MESOAQUA Transnational Access to Mesocosm Facilities

A call has been issued for MESOAQUA Transnational Access which offers researchers and trainees access to a range of mesocosm facilities in contrasting environments located in different pelagic aquatic environments throughout Europe. This last call is now open to apply for TA activities from January to July 2012. The application deadline is 30 SEPTEMBER 2011.Further information on the mesocosm facilities and the web-based application process are available at: http://mesoaqua.eu

Postdoctoral Position: Microbial Biogeochemistry: Sulfur and Nitrogen Cycling in Vegetated Saltmarsh Sediment

Applications are invited for a 3-year postdoctoral position in the area of microbial biogeochemistry, focusing on elucidating the linkages among the sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon cycles in vegetated salt marsh sediments at Plum Island Estuary (PIE-LTER). This multidisciplinary NSF-funded project integrates biogeochemical process measures with molecular analyses and it represents a collaborative effort between scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Stefan Sievert) and the Ecosystems Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory (Zoe Cardon, Anne Giblin).



Candidates should initiate the process by applying online and by submitting one PDF document containing resume, statement of research interests, publication list, and names and contact information for three references; please visit http://jobs.whoi.edu (job reference 11-07-07).  A PhD in biology, microbiology, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow- Microbial Communities

The DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) in Walnut Creek, CA (a division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab) has an exciting postdoctoral research opportunity available. The postdoctoral fellow will explore the ecology of complex microbial communities utilizing metagenomics and single-cell genomics. Research will include phylogenetic and functional diversity studies of aquatic microbial assemblages and comparative genomic analyses of individual microbes. The fellow will also be heavily involved in the research and development of microfluidic solutions for single-cell whole genome amplification and metagenomic
challenges.

Qualifications
• PhD in Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• Knowledge of molecular techniques such as: PCR, qPCR, whole genome amplification, and cloning
• Experience with annotation and analysis of genomes, pathways, and gene families
• Knowledge of microbial ecology, physiology, and biogeochemistry
• Familiar with second generation sequencing platforms (e.g. 454, Illumina)

Highly Desirable Skills
• Familiarity with microfluidic devices
• Experience with fluorescence activated cell sorting
• Knowledge of fluorescent labeling techniques such as FISH

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply online by visiting www.jgi.doe.gov, clicking on the “careers” section and going to requisition 73097.

AGU Fall Meeting 2011

The AGU Fall Meeting will be held in California, USA from 5th-9th December. There are numerous sessions including a session on 'Geomicrobiology. For details about abstract submission and meeting please visit http://sites.agu.org/fallmeeting/

CAREX Conference on Life in Extreme Environments

Building up on the project's activities and community, the CAREX conference will be a key event on the European and international scenes providing the opportunity to discuss and present the state of the art and the latest developments on research on life in extreme environments.

Following CAREX’s approach to research on life in extreme environment, the conference will be a truly interdisciplinary event. Oral presentations and posters will consider microbes, plants and animals evolving in various marine, polar, terrestrial extreme environments as well as outer space. It will be a unique opportunity to network and elaborate on cross-disciplinary scientific challenges.

Sessions which may be of interest to the YES community

Contributions of life in extreme environments to biogeochemical cycles and responses to environmental change
Biodiversity, bioenergetics and interactions in extreme environments


Last Date for Registration: 1st July, 2011.  Conference details at http://www.carex-eu.org/activities/carex-conference-on-life-in-extreme-environments.html

15th International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium (IBBS-15)

IBBS-15 will be held in Vienna, Austria from 19th to 24th September, 2011. Some very interesting sessions relevant to Geomicrobiology. Please visit the symposium website for more details
http://www.biotec.boku.ac.at/14837.html

Gondwana 14- East meets West

The story of Gondwana can be subdivided in three main periods: the amalgamation (heritage, terranes and thermotectonic events), the development (thermotectonic evolution, intracontinental basins, paleoclimate and active margins) and the break up (rifting processes, mantle plumes and paleogeography). To reflect this, the Conference will be divided in three parallel sessions: Gondwana Amalgamation; Gondwana Development and Gondwana Break Up, which will merge at the end of each day into one big conference session. Technical sessions will include oral and poster presentations over a period of five days, including a day off in the middle for local field trips, workshops and recreational activities. For more details visit the conference website http://www.gondwana14.org/