jueves, octubre 30, 2014

Assistant Professor or Associate Professor position. College of Charleston

The College of Charleston Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences (http://geology.cofc.edu) is accepting applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor position.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Geosciences with research and teaching interests in earth history including paleontology, evolution, and paleoclimatology.

A candidate must be able to teach introductory geology courses, a capstone Earth History class, and be able to develop one or more courses in their research area. The teaching load is nine (9) contact hours per semester. The candidate is expected to develop his/her own research program and to seek external funds to support their research activities. A Ph.D. is required by August 15, 2015. To be hired at the Associate Professor rank, a candidate must have an extensive research record that warrants an Associate Professor rank and have the skills and background to become the curator of the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History. The museum houses an extensive vertebrate fossil collection from the Southeast that contains a growing collection of early whale fossils.

The Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences has over 100 majors and offers a broad array of topical and interdisciplinary elective courses in the geosciences. The Department also provides some of the core and elective courses in the multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Environmental Studies and the M.Ed. in Science and Mathematics. Collaborative opportunities are available with well-established faculty research programs including: geochemistry, coastal processes, environmental geology, geospatial sciences, hydrology, marine geology, natural hazards, sedimentary petrology, seismology, and tectonics. One excellent resource in the department is the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, which has facilities for specimen preparation, preservation, and display. The Department is housed in a newly constructed science building.

Qualified applicants should submit 1) cover letter, 2) a complete curriculum vitae, 3) a statement describing their teaching experience and philosophy, 4) a description of their research background and research plans at the College and 5) contact information for three professional referees who will submit reference letters electronically through the online application system (http://jobs.cofc.edu) until 1/16/2015. Any questions should be directed to the search committee chair, Tim Callahan, at callahant@cofc.edu or the department chair, Mitchell Colgan, at colganm@cofc.edu.

Vertebrate Paleontology Curatorial Assistant in Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) is an outwardly focused and collegial team of researchers with a strong regional focus and expertise in paleontology and geology. The DES paleontology program is field and lab-based and has active, long-term projects across the Rocky Mountain west. The department currently includes four curators, a chief preparator, a collections manager, an assistant collections manager, an office manager, grant-funded curatorial assistants, and about 300 volunteers who engage in research, collections, preparation, fieldwork, and outreach.

Preparator:

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is seeking a Preparator to support and broaden the scope of the Schlessman Family Earth Sciences Laboratory (ES Lab). The ES Lab is inside the museum\'s Prehistoric Journey exhibit, and supports the research, curation and outreach efforts of the Museum and staff in the Department of Earth Sciences. The position requires someone to provide supervisory and technical support to the Schlessman Family Earth Sciences Laboratory (ES Lab) in order to ensure that the lab functions efficiently and that Earth Sciences specimens are prepared at the highest professional standards. Coordinate with the Lab Manager and Chief Preparator to supervise and manage volunteers in the ES Lab. Support Earth Sciences curator driven field activities and provide supervision and leadership of volunteer activities while in the field. Provide molding and casting expertise as leader of this portion of the lab and support the discipline of paleontology to maintain the ! Mu
seum\'s efforts to deliver world-class research, curation, and outreach.
Details are at http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH06/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=DMNS&cws=1&rid=94

Vertebrate Paleontology Curatorial Assistant:

This is a term position, and the term is currently two years, beginning January 2015. The Vertebrate Paleontology Curatorial Assistant will assist in meeting the objectives of the 3-year National Science Foundation funded project: CSBR: Natural History: Uncrowding, rehousing, and digitization of the non-federal fossil vertebrate collection at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The Curatorial Assistant will assist with activities related to inventory/data cleanup, uncrowding, and rehousing of non-federal fossil vertebrate specimens associated with, and following, the move to the new collections facility. The Curatorial Assistant will also assist with the digitization of the non-federal fossil vertebrate collection and associated web-related databasing. The Curatorial Assistant will work closely with departmental staff and train and oversee a large team of volunteers.
Details are at http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH06/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=DMNS&cws=1&rid=487

miércoles, octubre 29, 2014

Collections Manager. Cleveland Museum of Natural History

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) is seeking a dynamic, creative and energetic individual who is passionate about the Museum and its mission; exhibits strong project management and organizational skills; is looking for new challenges; and enjoys working in an enthusiastic and fast paced environment.

Summary:
The Collections Manager will assist the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology by managing the operations of three main areas; fossil collection, preparation, and curation. More information at: https://www.cmnh.org/contact/employment-volunteer/Vert-Paleo-Collections-Manager

Fossil Collection:
Under direction of the curator, prepares for, and conducts, local and remote site work. This will include: all logistics for field camp set up, the acquisition and transport to the site of all required equipment; fossil and data (maps, taphonomic data, photographs, videos, etc.) collection; and transportation of fossil vertebrates. Will include supervision of the field camp and related fossil localities in the absence of the curator, including the supervision of staff, student and volunteers. Will assist the curator in the preparation of grants, permits and reports relating to fossil collection. Will assist the curator in the collection of research data.

Preparation:
Under direction of the curator, manages all aspects of the Vertebrate Paleontology Lab and coordinates activities with other labs as required. Prepares fossils pertinent to the department\'s research. Also called on to occasionally prepare fossils for other reasons (exhibits, education, etc.). Will oversee and instruct other staff and volunteers in fossil identification, preparation, reassembly, cataloging and curation. Will actively recruit new volunteer preparators. Sees that the vertebrate lab is clean and orderly. Orders supplies required for the lab. Maintains lab equipment.

Curation and Cataloging:
Under direction of the curator, sees that collected and prepared specimens are recorded in the vertebrate paleontology cataloging system, making sure they’re properly photographed, numbered, stored and protected. Has experience with GPS mapping and GIS technology, and can generate and maintain GIS maps and related databases. Maintains computer and hard copy files pertinent to vertebrate preparation, lab equipment, volunteers, collection status, etc. Provides curator with information for the monthly report. Will process loans. Assist visiting researchers to access collections within the departmental guidelines. Will assist in organizing outreach events using departmental collections.

Education and/or Experience:
M.Sc. in Earth or Biological Sciences, or related area, and related work experience in fossil collection and field camp management, preparation and curation.
Ability to work independently and supervise crews in remote localities for extended periods of time.
Ability to teach, direct and work with volunteers and students.
Manual dexterity.
Ability to use and repair all equipment pertaining to vertebrate preparation and/or fieldwork.
Advanced knowledge of vertebrate anatomy, especially placoderms and archosaurs.
Manage VP lab budget, including ordering supplies and equipment.
Patience to complete sometimes tedious tasks.
Ability to gather and use GPS and GIS data.
Photo and videography skills.
Ability to gather scientific data for research from specimens, including traveling to other institutions to examine specimens.
Scientific writing ability with proficiency in Word, Photoshop, Illustrator and PowerPoint.
Ability to talk to the public and make public presentations; organizing outreach events.
Capability to devise special techniques for special situations.
Certified wilderness first aid.
Valid driver\'s license and passport.

To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume and three references to: Human Resources
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106
hr@cmnh.org
No phone calls, please.

Posting Date: October 17, 2014
Job Announcement: 1448

martes, octubre 28, 2014

Primeras huellas de cocodrilos nadadores en el Cretácico Superior de Europa


En el suroeste de Europa existe un abundante registro fósil de vertebrados que incluye dinosaurios, quelonios, pterosaurios y también cocodrilos, además de pequeños mamíferos, reptiles y anfibios. Todo este registro ha sido objeto de múltiples trabajos y estudios que han proporcionado una visión muy detallada de cómo estaban constituidas las faunas de vertebrados pocos millones de años antes de la extinción que tuvo lugar en el tránsito Cretácico-Paleógeno (el llamado tránsito Cretácico-Terciario o KT).

El grupo de los cocodrilos, grupo de arcosaurios emparentado con los dinosaurios, globalmente se encuentra entre los componentes  más abundantes de las faunas de vertebrados del Mesozoico. Su registro fósil es conocido en todos los continentes e incluye restos óseos, coprolitos, huellas y huevos. En relación a su registro icnológico (huellas y rastros) varios autores han destacado la presencia de huellas producidas por animales nadadores. Todas ellas son comunes en sedimentos anteriores al Cretácico superior.

En Europa, los cocodrilos se encuentran entre los representantes más comunes en las asociaciones de fósiles de cualquier localidad del Cretácico superior. Así, el grupo está bien representado en la región por varios taxones (Musturzabalsuchus, Acynodon, Allodaposuchus, Arenysuchus, Doratodon, entre otros) juntos con otros restos fósiles indeterminados de las cuencas de Francia, Italia, España y Portugal. Sin embargo su registro fósil de huellas en Europa era hasta el momento ausente.

En un reciente trabajo publicado en la revista Lethaia los investigadores Bernat Vila, Diego Castanera y José Ignacio Canudo del Grupo Aragosaurus de la Universidad de Zaragoza junto con colaboradores del Institut Català de Paleontologia acaban de realizar una valiosa contribución al registro fósil de este grupo antes del límite KT. En este trabajo, titulado “Crocodile swim tracks from the latest Cretaceous of Europe” los autores han documentado las primeras evidencias de cocodrilos nadadores en el Cretácico superior de Europa, siendo probablemente las últimas en el mundo antes del evento de extinción del Cretácico-Paleógeno.

Las huellas han sido documentadas en cinco localidades del vertiente sur de los Pirineos, en Aragón (localidades de Serraduy) y Cataluña (localidades de Fumanya, Mata del Viudà y Barranc de Guixers). Todas ellas pertenecen a la Formación Tremp aunque caracterizan distintos ambientes sedimentarios. Varias de las huellas han sido descritas en ambientes de llanura fangosa litoral junto con huellas de dinosaurios saurópodos; otras se encuentran en ambientes fluviales junto con abundantes huellas de dinosaurios hadrosaurios.

Las huellas de natación corresponden a marcas de dos a cinco arañazos paralelos, de forma alargada y recta. En otras localidades se observan huellas de pies, también con marcas de arrastre de los dedos. La mayoría de las huellas han sido asignadas al icnogénero Characichnos, mientras que un único pie plantígrado se asigna al icnogénero cf. Crocodylopodus. Esta tipología de huellas indica que fueron producidas por animales parcialmente flotantes cuyas extremidades no contactaban completamente con el sustrato durante la locomoción. Es decir, muestra una habilidad para una propulsión alternada de las extremidades en aguas poco profundas de un animal terrestre en vez de una propulsión completamente acuática.

Estas condiciones llevan a los investigadores a discutir su formación en los distintos ambientes sedimentarios. Así, en los ambientes de lagoon, las huellas de los cocodrilos nadadores fueron producidas durante la subida del nivel del agua en sucesivos ciclos de marea; en los ambientes fluviales, las huellas fueron producidas dentro del canal en momentos de bajo nivel del agua.

Como se ha reseñado anteriormente, uno de los puntos más significativos del estudio es su contexto cronostratigráfico. A día de hoy no existen citas de huellas de cocodrilos en el Cretácico superior de Europa y las evidencias estudiadas en este trabajo representan el primer y más reciente registro del grupo en la última parte del Cretácico (Cron 29r) en este continente y probablemente en el mundo.

Referencia completa:
Vila, B., Castanera, D., Marmi, J., Canudo, J.I. & Galobart, À. 2014: Crocodile swim tracks from the latest Cretaceous of Europe. Lethaia, DOI: 10.1111/let.12103.