paleonet Graduate opportunities in preservation of carbonate (taphonomy)

From
Date
Reply-To
Applicants are sought for participation in NSERC-funded research on
the preservation of carbonate skeletons in modern marine settings of
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada.  The project includes
opportunities to gain experience in field work in modern marine
settings, taxonomy, sediment diagenesis, SEM techniques, image
analysis, quantitative skills, databases, and modelling.  The project
is based at McGill University, an English language university founded
in 1813, which is located in the cosmopolitan city of Montreal.

Applicants will be considered at the master’s or doctoral level.  In
addition to basic requirements for graduate study at McGill (see
http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/graduate/), applicants should have
previous research/field experience, and preferably a master’s degree
in a relevant field.  Scuba diving experience is also required,
preferably at the level of a scientific diver.  Experience in modern
marine research is an asset.  Closing date for the search is 1 March
2002. Start date is preferably summer 2002, but may be considered for
fall 2002.

Those wishing to apply should send a CV and a letter stating your
relevant background and interests.  This should be sent to me as soon
as possible BY EMAIL (mmrbest@eps.mcgill.ca).

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This research quantifies biological, physical, and chemical factors
that control the preservation (taphonomy) of marine carbonate
skeletons, and therefore the fidelity of the fossil record and the
global burial of carbonate. The marine skeletal record provides us
with key data for the investigation of climate change, biogeochemical
cycles, biodiversity dynamics, evolutionary rates, and paleoecology.
Furthermore, these skeletal units of calcium carbonate provide clues
to dominant geochemical processes in early marine diagenesis.
However, this record is a biased chronicle of sedimentary and
biological information. Determining the selectivities, rates, and key
agents of destruction in the post-mortem accumulation of skeletal
carbonate is a critical but underdeveloped area for understanding the
magnitude and spatial and temporal variation of biases in the
skeletal record. We will conduct taphonomic research on the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts of Canada, developing integrated experimental,
death assemblage, temporal, and environmental datasets in order to
assess potential sources of bias, scales of time-averaging, and
develop models of carbonate burial.

Dr. Mairi M.R. Best Assistant Professor Earth and Planetary Sciences
McGill University 3450 rue University Montréal, Québec H3A 2A7 Canada
tel (514) 398-4895 fax (514) 398-4680 mmrbest@eps.mcgill.ca
http://www.eps.mcgill.ca/