Announcements

Killam Graduate TA Teaching Awards

We are proud to announce that Rhy McMillan has a won this prestigious teaching award, being recognized for their outstanding teaching, research and service to the community.

Other award winners can be found here.

Programs and Events

Symposium on Extinction

The Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies presents a symposium on Extinction on April 26th, Buchanan Tower 997, starting at 9:00AM.

You can find details and the list of speakers here: https://cenes.ubc.ca/extinction-a-cenes-symposium/

Canadian Geothermal Student Days

The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Québec City organizing the “1st Canadian Geothermal Students Days” (https://canadiangeothermal.wixsite.com/cgsd). This meeting will be held in Québec City during 21 - 22 November 2019.

The Canadian Geothermal Students Days is a meeting organized by student, for students, and aims to gather graduate students and young researchers working in Canada from East to West coasts to discuss and share their research projects within the field of geothermal energy. Our goal is to create a network between the young researchers and professionals of the field to improve the exchange of knowledge and technologies to help developing the geothermal energy market in Canada. This meeting will address new developments in the science, technology, industry, and policy of geothermal energy.
 

Applying the ecosystem approach to aquaculture: mapping the footprint of multiple effluents

May 1, 2019. 11:00 am – 12 noon
AERL Rm. 107/8
Dr. Leigh Howarth

Human activities can elevate nutrient levels in coastal waters. Nitrogen loading is of particular concern as it can lead to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and other indicators of eutrophication. Monitoring aquaculture effluents has therefore developed into an intense area of research as these operations can release considerable amounts of nitrogen and other wastes into the surrounding water. However, most water bodies also receive effluents from other sources such as agriculture and waste water treatment. Therefore there is a need for coastal management to move towards an ‘ecosystem approach to aquaculture’, where the effects of multiple fish farms and other human activities are simultaneously considered at the wider scale.

Our guest speaker, Dr. Leigh Howarth, has been studying effluents with seaweed ‘bioindicators’ as a way of assessing water quality. As seaweeds rapidly absorb and accumulate nutrients within their tissues, they can better reflect long-term nutrient levels compared to more traditional measures of water chemistry. They found that seaweeds, taken from a bay in Nova Scotia close to a salmon farm and several other industrial activities, could distinguish and map the footprints of multiple effluent sources, proving that seaweed bioindicators could play an important role in applying the ecosystem approach to aquaculture.

MSc Project - September 2019

The project is a combined field-based and microanalytical study that will characterize the mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium occurrences associated with the Nonacho Basin, Northwest Territories, in order to model their formation. This project is funded by the Northwest Territories Geological Survey, with fieldwork in August 2019. The ideal candidate has an aptitude for petrography, mineralogy, geochemistry and mineral deposits, and is comfortable completing field work in rugged and isolated terrain.

The Department of Geology hosts faculty members with a broad range of expertise as well as state-of-the-art analytical facilities for research in mineralogy, geochemistry, and ore deposits. In-house analytical instruments include a field emission scanning electron microscope, a state-of-the-art fluid inclusion microthermometry lab, a gas chromatograph and confocal laser Raman spectrometer. All teaching and research spaces in the Department have been rebuilt as part of major renovations in the Science Building.

Saint Mary’s University is located in the historic port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, a vibrant, urban community of over 350,000 people. Halifax is a major educational centre for Atlantic Canada and is home to five universities. It is conveniently located close to recreational areas and to other major urban centres in Canada and the Northeastern United States. For information about the University and the Faculty of Science, please see http://science.smu.ca/.

Candidates should express interest by May 1st, 2019, by emailing Dr. Erin Adlakha, erin.adlakha@smu.ca. Please include the following: (i) a current resume; (ii) an unofficial academic transcript; and (iii) the names as well as contact information (email) of two referees.

Employment Opportunities

Staff Associate, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University

-          Are you interested in data science in geochemistry?
-          Do you want to promote and advance the reuse of geochemical research data for the benefit of science and society?
-          Would you like to work in a diverse team of data scientists, software developers, and data curators?
-          Do you appreciate the opportunity to develop and cultivate a community of engaged users, working with scientists from all around the world?

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University invites applications from qualified candidates to join a dynamic team in building and maintaining leading edge digital data systems for Geochemistry/Petrology (EarthChem, Astromaterials Data System) Primary responsibility of this position will be the management and curation of geochemical data for Earth and Planetary science samples, overseeing and contributing to the digitization, quality control, and database ingestion of geochemical and petrological data and metadata; supporting investigators in the use of the data systems by organizing and conducting webinars and workshops, and developing and maintaining online training and help materials; and engaging the community via project web sites and social media. The successful candidate will contribute to improving and documenting data management workflows; designing and testing software applications; organizing educational and outreach activities; and to project management, strategic planning, and new proposals. The position will offer extensive opportunities to attend and present at workshops and conferences, and to contribute to.

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences or closely related science and four years of related experience in laboratory work in analytical geochemistry and/or working with geological samples, or a Master’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences or closely related science and two years of related experience in laboratory work in analytical geochemistry and/or working with geological samples. Excellent organizational and communication skills are a requirement. Technical experience with scientific data management, metadata standards, and/or database development is preferred.

Appointments are made on a fiscal year basis and are eligible for renewal each July 1, contingent upon performance and funding.

Search will remain open for at least 30 days after the ad appears and will continue until the position is filled.

Please visit our online application site at

http://pa334.peopleadmin.com/postings/2900

for further information about this position and to submit your application, curriculum vitae, cover letter, and list of references.  

Sessional Instructors, Summer Semester, SFU

The closing date for applications is noon, Thursday, April 18, 2019.

Applicants should submit an online application and supporting documents. Further information is available on the Department of Geography Website.

If you cannot submit an online application, we will accept your application in person at the Department of Geography office (RCB 7123) to the attention of Tiina Klasen.

For questions and inquiries, please email the Chair’s Assistant at geogsec@sfu.ca or contact the Manager, Academic and Administrative services at 778.782.2558 or geogmgr@sfu.ca.