Multiple Positions Available

Date

29 October 2009

University of Tromso seeks Master's Students
Tromso, Norway
George Mason University seeks PhD Student
Fairfax, Virginia
George Mason University seeks Postdoctoral Candidate
Fairfax, Virginia
Center of Advanced Research in Arid Zones seeks Postdoctoral
Candidate
La Serena, Chile

University of Tromso seeks Master's Students
Tromso, Norway

The University of Tromso Department of Arctic and Marine Biology seeks
two Master's students to work on two projects:

- Tundra ecosystem responses to experimental climate change - This
project focuses on understanding the influence of climate on
terrestrial plant phenology, growth, and reproductive success
together with ecosystem respiration in various scenarios, including
alteration of snow cover and air temperature. The student will have
the opportunity to collect their own data as well as use previously
collected data at field and remote sensing levels.
- Resilience and colonization of artificially disturbed areas - This
project focuses on the resilience of ecosystems after short-term
disturbances. Standing biomass, species composition, and factors
affecting seed germination and propagule establishment will be
assessed.

Both projects will be carried out in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway,
within an established framework. Master's students will join the
research team from the University of Tromso, and time in the field will
be shared between projects. The field campaigns in Svalbard run from
April to September 2010. Lab work and data processing will be carried
out from September 2010 to March 2011 in Tromso, Norway. Both projects
are expected to result in publications.

Applicants must have a completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent in
biology, plant sciences, or ecology, and have strong interest in
pursuing a fieldwork-based thesis in the Department of Arctic and Marine
Biology at the University of Tromso. The ability to conduct fieldwork
under all conditions throughout the field campaign and sound knowledge
of written and spoken English is expected. Master's level courses will
be taught at the University of Tromso and the University Center in
Svalbard (UNIS). For additional information on the Master's program,
please go to: http://tinyurl.com/tromso-biology.

The positions are open until suitable candidates are found, but students
who can apply and begin quickly will have the highest chance of funding.

For further information, please contact:
Philipp Semenchuk
Email: phipseml [at] gmail.com

Elisabeth Cooper
Email: elisabeth.cooper [at] uit.no

George Mason University seeks PhD Student
Fairfax, Virginia

The George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and
Policy seeks a PhD student to work on the human dimensions of changing
phenology in the Arctic due to unprecedented climate change. The
position is part of the Understanding Climate-Driven Phenological Change
- Observations, Adaptations and Cultural Implications in Northeastern
Siberia and Labrador/Nunatsiavut (PHENARC) program.

The successful applicant will be involved in a project focused on
understanding present and potential future linkages between arctic
system climate change, altered phenological processes, and adaptations
and responses of human societies to these changes, including fieldwork
with native communities in Northeastern Siberia, Russia and
Labrador/Nunatsiavut, Canada. PHENARC employs qualitative and
quantitative methods of field study, retrospective investigations, and
modeling/synthesis techniques. Data sources include systematic
meteorological observations, climate proxy data, documentary historical
records, oral history, and data drawn from interviews with contemporary
respondents in the study areas.

Candidates must have completed a Master's degree or equivalent in the
social or physical sciences , and have a strong interest in pursuing a
social science-oriented PhD in the Department of Environmental Science &
Policy at Mason (http://esp.gmu.edu/graduate/degrees/doctoral.html). A
deep interest in understanding the human dimension of climate change is
also necessary.

The applicant must be willing to participate in scientific fieldwork in
the Arctic. A strong working knowledge of speaking, reading, and writing
in the Russian language and/or the Sakha (Yakut) language is required,
with priority given to applicants who know the latter. Applicants must
also be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English.

Applications must be submitted electronically to Susan Crate
(scrate1 [at] gmu.edu) and should include:

- A letter of application, with one or two pages stating interest
and experience related to the assistantship;
- A curriculum vitae; and
- Names, addresses, fax numbers, and email addresses of three
references.

The position is limited to three years, and is expected to start 1
August 2010.

Application Deadline: Sunday, 1 November 2009.
Position is open until filled.

For further information, please contact:
Susan Crate
Email: scrate1 [at] gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-1517

For more information about Susan Crate's research, go to:
http://mason.gmu.edu/~scrate1/.

George Mason University seeks Postdoctoral Candidate
Fairfax, Virginia

The George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and
Policy seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on the human
dimensions of changing phenology in the Arctic due to unprecedented
climate change. The position is part of the Understanding Climate-Driven
Phenological Change - Observations, Adaptations and Cultural
Implications in Northeastern Siberia and Labrador/Nunatsiavut (PHENARC)
program.

Applicants must hold a PhD in cultural or ecological anthropology, human
ecology, or a related social science discipline. Candidates must have an
excellent social sciences background and experience with qualitative
analysis and/or historical climatology. Previous qualitative fieldwork
experience in the Arctic is desirable.

The successful applicant must be willing to participate in scientific
fieldwork in the Arctic. A strong working knowledge of speaking,
reading, and writing in the Russian language and/or the Sakha (Yakut)
language is required, with priority given to applicants who know the
latter. Applicants must also be proficient in speaking, reading, and
writing in English.

Applications should include the following:
- Cover letter;
- Curriculum vitae;
- A one or two page statement of experience as it relates to the
stated position goals;
- A maximum of three sample reprints/preprints (electronic
versions); and
- Names, addresses, fax numbers, and email addresses of three
references.

Application packets should be emailed Susan Crate (scrate1 [at] gmu.edu) or
mailed in hardcopy to:

Susan A. Crate
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
George Mason University
David King Hall
MS 5F2, 4400
University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-4400

The initial appointment is for one year, with opportunity for an
additional year renewal. It is expected to start 1 August 2010.

Application Deadline: Sunday, 1 November 2009.
Position is open until filled.

For further information, please contact:
Susan Crate
Email: scrate1 [at] gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-1517

For more information about Susan Crate's research, go to:
http://mason.gmu.edu/~scrate1/.

Center of Advanced Research in Arid Zones seeks Postdoctoral
Candidate
La Serena, Chile

The glaciology group at the Center of Advanced Research in Arid Zones
(CEAZA) seeks a postdoctoral researcher with skills and experience in
periglacial geomorphology and glaciology. The appointment is for one
year, and available starting Sunday, 15 November 2009.

The successful applicant will work with the CEAZA team, consisting of
glaciologists, meteorologists, and GIS experts. Fieldwork is to be
conducted in the cordillera region of the upper Choapa valley in
north-central Chile. Various rock glaciers are found in perched cirques
in this region and the basic functioning of these landforms, including
their present dynamic state and their hydrological significance, is
currently unknown. Data collected during the next field campaign will be
analyzed along with previously collected geophysical and
sedimentological data at this site, and the postdoctoral researcher will
be expected to summarize the results in a scientific publication. The
position is expected to take the lead in all aspects of the project.

Candidates must have a PhD in periglacial geomorphology, glaciology, or
a related discipline. The ability to both work well in a diverse team,
and develop research ideas independently, is essential.

The following skills and experience are considered assets:

- Use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in permafrost terrain;
- Installation of thermistor chains in boreholes to monitor ground
temperature;
- Interpretation of stratigraphy from sediment cores and natural
sediment cuts; and
- Knowledge of Spanish.

Applications should be submitted to Christophe Kinnard
(christophe.kinnard [at] ceaza.cl) and must include:

- Curriculum vitae including a numbered list of publications;
- Research statement detailing relevant experience and how you plan
to apply your skills within the research framework (no more than 1
page);
- PhD diploma and other documents showing degrees and former
positions relevant for this position; and
- Names and contact information of three references.

Application deadline: Thursday, 5 November 2009

Further information on CEAZA can be found at:
http://www.ceaza.cl/index.php.

For more information, please contact:
Christophe Kinnard
christophe.kinnard [at] ceaza.cl