Geobiology at GSA 2016

We had a fabulous time at GSA this year, here are some shots of our division luncheon and awards ceremony.

Outgoing president Marc Laflamme (right) and incoming president Simon Darrock (left)

The Distinguished Career Award Recipient Dawn Sumner (University of California - Davis)

 Dawn Sumner (left) and outgoing president Marc Laflamme (right)

Dawn said this was one of the most meaningful awards she had won because it was from her own people (Geobiologists). Thank you for being a fabulous advocate for geobiology Dawn!

The Pre-Tenure Award Recipient Erik Sperling (Stanford University)

We expect great things Erik, no pressure!

Outgoing president Marc Laflamme (left) and Erik Sperling (right)

The 2015 student presentation award winners

Left to right: Marc Laflamme, Sharon Newman, Lucy Chang, Brooke Long, Sarah Kahanamoku, and Simon Darroch

Oral Presentation Winners:

• Lucy Chang: 'Morphological predictors of background extinction risk for ammonites through the Cretaceous'
• Sharon Newman: 'A recipe for cyanobacterial fossilization in siliciclastic environments'

Honorable mentions:

• Erynn Johnson: 'Can we learn anything from all those pieces? Obtaining data on drilling predation from fragmented high-spired gastropod shells'
• Dylan Wilmeth: 'Microbial metabolisms influence carbonate precipitation in a laminated microbial mat'

Poster Presentation Winners:

• Sarah Kahanamoku: 'High-throughput semi-3D imaging of macroinvertebrates: a test case using Northeastern Pacific patellogastropods'
• Brooke Long: 'Testing the association of Stewartia floridana shell morphology with environmental parameters in a coastal seagrass area'

Honorable mentions:

• William Gearty: 'Phylogenetic and fossil evidence for a common body size attractor in marine mammals'
• Elizabeth Clark: 'Biomechanical analysis of stylophoran (phylum Echinodermata) motion'

We hope everyone enjoyed the lunch, see you next year!

Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleobotany, and Assistant Professor in Geological Sciences

The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History and Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder invite applications for a tenure-track appointment as Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleobotany and Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences. We seek a scientist who will conduct field and collection-based research in one or more of the following areas: evolutionary studies, systematics, organismal paleobiology, paleoecology, taphonomy, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The Museum's Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany collections house approximately 200,000 catalogued specimens, with strengths in Cenozoic terrestrial arthropods (and associated plants), as well as marine invertebrates and foraminiferans from the Western Interior Seaway. Most holdings are from the Rocky Mountain region, but the collection includes other US and international materials. 
Primary responsibilities will be to develop a research program at the forefront of paleontology; to curate, develop and increase the visibility of the Museum's Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany collections, including their digital assets; and to teach in the Museum and Field Studies Graduate Program and the Department of Geological Sciences.

Applicants must have a doctoral degree in geology, biology, paleontology, or a related field, and express a commitment to research, curation, teaching, and mentoring. The successful candidate should complement existing expertise in paleontology and related fields in the Department of Geological Sciences. Application materials must be submitted electronically at https://www.cu.edu/cu-careers, job posting 07197. To apply, please collate the following into a single PDF file: cover letter, curriculum vita, proof of degree, names and addresses of four references, a statement of research that clearly outlines to non-specialists how the applicant's research contributes to the most important scientific problems in his/her discipline; a statement of teaching experience and philosophy; a statement of curatorial experience and vision; and representative publications. 

For full consideration, please apply by November 30, 2016. The search is open until filled. Direct questions to Paleosearch@colorado.edu. The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Tenure-track faculty position in Earth Systems Evolution UBC, Canada

The Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia invites outstanding applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Earth Systems Evolution at the level of Assistant Professor. Appointment at a higher rank will be considered for an applicant of exceptional qualifications. The ideal candidate will be a cross-disciplinary scientist who draws on modern, quantitative field, laboratory and/or modelling methods to illuminate the fundamental processes that have shaped the Earth through time. We encourage applications from diverse subdisciplines including sedimentary geology, geobiology, climate science, and Earth systems modelling. Priority will be given to originality of the candidate's work over any specific specialization. We are a very diverse department, and the ideal candidate will be able to interact with multiple existing research groups.

Research and teaching interests in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS), the top-ranked and largest earth sciences department in Canada, span the history of the Earth and the evolution of its structure from core to stratosphere (http://www.eoas.ubc.ca/). Further opportunities exist for the successful candidate to forge research ties with other parts of the UBC community that are active in the Earth and Planetary Sciences, including the Departments and Faculties of Geography, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Land and Food Systems, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, Statistics and Computer Science, as well as the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. The successful applicant is expected to develop a strong, externally funded and internationally recognized research program, successfully supervise graduate students, effectively teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and actively participate in departmental activities. Evidence of teaching excellence and interest in innovative teaching methods is welcomed.

Applications should include a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vita, a summary of research interests describing two potentially fundable projects, a statement of teaching philosophy, three recent publications (pdf format), and the names and contact details of three individuals from whom the search committee can request letters of reference.
Submit online at http://tinyurl.com/nvvoots by October 31, 2016; applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the search is closed. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2017 or upon a date of mutual agreement. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

If you have questions, please contact the Search Committee Chair by email at the following address: James Scoates, Professor (email: jscoates@eos.ubc.ca)

Teaching Fellow in Palaeobiology - University of Leicester

This position is advertised as a nine month appointment, but the job is partly to provide teaching cover while Professor Mark Purnell undertakes a College-level role, the term of which is three years.

They are looking for a first class teacher in the field of Palaeobiology, who will deliver high-quality teaching, including practical classes and fieldwork at all levels and be able to demonstrate the ability to develop innovative teaching methods. A strong commitment to teaching is essential and the candidate will support the work of the Department in developing and enhancing its reputation, both internal and external to the University.
 
The candidate will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in Geology or Palaeobiology, or have relevant research experience as well as experience of teaching or demonstrating in practical classes and on field courses.
Informal inquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Richard England on hodgeol@le.ac.uk
The closing date for this post is midnight on 13 November 2016.
We anticipate that assessments will take place on 29 November 2016.
Click on the url below and search on the reference number SEN00793 for more information and to apply.
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/jobs/opportunities/jobsearch

Faculty Position in Geobiology, McGill University

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in Geobiology. McGill University is one of Canada’s leading research and teaching institutions, located in the heart of vibrant Montreal, Quebec.

The position, with a start date of August 1, 2017 or later, is at the rank of Assistant Professor, although an appointment at a higher level will be considered in the case of an applicant with exceptional qualifications. We seek a candidate who uses quantitative field, laboratory, and/or modeling methods to study interactions between life and geologic, geochemical or hydrological processes. Applicants should have a doctorate at the time of appointment, a record of excellence in research, and the capacity for outstanding teaching.

Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae, a research plan, a statement of teaching interests, a list of three references, and up to two examples of recent publications. The application package should be sent in electronic form to the Department Chair. Additionally, the applicant should arrange for the three letters of reference to be submitted directly to the Department Chair.

Review of applications will begin November 1, 2016 and continue until the position is filled.
Additional information here