March
9
2010
The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BUNDESANSTALT FÜR GEOWIS-SENSCHAFTEN UND ROHSTOFFE, BGR) is searching for an Informatics Specialist to be hired as soon as possible, for the duration of the research project “GS Soil” until 31.05.2012.
The position is part of the BGR’s contributions to the project GS Soil (Assessment and Strategic De-velopment of INSPIRE-compliant Geodata-Services for European Soil Data www.gssoil.eu), financed under the EU eContentplus Programme.
Responsibilities and duties
− Concept development and implementation of interconnections between geoscientific (soil) data bases for web-based data communication in Germany and Europe
− Development of concepts to facilitate compatibility, interoperability and applicability of digital prod-ucts in soil and environmental information systems
− Analysis of existing web-portal and digital product designs as well as standards (such as OGC observation and measurements) for further development of soil information systems, data bases and geo-portals
− Contributions to the development of international and national standards for the encoding of soil data, including testing its applicability
− Development of interactive geoscientific web applications (e.g. transformation services for nomen-clature harmonization)
Employment conditions
Applicants must hold a University Diploma or MSc degree in informatics or comparable, with additional geoscientific qualification preferred. In order to further develop and manage the communication be-tween geoscientific/environmental information systems in the web, the position requires excellent knowledge of web-GIS standards (OGC, W3C, ISO, CEN). In particular, a thorough understanding of XML/UML/GML is needed for the modelling of data specifications (for soil data). In order to intercon-nect and retrieve data interactively, in-depth experience is needed in managing SQL-data bases e.g. using MS-SQL, MySQL or PostgreSQL, as well as knowledge of script languages PHP, JavaSript (AJAX), etc. The modification and adaptation of libraries and domain applications requires experience in programming, preferably C++. Fluency in English language is required, basic knowledge in German or willingness to learn German would be an asset.
The place of work is the Hannover headquarters, maybe by personal preference our office in Berlin. Payment is based on E13 or E 14 due to the TVöD and depends on the individual qualification of the applicant. BGR is an equal opportunities employer. A full-time position is planned, part-time would be considered.
We ask you to provide us with your detailed application referring to „GS Soil Informatics“ and applica-tion number B 23/10 including CV, brief statement of research interests and accomplishments, copies of relevant certificates as well as individual project results/publications/links to demonstrate your level of experience. Please send your application until the 16.04.2010 to
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)
- Staff -
Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hanover, Germany
Information about BGR can be found at www.bgr.bund.de.
For more information, you are welcome to contact rainer.baritz@bgr.de, or by phone +49/511/643-2409.
March
9
2010
BGR is searching for a Geoscientist to be hired as soon as possible, for the duration of the research project “GS Soil” until 31.05.2012.
The position is part of the BGR’s contributions to the project GS Soil (Assessment and Strategic De-velopment of INSPIRE-compliant Geodata-Services for European Soil Data www.gssoil.eu), financed under the EU eContentplus Programme.
Responsibilities and duties
− Analysis and comparison of content and structures of national and international geoscientific par-ticularly soil data bases
− Development of data specifications for soil information with respect to web-based data communica-tion
− Development of transformation methods to facilitate harmonized soil data exchange
− Development and presentation of interoperable soil data including meta data through the BGR soil information system
Employment conditions
Applicants must hold a University Diploma or MSc degree in a geoscientific discipline with a concen-tration on soil science and geoinformatics. The position requires excellent knowledge in the manage-ment of the components of geoscientific information systems: map and measurement data, as well as metadata. The project develops strategies to facilitate web-based communication of interoperable soil data in distributed systems. This requires the profound understanding of soil mapping data, soil no-menclatures, soil data bases, combined with experience of OGC/ISO standards related to web-GIS, metadata, data encoding and export (XML). The project work relies on a broad range of GIS applica-tion skills. Fluency in English language is required, basic knowledge in German or willingness to learn German would be an asset.
The place of work is the Hannover headquarters, maybe by personal preference our office in Berlin. Payment is based on E13 or E 14 due to the TVöD and depends on the individual qualification of the applicant. BGR is an equal opportunities employer. A full-time position is planned, part-time would be considered.
We ask you to provide us with your detailed application referring to „GS Soil Geoscientist“ and applica-tion number B 22/10 including CV, brief statement of research interests and accomplishments, copies of relevant certificates as well as individual project results/publications/links to demonstrate your level of experience. Please send your application until the 16.04.2010 to
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)
- Staff -
Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hanover, Germany
Information about BGR can be found at www.bgr.bund.de.
For more information, you are welcome to contact rainer.baritz@bgr.de, or by phone +49/511/643-2409.
March
2
2010
2 vacancies for term positions in digital soil mapping and crop modelling at ISRIC World Soil Information.
1. Researcher digital soil mapping
a dedicated scientist in digital soil mapping (dsm) to support the development of a global soil information system.
http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/WUR/vacancy/3315/lang/en/
2. Researcher in Soil and Crop Modelling
Job description
a dedicated scientist in soil and crop modelling to support the development of a global soil information system
http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/WUR/vacancy/3314/lang/en/
February
1
2010
According to Thompson Reuters ScienceWatch.com December 2009, the emerging Research Front in Agricultural Science is Digital Soil Mapping.
Alex McBratney talks with ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions about this month’s (December 2009) Emerging Research Front Paper in the field of Agricultural Sciences.
http://sciencewatch.com/dr/erf/2010/10feberf/10feberfMcBr/
Article: On digital soil mapping
Authors: McBratney, AB;Santos, MLM;Minasny, B
Journal: GEODERMA, 117 (1-2): 3-52 NOV 2003
Why do you think your paper is highly cited?
I think it both defined a new approach and brought recognition to a new area of research and application. It is also timely because, at the turn of the century, scientists recognized the difficulty of conventional soil mapping. With limited budgets, soil and environmental scientists are looking for new ways of producing soil and related maps more efficiently.
Does it describe a new discovery, methodology, or synthesis of knowledge?
At first this paper was a review, then, after some thought, it became a synthesis, and then, after some further thought, it was clear that there was a more generic approach that could be developed. This is a good example of going from review to new ideas. The paper probably led to a scientific movement which then led to a global project.
This paper introduced the quantitative scorpan concept, where soil can be predicted from S: soil, C: climate, O: organism, R: relief, P: parent materials, A: age, and N: geographic space. It also proposed the spatial soil prediction function which allows us to spatially predict soil properties across any region of interest.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper in layman’s terms?
It suggests a new way of doing soil mapping that uses the latest technology and our best ideas about how soil varies across a landscape. The new way is potentially much more efficient and more quantitative than the old one.
How did you become involved in this research and were any particular problems encountered along the way?
I’ve been involved in various aspects of quantitative soil mapping my entire research career. It was only with the time for reflection that sabbatical leave allows that I could thoroughly investigate what everyone had been doing during the previous years, and see the threads and commonalities to put it all together, and then suggest a new way of thinking.
It only goes to show that time set aside for reading and reflection is quite important for the development of science and, too often, this opportunity is denied us by the increasing hurly-burly involved in the administration of science.
Where do you see your research leading in the future?
This research has led to a movement of people across the world who are investigating digital soil mapping as a way of producing soil information for today’s problems. Several conferences have been held and books have been produced and there is a growing literature in the scientific periodicals. Most importantly, there is now a global project to produce a global map of soil properties at a resolution of 90m x 90m.
This idea was not even conceived at the turn of the millennium. However, after the first and second conferences on digital soil mapping, which were held in 2004 and 2006, subsequent to the publication of our Geoderma paper, a group of people felt confident enough that we could achieve such an aim. It’s a great challenge but it’s one that we must engage. Some of the aspects of this were described recently in a paper by Pedro A. Sanchez, et al. “Digital soil map of the world,” Science 7(325): 680-1, August 2009.
Do you foresee any social or political implications for your research?
The paper probably led to a scientific movement which then led to a global project. The major aims of the global project are to produce relevant soil information for solving today’s and tomorrow’s great problems: food security, water security, energy security, and sustainable response to climate change. The information digitally produced by global soil mapping will allow modelers, planners, and policymakers to put in place responsive and responsible actions for the use of the global community.
January
23
2010
PhD studentship at Cranfield University in Site Specific Land Management based on Proximal Soil Sensing
Academic Supervisors: Dr Abdul Mouazen - Dr Ronald Corstanje
Duration: Three years
Start Date: ASAP
Closing Date: 1stth March 2010
Supported by the Douglas Bomford Trust and the DTA, a studentship up to £14,000 p.a. for 3 years plus fees* is available
Cranfield University is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake this exciting research project which aims to build a sensor fusion platform able to gather a number of sensor techniques in one platform for site specific soil management.
Traditional site specific soil management relies on data collection about soil, in addition to that on weather, topography, plant growth and yield, which are analysed with traditional methods of laboratory soil analysis (chemical, physical, biological, etc). The most recent advancement on utilising proximal sensing for site specific soil management, suggests that existing technology to acquire some key elements in soils (e.g. carbon, bulk density and clay content) are lacking and that the new innovative on-the-go visible and near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy sensors will enable measurement of these properties.
Due to the complex nature of agricultural soils, a sensing technique that provides information about one parameter is considered of limited use. Most recently, researchers focus on the development of a new approach for soil sensing based on gathering several sensing techniques in one platform. This approach is designated as sensor fusion system. Very limited literature on this new topic has been published so far. Therefore, delineation of soil management zones based on sensor fusion systems will be an innovative approach, and has not been investigated so far.
The project proposes to build a sensor fusion platform that gathers a Vis-NIR sensor together with electromagnetic induction (EMI) and capacitance sensors. Data output from these two proximal sensing systems will be combined with data obtained on topography, crop, weather and yield. Using advanced geo-statistical analysis, management zones of soil and crop will be delineated and utilised for site specific management of tillage and fertilisation, including organic and inorganic fertilisers.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. We are seeking a qualified agricultural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer pr agronomist who is interested in soil management and land use, geo-statistics, sensors and field work. The successful candidate should have a basic knowledge in data logging systems and electronics, since they will operate sensor fusion platform.
Funding
*Supported by the Douglas Bomford Trust and the DTA this studentship will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only and provide a bursary of up to £14,000 p.a. for three plus fees* years dependent upon qualifications and experience.
How to apply
Please submit a CV and complete the application form at: www.cranfield.ac.uk/prospectus/app/pgappform.pdf
Alternatively, for more information and an application form please contact:
School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk
January
11
2010
TRAINING in Infrared spectroscopy and Chemometrics, 1st - 5th March 2010, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Belgium
For the 4th consecutive year, the CRA-W organises a complete training on infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics with the following contents:
- Overview of the theoretical/practical part of the spectroscopic methods most commonly used.
- Introduction to Chemometrics.
- Practical sessions.
- Answer all the questions one can find when working with spectroscopy and chemometrics.
Venue
The training will be hosted by the Quality Department of Agricultural Products of the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W) in Gembloux.
This location is easily accessible by train or car (only 50 kilometres from Brussels).
Contents
Infrared Spectroscopy
-Theory and applications
- Experimental / sample plan
- NIR
- NIR microscopy
- NIR imaging
- Embedded NIR
- Networking
- MIR
- Raman
Chemometrics
Exploratory analysis
Data visualization / Principal Component Analysis (PCA) / Clustering / Outliers / Uncertainty estimation
Quantification and classification / multivariate calibration
-Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)
-Principal Component Regression (PCR)
-Partial Least Squares (PLS)
-Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)
-Support Vector Machines (SVM)
For more information: http://cra.wallonie.be/index.php?page=23&id=112
Email: fernandez@cra.wallonie.be
December
17
2009
We are happy to bring you the latest issue of Pedometron , December 2009.
You can download it here:
http://www.pedometrics.org/pedometron/pedometron28.pdf
(size: 3.5 MB)
It has exciting and latest articles on every aspect of Pedometrics:
The Richard Webster Medal, PM 2009 report from Beijing, Soil texture wizard, Incorporating soil aging in DSM, The Hilbert-Huang Transform, Pedometrics 2011, DSM in Ireland, Soil Carbon sequestration, Report
from Geomorphometry 2009, Soil Bibliometrics: NIR and Soil Science, Profiles: Sabine Grunwald & Anthony Young. And Pedomathemagica to solve.
Wishing you a good festive season and Happy New Year.
See you in 2010.
December
11
2009
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN SOIL SCIENCE
The Department of Soil Science (LSO) of the School of Agronomy “Luiz de Queiroz” of the Univeristy of São Paulo (USP), located in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, is searching candidates for a Junior Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Geotecnologies in Soil Science in the project entitled “Development of tools for environmental monitoring of soils: investigation of contaminants, quantification of elements, and laboratory- and remote sensing-based implementation”. The Fellowship will be provided by the Brazilian National Council for Technological and Scientific Development – CNPq. The minimum duration of the Fellowship is one year, with possible renewal for one more year. Only applicants that obtained a Ph.D. or equivalent degree within the last 7 years are eligible.
Curriculum Vitae in the Lattes format (http://lattes.cnpq.br/english/index.htm) and two letters of recommendation must be sent by e-mail to jamdemat@esalq.usp.br and gvasques@ufl.edu. Review of applications will start immediately and the deadline for submission of materials is December 17, 2009.
Duties
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will actively participate in the activities of the Soil and Land Use Planning GIS and Remote Sensing Laboratory, focusing on soil spectroscopy based on laboratory and satellite imagery. Various soil properties will be anallyzed using spectroscopy, including carbon and its spatial distribution on the landscape. Other activities include: spectral libraries, chemometric studies, analysis of soil properties, land use mapping using remote sensing, and use of specific software including ENVI, ArcGIS and others. The Department is interested in spatial modeling of soil variation with focus on GIS and statistical modeling techniques, and offers appropriate structure (office, hardware, software, and others) to the fellow.
Requirements
Ph.D. or equaivalent degree in Soil Science or related fields (Geography, Pedology, Agronomy, Forestry, Agriculture Engineering, GIS, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Statistics, and others) is required. Experience with statistical modeling (preferably multivariate) is appreciated.
For More Information
More information can be obtained from Professor José Alexandre M. Demattê by e-mail: jamdemat@esalq.usp.br.
Phone inquiries should be made to +1-19-3417-2114.
December
11
2009
University of Florida – Assistant Professor of Landscape Biogeochemistry / Multi-scale Biochemical Modeling
This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position with a 70% research and 30% teaching appointment located in the Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida. The incumbent in this position will develop a nationally recognized research program on biogeochemical cycles coupled to hydrology and climate change across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems influenced by anthropogenic and natural stressors. The research focus will be on intrinsic and extrinsic factors (soil, climate, land cover, terrain, geology, hydrology, and human activities) controlling sources and sinks of elements (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur or other), biophysical feedbacks (soil/vegetation-water-atmosphere interactions) to climate dynamics, coupling of biogeochemical pathways, carbon sequestration strategies, and past and future land use response to climate change. The faculty member will develop models ranging from simple nutrient or carbon budgets, to geostatistical synthesis, to spatio-temporal mechanistic simulations, integrating and interpolating fine-scale processes across broader spatial and temporal scales. Special attention should be given to ecosystem disturbances on elemental cycles along large-scale geographic gradients that threaten resilience and health of ecosystems, including disturbances such as rising greenhouse gas emissions, rapid land use change, or anthropogenically induced pollution. Modeling emphasis should be placed on integrating field-scale biogeochemical processes and stressors into larger scale landscape (and/or global) models to allow scenario assessment across various ecosystem types including agricultural, forest, urban, and aquatic systems in subtropical landscapes, such as Florida.
The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in on-campus and distance education modes and advising of students. Candidates should have an earned doctorate in Soil and Water Sciences/Geosciences/Environmental Sciences or a closely related field with emphasis in stochastic and/or mechanistic landscape modeling, and biogeochemistry. Training and post-doctoral experience in biogeochemistry at a range of spatial and temporal scales, and modeling are highly desirable. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding. A full job description can be found at: https://jobs.ufl.edu.
This position is available (March 30, 2010), and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant. Applicants should submit an application online at https://jobs.ufl.edu (Requisition # 0803591) and provide a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and official transcripts showing receipt of the doctoral degree. Four letters of recommendation should be sent to Dr. Sabine Grunwald, Chair Search and Screen Committee, University of Florida, Soil and Water Science Department, 2169 McCarty Hall, P. O. Box. 110290, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 (352-392-1951 x204; sabgru@ufl.edu).
December
7
2009
Post‐Doctoral Associate / Research Scientist
Responsibilities
Applications are invited for the position of a Research Scientist to study soil carbon cycling at broad spatial scales and coordinate activities of the Terra Carbon Information System (Florida). General responsibilities will include: i) Database development: Support the development of a coherent, searchable, and expandable database that integrates terrestrial carbon and associated environmental datasets and provides information about carbon related to environmental stressors such as climate and land use change; ii) Data synthesis: Conduct a synthesis of multiple large carbon datasets to gain insight into carbon cycling and dynamics across various spatial and temporal scales; upscaling of site‐specific carbon observations to landscape scales; and iii) Geospatial outreach: Build a ‘GoogleEarth’ application to deliver and share Terra Carbon data on an interactive, geospatial platform.
Qualifications:
The candidate should have a Ph.D. (or M.S. with 2 years plus work experience) in environmental science, geoscience, natural resource management, biogeochemistry, soil science or related field. Strong skills in geodatabase management and development, multivariate statistics and geostatistics, and GIS are desireable and proven capacity to modify and run ecosystem/carbon prediction or simulation models. The incumbent should have strong interpersonal and organizational capabilities and excellent communication skills.
Location: Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
When: Jan. 2010 or until position is filled
Duration: 2 years
Contact: Sabine Grunwald, Associate Professor, sabgru@ufl.edu (352‐392‐1951 x204)
Submit: Letter of application, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and 3 references (contact address including email and phone)