sweden, and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Canada.

The successful applicant will work within a project about natural halogenation of aquatic organic matter and its possible consequences for the recalcitrance of organic matter. There is increasing evidence of wide spread natural formation of halogenated organic matter in terrestrial and marine environments, but freshwaters environments are poorly understood in this regard. Further, theoretical knowledge about chlorination processes suggest that some of the halogenated organic material can become more resistant to degradation. Hence, halogenation could be one key to increase our understanding of organic matter recalcitrance and long term preservation in sediments which is of importance for the global carbon cycle. The project includes close collaboration with the Department of Water and Environmental Studies, Linköping University, and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Canada, and will address questions regarding the presence and formation/degradation rates of organohalogens in lake water and sediment, as well as how these processes affect organic matter degradation rates.

A suitable background is a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in biology, chemistry, geosciences or a related subject. Experiences in one or several of the following fields (in alphabetical order) can be very suitable: analytical inorganic or organic chemistry, aquatic microbiology, biochemistry, limnology, and organic geochemistry. Experiences of various analytical techniques and study designs is also valuable.

Funding for a PhD position normally extends over a period of four (full-time equivalent) years. Additionally, optional teaching assistance duties up to a level of 20% of full time may be persued, depending on availability. More information can be obtained on the following web page: http://www.teknat.uu.se.

Further regulations concerning for PhD-students are as laid down in Högskoleförordningen 5 kap, 1-7 §§.

Uppsala University is striving to achieve gender equality and therefore we explicitly encourage women to apply for this male-dominated job category. For further information about the position, please contact Prof. Lars Tranvik, phone +46 18 471 2722, e-mail: lars.tranvik@ebc.uu.se, Dr. David Bastviken, e-mail: david.bastviken@geo.su.se, Prof. Gunilla Öberg, e-mail: goberg@ires.ubc.ca. The trade union representatives are Anders Grundström, SACO (the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations), phone +46 18 471 5380 and Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST (the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees), phone +46 18 471 1996, Stefan Djurström, SEKO (the Union of Service and Communication Employees), phone +46 18 471 3315.

We are looking forward to receive your application by 27 August 2009 marked UFV-PA 2009/1796, to the Registrar´s Office, Uppsala University, Box 256, 751 05 Uppsala, fax + 46 18 471 2000 or e-mail registrator@uu.se. Applicants who use fax or e-mail must follow up by sending in original documents no later than a week after the application deadline. The application should include a letter which describes yourself and your research interests, a CV, copies of your exams, degrees and grades, and - if relevant - a copy of your Masters thesis, diploma projects or equivalent. Contact data to reference persons shall be included. Other relevant material can also be included.

Contact person:

Lars Tranvik
Limnology, Dept of Ecology and Evolution
Upsala, Sweden
Telephone: +46 18 4712722
Fax: +46 18 531134
Email: lars.tranvik@ebc.uu.se

Graduate Student Assistantship - Wetlands and Mercury

Location: University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Close date: until filled (posted 28 June 2009)

Our lab’s research focuses on environmental controls regulating the formation and bioaccumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) in prairie wetlands. Water MeHg concentrations can be extremely high in some Type 3 wetland ponds in Saskatchewan and preliminary data suggest that there may be an influence of land use type on MeHg concentrations in water. Wetlands surrounded by land that has been converted to natural grasslands tend to have elevated concentrations of MeHg compared water in wetlands that are cultivated by traditional farming methods. We have also observed very high concentrations of MeHg in water from wetlands ponds surrounded by organically farmed areas. The implications of high MeHg concentrations in prairie wetlands are possible toxicological effects on wildlife, especially animals at higher trophic levels. I currently have 1-2 graduate student positions at the MSc or PhD levels available in a new ecosystem-level research initiative examining ecological controls on methylmercury production in prairie wetlands. This position involves both laboratory studies at the University of Regina and field work at the St. Denis National Wildlife Area 40 km east of Saskatoon. I am looking for bright, independent, highly motivated students with a passion for environmental research. Applicants should have a strong background in natural science and strong quantitative skills. Successful applicants will be motivated, have well-developed writing and communication skills, strong work ethics, and the ability to work cooperatively in a team setting. Field and laboratory experience is preferred. Funding will come from a combination of teaching and research assistantships.

To apply, please send a CV to Britt Hall: britt.hall@uregina.ca.

Contact person:

Dr. Britt Hall
Department of Biology, University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Telephone: 306-337-2355
Email: britt.hall@uregina.ca

Functional and Applied Ecology (2 positions)

Duration: tenure-track positions
Location: Zaragoza, Spain
Close date: 30 June 2009

The Dept. of Functional Ecology and Biodiversity at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (Zaragoza, Spain), invites applications for candidates suitable for two different positions:

a) Experienced or senior researcher (salary range about 35-40.000 Euros). The candidate should have about 30 ISI publications in high-ranked journals, 4-8 years of post-doctoral experience, and a demonstrated track-record in raising funds for research and in supervising PhD students.

b) Junior researcher (salary range about 30.000 Euros). The candidate should have about 15 ISI publications in medium and high-ranked journals, and 2 years (minimum) of post-doctoral experience.

The successful candidates will be expected to establish a competitive research program focused on interactions and transactions within and between biological and ecological systems, with an especial concern for the way the functioning of ecosystems can be influenced by human interventions. This research should complement the interests of the Functional Ecology & Biodiversity department:

• Ecological restoration
• Human impacts on aquatic ecosystems
• Land-water interactions
• River-floodplain ecology

Applicants should submit in a single PDF file:

1. A letter of application, summarizing the applicant’s scientific work and interests and giving some thoughts on how the applicant would fit into the research interests of our Department (for details visit our web http://www.ipe.csic.es/Ecologia_func/Index.html).
2. A complete CV, including a list of published and unpublished works.

The recruitment process for these positions may last 12-18 months; thus, successful candidates would be expected to take up their positions in the second semester of 2010.

Contact person:

Dr. Enrique Navarro
Pyrenean Institute of Ecology
Av. Montañana 1005
Zaragoza 50059
Spain
Telephone: +34 976 716113
Fax: +34 976 716019
Email: enrique.navarro@ipe.csic.es

Freshwater Invertebrate Ecologist/Hydro-ecologist

Duration: Permanent - full-time
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Close date: Until filled (posted 3 February 2009)

Applications are invited for a permanent scientist position at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), New Zealand’s Christchurch site.

We require an ecologist to carry out fundamental and applied research across differing spatial scales within diverse groundwater-dependent ecosystems, including streams and rivers. The ideal candidate will have experience with benthic and hyporheic ecosystems, organic carbon cycling, and the ecologies of key species, and incorporate hydrology and/or geomorphology into her/his ecological research. The primary focus of the position will be on the roles and requirements of invertebrate populations and communities in benthic, hyporheic and aquifer habitats of alluvial systems.

Competitive candidates will have post-doctoral research experience in biology, ecology, hydrology or a related field. They will also have a strong publication record, experience working within interdisciplinary teams, and experience in basic and applied research and consultancy.

The position is open until the position is filled, with applications evaluated as they arrive.

For further information, a position description and online applications please visit www.niwa.co.nz/careers.

Joint Master: Ecocatch - Ecological Management of Catchments in Europe

Duration: 2 years (120 ECTS)
Location: Joint Master Programme, a cooperation between 8 European universities (www.ecocatch.eu/universities)
Close date: Varying dates at the different partner universities

The catchment ­ an area that is drained by a river ­ has become the basic unit for planning of a future sustainable society since the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been adopted by EU. The WFD aims at making all water bodies of good qualitative and quantitative status and to protect and use the water resources in an ecological and sustainable way. Hence, there is an urgent need for professionals handling the implementation of the WFD.

The Ecocatch programme will make you acquainted with the ideas of the directive and familiar with the various environmental conditions prevailing in different parts of Europe. Most uniquely, you will learn to integrate the effects of all different ecosystems that the water passes through on the way from the source to the sea. You collaborate with students from different European countries, learning from each other and enjoying studying together.

The programme’s unique broad-based approach and the international European embedding of our programme means that with a European Master's degree in ‘Ecocatch’ under your belt, you will be well equipped to conduct research at universities and other research institutes (e.g. those affiliated with the National Academies of Arts and Sciences) across Europe. You can also aim for a career in central or regional government (e.g. at the ministries of environment or agriculture), at water boards, private companies or consultancies, conservation organisations or non-governmental organisations. Given that the Water Framework Directive is mandatory and is urgently required throughout Europe, the demand for graduates with a Master’s in the ecological management of catchments is considerable.

More info is available at the Ecocatch website: www.ecocatch.eu

MSc in Aquatic Resource Management

Duration: One year full time
Location: Kings College London (KCL) England and the University Marine Biological Station Millport (UMBSM) Scotland.

The course is designed for those seeking vocational employment or research opportunities within the broad field of freshwater, estuarine and marine resources, their development conservation, regulation and management. A key feature of the course is the three month project placement (internship) within an organisation engaged in aquatic management or research.

The course has developed extensive links with the Environment Agency, other government agencies and departments, environmental consultancies and water utilities who provide a wide range of visiting lecturers in addition to placement opportunities. The course also has an outstanding employment record with over 90% of graduates gaining employment in the water management or research fields.

NERC studentships and departmental bursaries are available. For further details, course brochure or application form visit:
www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/geography/masters/aquatic.html

Contact person:

Dr Tony Bark
Department of Geography
Kings College London
150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7848 4403  
Email: tony.bark@kcl.ac.uk

PhD Student, Paleoclimatology/Paleolimnology

Duration: 3 years
Location: INRS, Québec, Canada
Close date: none

This project will be part of a multi-proxy study using chironomids, pollen, diatoms, grain size analysis and pigment analysis to reconstruct climate change through the Holocene. Students can chose between chironomids, pollen or diatom analysis. The project will include extensive fieldwork from spring to autumn 2004 to develop a training set in Quebec.

Short courses (2 weeks to a few months) with other specialists can be taken to improve the students's knowledge in taxonomy (e.g., in London for chironomids; in Ontario for diatoms; in Switzerland for pollen).

This project also includes a close collaboration with hydrologists at INRS to model the effect of climate change (past and future) on lake ecosystems in Quebec. This is a good opportunity for students be part of a multidisciplinary research project.

Contact person:

Isabelle Larocque
INRS-ETE, 2800 rue Einstein
Québec
Canada
Telephone: 1-418-654-3115
Fax: 1-418-654-2600
E-mail: isabelle_larocque@inrs-ete.uquebec.ca

MSc in Freshwater and Coastal Sciences

Duration: Can be taken as a one year full-time programme or on a part-time basis.
Location: The course is jointly convened by School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) and the Department of Geography, University College London (UCL)

Aquatic ecosystems are vital global resources. However, issues such as habitat degradation, pollution, species introductions and climate change, severely threaten their ecological integrity and sustainability. The MSc in Freshwater and Coastal Sciences (FACS) aims to provide students with the necessary skills to understand and tackle these issues.

The programme is taught jointly by staff from the School of Biological & Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and the Department of Geography at University College London (UCL). Together these two institutions offer possibly the best range of expertise in the aquatic ecosystem sciences within any UK university. This is further complemented by the involvement of staff from other departments (UCL Biology) and organisations such as the UK Environment Agency, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the National Park authorities.

A wide range of systems are covered, from headwater streams, through rivers, lakes and estuaries to coasts. Field work is a key feature of many modules and is continued via a substantive individual research project, providing students with key independent research skills for further PhD research and hence into academia, or for prospective employment in the applied sector.

For more information:

Mrs Maggie Moran
School of Biological & Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Rd
London, United Kingdom
Telephone: 44 (0)20 7882 3012
Email: sbcs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk

Page revised: 28 June 2009