Funding

Funding Sources

Cornell University - Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity

Small Grants Awards

Department of Energy (DOE)

A link to the Office of Science: Grants and Contracts Web Site (DOE)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A link to the EPA

National Areonautical and Space Administration (NASA)

An overview of all the programs and funding NASA offers (excluding field centers)

National Institute for Climate Change Research (NICCR)

The National Institute for Climatic Change Research (NICCR, pronounced "nicer") is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER), which is part of the DOE's Office of Science. The goal of NICCR is to mobilize university researchers, from all regions of the country, in support of the climatic change research objectives of DOE/BER. Preproposals are due 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, 15 May 2007. If your preproposal is accepted, full proposals will be due 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, 21 August 2007.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF is the largest source of funding in the United States for Biogeoscience Research

Funding Opportunities

PhD Position in Biogeochemistry
The Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Posted 7 August 2007

The Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg offers a PhD position in biogeochemistry, available as of October 2007. Funding is secured for three years, with an extension possible. The goal of the project is to investigate the stimulatory response of various types of lung cells exposed to a range of well-characterized fine mineral particulates.

Experimental work will involve synthesis and characterization of various types of mineral particulates, performance of in-vitro experiments with monocultures and co-cultures of lung cells (alveolar macrophages, monocytes, alveolar epithelial cells), and analysis of cytokines and other mediators.
This project is a collaboration between the Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry and the Department of Pulmonology at the University of Freiburg, which offer a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical facilities and a stimulating environment for geochemical and cell-biological research.

The PhD thesis is part of a multi-institutional research program on fine airborne particulates in urban environments.

Highly motivated students with a strong background in geochemistry, biochemistry or chemistry (MSc degree or Diploma) are encouraged to apply. Applications must include a Curriculum Vitae, statement of research interests, publication list, and the contact information of at least two potential referees. All application materials should be sent as one pdf-file to karin.eckmann@minpet.uni-freiburg.de.

Closing date is 27 August 2007. For further information, please contact Prof. R. Gieré, e-mail: .

PhD Position, Marine Biogeochemistry
Leibniz Institut für Meereswissenschaften in Kiel (IfM-Geomar), Germany
Posted 31 July 2007

A PhD Position is available in Marine Biogeochemistry at the Leibniz Institut für Meereswissenschaften in Kiel (IfM-Geomar), Germany as part of a DFG funded IPY GEOTRACES project.

Topic:“The influence of Fe on the distribution and kinetic speciation of Zn, Cd, Co and Ni in the Southern Ocean”.

Recent research has clearly demonstrated the role of iron supply in controlling primary productivity in the Southern Ocean and in turn the cycling of other key bio-elements (Co, Ni, Cd and Zn). It is now also clear that these other elements play a role in controlling the species composition of phytoplankton and importantly the rates at which macronutrients are consumed by phytoplankton. These changes in rates of uptake are then reflected as differences in the nutrient ratios, or metal to nutrient ratios, of the phytoplankton themselves. Understanding of these processes is thus critical for investigations into the primary productivity of the Southern Ocean and the sources and sinks for major nutrients. This project forms part of a comprehensive IPY GEOTRACES program and is focused on the chemical speciation and distribution of the key bio-elements (Co, Ni, Cd and Zn) over a range of different Fe and macronutrient conditions.

The PhD student will utilize state of the art techniques (FIA-chemiluminescence, Voltammetry) for laboratory and shipboard determination of trace metal speciation in the Southern Ocean, starting with a cruise in early 2008. While experience in analytical chemistry would be an advantage, applications from students with bioscience or geoscience background are also welcome.

Applications close 14 September 2007, and the candidate should be able to commence the project shortly thereafter. Candidates should have a good knowledge of either English or German. For general information on research at the Leibniz Institut für Meereswissenschaften und CAU-Kiel, see www.ifm-geomar.de.

Please apply in writing, enclosing curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of two referees, to:
Dr Peter Croot
Fachbereich 2: Marine Biogeochemie
Diesntgebäude Westufer
Leibniz Institut fuer Meereswissenschaften
24105 Kiel Germany
Or email (also for informal enquiries):

Graduate Studies in Aquatic Biogeochemistry of Contaminants
Université de Montréal
Posted 31 July 2007

Opportunities for graduate studies in biogeochemistry of contaminants are currently available at Université de Montréal, one of the largest research universities in Canada. Great flexibility is given to the selected student(s) in the choice of the research subject. Possible research themes for which funding is currently available include:

* Mercury cycling and bioavailability in the High Arctic, in the context of global warming
* Biogeochemistry of biogenic thiols in lakes
* Role of ecosystem engineers such as beavers in watershed biogeochemistry
* Environmental photochemistry of metals
* Bioreporter studies on metal bioavailability
* Application of principles of ecological stoichiometry to ecotoxicology

Additional emerging themes include:
* Environmental fate and ecotoxicology of nanomaterials
* Field-based toxicogenomics studies

If you are interested in interdisciplinary research in these areas, with both field and lab components, please send the following information to : a cover letter, a short CV, unofficial transcripts of your university studies, and representative reprints (if available).

Please note that Université de Montréal is a French-speaking university and that some knowledge of French may prove useful.

Flathead Lake Biological Station Postdoctoral Research Opportunities (3)
Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana
Posted 29 June 2007

Flathead Lake Biological Station of The University of Montana invites applications for three postdoctoral research opportunities. Successful applicants will be employed at FLBS (~90 miles from Missoula, MT) on a 12-month letter of appointment; contracts are renewed annually and may continue depending on funding availability and job performance. See the Flathead Lake Biological Station website for full position details and application procedure.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH - HYDROLOGICAL MODELING
We are seeking a qualified researcher to study relations between river discharge regime and salmon habitat for large basins of the North Pacific rim. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary research team utilizing computational hydrological models with climate reanalysis and satellite remote sensing to simulate river discharge characteristics and climate change impacts on salmon habitat structure and diversity. Qualifications for this position are a demonstrated expertise in computational hydrological modeling using DHSVM, RHESSys, VIC or similar models; an educational background in Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Physical Geography or related fields; programming ability in C/C++; proficiency with image processing and GIS software (e.g., Matlab, ArcGIS/IMS/SDE, ENVI/IDL); and proficiency in conducting independent scientific research.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH - SALMON ECOLOGIST
We are seeking a talented scholar to assist in the determination of salmon life history variation in relation to habitat dynamics in a suite of salmon rivers around the Pacific Rim. We require experience in fish or floodplain ecology with emphasis on life history energetics in relation to environmental variation, especially ground-surfacewater interactions. Process modeling experience is preferred, but not specifically required, with the understanding the work will be strongly interactive with a large river ecosystem modeling effort focused on influences of salmon harvest and climate change using an array of remote-sensing tools. Supervision of field crews in Kamchatka (Russian Federation), Alaska and British Columbia will be required, including long periods in remote field camps.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH - RIVER ECOSYSTEM SCIENTIST
A talented scholar is needed to assist in the development, parameterization and testing of a microbial/biogeochemical model for floodplain ecosystems and to help determine the biogeochemical consequences of salmon nutrient subsidies to flood plains of a suite of salmon rivers around the Pacific Rim. Desired skills include analytical chemistry, floodplain-river biogeochemistry, and/or bioenergetics. Process modeling experience is beneficial, but not specifically required, with the understanding the work will be strongly interactive with a large river ecosystem modeling group focused on ground-surface water interactions on flood plains. Experimental manipulations of biogeochemistry in groundwater micro- and mesocosms will be included in duties.

“The University of Montana is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.”

Lake Superior Carbon Cycle Postdoctoral Scholar
Center for Climatic Research and Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Posted 15 June 2007

A postdoctoral scholar is sought to investigate the carbon cycle of Lake Superior. The successful candidate will help develop and utilize a coupled physical / biogeochemical model of Lake Superior and be an integral part of a team that includes lake and terrestrial scientists seeking to understand air-lake CO2 fluxes and their importance to the regional carbon budget. Applications are welcomed from candidates with backgrounds in ocean or lake biogeochemistry, and with experience or a strong interest in numerical modeling.
This is a one-year renewable position based on progress, ideally to begin in September 2007. Interested applicants should forward curriculum vitae, contact information for three references and at least one publication to Dr. Galen McKinley, e-mail: . Review of applications will begin 31 July 2007. The position will remain open until a candidate is identified. University of Wisconsin – Madison is an equal-opportunity / affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.
Please contact:

Dr. Galen McKinley
1225 W. Dayton St, Suite 1511
Madison, WI 53703
608 262 4817

PhD Researcher in Biogeology
Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Posted 11 June 2007

The Darwin Center for Biogeology is a virtual Dutch research institute, partially funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), which aims at performing cutting-edge science in the central field of Biogeology where Biology and Earth Sciences meet. Its research mission is to understand the functioning of global, regional and local ecosystems, focusing on change and feedback at all time scales in and between biotic and abiotic components of a changing Earth.
We seek a candidate for a PhD position at Utrecht University within a recently funded program entitled: Niche engineering and the evolution of biogeochemical cycles through time.
Modern marine environments are characterized by complex faunal communities living in the sediment with densities and diversities that vary depending on sediment type, availability of oxygen and organic matter load arriving at the sea bottom. Some species play an extraordinary role in creating suitable environments for other taxa to live in. These keystone species, for example deep burrowing lugworms, are regarded as niche engineers. Through geological history, origination of such niche engineers is hypothesized to have lead to sudden bursts in evolution of other infaunal taxa.
This program is integrated in the Darwin Center for Biogeology, and will be performed in close cooperation with the Microbial Ecology group at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW, Yerseke). The program has 2 projects, each project carried out by a PhD student. Currently, we are looking for a candidate for the PhD position concerning the project: The effects of bioirrigation on benthic foraminifera.
The aim of this project is to study the effects of the presence of various types of niche engineers on the surrounding meiofauna, in particular the foraminiferal population, and on biogeochemical cycling. Bioturbation, burrow ventilation, bioirrigation and grazing are activities that may have a significant impact on the vertical distribution of benthic foraminifera in marine sediments. Alternatively, foraminifera seems to have a considerable impact on the bacterial population and, consequently, the biogeochemistry. The project will involve laboratory experiments with the coupled system biogeochemistry-bacteria-foraminifera in sediment cores with different imposed biogeochemical conditions, and with or without artificial bioirrigation. It also involves field sampling of marine sediments (Wadden Sea). This project will be supported by ongoing modeling work within the research groups of Stratigraphy/Paleontology at Utrecht University and Microbial Ecology group at NIOO-KNAW.
Qualifications: We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills who is interested in interdisciplinary research combining various fields of biogeology and an MSc in an appropriate field.
Terms of employment: We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years, with monthly salary starting at €1956,- in the first year to €2502,- in the last year of appointment. We also offer a pension scheme, a collective health insurance and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities and are supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 % per year and a year-end bonus of 3%.
For further details please contact: Dr. Mariëtte Wolthers, e-mail: or Prof. Bert van der Zwaan, e-mail: . You may also wish to visit the webpages of our Department.
How to apply: Applications, including a Curriculum Vitae, a statement of your research interests, and the names and addresses of 2 references, must be sent to: Faculty of Geosciences, Personnel Department, P.O. Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, or submitted by e-mail to: . Please mention where you originally saw our advertisement and quote vacancy number 72082 in all communications. The position is open until filled.