Two Graduate Student Positions Available
Paleoclimate
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Application review begins: 15 October 2021
For more information, go to:
https://www.uvm.edu/cosmolab/Recruitingstudentv5.pdf
The University of Vermont (UVM) invites applications for two graduate student positions in paleoclimate. One position will focus on Greenland while the second will focus on Northeastern Canada. Both positions will be located in Burlington, Vermont.
The first graduate student position will focus on climate stories buried under Greenland’s ice cap. The research will focus on the chemistry of 23 samples of ancient soil collected in 1966 in the first deep ice core to reach the bottom of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Researchers will use a variety of chemical, physical, and isotopic techniques to characterize these buried soils, including cosmogenic 10Be analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mineral grain analyses, soil development, x-ray diffraction, soil water chemistry, as well as carbon and nitrogen concentrations and stable isotopes.
The University is seeking a candidate who is comfortable in the laboratory and has had courses in chemistry as well as some undergraduate research experience. Suitable backgrounds could include degrees in chemistry, soil science, engineering, agriculture, earth science, natural resources, ecology, and mineralogy. There is no fieldwork involved although there may be international travel, pending COVID.
The second project aims to understand the multimillion-year history of the ice that comes and goes across North America. Researchers will do that by sampling marine sediment cores and by understanding the eastern Canadian landscape that was repeatedly covered by ice. The University seeks a student to work with the team in eastern Canada, collecting samples of river sand and bedrock over a several week field season. Once back at UVM, the successful candidate will characterize these samples and prepare them for cosmogenic nuclide and chemical analysis.
The University is seeking a person who is comfortable in both the laboratory and the field, although they are willing to train the right person in both skill sets. Suitable backgrounds could include degrees in earth science, natural resources, engineering, environmental science, and geography. Interest in glaciers and landscape change over time would be helpful and some chemistry experience is needed. Undergraduate research experience is a plus. Fieldwork will involve some hiking but no extended backcountry stays (there are likely to be beds for most nights).
The graduate students will have funds to attend professional meetings and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. Both students will be part of a team studying how climate changes affect our planet and be part of a school dedicated to studying Earth’s environment over time. There is a plan for both students to join as members of UVM’s Gund Institute for Environment. Both students will spend time in the National Science Foundation/UVM Community Cosmogenic Facility.
Interested applicants should complete the online interest form.
Application review begins: 15 October 2021
For more information and full project descriptions, go to:
https://www.uvm.edu/cosmolab/Recruitingstudentv5.pdf
For questions, contact:
Paul Bierman
Email: pbierman [at] uvm.edu