In Memoriam: Martin Brasier

Sadly another obituary to post. In December (2014) Martin Brasier, Professor at the University of Oxford was killed in a car accident. Martin studied all periods of Earth history, but is probably best known for his work on early life and the evolution of eukaryotes and animals, specifically during the Cambrian and Precambrian.

The announcement from his department can be found here: www.earth.ox.ac.uk/news_events/news/department_news/professor_martin_brasier,_rip

The announcement in Nature is here: www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v8/n2/full/ngeo2362.html?WT.ec_id=NGEO-201502

Help us have more Geobiology at GSA!

Hi Everyone,

Help up have more geobiology at the 2015 GSA meeting! We are looking for geobiologists of all varieties to submit proposals for Topical Sessions, Pardee Keynote Symposia (due: February 1st), or a Short Course (due: February 2nd).

Submit a proposal

Propose a Short Course

For more information go here!

Research Assistant Job - Research Lab Manager in Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Lab (UC 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 a highly qualified laboratory manager to oversee its new, state-of-the-art analytical facility in the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex (SEEC) starting in Fall 2015.

They are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent communicational and organizational skills to oversee a Gas Chromatograph–Triple Quadruple–Mass Spectrometer, a High Performance Liquid Chromatograph–Quadrupole–Time of Flight–Mass Spectrometer and a Gas Chromatograph–combustion–isotope ratio–Mass Spectrometer under the supervision of Drs. Julio Sepúlveda and Sebastian Kopf. The group investigates the chemical and isotopic composition of organic molecules to address questions in areas such as geobiology, biogeochemistry, astrobiology, microbiology, and paleoceanography and paleoclimatology. The Initial assignment will be for two years with the possibility of extension pending evaluation. Salary will be commensurate with experience as a Professional Research Assistant. The preferred starting date is September 1st, 2015.

Find out more here: www.jobsatcu.com/postings/94191

In Memoriam: Robert Berner

Sad news today for the field of geology, Robert A. Berner, Emeritus Professor of Geology and Geophysics at Yale, has passed away. Bob was one of the the most influential geochemists of his time, and made seminal discoveries in quantitative geochemistry of sediments, the geochemistry of sulfides and carbonates in the oceans, diagenesis, weathering, and most notably, the field of geochemical cycling. He will be missed.

Read the letter to the geochemical society here:
http://www.geochemsoc.org/news/2015/01/13/memoriam-robert-berner

New Geobiology publications

Two excellent new publications shedding light on the complex processes involved in soft-tissue preservation:

A unifying model for Neoproterozoic–Palaeozoic exceptional fossil preservation through pyritization and carbonaceous compression
by James D. Schiffbauer, Shuhai Xiao, Yaoping Cai, Adam F. Wallace, Hong Hua, Jerry Hunter, Huifang Xu, Yongbo Peng & Alan J. Kaufman
Here: http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141217/ncomms6754/full/ncomms6754.html

And,

Microbial ecology and biofilms in the taphonomy of soft tissues
by Rudolf A. Raff, Mary E. Andrews, Ronald L. Pearson, F. Rudolf Turner, Sebastian T. Saur, Daniel C. Thomas, Justin L. Eagan, and Elizabeth C. Raff
Here: http://palaios.geoscienceworld.org/content/29/11/560.abstract?etoc

Post Doctoral Position in Paleobiology/Paleoclimatology University of Connecticut

The Center for Integrative Geosciences at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in the area of paleobiology, paleoclimatology and/or earth-system modeling.  Information about the Center and University can be found at http://www.geosciences.uconn.edu/.

Qualifications:  Candidates must have PhD in the geosciences, biosciences or related field, focusing in the area of paleobiology, paleoclimatology and/or earth-system modeling before the start date.  A successful candidate should have the ability to produce high quality research in a fast paced environment.  Expertise in the arthropod group Ostracoda, lake and/or carbonate environments and/or quantitative modeling are preferred.  Ability or experience in grant writing is also preferred.  

To Apply: Applicants are asked to upload the following to Husky Hire (www.jobs.uconn.edu): cover letter, CV, research statement and contact information for at least 3 references (job posting iwill be removed on December 19).  Review of applications will begin December 22, 2014 and continue until an acceptable candidate is found.  Anticipated start date is at completion of search, but could be as late as June, 2015.  Applications and questions should be directed to Dr. Lisa Park Boush (lisa.park_boush@uconn.edu).  

New Geobiology Publication

Check out this new publication in Geobiology by W.-H. He, G. R. Shi, R. J. Twitchett, Y. Zhang, K.-X. Zhang, H.-J. Song, M.-L. Yue, S.-B. Wu, H.-T. Wu, T.-L. Yang, Y.-F. Xiao:

Late Permian marine ecosystem collapse began in deeper waters: evidence from brachiopod diversity and body size changes

Available here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gbi.12119/abstract?campaign=wolearlyview

Abstract:

Analysis of Permian–Triassic brachiopod diversity and body size changes from different water depths spanning the continental shelf to basinal facies in South China provides insights into the process of environmental deterioration. Comparison of the temporal changes of brachiopod diversity between deepwater and shallow-water facies demonstrates that deepwater brachiopods disappeared earlier than shallow-water brachiopods. This indicates that high environmental stress commenced first in deepwater settings and later extended to shallow waters. This environmental stress is attributed to major volcanic eruptions, which first led to formation of a stratified ocean and a chemocline in the outer shelf and deeper water environments, causing the disappearance of deep marine benthos including brachiopods. The chemocline then rapidly migrated upward and extended to shallow waters, causing widespread mass extinction of shallow marine benthos. We predict that the spatial and temporal patterns of earlier onset of disappearance/extinction and ecological crisis in deeper water ecosystems will be recorded during other episodes of rapid global warming.