Diatoms of North AmericaPOSITION SUMMARY
Seeking candidates with a recent bachelor’s or master’s degree (Master’s preferred) and an interest in freshwater algae for a 12 month position to assist on a project looking at periphyton dynamics in mercury-impacted streams. Interested candidates need to apply to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Research Student Internships (RSI) Program by October 23, 2024, and the position would start in January 2025 (see HOW TO APPLY below). The time period between receipt of an undergraduate or graduate degree and the appointment start date must be two years or less. The ideal candidate would have experience with algal taxonomy identification in freshwater systems and skills or an interest in spectral analysis of periphyton and algae. Existing expertise on the project team includes mercury cycling, aquatic ecology, biomonitoring, UAS data collection, and geospatial analysis.
Project title: Identifying algae/periphyton using lab and field techniques/instrumentation to inform mercury cycling research in freshwater streams
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
* Advance skills in algal/periphyton taxonomic identification by participating in field monitoring/collections and laboratory analysis, following taxonomic identification protocols
* Develop and apply spectral analysis skills to identify freshwater algae/periphyton by participating in team effort to build spectral library of common and important periphyton communities
* Gain field experience and learn about physical habitat drivers of periphyton distributions in streams by participating in seasonal monitoring of sites in two different watersheds on the ORR
* Gain experience with summarizing and presenting research results in collaboration with other researchers involved in the periphyton research
* Build research knowledge, skills, and abilities through facilitated interactions with other ORNL scientists and through attending scientific seminars and training sessions
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Periphyton represents a diverse assemblage of algae, fungi, bacteria, and detritus found along the streambed and has recently been shown to be a site for mercury methylation within stream ecosystems. To improve our understanding of periphyton dynamics in two mercury-impacted creeks on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA, we are conducting data collections with unmanned aerial and aquatic systems in concert with in-situ data collection to spatially model periphyton distributions under the Mercury Technology Development research program. There is an unmet need for someone with expertise in algal/periphyton taxonomy in freshwater systems to improve our in-situ data collections with lab and field expertise. Results of this work are being used to further inform and prioritize ongoing research efforts at ORNL to develop innovative technologies and approaches to remediation of mercury and methylmercury in aquatic environments and are also being integrated with long-term multi-decadal biological/biodiversity monitoring datasets for streams on the ORR.
HOW TO APPLY
If interested, you’ll need to apply to the ORNL Spring 2025 RSI Program by October 23, 2024. Eligibility requirements and details on the program are here. Please reach out to the project lead Chris DeRolph with questions related to the research project described above, and/or to notify Chris that you are interested and have applied so he can review your application materials. For all other questions, recent bachelor's graduates should contact and recent master's graduates should contact.
