Hydroecology post-doc position available for collaborative research with Australia

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Department of Infrastructure Engineering

Melbourne School of Engineering

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Hydro-ecology

Position Summary

The Department of Infrastructure Engineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Hydro-ecology to join their Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Group (http://www.ie.unimelb.edu.au/research/water/)

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will examine interactions between the flow environment and biota in freshwater sediments. Organisms such as worms and aquatic plants act as ecosystem engineers by bioturbation, modifying the porosity and permeability of sediments. Stream biota (plants and animals) alter flow fields within the sediments, exchange with surface flow, the supply of nutrients and oxygen into sediments and bio-chemical gradients. All these effects can influence microoganisms and other biota. These environmental-biological linkages may have significant effects on nutrient cycling and ecosystem productivity at catchment scales.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will undertake literature review and lead experimental work using laboratory mesocosms. They will also work with project CI’s Professor Stan Grant and Associate Professor Michael Stewardson to develop mathematical model of these bio-physical processes as a basis for exploring implications at large-scales up to entire river catchments.

Appointment to this position will be made at Level A or B, dependent on qualifications and experience.

1.     Selection Criteria

1.1    Essential

1.1.1    A PhD completed (or close to completion) in a relevant field of research;

1.1.2    A track record of relevant experimental work;

1.1.3    Experience in developing laboratory experimental equipment;

1.1.4    Demonstrated willingness and aptitude to contribute to quantitative modelling of ecological processes;

1.1.5    A demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research;

1.1.6    A record of publication and conference participation commensurate with level of experience;

1.1.7    Excellent written and oral communication skills;

1.1.8    Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.

2.   Special Requirements

None

3.   Key Responsibilities

3.1        Conducting independent research;

3.2        Designing and establishing an experimental program and undertaking experiments;

3.3        Preparing and submitting journal papers;

3.4        Collaboration with the broader project team;

3.5        Participation in administrative and other responsibilities required to support the Environmental Hydrology and Water Resource Group;

3.6        Laboratory coordination;

3.7        Involvement in professional activities including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise.

3.8        Other activities as required;

3.9        Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) responsibilities as outlined in section 5.

4.   Other Information

4.1    Organisation Unit

http://www.ie.unimelb.edu.au/

The Department of Infrastructure Engineering sits within the School of Engineering and houses the vital disciplines of Geomatics and Civil and Environmental Engineering. At present, the Department has more than 40 academic staff (teaching and research, and research only) and 16 general staff (technical, professional & administrative) and is located on the Parkville campus of the University.

The focus of the Department of Infrastructure Engineering is on engineering infrastructure that’s sustainable. Infrastructure that considers the natural environment it supports, as well as the economy.The Department’s research programs are dedicated to solving the major challenges facing societies around the world in the environment, physical infrastructure and spatial information.

Over the years, the Department of Infrastructure Engineering has established excellent links with industry and government. The Department’s research projects focus on significant and topical subject matter, and regularly involve input from other disciplines.

4.2    Budget Division

http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/index.html

The Melbourne School of Engineering is one of Australia’s leading Engineering Schools and aims to be the school of choice for the highest performing students and research staff in Australia and within the Time Higher Education Supplement top ten Schools of Engineering internationally by 2020.

4.3    The University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is a leading international university with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research.  The University offers staff many benefits and prospective staff are encouraged to view the following web links:

www.unimelb.edu.au

www.growingesteem.unimelb.edu.au

www.unimelb.edu.au/careers

4.4    Equity and Diversity

http://www.hr.unimelb.edu.au/advice/equity-diversity

4.5    Governance

The Vice Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and responsible to Council for the good management of the University. Comprehensive information about the University of Melbourne and its governance structure is available at www.unimelb.edu.au.

5.    Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

All staff are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other personnel who may be affected by their conduct.

OHS responsibilities applicable to positions are published at:

http://safety.unimelb.edu.au/topics/responsibilities/

These include general staff responsibilities and those additional responsibilities that apply for Managers and Supervisors and other Personnel.

UPP Down Under Mini-Symposium – McDonnell Douglas Auditorium – August 1st (2:00PM-6:00PM)

The PIRE team would like to cordially invite you to our 2013 UPP Down Under participants mini-symposium on Thursday, August 1st in the McDonnell Douglas Auditorium located at UC, Irvine. The participants will be presenting their research findings along with a short video of their experiences in Australia. The symposium is scheduled to run from 2:00PM-6:00PM. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided during a short reception after the presentations. Please RSVP by sending an email to jabeam@uci.edu or calling (949) 824-5333.

The McDonnell Douglas Auditorium is building #311. The closest parking will be located in the Anteater Parking Structure (APS).

Campus Map: http://www.uci.edu/campusmap/

UCI Graduate Student Kathleen Low Awarded Reasearch Scholarship by Newkirk Center for Science & Technology

 UCI’s own Kathleen Low has been awarded a scholarship from the Newkirk Center for Science & Technology for her project studying the resiliency of urban supply water systems under climate change stress. She was chosen from a pool of over 70 applicants. The PIRE team would like to congratulate Kathleen on this great accomplishment.

Kathleen is developing a water supply model that links climate change models with social change models, in order to predict a city’s vulnerability to water supply disruption over the next 50 to 100 years. This project is being carried out with the help of three faculty at UCI (Professors Stanley Grant, Jean-Daniel Saphores, and David Feldman), a hydrology expert at the the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (Dr. Ashmita Sengupta), and faculty from the University of Melbourne (Australian Research Council Future Fellow Dr. Murray Peel and Associate Professor Mike Stewardson) and the Cooperative Research Center for Water Sensitive Cities at Monash University (Professor Rebekah Brown).

UNDERGRADUATE PIRE PROGRAM DOWN UNDER for Water Sustainability

UPP Down Under for Water Sustainability !

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Irvine is pleased to announce an exceptional opportunity for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in environmental engineering. A select number of undergraduate students will participate in a six week research experience in July/August 2013, including a fully funded two week trip to Australia, to learn about water challenges facing Australia and the actions that are being taken relative to research, policy, and infrastructure engineering. The program is open to UCI, UCSD and UCLA undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, and would be qualified for the Environmental Engineering graduate program upon completion of their undergraduate degree. This includes, but is not limited to, Civil and Environmental Engineering students, as the Environmental Engineering graduate program typically attracts students from several fields of engineering and natural sciences. The ultimate goal of the program is to encourage more UC undergraduate students to pursue doctoral studies focused on a pressing water challenge facing society.

Please submit your completed application and requested documents (personal statement, transcript, letter of recommendation, see below) by email at the following address: water-pire@uci.edu

Two postdoctoral scholar positions are available for research on ecological aspects of implementing low-energy systems for treating wastewater

Expiration Date:  Tue, 2014-04-01

Organization:  UCLA/Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Two postdoctoral scholar positions are available for research on ecological aspects of implementing low-energy systems for treating wastewater (including stormwater and urban runoff). Research will include field studies of plant and animal communities associated with natural wetlands performing water quality improvement services and land-based mesocosms studies using native species for water quality improvement. Research goals are to employ biomimicry of wetland plants and animals (and their interactions) in the development of biofilters that enhance re-use of wastewater. One position will focus on plants (with Rich Ambrose at UCLA) and the other on animals (with Lisa Levin at Scripps Institution of Oceanography).

Qualifications: Ph.D. in wetland ecology or related field; experience conducting ecological field work; strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with a diverse team; demonstrated ability to conduct statistical analyses and produce publications. Preferred qualifications include: Research experience with wetland plants and/or invertebrates; experience with water quality and related sediment parameters, a record of publication; experience with collaborative interdisciplinary research. Must have car and ability to drive to field sites and between Scripps, UC Irvine and UCLA.

The start date is July 1, 2013. Funding is available for 2-3 years, contingent on successful performance, with a possibility of extension. Salary is set by the University of California pay scale, depends on experience, and includes full university benefits. Postdocs will be expected to mentor PIRE graduate students and participate in UCI PIRE training activities. The project involves close collaboration with researchers in Australia, and exchange with Australians via travel, communication and scientific collaboration will be an important part of the position.

Apply by electronically submitting 1) a cover letter that describes your interest and qualifications for the position, 2) a Curriculum Vitae that indicates when your Ph.D. was awarded (or is anticipated), and 3) email contact addresses for at least three references to Dr. Richard Ambrose at rambrose@ucla.edu (plant focus) or Dr. Lisa Levin at llevin@ucsd.edu (animal focus). Review of applications will begin on February 1, 2013 and continue until the positions are filled.

The University of California is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity.

Contact Information:

Prof. Richard Ambrose:  rambrose@ucla.edu

Application for graduate financial support from the UCI NSF PIRE

Application for graduate financial support from the UCI NSF PIRE,

“Low Energy Options for Making Water from Wastewater”.

 10/15/12

Please respond to the following questions (one paragraph maximum for each).

1. Describe your research plans, including specifically (a) the overarching hypothesis you are testing, (b) how the hypothesis will be tested; (c) how the proposed  research  leverages  expertise at the University of Melbourne and/or Monash University, and  (d) how it link s into one (or more) of the four PIRE layers.
2. Describe your qualifications for conducting the proposed research. If you feel you need additional knowledge in some area related to your project, describe how you plan to address your knowledge gap (e.g., by taking specific courses).  Also describe work already completed on the project, and any major outcomes (e.g., a published journal manuscript).
3. Identify at least two advisors on the PIRE who will supervise your research (be sure to discuss your plans with potential PIRE advisors in advance).
4. How much support are you requesting per year and for how many years? Describe how the support will be matched by UCI and/or non- UCI funds.  Include a timeline of  milestones for your research project (e.g.,  “A paper will be submitted to XX journal by XX date .”  If your project is funded, these milestones will be reviewed annually to evaluate progress and eligibility for ongoing support.

Funding decisions will begin November 15, 2012.

For more information, contact Stanley Grant, sbgrant@uci.edu