1) S-1 MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A) S-1 Symposia - SSSA Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, Nov 12-16, 2006

There are currently two symposia planned for the annual meeting in Indianapolis. The topics are: (1) "Soil and Environmental Controls on Greenhouse Gas Emissions" in cooperation with divisions A-3 and S-3 (Per Moldrup, S-1 co-organizer); and (2) "Understanding Plant Water Uptake" in cooperation with divisions A-3 and C-2 (Peter Shouse, S-1 co-organizer). Both symposia will feature internationally renowned speakers. More detailed information will be posted in the next S-1 Newsletter.

Topics for additional named sessions of potential high interest to the S-1 membership are solicited. Please submit your ideas to Jon Wraith (jwraith@montana.edu) in the next few weeks.

B) Call for Nominations - 2006 S-1 Early Career Award

The S-1 Soil Physics Division invites nominations for the 2006 S-1 Early Career Award. The award recognizes scientists who have made an outstanding contribution in Soil Physics within six years after completing the Ph.D. degree. Principal criteria for the S-1 Early Career Award are:

1. Completion of Ph.D. degree in Soil Physics or closely related field within six years of the award.
2. Active member of the Soil Science Society of America.
3. Evidence of quality teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels if in a teaching position.
4. Evidence of effectiveness in extension and/or outreach activities.
5. Evidence of significant contribution of original basic and/or applied research in soil physics.
6. Contributions to the public, professional organizations and institutions.

Detailed instructions for nominating candidates may be found at: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/s-1/.
To apply, submit four copies of the complete nomination containing (i) nomination letter not to exceed two pages in length, (ii) supporting materials (see instructions for format) that document the nominee's qualifications, and (iii) three supporting letters not to exceed one page each. The deadline for receiving nominations is June 1, 2006.

Mail nominations to Dr. Glendon Gee, Chair S-1 Early Career Award, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Environmental Technology Directorate, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352.
Questions regarding the award may be directed to Glendon Gee by e-mail glendon.gee@pnl.gov.

The 2006 S-1 Early Career Award Committee consists of Glendon Gee (Chair), Ty Ferre, Shmulik Friedman, and Gerard Kluitenberg.

C) Vadose Zone Journal - Letter from the Editors

The Future of Vadose Zone Journal

Vadose Zone Journal (VZJ) was initiated four years ago by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) in cooperation with the Geological Society of America (GSA). The first issue was published in August 2002, and after three years the annual number of submissions has risen to about 200. This rapid acceptance of VZJ within the scientific community is largely attributed to the foresight and persistent efforts of our founding editor, Rien van Genuchten, backed by SSSA staff and the VZJ Editorial Board. The successful start of VZJ very much reflects also the increased recognition that vadose zone processes play a prominent role in many interdisciplinary environmental and resource management issues. The recent decision by Thomson ISI to index the journal further enhances its visibility and credibility. The electronic format and publication of VZJ is now widely accepted by the scientific community, with the Manuscript Tracker system facilitating a timely review process.

To be more effective in managing the journal, SSSA has now implemented an important change in the VZJ editorial structure. Vadose Zone Journal will change from having a single Editor to having one Editor (Jan Hopmans, University of California, Davis) supported by three Co-Editors: Tissa Illangasekare, Colorado School of Mines; Dani Or, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; and Rien van Genuchten, George E. Brown, Jr. Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, CA. We are excited that Rien accepted a role of Co-Editor, thus helping us in the transition to multiple Editors. The new editorial structure with four Editors will lead to a better distribution of the work load and a more efficient review process. The change in editorial structure will not only enhance the efficiency of manuscript handling and review, but also will offer new opportunities to move the journal towards making it the premier journal for a broad base of scientists in vadose zone related fields of soil and environmental sciences, hydrology, the geosciences, and engineering.

Within this new editorial structure we are dedicated to serving the research and professional community by offering a forum to share and debate the latest research, and we are committed to a vision that VZJ serve society by helping to protect the earth's increasingly vulnerable soil, air, and water resources.

The vadose zone plays a critical role in our understanding the causes and impacts of changes in our water resources and terrestrial ecosystems at both the local and global scales. When focusing primarily on soil weathering and biogeochemical processes, the vadose zone also includes the recently defined critical zone. VZJ fills an important and unique niche in interdisciplinary research because of its focus on the zone between the earth surface and permanent water table-arguably the most biologically active compartment of the biosphere. While historically the vadose zone was the domain of soil scientists, interests and applications have expanded greatly during the past several decades to include geophysics, hydrogeology, geochemistry, microbiology, terrestrial ecology, global hydrology, and environmental, agricultural, and petroleum engineering. The papers we seek to publish in VZJ should reflect this enormous breadth of vadose zone research, thus contributing to our goal of the journal serving as a forum for integrated vadose zone research. To successfully attract contributions from the various disciplines requires the commitment and input from members of all professional societies involved with vadose zone research. Therefore we encourage broad participation by the scientific community through the collective membership of SSSA, GSA, the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the European Geophysical Union (EGU), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

To build upon the successful start of VZJ, we strive to maintain an enthusiastic and committed Editorial Board that covers all of the soil and water sciences and related disciplines to ensure both depth and breadth. In the transition we plan to add to the Editorial Board, especially younger scientists who are eager to participate in developing the content and readership of the journal. We also plan to create more diversity and representation on the Board from other societies and from regions other than the USA and Western Europe. For this to be successful we will evaluate the need for editorial assistance to ensure high quality articles from non-English speaking authors. We will continue the publication of special sections or issues, which has been partly responsible for the success of VZJ. For this purpose we seek your proposals to lead the coordination and publication of these special issues. The special issues could be the result of symposia or workshops, as well as from your ideas to bundle a series of papers on a special topic. We will also continue to solicit in-depth review papers that present comprehensive state-of-the-art updates on topical areas of interest to our readership. We also seek your input towards publication of white papers on issues that affect the scientific community or society as a whole. Finally, we would like to submit fast-track manuscripts that contain timely material with significantly more merit through their fast publication.

In addition to ensuring high quality articles for a wide audience, VZJ must continuously adapt to better serve our authors and readers. Starting in 2005, the journal began monthly posting of accepted articles. Coming in 2006 one can purchase customized reprint collections of articles in special sections or issues, or of a special topic in general, or by collating the publications of a particular author or set of authors. We note also that VZJ is now indexed by ISI in the Science Citation Index and Current Contents, and is hosted by the online publishing service HighWire Press, from which PDF articles older than 18 months can be downloaded freely. Additional efforts are underway to further improve time-to-publication. We ask that you check with your institutional library and encourage them to subscribe to VZJ and consider a personal subscription. The future of VZJ largely depends on the expansion of library and personal subscriptions, as well as your submission of quality articles.

In closing, we enthusiastically look forward to working with you, the authors, reviewers and readers, to make a smooth transition into this new phase of Vadose Zone Journal. Clearly, the successful launching of VZJ and its rapid growth has demonstrated a real need for such an interdisciplinary journal, with diverse readership across many disciplines, and with tremendous growth potential. A premier journal is defined by the excellence and relevance of its publications, the breadth of disciplines involved, and the diversity and quality of readership it attracts. We welcome your contributions to making VJZ the premier outlet for research concerning the most important compartment of the biosphere-the vadose zone.

Jan W. Hopmans, Editor
Tissa Illangasekare, Co-Editor
Dani Or, Co-Editor
Rien van Genuchten, Co-Editor

http://vzj.scijournals.org/

2) UPCOMING MEETINGS OF INTEREST (arranged by meeting date)

A) 4th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, Carefree, Arizona, April 2-6, 2006

Join the 4th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils. Unsaturated Soils 2006 will promote the exchange of knowledge in the mechanics of unsaturated soils. For further information please visit: http://www.asce.org/conferences/unsat06/

B) European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 02 - 07 April 2006

The EGU General Assembly 2006 will bring together geoscientists from all over Europe and the rest of the world into one meeting covering all disciplines of the Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences. Especially for young scientists the EGU appeals to provide a forum to present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geosciences. The EGU invites all geoscientists to participate in the assembly, submit contributions to the topical sessions and share their research with colleagues and friends. The EGU is looking forward to cordially welcome you in Vienna! For further information please visit: http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2006/

C) Multi-Scale Modeling of Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Centro Stefano Franscini, Monte Verità, Switzerland, April 7 - 12, 2006

Multi-phase flow phenomena and transport processes in porous media are dominated by the complexity of the geometry and the interconnection of structures of different length scales. Successful predictions of flow and transport depends on reliable modeling of multiple fluids and solute transport in heterogeneous multi-scale structures. This task can only be achieved by a genuinely interdisciplinary approach. The workshop will focus on the state-of-the-art and present problems in the following fields:

- mapping the of three-dimensional structures and processes
- structure quantification
- physics of flow and transport in complex structures
- numerical methods for an efficient solution of the physical-mathematical models
- upscaling approaches

For further information please visit: http://www.porous-media.org/

D) MODFLOW and More: Managing Ground-Water Systems Conference, Golden, Colorado, May 21-24, 2006

The International Ground-Water Modeling Center (IGWMC) is pleased to announce the details of the MODFLOW and More 2006: Managing Ground-Water Systems Conference. The conference will be held from May 21-24, 2006 at the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden, Colorado. We would like to invite you to submit an abstract for participation in the conference at http://typhoon.mines.edu/events/modflow2006/abstract_form.html. Abstracts will be reviewed by the technical committee and selected authors of both oral and poster presentations will be published in the conference proceedings. Abstracts are due December 5, 2005 and accepted papers are due by March 12, 2006.

Please visit our website for a complete description of the conference dates, activities, and relevant abstract topics: http://www.mines.edu/igwmc/events/modflow2006/modflow2006.shtml.

E) AGU Joint Assembly, Baltimore, Maryland, May 23-26, 2006

The 2006 Joint Assembly, a partnership between AGU, GS, MAS, MSA, SEG, and UGM is being held 23-26 May 2006 at the Baltimore Convention Center (CC), located at 1 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The Program Committee is developing a Union-wide science program that will cover topics in all areas of geophysical sciences. Located in the heart of Baltimore's booming downtown and Inner Harbor, the Joint Assembly is sure to offer exciting sessions and a relaxing atmosphere. For further information please visit: http://www.agu.org/meetings/ja06/

F) West Regional National Cooperative Soil Survey (WRCSS) and Western Society of Soil Science (WSSS) Conferences, Park City, Utah, June 19-23, 2006

Please join us for the 2006 West Regional National Cooperative Soil Survey (WRCSS) and Western Society of Soil Science (WSSS) conferences in Park City Utah June 19-23. The conferences are being co-located in 2006 to provide many opportunities to share knowledge, information and build partnerships between organizations with interests in soil resources. The WRCSS theme is "Innovative Applications of Soil Survey: Meeting the Changing needs of Today's Society". This theme will be well represented in both oral presentations during the conference and during the all day field trip at mid week to the Heber Valley and Uinta National Forest areas. Participants of the WRCSS include representatives from the 1862 land-grant universities experiment stations, NRCS, USFS, BLM, BIA, EPA, USFWS, National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA), National Association of Consulting Soil Scientists, the 1890 land-grant universities and western tribal colleges. Other interested foreign and domestic groups such as lead scientists from Canada and Mexico are invited to participate as users of soil surveys.

The WSSS theme compliments the WRCSS and it is "The Relevancy of Soil Science to the Needs of a Changing West". In addition to the general WSSS meetings, conference members will join the WRCSS for joint technical sessions, poster session, banquet and mid week field trip.

All meetings will take place at the Prospector Lodge and Conference Center located in beautiful Park City, Utah from June 19-23, 2006. Please make your reservations by June 1, 2006. We want to see you there. For further information please visit: http://sail2.ext.usu.edu/soil/

G) 18th World Congress of Soil Science, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 9-15, 2006

The theme of the 18th WCSS is "Frontiers of Soil Science: Technology and the Information Age". Philadelphia is a superb location for the 18th WCSS. Known as the cradle of democracy, Philadelphia served as the capital of the USA from 1790-1800, and is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the U.S. Constitution was written. It is home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and many other historical attractions. In addition to being one of America's most historic cities, it is also culturally rich in the arts, being home to the world renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. It is also home to the Franklin Institute Science Museum and The Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia is well located on the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S., being only 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, about 100 miles south of New York City and 120 miles north of Washington, D.C. Also, nearby are the Chesapeake Bay, Amish country, duPont family museums and gardens in neighboring Delaware, and the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. International and domestic travel to and from Philadelphia is easily accessible by most major airlines. Train service is also available to and from major cities on the East Coast of the U.S.A.

The 18th WCSS will feature plenary sessions, symposia, poster sessions, scientific and technical exhibitions, and working sessions of the IUSS Divisions, Commissions, Working Groups and Standing Committees. Cultural tours/events for accompanying participants and an array of scientific tours throughout the USA are also planned. For further information please visit:
http://www.colostate.edu/programs/IUSS/18wcss/

H) Gordon Research Conference on Flow & Transport in Permeable Media, Proctor Academy, Andover, NH, July 30 - August 4, 2006

The Gordon Conference on Flow and Transport in Permeable media brings together researchers with a common interest in understanding physical, chemical and biological processes in porous media. The conference provides a stimulating and relaxed forum for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. A unique feature of this meeting is that participants from a wide variety of backgrounds and with interest in many different applications interact on an equal footing - the conference attracts petroleum engineers from both industry and academia, researchers interested in groundwater hydrology, contaminant transport and carbon storage, soil scientists, geologists, biologists, mathematicians and physicists.

In the spirit of the Gordon Conferences, the format is designed to encourage in-depth discussion with a program of morning and evening invited lectures and open discussions. Free afternoons and evening social gatherings provide ample time for more informal scientific interactions. The afternoon and evening poster sessions are an integral part of the meeting and most attendees prepare one or more posters.

Junior researchers, including graduate students, are particularly encouraged to apply. Funds will be available to meet some or all of the registration costs of junior researchers who do not have other funds.

To apply to attend the conference, please click on: http://www.grc.org/programs/2006/flow.htm

I) International Soil Tillage Research Organisation 17th Triennial Conference ISTRO (August 28 - September 3, 2006, Kiel, Germany)

The Conference will comprise 5 days of sessions, including working groups, symposium on soil structure, tours and displays. A roundtable discussion will be organized during the conference with experts from round the world. In addition we are planning a range of social activities to allow participants to relax, unwind and experience the northern German lifestyle. For further information please visit: http://www.soils.uni-kiel.de/istro.htm

J) TDR 2006: 3rd International Symposium and Workshop on Time Domain Reflectometry for Innovative Geotechnical Applications, Purdue University West Lafayette, IN,
September 17 – 20, 2006

This symposium and workshop will focus on applications of time domain reflectometry (TDR), including metallic and optical technologies. Both theoretical and experimental developments are of interest. This two and one-half day event is planned for mid September 2006 and will be held on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana USA. The event follows in the tradition of the two previous TDR symposia held in 1994 and 2001 at Northwestern University. A call for abstracts is now published and abstracts received will be reviewed by the Organizing Committee as a means of forming the program. Invitations for submission of full papers will be sent to authors whose abstracts are accepted. Papers will be reviewed prior to final acceptance for inclusion in the proceedings, which will be available electronically. Attendance will be limited to approximately 100 persons to facilitate presentation of the papers and active discussion by the participants. An exhibit area will be adjacent to the presentation rooms and will be the venue for breaks and lunches. Assuming that there is sufficient interest, arrangements will be made for an optional tour in Chicago the day before the symposium and workshop and for bus transportation from Chicago to Purdue and then back to Chicago at the close of the program. Lodging will be in the Purdue Memorial Union Hotel which is adjacent to the Stewart Conference Center. Activities for accompanying persons will be available. For further information please visit: https://engineering.purdue.edu/TDR/

K) GeoX 2006 - 2nd International Workshop on X-Ray CT for Geomaterials, Grenoble and Aussois, France, October 4-7, 2006

Following the first successful workshop held in Kumamoto, Japan, in November 2003 (GeoX 2003), the purpose of the coming workshop GeoX 2006 is again to bring together specialists in the development of X-ray Computed Tomography and their use for studying the mechanics of Geomaterials. Invited international experts in key research areas will review recent developments and challenges in the field. The goal of GeoX 2006 is to bring together scientists from the academic world and industry to address the application of X-ray CT to Geomaterials from both a fundamental and an applied perspective.

For further information please visit: http://geo.hmg.inpg.fr/geox2006/

ASA - CSSA - SSSA International Annual Meetings, Indianapolis, November 12-16, 2006

The annual meetings of American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) bring together 3,500+ people from 50+ countries representing academia, government and private industry, including a large contingent of undergraduate and graduate students. For further information please visit:
http://www.acsmeetings.org/

3) NEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

To review all announcements from the last six months please visit: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/s-1/jobs.htm


A) Assistant Professor - Soil Physics (Posted: 3/16/2006).

Department of Soil Science, North Carolina State University, 60% Research, 40% Teaching, Tenure Track, Fiscal Year (12-month) Appointment.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Doctorate degree in Soil Science or a related field with significant expertise in areas such as assessing water movement and solute transport through the vadose zone, reducing sediment transport and erosion, mathematical modeling of the fate and transport of solutes, and related topics in hydropedology. Skills in the application of GIS and statistical techniques for assessing soil properties as related to environmental assessments and/or precision agriculture are highly desirable. The successful candidate must have effective oral and written communication skills as well as a strong interest in teaching. An interest in distance education is also desirable.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate will initiate and develop a nationally recognized research program that explores basic soil physical processes related to fate and transport of various chemical, colloidal, and microbiological contaminants from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. The individual will be expected to obtain external funding to support research efforts, participate in interdisciplinary research with scientists from diverse departments at NCSU and other universities, and collaborate with Cooperative Extension specialists to achieve the Department's missions. The faculty member in this position will teach separate undergraduate and graduate level courses in Soil Physics.

Salary: Commensurate with training and experience

Application Deadline: May 31, 2006 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Please send resume, original transcripts, and three letters of reference to:

Dr. Michael Wagger, Head
Soil Science Department
P.O. Box 7619
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7619
Email: michael_wagger@ncsu.edu
Tel: (919) 513-0812

NC State is an equal opportunity institution and prohibits discrimination in employment or services based on race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

B) Assistant Professor - Soil Physics (Posted: 3/16/2006).

Nine month, 50% research, 50% teaching, available starting August 20, 2006. Teach a basic course in soil physics (advanced undergraduate/ graduate) and advanced soil physics and/or other courses according to your interest and the needs of the curriculum. Advise undergraduates and graduate students. Research expectations include an externally funded program in vadose zone processes in agronomic, rangeland and forest ecosystems and soil-water interactions with vegetation, micro organisms, pesticides, fertilizers and other potential contaminants. The ability to quantitatively model these processes is highly desirable. Participation in interdisciplinary research with other units at the university, state, region and nation is expected. Salary commensurate with qualifications. Generation of extramural research to support three months of summer salary is possible. Submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, transcripts of all university training, statement of teaching and research interests, 2 or 3 examples of written products which demonstrate research capabilities or technology transfer successes, and the addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of four references by April 1, 2006 to Janet Marsh, Department of Renewable Resources, Department 3354, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3354. Contact Dr. Larry Munn, Search Committee Chair, at 307-766-3414 or lcmunn@uwyo.edu) for additional information.

C) Northeast Utilities Foundation Chair of Environmental Engineering (Posted: 3/16/2006).

The University of Connecticut invites applications to fill the Northeast Utilities Foundation Chair of Environmental Engineering within the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (www.engr.uconn.edu/cee) of the School of Engineering and in the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering. Distinguished scholars and full Professors with a record of excellence in multidisciplinary collaborative research and teaching in the following areas are encouraged to apply: geoenvironmental remediation; environmental biotechnology; pollution prevention; fuel cell science and technology; and air, soil and water quality in natural and engineered systems.

The selected candidate will have demonstrated scholarly leadership experience and will conduct internationally recognized fundamental research in the area of environmental engineering while making significant contributions to the University’s teaching, outreach, and service missions. The Chair should have a Ph.D. degree in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering or a closely related field and is expected to develop innovative multidisciplinary collaborative research efforts with faculty and students in the Environmental Engineering Program (www.engr.uconn.edu/environ), the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering (www.cese.uconn.edu), and the Center for Integrative Geosciences (www.geosciences.uconn.edu), leading to national recognition in graduate research and education.

The Chair will control the revenue from the Northeast Utilities Foundation Chair of Environmental Engineering endowment consistent with university policies and the conditions of the endowment. Salary, benefits, and a competitive start-up package will be commensurate with the record of the applicant.

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit the following, preferably electronically as one PDF file: a letter of interest, a current curriculum vita, a statement of interdisciplinary research vision, and contact information for at least four references, to the attention of: Chair NU Foundation Search Committee (nusearch@engr.uconn.edu), University of Connecticut, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2037, Storrs, CT 06269-2037. (Search # 06A256).

D) Professor / Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) in Environmental Physics of Terrestrial Systems (Posted: 3/16/2006).

The Department of Environmental Sciences of ETH Zurich invites applications for a faculty position in the environmental physics of terrestrial systems with a primary focus on soil processes and interactions at the soil-plant and soil-atmosphere interfaces on spatial scales from the local to catchment. Candidates are expected to have a strong background in physics, mathematical modeling, soil hydrology, transport and transfer processes in porous media, to possess an excellent international track record in research, and to be motivated and capable teachers. Furthermore, they should be interested in both disciplinary as well as system-oriented multidisciplinary research and be able to lead a research team. While the position will preferably be filled at the assistant professor level, well-established candidates with an outstanding record and high international visibility will be considered for a tenured position at the level of an associate or full professor.

Assistant professorships at ETH Zurich have been established to promote the careers of younger scientists. The initial appointment is for four years with the possibility of renewal for an additional two-year period and promotion to a permanent position.

Successful candidates are expected to develop an innovative research program, making an important contribution to the understanding and modeling of flow and transport processes in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum from local to catchment scales. Particular weight will be given to individuals pursuing such research in relation to land use and land management. Teaching duties will include both introductory and advanced-level courses in the physics of terrestrial systems, in particular of soil and its interfaces to the litho-, hydro-, atmo-, and biosphere. Courses at Master level may be taught in English.

Applications with a curriculum vitae and a list of publications should be sent to the President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Dr. E. Hafen, ETH Zentrum, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland, no later than April 15, 2006. ETH Zurich specifically encourages female candidates to apply with a view towards increasing the proportion of female professors.

E) Assistant Professor - Environmental Soil Science (Posted: 1/24/2006).

12 month tenure-track position, with 80% research and 20% teaching Department of Soil Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo,

General duties and responsibilities include conducting field and laboratory research into the impacts, processes, and conditions of the soil environment and training students in practical methods for investigating and evaluating soil environmental conditions. Specific duties and responsibilities will include the development of a nationally recognized environmental soil science research program. The successful candidate is expected to collaborate with other members of the Soil Science Department, the School of Natural Resource Management, the Department of Geosciences, and other members of the university to provide expertise relating to the role of soils in environmental processes. The candidate is also expected to pursue grant opportunities at the local, regional, and national level; to teach undergraduate courses as required in environmental soil science; to develop and teach at least one graduate level course in soils and environment; to collaborate with local, state, regional and national research, service and regulatory agencies; and to respond to service requests from growers, industry, extension, and local, regional and state committees.

Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. degree in soil science, or closely related discipline from an accredited institution with experience in environmental research is required. A demonstrated ability to conduct research and disseminate the results in leading academic journals is expected. The successful candidate should have superior verbal and written communication skills. Also, the candidate should have experience at the graduate or post-graduate level in one or more of the following areas: biogeochemistry, hydrology (e.g., wetland processes), soil atmospheric emissions (e.g., fugitive dusts), habitat restoration/ mined land reclamation/ range and wild land, environmental processes in Pedology, bioremediation, and soil ecology. The candidate should have demonstrated excellent teaching abilities. The ability to work collaboratively with a range of research scientists from the environmental and natural resource management arenas is necessary. Preferred qualifications include experience in conducting both field and laboratory research; practical experience in environmental consulting; success in obtaining extramural funding; and demonstrated skills in research dissemination to diverse audiences (e.g., commodity groups, environmental groups, production agriculture groups).

To apply submit 1) a letter of application discussing how the stated qualifications are met, 2) a detailed curriculum vitae, 3) official transcripts from all institutions attended, and 4) arrange to have three letters of reference sent to:

Dr. Frank Casey, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Soil Science,
PO Box 5638, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5638
Phone: 701-231-8577, Fax: 701-231-7861

Closing Date: February 16, 2006 or until filled

F) Postdoctoral Research Associate - Soil Scientist/Hydrologist (Posted: 3/16/2006).

Position Description and Responsibilities: The USDA Agricultural Research Service, Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory at Beltsville, MD is seeking an individual to work on a project to evaluate the cropland component of the Agricultural Policy Environmental Extender (APEX) model. APEX is a simulation model used to estimate the benefits of conservation practices at national and regional levels. The evaluation will address the models, databases and simulation results with the following four objectives: 1) Assess the adequacy of the data inputs and models being used for the purpose of estimating the effects of conservation practices. 2) Determine how well the results correspond to research findings from the ARS Benchmark watersheds and other watershed studies. 3) Evaluate the extent to which recent research findings are represented in the model routines. 4) Make recommendations for model refinements and other upgrades in the use of data or the modeling approach that will provide better estimates of the benefits of conservation practices. The incumbent will take the lead role in this project and be responsible for data quality control and management, carrying out simulations and management of output data, analysis of results, and recommendations for model refinements and/or new approaches. Interested candidates should have a PhD in Hydrology, Soil Science, or Agronomy or a related discipline, and experience with database management, and simulation models of plant growth, and soil and hydrologic processes. Salary will be commensurate with experience and education. The following benefits will be available: Group health insurance, worker's compensation, annual, sick, personal, and holiday leave. Interested individuals should send a letter of application, resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information of three references to Dr. Dennis Timlin USDA-ARS Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory Bldg 001, Rm 342 BARC-W 10300 Baltimore Ave Beltsville, MD 20705 301-504-6255, dtimlin@asrr.arsusda.gov.

G) Postdoctoral Research Associate - Vadose Zone Hydrology (Posted: 3/16/2006).

Applications are invited for a 32-month post-doctoral position in vadose zone hydrology within the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. This position is funded through the Department of Energy's EMSP program, and is part of a larger project on contaminant transport in partially-saturated, layered sediments involving researchers at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Candidates should have experience in both experimental and theoretical soil physics. Applicants with experience in hydrogeology, and civil, environmental, or petroleum engineering will also be considered. The successful candidate will focus on the determination of soil hydraulic properties using transient flow centrifugation, numerically modeling the results, and developing forward analytical approaches for upscaling predictions of unsaturated flow within layered systems. He/she will play a key role in carrying out the centrifuge measurements, performing the modeling, and preparing reports, proposals, and manuscripts for publication.

Located in East Tennessee, the city of Knoxville is in close proximity to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The cost of living in the area is very reasonable. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville was founded in 1794 and designated as the state land-grant institution in 1869. The Knoxville campus has more than 25,000 students and 234 degree programs. The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is comprised of 16 core faculty members with diverse research interests. For more information about the Department please visit our website: http://geoweb.gg.utk.edu/

To apply, submit a letter of application, CV, transcripts (copies are acceptable), and the names and contact information of three references to:

Dr. Ed Perfect, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1410, USA
Phone: (865) 974-6017, Fax: (865) 974-2368
E-mail: eperfect@utk.edu, Web: http://web.utk.edu/~eperfect/

H) Research Scientist - Agricultural System Modeler (Posted: 3/16/2006).

The Department of Civil Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) invites applications for a research scientist/scholar I position. This person will serve as an agricultural system modeler in a cooperative project between Colorado State University and the Great Plains Research Unit, USDA-ARS Northern Plains Area, Fort Collins, CO. For full consideration, submit application by April 14, 2006. CSU is an EEO/AA employer. Complete information available at http://www.ids.colostate.edu/searchASM.html

I) Postdoctoral Research Associate - Civil Engineer/Hydrologist/Soil Scientist
(Posted: 3/16/2006).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: The incumbent will collaborate with ARS and university scientists to: 1) access and structure available spatial data containing field-measured effects of common conservation practices on soil and water quality at different scales; 2) develop object-based software tools to perform parameter estimation, model testing against ARS datasets, and uncertainty analyses; and 3) archive simulation output datasets in an object oriented framework.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Recent Ph.D. in Civil or Agricultural Engineering, Hydrology, Soil Physics, Soil Science, or a closely related field is required. Knowledge of agricultural and/or environmental process simulation, systems analysis, and numerical modeling methods is required. Skills with programming in Java and FORTRAN, relational database development, advanced spatial statistics, and model parameter estimation (e.g. using Shuffle Complex Evolution) are desired.

INFORMATION ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS is available at: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/hrdhomepage/vacancy/pd962.html

INFORMATION ON EMPLOYEE BENEFITS is available at:
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp

FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION OR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, CONTACT:

Dr. Timothy R. Green , USDA/ARS
Agricultural Systems Research Unit
Fort Collins, CO
Phone: 970.492.7335
Fax: 970.492.7310
Email: tim.green@ars.usda.govp

J) Blaustein Postdoc Fellowship - Israel (Posted: 3/16/2006).

Ben Gurion University of the Negev. The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, The Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation, hereby announces that Blaustein Postdoc Fellowships are available for 2006-2007. Applications are invited from candidates interested in conducting postdoctoral research at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR) for a period of 1-2 years A detailed list of the various activities of the Institute's faculty can be found at http://BIDR.bgu.ac.il/bidr. Candidates should contact prospective supervisors before applying for a scholarship. *Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. *Fellowships are limited to applicants that obtained their Ph.D. degree within the last four years. *The program is open to candidates from all over the world. *The current value of a yearly fellowship is $20,000 and covers in addition round trip travel expenses by the shortest route (APEX fare)and, lodging costs in the luxurious students residence on campus. The deadline for applications is April, 4, 2006 and applicants will be notified of the Steering Committee's decision by June, 2006. Instructions for the preparation and submission of applications are detailed in: www.bgu.ac.il/BIDR/bic/applicationinstructions.htm. For further information concerning the Jacob Blaustein Center and the scientific activities of the institute, please visit: http://BIDR.bgu.ac.il The Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Israel. Fax: 972-8-659-6718 E-mail: inter@bgumail.bgu.ac.il. Tel: 972-8-659-6717.

K) Postdoctoral Research Associate - Contaminant Transport (Posted: 1/24/2006).

The Environmental Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory invites applications from post-doctoral researchers to join an integrated modeling and experimental research team studying uranium and contaminant transport in unsaturated, layered and structured heterogeneous sediments. The goal of the project is to develop multiscale models capable of predicting field-scale reactive transport. The ideal candidate should have experience in modeling reactive transport in unsaturated and/or heterogeneous media and will be expected to play a key role in carrying out multiscale modeling efforts and in coordinating and assisting with experimental efforts. An interest in experimental geochemistry and hydrology is desirable. To apply, please submit a letter of application, CV, transcripts (copies acceptable), and 3 letters of reference to: Melanie Mayes, Environmental Sciences Division, PO Box 2008, MS6038, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Questions may be directed to Jack Parker (parkerjc@ornl.gov), Jin-Ping Gwo (jgwo@umbc.edu) or Melanie Mayes (mayesma@ornl.gov).

L) US - NAPT Coordinator (Posted: 3/16/2006).

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), a prominent international educational society, is seeking a Coordinator for the North American Proficiency Testing (NAPT) Program. The NAPT Program is a highly regarded activity of SSSA, provided as an educational service to laboratories engaged in soil testing and plant analysis throughout North America and elsewhere. The NAPT Program provides laboratories with quarterly exchanges of standard soil, plant, and water samples, summarizes the accuracy and precision of the analytical results, and provides detailed reports to each laboratory. The NAPT Program also provides enrolled laboratories with materials and programs designed to maintain and improve quality control in their facilities. The primary role and responsibilities of the Coordinator are to maintain and enhance the NAPT Program through delivery of high quality, professional and scientific services to participant laboratories and to promote the program to a wider audience. The Coordinator receives support and guidance through the NAPT Oversight Committee and SSSA. The Coordinator manages the day-to-day operation and implementation of the NAPT program, including monitoring the performance of the contract laboratory, following policies and technical guidelines established by the NAPT Oversight Committee and/or SSSA. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: program management; marketing and promotion ; sample collection, preparation, and distribution; data management; data reporting;, education and technical support. The Coordinator collects, processes, and prepares homogenous bulk soil, plant and water samples for distribution to participant laboratories via quarterly sample exchanges. The Coordinator collects the analytical data, performs statistical analyses, and distributes summaries and reports to all participants. The Coordinator also works closely with state proficiency testing program directors to provide state laboratory data in appropriate report formats. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated knowledge, skills and expertise in the operation of an analytical laboratory that provides agronomic testing of soils, plants and waters as well as basic environmental analyses. Expertise in Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs is desired. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse clientele are highly desirable. A minimum of a Masters of Science in agriculture, soil science, environmental science, or a related area is required for this position. An emphasis in nutrient management, soil fertility, soil chemistry, or related area is preferred. Coursework or training in quantitative chemical and/or instrumental analysis and statistics is required and a minimum of six years experience in agriculture, soil science, environmental science, or related area is required. Direct experience in soil testing and plant analysis is preferred. To apply for the position, send application materials to: Dr. Ellen Bergfeld, Executive Vice President, Soil Science Society of America, 677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711, NAPT@soils.org. Applications may be submitted electronically (preferred), or by hard copy. Applications should be received at SSSA headquarters by April 1, 2006 for immediate review. Application for position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. For complete details on the application process, please refer to the website: www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/temp/060601/RFA_NAPT_2006.pdf

M) Soil Scientist: Irrigation Development (Posted: 3/16/2006).

We are seeking someone with a strong soil science background to assist in the development and management of subsurface drip irrigation systems. We would prefer a certified professional soil scientist or someone on the certification track. Duties will include characterization of soils, monitoring soil chemistry, temperature, moisture, etc. at various locations. Some knowledge of agronomy and groundwater hydrology is helpful. Applicant must have a working knowledge of GIS, spreadsheet and database applications. Please send resume to: BeneTerra LLC, 2161 Coffeen Ave. Ste 302, Sheridan, WY 82801 or email to info@beneterra.com

N) Graduate Research Assistantship (Posted: 3/16/2006)

A M.S. or Ph.D. research/teaching assistantship is available in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces. Research consists of analyzing variability and interactions of soil physical, chemical and thermal properties across a wide range of spatial scales. Interested students must apply as soon as possible to meet deadlines for review of applications. Email application package: a letter stating research interests, a CV including GPA, GRE, and TOEFL (if applicable) scores, and two references. Contact Dr. Manoj Shukla (shuklamk@nmsu.edu; 505-646-2324) for further information.

O) PhD Research Assistantship - Soil & Environmental Physics (Posted: 1/20/2006)

The Soil & Environmental Physics Group at the University of Idaho invites applications for a full-time Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant position. We seek a highly motivated student with excellent mathematical, computational, and technical background for theoretical and experimental work on pore space evolution and hydraulic properties of swelling porous media. We offer a competitive scholarship, paid tuition, and medical insurance. Students with strong Soil Physics, Engineering, or Geophysics background are encouraged to apply.

Students have the option to enroll in Soil & Land Resources, Biological & Agricultural Engineering or Civil & Environmental Engineering.

The application, including application letter, university transcripts, GRE score, TOEFL score (foreign students), and three letters of recommendation should be sent to: Dr. Markus Tuller, Soil & Land Resources Division, University of Idaho, Ag Science Bldg. 113, Moscow, ID 83844-2339, USA (Phone: 208-885-7012; Fax: 208-885-7760; Email: mtuller@uidaho.edu; Web: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/)

P) MS Research Assistantships - Civil Engineering/Hydrology (Posted: 1/20/2006)

The Department of Civil Engineering at Boise State University invites applications for two graduate assistantships at the masters' level. The selected candidates will pursue MS degrees in Civil Engineering with specializations in hydrology. The successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers and students in the Departments of Civil Engineering and Geosciences to study connections between soil hydraulic properties and hydrologic flow paths from point to watershed scales with applications to runoff generation and groundwater recharge in mountainous terrain. Research activities will include conducting field and laboratory experiments to quantify scaling issues related to soil hydraulic properties and hydrologic flow paths and incorporating that information into hydrologic models. These positions will be funded for two years beginning in June 2006. Successful applicants will have civil or environmental engineering bachelor's degrees from ABET-accredited engineering programs, and grade point averages higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Outstanding students with closely related degrees will also be considered. The stipend is $22,500/year, and includes student fees and tuition.

Boise State University is a growing institution (>18,000 students) serving Idaho's metropolitan center. As the state's capital and business, financial and cultural center, Boise is recognized as one of America's best places to live. A favorable cost of living, coupled with moderate climate and a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities, contribute to an outstanding quality of life. A vibrant intellectual community draws from scientists at the University, regional high-tech industries, and numerous state and federal agencies. To Apply: complete the BSU graduate admissions application process (http://www.boisestate.edu/gradcoll/), and submit transcripts and a resume indicating grade point average, work experience, courses, and the names and addresses of two references by mail to Dr. Molly Gribb, Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-2075, or by e-mail to mgribb@boisestate.edu. Applications will be reviewed beginning Feb. 1, 2006.

APPENDICES

A) S-1 Contacts
Chair (06): Jon Wraith jwraith@montana.edu
Chair-Elect (07): Jirka Simunek jiri.simunek@ucr.edu
ASA and SSSA Board Representative (03-06) Glenn Wilson: gvwilson@ars.usda.gov
SSSA Journal S-1 Technical Editor: Glenn Wilson: gvwilson@ars.usda.gov
Vadose Zone Journal (VZJ) Editor: Rien van Genuchten RVANG@ussl.ars.usda.gov

B) S-1 Working Groups and Committees
S-1 Program 2006 ASA-SSSA Meeting (Indianapolis, IN, Nov. 12 - 16): Jon Wraith
S-1 Early Career Award: Glendon Gee (Chair), Ty Ferre, Shmulik Friedman, and Gerard Kluitenberg