GEOBULLETIN                                                                   
SEPTEMBER 24, 2004


FALL 2004 LECTURE SCHEDULE ---- All lectures (unless otherwise noted) are held on Fridays at 330 PM in AB20 (Laudon Lecture Hall).  Coffee and cookies are served in the lobby starting at 315 PM.
TODAY ----- September 24  Bernie Wood ----- Bristol University - UK ---- Square pegs in round holes:  Why and how trace elements enter minerals.
September 30  **Board of Visitors Career Panel planned starting at 430 pm in AB20. 
October 1        Board of Visitors Meeting in the Department all day.
October 8        Chris Neuzil ---- United States Geological Survey ----- Reston, VA ----- Low-Permeability Hydrogeology is Still a Wild Card
October 15       Kevin Scott ----- Cascades Volcano Observatory - USGS --- Catastrophic Debris Flows in Volcanic Terrains ----- Case Histories, and Lessons for the Cascade Range, Pacific Northwest.
October 22      Warren Wood ------ Michigan State University----- Killer Radon & Solute Aquifer Test (SAT) A New Geochemical Paradigm.
October 29      Harry McSween --- University of Tennessee  --- Geology of the MER Landing Sites on Mars
November 5     
November 12    Max Coleman ---- Cal Tech Jet Propulsion Lab -----
November 19    Mitchell Plummer ---- Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Lab
November 26    THANKSGIVING RECESS
December 3     Robert A. Duncan ------ Oregon State University ---- 
December 10    Tom Stafford ----- Stafford Research Laboratories, Inc. ------ Boulder, CO
December 17    Final exams begin

**The Board of Visitors' Career Panel Information -----  Career Options Panel Discussion ------ Thursday, September 30, 2004 ------ 4:30 PM --- Weeks Hall, Room AB20 ----- University of Wisconsin ------ Participants as follows:
Carol McCartney - Moderator
M.C. McCartney, LLC.
Madison, WI
 
Dave Shaper
Shell Exploration and Production Company
EP-Americas
New Orleans, LA
 
Steve Gaffield (consulting),
Montgomery Associates:Resource Solutions, LLC
Madison, WI
 
Maureen Muldoon (UW Oshkosh),
University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh, WI
 
David Hart (WI Survey)
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Madison, WI
 
Bill Morgan
ConocoPhillips
Houston, TX
 
Rich Slaughter (WI Geology Museum)
Geology Museum - University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI
 
Mark Emerson
Company Name
New York, NY

Congratulations to alumnus Mike Tryggestad and his wife Jen on the birth of their daughter,  Kaia Helena.  She was born Friday morning, September 17 at 4:46am.  She weighed 8lbs, 10.4oz, and measured 21" in length.

Photographic Images by Carl Bowser will be featured at the Art Beat Gallery ------ 1148 Williamson Street.  The gallery is featuring some 100 Madison area artists who will be opening their studios for interested patrons of the arts.  Samples of all artist's works will be on exhibit for the month of October.  Opening reception at their Gallery is Friday, October 1, 5-9 pm

REMEMBER ----- THE DEPARTMENT GROUP COURTYARD PHOTO will be taken a little before noon on Wed. Sept 29 (next day rain date).   If we start a little early this year, with everyone in place by 11:55, those who have 12:05 classes can be included (it only takes a few minutes). Please join us if you are faculty, emeritus faculty, a grad student, undergrad major, post doc, visitor, or a staff member.  See last year's picture next to the elevator on the second floor.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE -- DETAILS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE -
The Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to fill the position of Strainmeter Engineer.  This individual will support the Senior Strainmeter Engineers (SSE) in all activities relating to the installation of borehole strainmeters in the western US.  This is a field position requiring six months or more of travel per year with extended period of travel to remote field locations and harsh weather conditions.  This position is located in the Southern California Regional Office for PBO in Riverside CA.  Qualifications must be, a motivated individual with a Bachelors degree in Geophysics, Geology,  Engineering, or a similar field.  * Two or more years of relevant experience in Earth science, Geotechnical investigations and/or borehole construction and instrumentation, or equivalent education and experience.  * Good interpersonal and communications skills in working with scientific and engineering professional as well as with private land owners, public utilities and local communities and governments.  * Working knowledge of strain and seismic measurements and related data logging, processing, communications telemetry to include serial, RF and VSAT, as well as a working knowledge of LINUX and PC based computing systems and various serial and IP interfaces.  Some experience in project planning, management and reporting.   Must be able to repeatedly lift a minimum of 50 lbs.  For more information on this job and for posting a resume you can find details at: 
http://achaia.unavco.org/public/careers/searchjobs.asp Look for job posting UVJ 78 for a more detailed job description and qualifications.  You may also contact Chris Walls So-Cal Regional Engineer at wall@unavco.org, 303-775-2159 or Michael Hasting So-Cal Senior  Strainmeter Engineer at hasting@unavco.org, 303-726-5539 (cell phone). 

Kansas State University ----- The Department of Geology at Kansas State University invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor position in Earth Science Education to start fall 2005.  The successful applicant will also take an active role in the activities of the K-State Center for the Understanding of Origins.  Job responsibilities include teaching introductory geoscience courses, coordinating lab sections and training Graduate Teaching Assistants. Preference will be given to applicants who are dynamic teachers and who can demonstrate multicultural competence and expertise in the scholarship of teaching. A PhD is required, preferably in an area of the geological sciences; however, related areas will be considered if expertise in geosciences is demonstrated.  Review of applications will begin November 1, 2004 and will continue until the position is filled.  Applications should include a complete vita, a teaching portfolio that demonstrates applicant's experience in education scholarship, and a statement of research interests.  Three letters of reference must be sent to the department at the time of application.  All materials should be sent to: Dr. Jack Oviatt, Search Committee Chair, Department of Geology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 joviatt@ksu.edu.  For further information about the department and the K-State Center for the Understanding of Origins see: http://www.ksu.edu/geology and www.phys.ksu.edu/~origins.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ------- Postdoctoral Research Associate in Astrobiology ------ As a member of the NASA funded IPTAI (Indiana-Princeton-Tennessee Astrobiology Institute) the Department of Geosciences at Princeton University invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position.  Research focuses on biogeochemical processes that occur under Mars-like conditions in the lab and within deep permafrost and sub permafrost brine in the Canadian arctic.  Projects include using synchrotron X-ray and infrared spectroscopy to determine the survival and the biochemical state of microbes at low water activities, and using molecular analyses of genomic expression to understand the response of anaerobic metabolic processes to such environments.  C, H and S stable isotope and lipid analyses available at other IPTAI member labs will also be utilized in these experiments to distinguish biogenic and abiogenic signatures and to advance life detection strategies for future Mars missions.  Requirements include a Ph.D. in geochemistry, microbiology or molecular biology.  The appointment is for one year with the possibility of renewal for up to three years.  Applicants should send their CV, a brief statement of research experience and interest and contact information for three references to T.C. Onstott tullis@princeton.edu; Dept. of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 089544.  Application deadline is Oct. 15th.  For general information about applying to Princeton and how to self-identify, please link to http://web.princeton.edu/sites/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm.

US Geological Survey ----- Post-doctoral research opportunities at the U. S. Geological Survey have recently been announced for the upcoming academic year.  These opportunities (and the application process) are described at the following website:  http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/ Dr. Christopher S. Swezey ----- U. S. Geological Survey ----- Mailstop 956 National Center ------ Reston, VA 20192 ----- Tel: 703-648-6444 ----- Email: cswezey@usgs.gov.

UW - Green Bay ------ Assistant Professor of Natural and Applied Sciences: Earth Science (tenure track) ---- Essential Job Functions:  Teach courses in the undergraduate Earth Science program in introductory geosciences, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and environmental geology. Will also be expected to contribute to the undergraduate Environmental Sciences program and the graduate program in Environmental Science and Policy. Qualifications: Doctorate in Geology, Earth Science, or a closely related field from an accredited institution by the beginning date of the appointment. Ability to teach one or more of environmental science, quaternary geology, paleontology, environmental geochemistry, or hydrogeology is desirable. The successful candidate must have demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and scholarship, commitment to undergraduate education, and communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to work effectively with a diverse array of students and colleagues. Prior teaching experience will enhance the application.  Starting Date:  August 22, 2005.  Submit a letter of application indicating teaching and research interests, curriculum vitae, three recommendation letters, and transcripts of all graduate work. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with application; official graduate transcripts will be required of finalists. Submit application materials to: Dr. Steven Dutch; Department of Natural and Applied Sciences; University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001. Phone: 920/465-2246. FAX: 920/465-2376. Email: dutchs@uwgb.edu .  Review of applications will begin on October 17, 2004; position open until filled.  For More Information: Visit the UW-Green Bay website at http://www.uwgb.edu

USGS MENDENHALL POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY------

Application of Sequence stratigraphy to Delineate Heterogeneous Ground-Water Flow in Karstic Platform Carbonates 

Karst subsurface formations host some of the most prolific and economically important aquifers. Approximately 25 percent of the world's population lives above or depends on karst aquifers for potable water. In the United States, 40 percent of the ground water used for drinking comes from karst aquifers. These karst aquifers are particularly vulnerable to inadequate or poor ground-water management practices because of rapid recharge and fast ground-water flow through conduits characteristic to karst aquifers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that karst aquifers are highly susceptible to bacterial and chemical contamination.  In southern Florida, the USGS has been successful in implementing sequence stratigraphy as one of several tools for providing an accurate means of mapping karstic preferential flow zones. Results are (1) offering insight into the potential limitations of assumptions of numerical modeling karst aquifers as porous media, granular filtration theory, and risk assessment models applied to municipal wellhead protection; and (2) improving the conceptualization of ground-water seepage in areas critical to the restoration of the Florida Everglades, and fresh ground-water flows from coastal areas to ecologically sensitive estuaries and marine bays.  The Mendenhall Fellow will work closely with experienced USGS geologists and hydrologists, and will conduct studies that integrate carbonate sequence stratigraphy, hydrology, paleontology, geochronology, and borehole geophysics of karstic Tertiary carbonates on the Florida platform. The candidate will be encouraged to expand on existing use of borehole geophysical tools, especially flowmeters, for quantification of aquifer parameters to be used for numerical ground-water model simulations. Proposed Duty Station: Fort Lauderdale, FL and/or St. Petersburg, FL ------- Areas of Ph.D.: Geology, stratigraphy, geophysics.  Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Geologist, Research Geophysicist Research Advisor(s): Kevin J. Cunningham, (305) 717-5813, kcunning@usgs.gov Gene Shinn, (727) 803-8747 x 3030 eshinn@usgs.gov (727) 803-8747 x 3030  Personnel Office contact: Rosetta Alexander, (703) 648-7468, ralexand@usgs.gov    -- Visit http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc for details and application procedure.

Penn State ----- Faculty position in Solid Earth Geosciences ----- Tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level.  Particularly interested in individuals who combine observatational, theoretical, experimental and/or analytical techniques to address problems in lithospheric deformation.  Application review will begin December 1, 2004 and continues until a suitable candidate is found.  For more information go to http://www.geosc.psu.edu.