YES Network Winter-Spring 2014 Newsletter

Dear All,
We're glad to let you know that the latest edition of the YES Network's Newsletter is now up on the YES Network website: http://www.networkyes.org/index.php/news/


Newsletter Highlights:

1. YES Community News: 3rd YES Congress 2014 - Abstracts submission deadline extended and registration Open! Don’t forget to check out the available travel grants! (page 4).
2. National Chapters: News from India, Morocco, DR of Congo and Peru (page 6-7).
3. Meet the YES Executive Women! (page8)
4. Featured YES Personality: Elyvin Nkhojera (page 9).
5. Crossing Boarders Article: NASA Sends “Big Data” in to the CloudNASA Sends "Big Data" in to the Cloud by Melissa Prior (page 10-11)
6. YES Member Showcase: Salma Tifratine (page 12).
7.  Leadership Opportunities: Send us your application now!  (page 13).
8. Geoscience Community News (page 14-16).


Thanks,
Amel, Tobias, Cecilia and Abdelouahed

YES Network Newsletter Team
www.networkyes.org
networkyes.newsletter1@gmail.com

Instructor position, Introductory geology classes/labs at LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

The Department of Geology & Geophysics at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, seeks an Instructor to teach and/or coordinate undergraduate lecture classes and/or laboratories in the introductory courses (Physical and Historical Geology). In addition, they must supervise Graduate Student Teaching Assistants and/or develop and implement a plan for assessment of course learning objectives and implement the Department's General Education Assessment Plan.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in geology, geoscience, or related field; experience with multimedia and/or other modern instructional technology.

Desired Qualifications:

Ph.D. in geology, geoscience, or related field; familiarity with practices of scientific teaching, active learning and inquiry-based learning.

Please apply online: lsusystemcareers.lsu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=57596

A copy of your transcript(s) may be attached to your application (if available). However, original transcripts are required prior to hire.

Please provide five professional references including name, title, phone number and e-mail address.

An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check. Application deadline is April 25, 2014 or until a candidate is selected. BENEFITS: LSU offers outstanding benefits to

eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; sick leave; paid holidays; wellness benefits; training and development

opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

THE LSU SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER

The position is open until Filled

PYRN, ICARP activity during PYRW

Dear Colleagues,

The Third International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III) is a decadal event coordinated by the International Arctic Science Council (IASC) aiming at identifying Arctic science priorities for the next decade (more info at: icarp.arcticportal.org). It is of particular interest that early career researchers participate in this process and therefore the Permafrost Young Researchers Workshop PYRW) includes an ICARP III activity. We invite all early career permafrost researchers to participate in shaping our contribution to ICARP III!

What we need from you:

During the workshop we will work with identifying permafrost research questions for the next decade. These questions will be discussed and refined during the PYRW workshop at EUCOP4. You may submit your questions following the instructions in the link below. There, you can also find more information about ICARP III and how our activity feeds into this process.

Please, submit your question(s) before May 23rd following this link!

Thank you for your time!

Organizing Committee for PYRW

VOLCANO: International Conference - 2014 Ore Potential of Alkaline, Kimberlite and Carbonatite Magmatism

Dear YES members,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 30th International Conference on Ore Potential of Alkaline, Kimberlite and Carbonatite Magmatism which be held in Antalya (TURKEY), 29 September - 2 October 2014.

Online registration and abstract submission are now open.

Please visit the conference website http://www.alkaline2014.com for updated information on the conference and to register.

Please don’t forget the important deadlines for this conference (http://www.alkaline2014.com). 

For this conference topics include genesis of alkaline magmatism; genesis of kimberlites and other ultrapotassic rocks; experimental data for petrogenesis of alkaline rocks; geochemistry, petrology and ore potential of alkaline-carbonatitic, mafic and ultramafic rocks and granitoids; mineralogy, crystalochemistry of alkaline rocks and carbonatites and more.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at alkaline2014@akdeniz.edu.tr

Looking forward to welcoming you in Antalya, Turkey.

"IsoNose" Network:12 Ph-D Positions and 2 Postdocs in Isotope Geochemistry

Isotopic Tools as Novel Sensors of Earth Surface Resources

We invite applications for 12 European Ph-D positions and 2 postdocs on the behaviour of innovative metal stable isotopes in the environment within Marie Curie Initial Training Network Isotopic Tools as Novel Sensors of Earth Surfaces Resources IsoNose funded by the European Union. The IsoNose consortium consists of eight full partners and five associated partners in six countries (Germany, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Turkey, and United States of America), including three industrial partners. The project is coordinated at the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences by Friedhelm von Blanckenburg.

Webiste: www.isonose.eu

The Mineralogical Society of America announces the 2015 Grants for Student Research in Mineralogy and Petrology

The Grants for Student Research in Mineralogy and Petrology are funded by an endowment created by contributions from the MSA membership. The grant comprises two awards of up to $5,000 each for research in mineralogy and petrology. Students, including graduate and undergraduate students, are encouraged to apply. However, all proposals are considered together. The award selection will be based on the qualifications of the applicant, the quality, innovativeness, and scientific significance of the research, and the likelihood of success of the project. Applicants may not apply for both this and the MSA Grant for Research in Crystallography in the same year. The grant is for research-related expenses only.

Proposal submissions for the grant are to be made online. Further information and application form are available at

http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/Awards/Min_Pet_Award.html

Completed applications must be returned to the MSA Business Office by June 1, 2014.

The next award will be made in January, 2015.

Edward S. Grew

Chair, Mineralogy/Petrology Research Grant Committee

YES Network at the Mediterranean Days of Water Information Systems - Rabat, Morocco

The YES Network partnered the First edition of the Mediterranean Days of Water Information Systems held in Rabat, Morocco on the 19th, 20th and 21st March 2014.

The event listed a large number of contributions from both young researchers from accross Morocco and interventions of experts from the Mediterranean region. Delegates from public and private water sectors in Morocco also participated actively and the ceremonies of opening and closing listed personalities like the Moroccan Minister of Water and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Michel Boko.

               Presentation of the YES Network

                                                           Group picture of the participants and hosts of the event

EGU Townhall Meeting: "Successful fieldwork - An APECS and PYRN panel discussion"

Would you like to organise your own fieldwork but aren’t sure where to start?

Fieldwork is an essential component of research but often we only get one chance to get it right. This is especially true when travelling to remote locations (eg. the Arctic and Antarctica).

If you would like to pick up tips and advice on planning and implementing a successful field season or are looking for inspiration then please join us on Tuesday 29^th April from 19:00-20:00 in Room B7 at the EGU conference centre for a panel discussion on Successful Fieldwork.

The panel members who will be sharing their experiences and answering your questions are Andreas Richter (University of Vienna), Bryn Hubbard (Aberystwyth University), John Connelly (Lund University) and Marc Oliva (University of Lisbon).

The event is organised by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and the Permafrost Young Research Network (PYRN).

All are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you in Vienna!

If you have any questions about this event please contact Ruth Hindshaw (ruth.hindshaw@gmail.com) or Alexandre  Nieuwendam (alexandretn@gmail.com).r

3rd YES Congress: Abstracts submission and Travel Grants (Deadline extended - 20th May!)

Dear YES members,

It is still time to submit your abstract for both the 3rd Young Earth Scientists Congress and the 25th Colloquium of African Geology. The response-rate to date continues to be excellent and we look forward to receiving your submissions up to the 20th May 2014.

Please note that abstracts will be accepted for either oral or poster presentation. Please indicate your preference when submitting. Abstracts are to be submitted by e-mail as an attached file in Word format to the Conference Secretariat at the following e-mail addresses: yesabstract2014@gmail.com (YES Congress) and cagabstract2014@gmail.com (CAG25).

Please ensure that your submission fully complies with format specifications as non-compliant papers cannot be considered.

Click here for detailed information about the call for abstracts and to submit
your abstract(s): http://www.yescongress.org/2014/home.html and
http://cag25.or.tz/downloads/second%20circular.pdf

GSA/GSL Student support for 3rd YES Congress 2014:

The Geological Society of America and the Geological Society of London are offering travel assistance to African students and early career geoscientists to attend the 3rd and the 25th 2014. Funds will be distributed in two parts. Upon notification of receipt of the award the societies will provide 75% of the funds. The remaining 25% may be collected at the conference. Young Earth Scientists (YES) Congress Colloquium of African Geology (CAG25) to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 11-16 August.

Application Criteria: You must

1. be an African undergraduate, graduate student or early career professional geoscientist (no more than 35 years old);
2. be presenting an oral or poster paper and be able to show that your abstract has been submitted and accepted;
3. attach a brief statement (up to 300 words) describing how attending the YES and CAG conferences will benefit your career development.

Important Dates:
20th May 2014 - Abstract submission deadline for 3rd

20th June 2014 - Notification of abstract acceptance 

30 May 2014 - Application deadline for travel grant
30 June - Notification of travel grant award

Link to the application's site: http://goo.gl/RlPkUZ 

Best regards, 

YES Communications Support Team

News from Indian Chapter of YES in year 2014

Indian Geophysical Union had always promoted this endeavor of YES by supporting a large number of young researchers to participate in its Annual Convention since 2011. The 50^th convention of Indian Geophysical Union [www.igu.org] was held during 8^th -12^th January, 2014 at National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad. The conference was jointly organized by the Indian Geophysical Union (IGU) and CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad. Main theme of the convention was “Sustainability of Earth System-The Future Challenges”. The convention was inaugurated by Noble laureate Prof. Y.T. Lee, President of International Council of Science (ICSU), accompanied by Prof. Carol Finn, President American Geophysical Union (AGU), Prof. V.P. Dimri President Indian Geophysical Union (IGU), Prof. H.K. Gupta, Member, National Disaster Management Authority of India, Prof. Mrinal K.Sein and Prof. Shailesh Nayak. 

 IYES member’s group photograph with Prof. ManikTalwani, Prof. V.P. Dimri (President IGU) and Judges for the best poster presentation.

The number of YES members from Indian chapter is increasing manifold. There were more than 50 YES members who participated in 50^th Convention of IGU. In total there were 19 poster presentations from students coming from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Kurukshetra University and Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) Gujarat. Apart from these students category, YES members also presented posters in research scholars from CSIR -NGRI, ISR and OIL India Limited. Posters were presented on all geophysical domains.

Out of 19 papers, 5 papers were based on Seismology, 4 were based on Potential Field studies, 3 were based on Remote Sensing, GIS and Groundwater, 3 papers came out with Well Logging and application to well data, instead of these other 4 papers were based on Geology, Microbiology and Environmental studies. In Seismology posters, students talked about estimation of Source Parameters and Attenuation Characteristics from Strong Ground Motion data of different earthquakes. One group talked about Displacement and Strain Displacement during 24th September 2013 Southern Pakistan Earthquake (Mw 7.7).  In Potential Field papers, students talked about different approaches i.e. Spectral approach, Fractals on Potential Field Data. Some students presented the application of Remote Sensing and GIS for Integrated Resources and Groundwater.  There were some presentations  based on Well Logging  data and results. There were discussions about Well Log Data Analysis for Coal Bed Delineation and its Proximity Analysis in Jharia Coal Field and also on Rock Physics Modeling. YES participants were amused to know about Diurnal Variations of Ozone (Total Oxidant) at a Burb Site - Tarnaka, Hyderabad by a local student of Hyderabad. There were participation from Microbiology on Molecular Diversity of Bacterial Communities in a Permanently Cold Arctic fjord and Planktonic Cyanobacterial Communities in Sundarbans Mangroves - A Polyphasic Approach.

Prof. Harsh Gupta, President IUGG along with Prof. V.P. Dimri, President Indian Geophysical Union, encouraging YES members for bagging best poster award.

Panel of experts selected best poster award for students and researchers categories. In both categories, two awards were bagged by IYES members.

Ms. Payal Rani (YES member) from National Geophysical Research Institute won the 2^nd award for best poster in student section. She talked about “Spectral Methods for Depth Estimation from Gravity Data:  A comparison”.  She calculated the depth of causative body which causes gravity anomaly by using spectral approach.The depth of causative body can be estimated from the slope of fitted line to the log of power spectrum versus wavenumber. The power spectra can be calculated using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) and Multi Taper Method (MTM). The synthetic as well as field gravity data has been used for checking the efficiency of these methods. She concluded that the depth of geo-bodies estimated using the MTM is closer to actual value as compared to the depth estimated by FFT and MEM approach.

Mr. Shib Shankar Ganguly, (YES Research Scholar) from CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute won the 2^nd award for the best poster in research scholar category. He presented his work on “An Estimation of CO₂-EOR potential from a Sector model in a Mature Oil Field, Cambay Basin, India”. He presented a study on the possibility of CO₂ enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by CO₂ injection in a mature oil field from the Cambay basin, India. For this, a conceptual sector model is constructed and various sensitivity analyses of reservoir parameters, such as grid resolution, residual oil saturation to water, etc. is carried out to understand the CO₂ EOR process for the reservoir and observed promising results from the simulation of the conceptual model.

Apart from the above presentations and participation, IYES members interacted with various dignitaries in conference and discuss about the research aspects in Earth Sciences.

Postdoctoral opportunity in non-classical crystal growth and Nanogeosciences, University of Chile-Virginia Tech

The Department of Mining Engineering at University of Chile (Santiago de Chile) in conjunction with the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech (USA) is seeking a candidate to apply to the Postdoctoral call that will be soon opened by the Chilean Ministry of Science and Education. This is a competitive national call opened to both national and international scientist.

Requirements include a Ph.D. in Geosciences, Chemistry, Physics or related areas, strong organizational, quantitative data analysis and English writing skills. Proficiency in Spanish is not required but the selected candidate is expected to be fluent in Spanish along the 2 years postdoc. Familiarity with at least one of the following techniques is expected: HRTEM (and other electron microscopy techniques), synchrotron radiation techniques (e.g., total X-ray scattering, EXAFS, XANES, …) and/or mass spectrometry (previous knowledge in the use of ESI-MS/MS techniques will be highly appreciated).

The main section of the research project will be completed in Santiago although the selected candidate is expected to perform short research stays at Virginia Tech to do some collaborative works with Professors Michel Hochella and Marc Michel (http://www.geochem.geos.vt.edu/environano/welcome.html). The successful applicant will perform laboratory experiments to study the role of inorganic polymers as precursors in the growth of nanominerals (particularly schwertmannite) by non-classical crystallization pathways. Opportunities will also be provided for developing independent projects within the Mining Engineering Department as well as mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students and co-teaching.

Expected terms for this position are 2 years beginning October 1^st, annual salary = 18,000,000 pesos (approx. 35,000 US$), accommodation in the new country (flight, housing, …) = 3,000,000 pesos (approx. 5,000 US$) and associated research money for the post-doc = 4,500,000 pesos (approx. 8,000 US$) per year.

Applications should be submitted by email as a single pdf to Dr. Manuel Caraballo (mcaraballo@ing.uchile.cl or manuelac@vt.edu) and include: (1) a concise curriculum vitae, (2) a publication list, (3) a statement describing past research experience and interests (no more than 1 page), and (4) the names and contact information of a minimum of three individuals who can provide a letter of reference. Application dead line for the national call is expected by May 15^th, so interested candidates are encourage to contact Dr. Manuel Caraballo as soon as possible.

Open PhD Positions: "Continuous and Polymorphic Characters in Turtle Evolution

The Paleontology Group at the Department of Geosciences of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, invites applications for *two* 3-year Ph.D. positions funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and supported by the Department. The project is focused on exploring the utility of
continuous and polymorphic morphological characters in turtle phylogenetics, in particular the speciose clade of Geoemydidae, and will evolve extensive international travel to visit museums. The ideal candidates will have a geological or biological background in systematics, morphology, and vertebrate evolution. Details of the project will be discussed with preselected candidates.

The University of Fribourg is a trilingual (French/German/English) university in a bilingual (French/German) town near the Swiss Alps and equally distant from the international airports of Geneva and Zurich.
Candidates of all personal backgrounds are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to candidates with the appropriate scientific background and good English language skills.

To apply, please send the following by email:

1) a one or two page cover letter highlighting your background and motivations,

2) a detailed curriculum vitae,

3) names of three references and their contact information.

Applications will be reviewed starting June 1, 2014. However, the positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found. For all questions and for submission, please contact Prof. Walter Joyce at walter.joyce@unifr.ch.

Fundamentals of 3D Quantitative Analysis of Geological Materials Using CT

The University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray CT Facility (UTCT) is hosting a three-day short course on the visualization and quantitative analysis of geological samples using CT data.  The course will provide an overview of the acquisition and interpretation of CT data, followed by methods for visualization and 3D quantitative analysis of discrete geological features (e.g. clasts, mineral grains, chondrules, pores, etc.) and fabrics. Accordingly, most of the workshop will be devoted to hands-on training in the commercial package Avizo™ and freeware developed at UTCT including Blob3D and Quant3D. 

A maximum of 8 seats is available and the course will be presented June 23-25, 2014 at the UTCT lab in Austin, Texas. This short course is sponsored in part by the NSF, and funds may be available to help cover the costs of scanning samples, and/or to offset travel and accommodation expenses for the workshop.  There is no charge for the course itself.  Applications are due April 18, 2014.  For the full announcement and application details please visit http://www.ctlab.geo.utexas.edu/announc/index.php.

For all inquires please contact Romy Hanna at romy@jsg.utexas.edu.

International Student Intern Program - Misasa, Japan

The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Study of the Earth's Interior, Okayama University would like to invite applications for the 2014 International Student Intern Program.

The program offers students an opportunity to work in state-of-the-art research facilities, and to gain first-hand research experience. Last year, the Chelyabinsk meteorites was chosen to be the main target for the program.

http://intern.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp/pml2014/

* Contact: Tak Kunihiro <pmlmiship@itokawa.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp>

* Date: July 1 (Tue) -- August 9 (Fri), 2014

* Eligibility: The program is open to advanced undergraduate (3rd to 4th year) and master-course students. We prefer students in earth sciences, physics, chemistry, and materials sciences who have a strong interest in a pursuing a career in scientific research regardless of their nationality, but assuming reasonable communication skills in English.

* Financial: Accommodation in the Misasa guesthouse is provided, and travel and living expenses are fully covered.

* Application deadline: May 6, 2014

* Projects conducted in the past

** Multichron: Isotope compositions of Sr, Nd, and Pb were determined  to date plutons by TIMS, ICP-MS, and SIMS. One of the major goals was  to have experience in wet chemistry in our clean room. Related

   petrographic work was undertaken over a wide range of scales by FE-SEM, EPMA, micro-Raman, micro-FTIR, and FIB/TEM. 

** Multielements: The target here was a meteorite and a single thin section was investigated comprehensively using a wide range of  instruments (FE-SEM, EPMA, LA-ICPMS, and SIMS). One highlight was  the determination of oxygen isotope compositions by gas mass-spectrometry and laser fluorination. 

** Synthesis: The prerequisite for any microanalytical analysis is  having well-characterized reference material. In this project, students created reference materials with wide variation in chemical and isotopic composition. First, glass was synthesized. Then the glass was analyzed by conventional methods, including TIMS, ICP-MS, and gas-MS. Finally, using other reference materials, the new standard was characterized and calibrated by SIMS.

Eizo Nakamura, Director

Institute for Study of the Earth's Interior, Okayama University

International School on Crystallization (ISC2014): Drugs, agrochemicals, minerals, new materials (ISC2014), Granada (Spain) May 25-30th 2014

The School is organized by the Laboratory of Crystallographic Studies (CSIC / University of Granada) and supported by the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr). ISC2014 will provide five days of lectures and practical demonstrations related to the crystallization of drugs, agrochemical industry, minerals, biominerals and new materials, covering from the fundamental aspects to their applications. Particular emphasis will be given to the crystallization of polymorphs, hydrates, cocrystals and chiral compounds.The school is an event of the International Year of Crystallography (IYCr2014).

The Deadline for Grants Application is 13th april 2014. We would appreciate if you could circulate this information to your colleagues and students.

For more information please visit the website: http://www.iscgranada.org/

Thank you for your attention and see you in Granada.

Juan Manuel Garcia Ruiz & Jaime Gómez Morales

Organizing  Committee