S1-Newsletter, Vol. 9, No. 2
March 22, 2003
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  Preface: This is the second S-1 Newsletter for the year 2003. The newsletter contains three sections: S-1 Member News and Announcements, Upcoming Meetings of Interest, and New Job Announcements. To have news and announcements included in future S-1 Newsletters, please send the text (either embedded in an e-mail message or as an attachment) to s-1@uidaho.edu. Newsletters (current and past) and other S-1 information are posted on the S-1 Web Page:http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/s-1/.

1) S-1 MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A) 2003 Annual Meeting (November 2-6, 2003 Denver, CO):
Two symposia will be sponsored by S-1 at the annual meeting: Diffusion Processes (S-1 lead, co-sponsor with S-2) and Hydropedology (S-5 lead, co-sponsor with S-1). For further information contact Dani Or (S-1 Chair) at: dani@engr.uconn.edu
General Meeting Web Page: www.asa-csssa-sssa.org/anmeet/
Deadline for Title-Summary Forms: March 27, 2003, 5 pm EST
Submission Web Page: www.asa-csssa-sssa.org/anmeet/poster_oral.html
Deadline for Abstracts: July 23, 2003, 5pm EST.

B) Division S-1 Early Career Award (June 1, 2003 deadline):
The award recognizes scientists who have made outstanding contributions to Soil Physics within six years of completing the Ph.D. degree. Qualifications for the S-1 Early Career Award and instructions for nominating candidates can be found at: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/s-1/eca.htm

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

A) 225th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting (March 23-27, 2003, New Orleans, LA)
Final information for the ACS meeting can be found at: http://www.acs.org/portal/Chemistry

B) Joint Assembly of EGS-AGU-EUG (April 7-11, 2003, Nice, France)
This joint meeting replaces the Spring 2003 AGU Meeting. Final information is available at: http://www.copernicus.org/egsagueug/index.html

C) International Conference on Mechanics of Physicochemical and Electromechanical Interactions in Porous Media (May 18-23, 2003, Kerkrade, The Netherlands)
The International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM) and the Eindhoven University of Technology are organizing a symposium on the "Mechanics of Physicochemical and Electromechanical Interactions in Porous Media", to be held 18-23 May 2003 at the Congress Centre Rolduc, Kerkrade, The Netherlands. Details can be found at www.iutam.net/symposia/porous. Contact is Peter Raats pac.raats@home.nl

D) 2nd European Bioremediation Conference (June 30-July 4, 2003, Chania, Crete, Greece)
The conference will bring together scientists, engineers and other environmental professionals to present their findings and discuss future trends and directions for the restoration of contaminated sites and marine environments. Presentations will focus on the technological advances of bioremediation treatment processes for all types of media (air, soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater and industrial wastewater) contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated and other recalcitrant compounds as well as on techniques for the microbiological, genetic and ecotoxicological monitoring of such processes. Abstract deadline was February 28, 2003. http://www.mred.tuc.gr/~bioremed/

E) Frontiers in Assessment Methods for the Environment (FAME) (August 10-13, 2003, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN). This symposium will bring together engineers and scientists from many disciplines to discuss the rapid technological advances being made in environmental measurement systems and assessment methods. These advances hold the promise to revolutionize the ways engineers and scientists study and solve complicated environmental pollution problems over a range of scales. Deadline for contributed paper/poster submissions is May 15, 2003. http://wrc.coafes.umn.edu/FAME/

F) 226th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting (September 7-1, 2003, New York, NY)
Symposia topics in the Division of Environmental Chemistry include: Chemistry of Polar and Nonpolar Organic Compounds, Biogeochemistry of Chelating Agents, Physicochemical Processes in Environmental Systems, Targeting Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents. Abstract deadline is May 10, 2003. On-line abstract submission at: http://oasys.acs.org.

G) 19th Annual International Conference on Contaminated Soils, Sediments and Water (October 20-23, 2003, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA). Meeting sessions cover contaminant fate and remediation including bioremediation, chemical analysis, cleanup standards, environmental fate and modeling, innovative technologies, site assessment and field sampling. Deadline for abstract submission was February 10, 2003. www.Umass.com Contact is Denise Leonard, Environmental Health Sciences, N344 Morrill, University of Massachussetts, Amherst, MA 01003, tel: 413-545-1239, e-mail: dleonard@schoolph.umass.edu

H) International Conference on Water-Saving Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Water and Land Resources in Arid and Semiarid Areas (October 26-29, 2003, Yangling, China)
This international conference will address a number of themes including: Biological mechanisms of water-saving agriculture, Agronomic technology and plant improvement, Irrigation technology and water management, Sustainable use of water resources, Agricultural water and land environment. Abstract deadline November 30, 2002. Further information can be obtained from the ICWSAWLR Secretariat, College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest Sci-Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China. tel: +86-29-709-2129, fax: +86-29-709-2335, e-mail: kang62@public.xa.sn

I) 30th Annual Waste Management Symposium (February 29-March 4, 2003, Tucson, AZ)
A special session (No. 9.4) on Innovative Field Monitoring for Environmental Cleanup will be held at WM'04. Abstract Deadline is August 15, 2003. Abstracts can be submitted at http://www.wmsym.org or by e-mail to: abstracts@wmsym.org. Please also send a copy to Jim Yeh at yeh@hwr.arizona.edu (520-621-5943) and Donna Post Guillen at lh5@inel.gov (208-526-1744).

4) NEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

A) Faculty Position, Environmental Science and Engineering, Rutgers University, Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ (received 1/29/03). Rutgers University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Cook College, invites applications for a junior level, tenure-track faculty position in the area of physico-chemical unit processes as applied to environmental science and engineering. Applicants should demonstrate a potential for high-quality teaching as well as for developing a sponsored research program. Appropriate research areas for this position would include the physico-chemical treatment of water and wastewater, hazardous waste treatment and site remediation techniques and processes, groundwater remediation, and sediment and aquatic toxicity. The successful candidate will be expected to teach a lecture course and a laboratory course in chemical/physical unit processes. Other courses will depend on the candidate's interest and expertise. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to submit by February 21, 2003, a complete resume, a statement outlining teaching and research interests, and the addresses (including e-mail address) and phone number of three individuals willing to provide references to: Professor Christopher G. Uchrin, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Environmental Sciences, 14 College Farm Road, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8551. This position is part of an ongoing larger initiative to build a high quality environmental engineering program at the greater Rutgers University campus involving both Cook College and the School of Engineering. For further information regarding other related positions, please refer to our website at http://www.envsci.rutgers.edu/. Rutgers University is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

B) Faculty Position, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (received 1/7/03). Assistant/Associate Professor in Biological and Natural Resources Engineering, 50% Teaching, 50% Research; 9-month appointment with potential for summer funding, tenure track position. Teaching responsibilities include engineering undergraduate and graduate courses and engineering technology undergraduate courses in the areas of irrigation, drainage, water quality, conservation and natural resource engineering, and developing new courses in biological resource engineering. Research responsibilities include developing an internationally recognized interdisciplinary research program in microbial systems, pathogens/antibiotics/animal waste systems, hydraulics, water quality, hydrology, and/or biological/environmental interactions. The successful candidate is expected establish a solid publication record, secure competitive grants, and lead interdisciplinary teams that include researchers from disciplines such as Environmental Engineering, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, and Natural Resource, Ecology and Natural Resources Management. He/she will also be expected to recruit and advise undergraduate and graduate students, fulfill committee assignments supporting the mission of the department, college, and university, and provide leadership to the profession through national and international society participation. Candidates must have a Ph. D. in agricultural, environmental, biological, or closely related engineering field. They must have a strong commitment to undergraduate instruction, advising and interaction with students. They must be able to work effectively in a team environment, must have excellent oral and written communication skills, and must be able to lead and publish high quality research. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong record of teaching, publishing peer-reviewed journal articles, and leadership experiences. Professional registration or being on track to obtain professional registration is highly desirable. For appointment to associate professor rank, in addition to the above, candidates must have at least six years of teaching and research experience at a leading research university, demonstrated evidence of attracting extramural/grant funding for a nationally/internationally recognized program, high quality achievements in refereed publications, and training of Master's and Ph.D. degree students. Review of applications will begin March 15, 2003 and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a letter of application; curriculum vitae, college transcripts; three references; and a one-page statement of career goals in the context of this position to: Dr. Ramesh Kanwar, Professor and Chair, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, 100 Davidson Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. Committed to excellence through diversity, Iowa State University particularly invites applications from women, minorities, and other protected groups.

C) Visiting Faculty Position, Water Resources or Geotechnical Engineering, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM (received 1/29/03). New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering invites applications for full-time non-tenure-track visiting faculty positions in the areas of water resources or geotechnical engineering to support a new B.S. program in civil engineering. The department currently offers B.S. and M.S. degrees in environmental engineering. We are interested in candidates that can teach courses in areas fundamental to civil engineering education, such as structural engineering, construction materials, transportation, and steel and concrete, in addition to courses in their specialty of water resources or geotechnical engineering. The department has well-equipped laboratories for environmental research, and opportunities exist for collaboration with research centers on campus and with nearby national laboratories. The applicant must possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a doctoral degree in civil or environmental engineering, or a closely related field. Prior teaching experience is preferred. Starting date is August, 2003. The length of the appointment is expected to be one to three years. Applications should include a cover letter describing the principal expertise of the applicant, a statement of teaching and research interests and experiences, a complete resume, and addresses of three references to: New Mexico Tech, Human Resources, 801 Leroy Place, Wells Hall Box 11W, Socorro, NM 87801-4796. Information about the University can be found at http://www.nmt.edu/.

D) Postdoctoral Research Position, Hydrological/Water Quality Modeling, Rutgers University, Newark NJ (received 2/17/03) The Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI), a unit of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, seeks a postdoc to create/apply models of hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics and water quality processes in salt marshes and tidal channels, coupled with remote sensing and GIS. Incumbent will also 1) participate in MERI's multidisciplinary research program; 2) secure external funding via research proposals, and 3) supervise graduate students and technicians. A Ph.D. in a relevant field required. Term is 1 year renewable for up to 3 years. Competitive salary. Email CV to Dr. Kirk Barrett, MERI Research Director, Rutgers University/CIMIC, kbarrett@cimic.rutgers.edu. Applications should be received before March 21st. Further information at http://cimic.rutgers.edu/meri/remote_sensing.html.

E) Postgraduate Researcher, Hydrologic Sciences/Soil Science, University of California, Davis, CA (received 1/17/03). A postgraduate research position is available immediately at the University of California, Davis on a computer modeling project that investigates fertigation management strategies for micro-irrigation systems using HYDRUS, to improve water and nutrient use efficiencies and to reduce leaching of nitrates and other nutrients and chemicals. The prospective researcher will work closely with Cooperative Extension and other co-investigators to analyze about 100 multi-dimensional data sets for water content and solute concentration profiles and for water and solute mass balances, and to propose and conduct additional model simulations, using HYDRUS. The responsibilities of this position include: (1) work closely with the faculty PI's in analyzing numerical data; (2) conducting additional simulations; (3) summarize and present key elements of the computer simulations, and develop guidelines for proper fertigation management practices; and (4) coordinate presentation of results in a UC publication that illustrates the project results; Qualifications include a M.S. or Ph.D. in hydrology, irrigation, soil science or related discipline and experience in subsurface computer modeling. To apply, send a complete curriculum vita, a summary of research interests and experience by email to jwhopmans@ucdavis.edu. Application review will continue until the position is filled.

F) Postgraduate Researcher II or III, Soil Science/Agronomy, University of California, Davis, CA (received 1/17/03). A postgraduate research position is available immediately at the University of California, Davis on a field project that will investigate the impact of minimum tillage on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in agricultural land. The field-based research will be conducted by a team with expertise in soil science, biometeorology, hydrology, agronomy, stable isotope techniques, simulation modeling, and GIS. The field site is located a few miles west of Davis. The responsibilities of this position are: (1) work with the faculty PIs in designing the experimental plan; (2) organizing and setup of the overall field experiment; (3) installation and maintenance of field equipment; (4) coordinating with the cooperating grower on soil and plant sampling; (5) assist in collection of field data and laboratory analysis; and (6) data analysis. Qualifications include a B.S. or M.S. in soil science or agronomy or related discipline and experience in field research. To apply, send a complete curriculum vita, a summary of research interests and experience, and undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts to Professor Dennis Rolston; Land, Air and Water Resources; One Shields Ave.; University of California; Davis, CA 95616; or by email to derolston@ucdavis.edu. Application review will start February 15, 2003 and will continue until the position is filled

G) Graduate Research Assistantship, Soil Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT (received 1/21/03). The Soil Physics Group at Utah State University invites applications for a full time graduate research assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D.). The successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual joining a team of scientists developing an experiment to be flown on board the International Space Station (ISS) to study gaseous diffusion in porous media in microgravity. This is part of NASA's effort to design a self-sustained bioregenerative life support system for long-duration space missions. The NASA funded research aims to measure and model gas diffusion through plant growth substrates at varying water contents in mg. This information is critical for proper water management and prevention of root zone hypoxia during plant growth and Advanced Life Support (ALS) biomass production in mg. Microgravity data suggest mechanisms such as enhanced hysteresis in water retention could alter the optimal water control point between 1g and mg conditions. The Objectives are to 1) Conduct side-by-side gas exchange and water content control experiments in mg to determine optimum conditions for plant growth with different media types, 2) Develop mathematical relationships to model mg gas diffusion and compare results to ground measurable substrate properties, 3) Organize the relationships developed into an extended, validated substrate design and management procedure and publish it to support future experiment and ALS system designs. Measuring gas diffusion in mg will provide insights into diffusion rate differences caused by a microgravity environment. Earth-based soil physical models will form a basis for developing expressions describing fluid transport processes in porous media in microgravity. Development of gas diffusion models for microgravity will facilitate improved management protocols leading to a more ideal root growth environment for plant studies in microgravity. Requirements include good mathematical and computational skills, and a degree in Soil Science, Hydrology, Geophysics, or related field. Proficiency in writing and speaking English with a basic knowledge of soil physics is desirable. More information is available at http://soilphysics.usu.edu/. Interested candidates may submit an application via mail, fax or email. Please include an application letter stating your research interests and background, university transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to: Scott B. Jones, Dept. Plants, Soils and Biometeorology, UMC 4820; Utah State University; Logan, UT 84322-4820; Phone:(435) 797-2175; FAX:(435) 797-2117; Email: scott.jones@usu.edu

H) Soil Scientist, S&ME, Inc., Greensboro, NC (received 2/2/03)
S&ME seeks unique individual to assist within the Natural Resources Division in North Carolina. Candidate will coordinate and direct soil and soil science-related permitting projects for small and large wastewater disposal systems, assist in agronomic evaluations and perform field assessments. S&ME has interdisciplinary Natural Resources team engaged in planning, permitting and implementation of these projects. Minimum two to three years experience and demonstration of client development is desired. Ability to readily obtain NC Soil Scientist licensing is preferred. Please send resume and cover letter to: S&ME, Inc., 3718 Old Battleground Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410, Attn: Matthew O'Brien. mobrien@smeinc.com


APPENDICES

A) S-1 Contacts
Chair (03): Dani Or: dani@engr.uconn.edu
Chair-Elect (04): David Radcliffe: dradclif@arches.uga.edu
ASA and SSSA Board Representative (00-03): Dave Nofziger: dln@mail.pss.okstate.edu
SSSA Journal S-1 Technical Editor: Sally Logsdon: logsdon@nstl.gov

B) S-1 Working Groups and Committees
S-1 Program for 2003 ASA-SSSA Meetings (Denver, CO, Nov 2-6, 2003): Dani Or
Kirkham Conference 2004 (Utah State): Wilford Gardner and Dani Or
S-1 Early Career Award: Jan Hopmans, Art Warrick, Per Moldrup and Jacob Dane