Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology or Paleobotany - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL

The Field Museum invites applications for an Assistant Curator in the fields of Invertebrate Paleontology or Paleobotany. This term position has a probationary period of 3 + 3 years; after successful promotion to the Associate level it is renewable every 7 years, according to the Field Museum’s Policy Statement on the Curatorial Ranks. The start date for the position is on or after January 1, 2022.

The Field Museum's Geology Section has a record of scientific excellence in collections-based research, with current strengths in phylogenetic systematics, functional morphology, paleoecology, macroevolution, history and philosophy of biology, meteoritics, and cosmochemistry. Our Fossil Invertebrate and Paleobotany collections are world class. The Fossil Invertebrate collection is focused on the Paleozoic of the Midwest with significant collections of the Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, Devonian fossils from the Falls of the Ohio area, Silurian reef fossils from the Chicago area, and Paleozoic echinoderms. The Paleobotany Collection contains significant holdings of Late Carboniferous fossil plants preserved as compression-adpressions, permineralized peats, and within sideritic concretions. Cretaceous through Paleogene floras are well-represented, including angiosperm mesofossil assemblages from the Upper Cretaceous Raritan and Magothy Formations. Substantial fossil palynological collections and comparative extant pollen and spore preparations are also housed within the Collection.

We are seeking a collegial individual with strong communication skills who conducts innovative, integrative research that will complement and broaden the section’s strengths. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an externally funded field and/or laboratory research program, to contribute to building and using the Invertebrate Paleontology or Paleobotany collections, and to participate in Museum exhibition, public outreach and education, and programmatic efforts. We particularly value a commitment to equity and inclusion in the context of museum-based research, curation, education, and outreach. Close relationships with local universities provide opportunities for participation in graduate and undergraduate training. A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline must be held by the start of employment.

To apply and for inquiries, please email: paleontology-search2021@fieldmuseum.org
Applications should include: 
  1. a Curriculum Vitae
  2. a statement of research interests and career objectives
  3. a statement describing experience in and/or vision for increasing diversity and inclusion in a museum setting
  4. names and contact information for three people from whom letters of recommendation may be sought
  5. copies of up to five relevant publications in PDF format. 
Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2021.

The Field Museum is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in science, and strives to create a working environment that is free of sexual, racial, and ethnic discrimination, and that promotes human dignity among all staff. As such, it is the policy of the Field Museum to hire without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation. The Field Museum strives to ensure that our career website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. Email us at accessibility@fieldmuseum.org if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application as a result of your disability.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

URGE- Unlearning Racism In Geoscience

Hi y'all,

I wanted to draw your attention to a new initiative: URGE- Unlearning Racism In Geoscience (https://urgeoscience.org/). This NSF Funded program seeks to help geoscientists learn how to create more equitable spaces through coordinated local groups (called "Pods"). 

Here's a brief overview of the mission, more detail at https://urgeoscience.org/.
"Many geoscience programs and societies are currently having conversations surrounding racism. These conversations are inspired by recent reminders (e.g., the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery) that the injustices in society are reflected and perpetuated in Geoscience. Morris et al., (2020) appropriately describe the effects of racism on the careers of black, brown, and indigenous Geoscientists by stating that “in place of mass incarceration, there is mass exclusion [and] in place of police brutality, [geoscience] careers are killed through forced attrition and under-investment.” Like the rest of the world and academia, the Geosciences need to unlearn racism.

We designed a community-wide journal-reading and policy-design curriculum to help Geoscientists unlearn racism and improve accessibility, justice, equity, and inclusion (AJEDI) in our discipline. We call this program Unlearning Racism in Geoscience (URGE; www.urgeoscience.org). URGE’s primary objectives are to (1) deepen the community’s knowledge of the effects of racism on the participation and retention of black, brown, and indigenous people in Geoscience, (2) use the existing literature, expert opinion, and personal experiences to develop anti-racist policies and strategies, and (3) share, discuss, and modify anti-racist policies and strategies within a dynamic community network and on a national stage. By meeting these objectives, we hope that Geoscience departments and societies will be able to implement a well-researched crowdsourced group of anti-racist policies."


 Congratulations to the excellent PIs and coordinating crew!

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Summer 2021 Opportunities with the National Park Service!

Applications for Students are Now Open!
Please share this announcement with your students.
The Scientists in Parks (SIP) Fellows program is now accepting applications from current upper-level undergraduate and graduate students for summer 2021 opportunities with the National Park Service.
The application deadline is January 24th, 2021 at 11:59PM EST
Why Become an SIP Fellow?
  • Full-time work for 11-12 weeks at $500/wk
  • Professional development through a workshop at the end of the summer
  • Mentoring by a NPS supervisor
  • Networking with NPS and DOI leaders
  • Ability to earn Direct Hire Authority status upon successful completion

[ABOUT]     [OPPORTUNTIES]     [APPLY]
The Ecological Society of America is the proud partner and host of the National Park Service's Scientists in Parks program.

Ooid Swag from GBGM ... Just in time for Holiday Shopping

To celebrate #TooidTuesday (and impending Holiday gift-giving) we have added some Ooidy items to our Geobio store! All proceeds go to the GBGM Division of the Geological Society of America! Huge thank you to Dr. Tracy Frank (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) for the beautiful photomicrographs! 


Like a clean plane-polarized light (PPL)? Check out the collection here: www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/64528748

Prefer cross-polarized light (XPL) for lots of color? Check out the collection here:  www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/64513984

Want both? Here are the two images mirrored (with a scale bar): www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/64527763

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

PhD opportunities – Organic Geochemistry Group at CU Boulder

The Organic Geochemistry Group in the Department of Geological Sciences and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking for prospective students interested in pursuing a PhD in Geosciences in the fields of (1) paleoceanography and (2) ocean biogeochemistry.

1. Evaluating Climate Change and Kill Mechanisms Associated with the End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction: A Model-Data Comparison Approach. This PhD project aims to tests hypotheses about the relationship between dramatic climate change, marine ecology, and carbon cycling across the Cretaceous/Paleogene mass extinction event. Research includes laboratory and analytical activities examining lipid biomarkers and their stable isotope composition using samples from ocean and continental drilling, which will be incorporated into climate and biogeochemical models. https://spark.adobe.com/video/UoIFOafxAH6hL  

2. Microbial Lipidomics in Changing Oceans. This PhD project aims to tests hypotheses about lipid remodeling in marine microbes as a physiological adaptation to multiple environmental stressors using observational (cruises) and experimental (microcosm and mesocosm experiments) approaches. Research includes laboratory and analytical activities examining intact polar lipids (IPLs) and their degradation products (core lipids), which will be incorporated into larger dataset of metagenomics, metatranscriptomic, and geochemistry.

Applications from students with a robust foundation in Earth sciences, or related disciplines, and from diverse backgrounds and traditionally marginalized groups in STEM fields, are particularly encouraged to apply. Familiarity with organic and/or stable isotope geochemistry, paleoenvironmental sciences, oceanography, and data analysis is desired, but not essential. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Julio Sepúlveda (jsepulveda@colorado.edu), including a brief interest statement and a CV/resume as a single PDF file.

The Organic Geochemistry Group is a diverse group of researchers from different backgrounds and nationalities that welcomes and embraces diversity. We are part of the Organic Geochemistry Lab, a state of-the-art analytical facility equipped with instrumentation in gas and liquid chromatography, low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry, with an active network of collaborators. As the flagship university of the state of Colorado, CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners with a proud tradition of academic excellence situated on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. Collectively, CU Boulder researchers produce more papers in the geosciences—and generate more citations to those papers—than those at any other university in the world.

For more information about the Department of Geological Sciences Graduate Program*, INSTAAR, and our university, please visit: Department of Geological Sciences, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder 

*GEOL graduate program deadlines: International students (12/01); Domestic students (12/15)

Monday, November 23, 2020

Winners of the GSA GBGM Division Student Presentation Awards

Dear Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division Members,

It is our pleasure to announce the winners of the GSA 2020 student presentation awards. We were all so impressed with the quality of presentations by our student members, especially given that for many of us, this was our first time attending and presenting at a virtual conference.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our members who judged this year's competition. Without your feedback and support, this endeavor would not be possible. There were many interesting talks and posters at this year's GSA Meeting, so thank you to everyone who participated.

To all of our students, congratulations on presenting at GSA this year. All of the excellent entries from you all truly made choosing winners difficult, but here are the students who will receive an award this year:

Best oral presentation winners:
  • Gwen Antell - "Thermal Niches of Planktonic Foraminifera are Static Throughout Glacial-Interglacial Climate Change"
  • Jack Shaw - "Methodological Advances in Inferring Ancient Food Webs"
Best poster presentation winners:
  • Yu Kai Tan - "Freshwater Mussels in North America: Museum Collections and Pre-Industrial Biogeography"
  • Amelia Lindsay Kaufman - "Two Novel Biomineralized Tubular Fossils from the Terminal Ediacaran, Central Iran"
Honorable mentions:
  • Erica Scarpitti (oral presentation) - "Association Between Tympanic Bulla Morphology and Locomotion in Rodents: Application to the Fossil Record"
  • Katie Maloney (oral presentation) - "Possible Multicellular Green Algae in Early Tonian Marine Environments"
  • Tian Gan (poster presentation) - "Paleo-Speleothems as Evidence for Widespread Karstification in the Aftermath of the Marinoan Deglaciation (635 Ma) in South China"
As with previous years, we will be handing out prizes to our award winners at GBGM awards luncheon next year at GSA 2021.

We'd like to thank all of the students who contacted us and put their names forward for consideration. It was a real privilege to see and hear about the work you've been doing, and we encourage you to enter again next year. Recognizing the excellent work of our members is the most important aspect of the GBGM division, so please stay in touch. It is wonderful to see the faces of the student population of GSA GBGM and there is a bright future ahead for this group!

Thank you,
Alison Cribb and the GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division













Thursday, November 19, 2020

Tenure Track position at Penn State in a field broadly related to sedimentary processes and the evolution of Earth's surface

The Department of Geosciences at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in a field broadly related to sedimentary processes and the evolution of Earth's surface. We seek creative colleagues working to understand connections between Earth’s surface dynamics and deep-Earth, ocean, climate, and/or biological systems. We are especially interested in applicants whose research, teaching, and diversity efforts would complement existing departmental strengths in geobiology, geochemistry, and geophysics.

The Department of Geosciences is part of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, which houses research programs spanning a broad range of Earth and planetary science, including the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and the Energy Institute. Successful applicants will be expected to engage with our community by developing vigorous, externally funded research programs, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, and working to advance diversity in geosciences. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in geosciences or related field at the time of appointment. 

We anticipate filling the position at the rank of Assistant Professor, although in exceptional cases more senior candidates will be considered. The appointment could begin as early as July 1, 2021. Review of applications will begin on January 4, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

Applications should be submitted online and include: (i) cover letter; (ii) curriculum vitae; (iii) statement of research plans and vision; (iv) statement of teaching philosophy and interests; (v) a separate diversity statement that demonstrates a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and an inclusive environment in their department/workplace and (vi) names and contact information for four references. Questions about the position should be directed to Peter J. Heaney, Search Committee Chair, at pjheaney@psu.edu.

The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences relies on the expertise, sensitivity and commitment of an inclusive faculty to enhance diversity, seek equity, and create a welcoming environment within our community. We are committed to nurturing a learning and working environment that respects differences in culture, age, gender, race, ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation. In welcoming every candidate, we strive to meet the needs of professional families by actively assisting with partner-placement needs.

Full Ad here:
https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Academic/job/University-Park-Campus/Tenure-Track-Faculty-Position-in-Sedimentology_REQ_0000008482-1

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

We have a winner!

 The GBGM community has spoken and we have a clear winner for our new logo:

We need to make a few small tweaks (so the design follows GSA rules), but we will unveil the official new GBGM logo soon!

Congratulations to logo designer Ichiko Sugiyama for her beautiful artwork! Check out Ichiko's science (as well as her other artwork) here: http://www.isugiyama.com/about

Over 100 GBGM members voted on the new logo! The winning design received almost half of the "first choice" votes and there was a close race for second between designs #5 and #3 (the ammonite-DNA-stromatolite and ammonite-in-a-cell designs). The Division Officers would like to send a huge thank you to all the finalists for their hard work and beautiful designs (designers should keep an eye on their inbox for a prize follow-up).

Remember, merchandise with these six logo finalists will only be available for the next two months:  www.redbubble.com/people/GSA-Geobiology/shop. Get them while you can!

Monday, October 26, 2020

Vote for our new GBGM Logo and get your own GBGM Merchandise

We hope you're enjoying GSA 2020.... and we have 2 exciting announcements!


Exciting news the first:

The GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division is updating our logo! We asked the community for something that captured the diversity of research in our division while maintaining a simple design, and y'all came up with six lovely possibilities (see below)! 

Vote here for your favorite logo during the week of GSA (voting closes at 11:59 November 1st)! 

The winning design will become the new logo of the GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology division. 


Exciting news the second:

The GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division is opening up a Redbubble online store for awesome (on demand) Geobiology merchandise! The store can be accessed here: www.redbubble.com/people/GSA-Geobiology/shop




In the shop, you will find all sorts of fun things, including (but not limited to) water bottles, mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, hoodies, stickers, mousepads, scarves, and phone/tablet cases! The store currently contains swag with all 6 logo finalists as well as our Vintage (current) logo!

The winning logo will be available year-round, but the other finalists will be “limited edition” runs through the end of the year. All proceeds from the shop go towards the GSA GBGM Division (with 25% of profits going to the logo designers).


Sunday, October 11, 2020

GBGM Logo Design Contest

The Geobiology and Geomicrobiology (GBGM) division of GSA is looking for talented artists from our Geobiology community to help us redesign our logo! 

We’re looking for something that can capture the diversity of research in our division while maintaining a simple design. If you want inspiration, check out the logos for GSA’s divisions in History & Philosophy, Energy Geology, or Geochronology.

Logo design finalists will be selected by the GBGM Division Officers and then the GBGM division members will vote for their favorite design during the GSA Online 2020 meeting. The winning logo will be used in the production of new GBGM merchandise (e.g., water bottles, mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, stickers, mousepads) while select finalists will be chosen for “limited edition” runs. All finalists will receive free swag, and artists will receive 25% of any profits from merchandise using their designs.

Submissions will be accepted until October 22nd. Submissions and questions can be sent to GBGM Division Officer Dr. David Gold.
Please include “GBGM Logo Competition” in the subject line and your GSA membership number (or membership number of an affiliated society). The only requirement for the logo is that your submission is provided as a vector graphic; David Gold will work with the winner to integrate the design into the standardized logo template and make sure it meets GSA’s specifications.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing your ideas!

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Opportunities for Students: Co-evolution of Earth and life across the Proterozoic-Phanerozoic transition

Funded by NSF-FRES (National Science Foundation Frontier Research in Earth Sciences Program), this collaborative project (Co-evolution of Earth and life across the Proterozoic-Phanerozoic transition: Integrated perspectives from outcrop and drill coresoffers multiple PhD graduate research assistantships to support research on the co-evolution of Earth and life across the Proterozoic-Phanerozoic transition through the integration of geochemical, paleontological, stratigraphic, sedimentological, geochronological, and paleogeographical data from both outcrops and drill cores. Graduate students working on this project will have opportunities to participate in field work in NW Canada, Mongolia, Namibia, and Morocco; to analyze drill cores from South China, Brazil, and Namibia; to study stable isotope geochemistry; and to learn numerical modeling techniques. Students will also have opportunities to interact scientists from eight research groups at six institutions (see PIs list below) as well as the ICDP GRIND-ECT project (https://www.icdp-online.org/projects/world/global-coverage/grind-ect/).


Students who are interested in applying for these opportunities are encouraged to contact PIs listed above.

Friday, September 18, 2020

PaleoSoc: Mental health in academia Webinar

Mental health in academia: a conversation on navigating mental health challenges

Thursday, October 1st at 1:00 pm EDT

Mental health issues pose a major problem in academia and have recently been on the rise. The constant pressures such as producing novel data and research publications, job insecurity, lack of funding, limited institutional mental health resources, and continued societal stigma around obtaining mental health treatment promotes a public health risk among the most talented members of our society. These issues are compounded for members from underrepresented minority, marginalized, and or at-risk groups who face steeper challenges navigating through academia. Graduate student mental health has received the most attention in academia, but these issues don’t disappear when they are hired as faculty or other academic positions. Additionally, early career academics or academics in unstable or transient positions also face mental health risks. 
 
We welcome everyone to join us as we discuss how to navigate mental health issues in academia in this Q&A webinar hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Paleontological Society. We will be joined by psychologist, Dr. Delishia Pittman from George Washington University and Society Representative-At-Large, Dr. Phoebe Cohen who will answer questions from our members. 

To register for the webinar please visit: 
https://forms.gle/hnbPmEera9JYkoSe9

We encourage everyone to submit questions before the webinar, which can include topics ranging from mental health issues for graduate students, post-docs, and faculty, how to address student mental health as a faculty member, and approaches for established faculty to support students and junior faculty from underrepresented minority and marginalized groups. You can submit your questions at the link below until September 27th; however, we will have time to address live questions during the webinar.

Please submit questions anonymously via:
https://forms.gle/tAe2xBThqmdTkimb9

If you are a current graduate student and would like to participate in the panel, please reach out to us at inclusion@paleosoc.org.

GSA Webinar: Demystifying the Graduate School Application Process

Date and Time: 23 September, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. MDT
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7916919535640932367


This webinar will discuss all aspects of applying to graduate school in geology, from choosing a research area, contacting potential professors to work with, and assembling the application. We will also cover topics such as different funding sources for graduate school (yes! you can get paid to go to graduate school), whether you should still take the GRE, and other related topics. There will be ample time for Q&A at the end.

Presenters
Lisa Ely, PhD, Central Washington University
Allie Nagurney, PhD Candidate, Virginia Tech University
Alexandra Valencia Villa, PhD Student, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Promotional Partners
Continental Scientific Drilling; Geobiology and Geomicrobiology; Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology; Geochronology; Environmental and Engineering Geology; Quaternary Geology & Geomorphology; Soils and Soil Processes; Structural Geology and Tectonics Divisions; and Mineralogical Society of America.



CPN Events at GSA

The Student Panel of the Conservation Paleobiology Research Coordination Network is starting a networking and peer mentoring program for students interested in conservation paleobiology. Program events will take place virtually alongside select conferences each year and aim to supplement any existing in-person student activities. The goals of the program are to (1) create a safe space for students to share their conference experiences and receive feedback on their talks from peers, (2) facilitate networking, (3) provide a platform for students to promote their presentations, and (4) spark discussions about conference contributions and sessions relevant to conservation paleobiology. 

The inaugural program events will be held during the upcoming Geological Society of America meeting next month. Program events and registration details can be found below. Please distribute this information to any students who might be interested in participating.

----------
GSA Program Events:
  • September 28th -- Tech support and practice (90 mins): Discussion of technical issues (sound, cutting, captions, copyright, format of the contribution) and best practices for the required presentation format. Feedback on contributions (videos, slides, or live talks) in breakout rooms.
  • October 19th -- Pre-conference meeting (60 mins): Catch up on the preparation of participants' conference contributions. Share information about relevant sessions and presentations, discuss fears and expectations regarding the conference, and promote student contributions and personal highlights.
  • November 2nd -- Post-conference meeting (60 mins): Feedback on each other's contributions. What went well, what went wrong, what to improve next time? Were the expectations met? What were the conference highlights?
The calls will be held at 17:00 UTC via Zoom and will be moderated by Niklas Hohmann (member of the student panel) and Jessica Lueders-Dumont (senior moderator and postdoc).

Registration:
To register, please write an informal email to Niklas Hohmann (Niklas.Hohmann@fau.de). As this program is still in development, the number of participants will be limited to 10 for now (first come, first serve). Participants should ideally be available to attend all three sessions.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

GSA GBGM 2020 Student Presentation Awards

Register by October 1st to be considered for a Student Presentation Award!


Hello members of the GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division!
  
The GSA Annual Meeting is coming up quickly! The GBGM division is excited to announce that we will be organizing the GSA GBGM student awards for outstanding student oral and poster presentations. 
  
This is a great opportunity to get to know professionals in your field, and advertise the amazing work you’re all doing.
  
If you are a student presenter at this year's GSA Connects Online, and would like to be considered for one of the GSA GBGM student awards, please fill out our short on-line survey at this link here by October 1st. 
  
GBGM student Reps Amanda Godbold Andrew Putt, and Alison Cribb will assemble a team of impartial judges to come see your work, and we will announce the winners via email at the end of GSA. Last year’s winners will be recognized during the Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division Award Presentation Event & Business Meeting.
  
We’re looking forward to hearing from everyone! If you have any questions feel free to e-mail either Amanda Godbold, Andrew Putt, or Alison Cribb.
  
Cheers,
Amanda Godbod
Andrew Putt
Alison Cribb

Friday, September 4, 2020

Next week (6th-12th September) is Black in Geoscience Week!

Next week (6th-12th September) is the first-ever Black in Geoscience Week! A group of Black geoscientists has put together this week to provide people with the opportunity to network and share their stories of what it's like to be Black in geoscience. 

More importantly, this will be used as a platform for everyone to learn and understand what is required for us as geoscientists to work towards an improved representation in our community. In December 2019, it was reported by Nature that geosciences have the lowest amount of diversity in STEM field subjects in the US. The organizers of Black in Geoscience Week hope that this event will lead the field to improve both in representation and diversity. 

A range of activities has been put together (see below), ranging from roll calls and brief bios, to talks and panel discussions, allowing as many people as possible to engage through Twitter, Instagram, Zoom, and Youtube. 

EgeOiEYWAAAIHSW.jpg

For those who want to get involved, most activity is happening via Twitter and Instagram pages, which you can follow using the hashtag #BlackinGeoscienceWeek. For those not on social media, but who want to get involved, information on live panels can be found here: https://bit.ly/2Dusxf1

I'm asking you all to share this project with all of your personal networks, resulting in the week having the biggest impact possible!

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

A Sneak Peak at the GSA 2020 Connects Online Platform!

A Sneak Peak at the GSA 2020 Connects Online Platform!

This year the GSA 2020 meeting will be fully online, however this will not feel like just another video call. The main hub of the meeting is a virtual lobby where you can sign in, and explore the meeting. From there you can navigate to the auditorium, technical and topical session rooms, the GSA HQ booth, and even has a lounge where you can meet up and chat. 

Videos for each session will be pre-recorded and polished so that you can watch them ahead of time to plan any questions you might have during the live Q&A. Look for more information and webinars about navigating the platform as the meeting gets closer. https://community.geosociety.org/gsa2020/information/platform 


check out the video tour of the online hub

We hope you are all just as excited for this year's GSA 2020 connects online,
 and hope to see you virtually in October!

-The GBGM Team

Discounted membership renewal (and be sure to add the GBGM Division!)

Hey everyone, it's that time of year again....


Please take a moment to renew your GSA membership now for calendar year 2021 and take advantage of lower dues rate offer of $85 versus $100 (now through November 1st 2020).

When you renew your GSA membership, please also remember to support the Geobiology and Geomicrobiology (GBGM) Division by adding us as (one of) your division affiliation(s).... For students, the first division affiliation is FREE! If you're feeling extra generous, you can also donate funds to the division specifically.


GSA 2020 Abstract Deadline is TODAY


GSA 2020 Abstract Deadline is TODAY!

Just a friendly reminder that GSA has extended the abstract submission deadline for #GSA2020 Connects Online to 11:59 PM PDT TODAY, 5 August. If you require additional assistance please email meetings@geosociety.org.  

We can't wait to see you online,
The GBGM Team 

#HurricaneIsaias2020 #Hurricane #Isaias

Monday, July 20, 2020

Fall Preview: Explore a Michigan PhD (Virtually), September 24 and 25, 2020

The Earth and Environmental Sciences PhD program at the University of Michigan invites juniors, senior, recently graduated, or Master’s students, to participate in a virtual preview of our graduate program. We are eager to recruit students for this event who will contribute to our department's mission of promoting diversity and inclusion in the Earth and environmental sciences.

This event is an opportunity to explore graduate education, participate in admissions workshops, and meet world-renowned faculty and current graduate students. During your visit you'll learn about:
  • state of the art research happening at U-M
  • the admissions process
  • what graduate school is like and how it all works
  • interdisciplinary opportunities for students with Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, or Mathematics degrees
This event is open to US citizens or non-citizens alike. If you come from a background that is traditionally under-represented in the Earth and environmental sciences and/or if you actively work towards promoting issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields, you are especially encouraged to apply. 

Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 5:00PM EDT

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Submit your abstracts for GSA Connects Online 2020

Dear colleagues,


As sad as we are not to go to Montreal for GSA this year, the Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division is still excited about GSA 2020 Connects Online, October 26th-30th 2020! We are planning virtual activities, workshops, and meetups so that our community can stay connected, even though we are far apart; stay tuned for contests, free swag opportunities, and more!

Despite the new format, the GBGM will still be hosting our flagship sessions. Building on the success of our "New Voices in Geobiology sessions over the last three years, this year we have expanded the day-long GeobioFest into two sessions with slightly different topics.


If you are new to the field of geobiology (FYI, "new" does not necessarily mean "young"), we encourage you to submit an abstract to our topical session: “New Voices in Geobiology (T204)”. 

If you are a familiar face in Geobiology circles but have some cool new data/techniques to share, we encourage you to submit an abstract to our topical session: “New Advances in Geobiology (T203)”.

As in previous years, the goal of these sessions is to bring together new research and new researchers focusing on the interplay between geologic and biologic processes with a special emphasis on new field sites, novel materials/methods, and the development/refinement of proxies. We particularly encourage early career faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students to submit abstracts to our "New Voices" session. we hope to bring together scientists specializing in geobiology, biology, (geo)microbiology, paleobiology/paleontology, inorganic and organic geochemistry, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and sedimentology to generate new, interdisciplinary ideas and collaborations at the intersection of these fields.


The GSA abstract website is now open for submissions (as of July 1st) and the abstract deadline is midnight August 4th, 2020. To help you prepare, GSA has provided a one-page tip sheet that lists five simple steps to writing the perfect abstract. GSA also offers several other events including the Pardee Symposia, Special LecturesShort Courses, and (Virtual) Field Trips. We especially want to draw your attention to the other topical sessions sponsored by the Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division.


Feel free to contact any of our division representatives if you have any further questions, and please forward this on to colleagues or students who may be interested in this session.

We wish we could see you in person, but we hope to see you virtually this GSA!

Stay healthy, support each other, and never stop being awesome!
The GSA Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division Executive Committee

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Postdoc in Marine Micropaleontology & Paleoceanography (Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University)

The Paleoceanography and Paleoclimate Group at the Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a position in marine micropaleontology and paleoceanography at the postdoctoral level. The successful candidate will be part of a research group studying Holocene and late Quaternary paleoclimate and paleoceanography of the North Atlantic region.

The postdoctoral project is part of a large international EU Horizon 2020 project, ECOTIP, on the effect of climate change on ecosystems and biota in the Arctic region. The role of Aarhus University in the project is to provide the long-term perspective on these changes during recent millennia.

Application Deadline: 15 September 2020
The position has a fixed term of 2 years, starting as soon as possible, or whenever the successful applicant is available.


Job descriptionThe postdoctoral project will focus on investigating the link between temporal changes in climate and biodiversity and ecosystems changes in the Greenland and North Atlantic regions, with special focus on the reaction of biota to climate change.

The main tools of the postdoc project will be the investigation of marine sediment cores using a combination of preferably marine palynology, but also micropaleontology (diatoms, foraminifers, or ostracods), sedimentology, and geochemistry (XRF elemental data, stable isotopes, CaCO3, TOC, organic biomarkers) in a multi-proxy study. The postdoc will also experiment with the potential use of copepod remains in sediment samples.

Within the framework of the ECOTIP project, there is considerable freedom for the postdoctoral researcher to develop the project together with the hosts at Aarhus University.

Qualifications
The successful applicant will have a PhD in geoscience or related fields. Candidates should preferably have knowledge on Quaternary marine micropaleontology (especially marine palynology), although specialists in other techniques/proxies are also invited to apply. Experience in multi-proxy studies, paleoceanography and/or numerical/statistical data treatment will be considered favourably. Excellent oral and written English skills are a requirement.

Place of Employment and Place of Work:The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is the Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark: geo.au.dk/paleo

Contact Information:Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:
Professor Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Department of Geoscience, University of Aarhus, Denmark; mobile phone +45 2778 2897; Email: mss@geo.au.dk.
Dr. Christof Pearce, Department of Geoscience, University of Aarhus, Denmark; mobile phone +45 9350 8915; Email: christof.pearce@geo.au.dk.
 
Application procedureShortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants, including the main considerations emphasized during the selection process.

Formalities and salary rangeNatural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

The appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/fileadmin/www.medarbejdere.au.dk/hr/Rekruttering/Onboarding/Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here: https://ias.au.dk/au-relocation-service/. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here: https://international.au.dk/research/

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

For further information, see: https://geo.au.dk/profil/ledige-stillinger/job/postdoctoral-position-in-marine-micropaleontology-and-paleoceanography-at-the-department-of-geoscien/