**Available Research Positions**

Ph.D. Student Openings

1. Deep Sea Brine Habitat Microbial Biogeochemistry

PhD student positions are available to study the biogeochemistry and microbiology of seafloor brine habitats in the Gulf of Mexico as part of the Seafloor Brine Seep Microbial Observatory Project. The project begins in 2010 and will involve integrated studies of seafloor brine pools and mud volcanoes that occur along the continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico. This work offers opportunities for international student exchange in the laboratories of Dr. Kai-Uwe Hinrichs (Organic Geochemistry; Bremen, Germany) and Drs. Kirsten Habicht, Bo Thamdrup, and Donald Canfield (Sulfur Biogeochemistry; Odense, Denmark). The selected students should have at least B.Sc. degree and a strong background in Environmental Sciences, Microbiology and/or Geochemistry. Field experience is desirable. For more information, contact Dr. Mandy Joye (mjoye (at) uga (dot) edu); 706-542-5893) or see the Joye Lab website: http://www.marsci.uga.edu/FacultyPages/Joye/index.html.

2. Permafrost Methane Cycling

A PhD student position is available to study the methane production and dynamics in permafrost habitats along the Russian East Siberian Shelf. The project begins in spring 2010. Due to global warming, seafloor permafrost along the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is experiencing a pronounced change in thermal regime. Increased temperature affects permafrost in several ways, ultimately leading to its degradation and enhanced methane release. This project involves quantification of rates of biological methane production and consumption (oxidation) in permafrost and sediments at in situ and elevated temperatures. Natural abundance carbon and hydrogen isotope measurements will be used to quantify the age and source of methane collected from different sites and depths. Students with at least B.Sc. degree and a strong background in Environmental Sciences, Microbiology and/or Geochemistry are encouraged to apply. Field experience is desirable. For more information, contact Dr. Mandy Joye (mjoye (at) uga (dot) edu); 706-542-5893) or see the Joye Lab website: http://www.marsci.uga.edu/FacultyPages/Joye/index.html.

Research Staff

A part-time (20-30 hrs a week) technician position is available. I seek an individual who can work independently and who has strong communication and organizational skills. The selected individual will conduct various geochemical analyses, including ion chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, membrane inlet mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, and spectrophotometry. The selected individual should have an undergraduate degree in Science [B.S. in Environmental Science or Chemistry] and/or 3 years of lab experience working as a technician. Salary will be commensurate with experience. The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals should e-mail a letter summarizing laboratory and field experience and career goals, a resume, and the names, addresses (including E-mail) and phone numbers of three references to: Dr. Mandy Joye; Department of Marine Sciences, The University of Georgia; Room 220 Marine Sciences Building; Athens, Georgia, 30602-3636; phone: (706) 542-5893; fax: (706) 542-5888; e-mail: mjoye@uga.edu

We thank the Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change program.

**Disclaimer** The content of this page is based in part on work supported by the EPA. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed here are those of the author (Mandy Joye) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EPA.