Hiring for HALO: The Harmful Algal Bloom Assessment of Lake Okeechobee

Such an exciting time! We are leading a large effort to monitor and predict detrimental blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa algae in Lake Okeechobee. See the snippet below...We can't speak too much about things publicly now, so the main reason for this post is for hiring purposes. More to come soon!

But first, we need to fill three EXCITING positions slated to start between July and September of 2020. They are all OPEN NOW!!!

    

REQ08679 Postdoctoral Fellow: Biogeochemistry: This person will work closely with myself (Jordon Beckler) to lead the development and implementation of new, innovative monitoring techniques (e.g. in situ electrochemistry on benthic landers) for comprehensive monitoring of sediment dynamics in relation to harmful algal blooms. There will be tremendous opportunities for career growth both within the institute and through external partners. 

REQ08678 Postdoctoral Fellow Oceanographic/Environmental Data Science: This person will manage the information hierarchy of numerous data streams and ensure the data is archived and disseminated efficiently to the public. While this person does not need to code the database (we have partners for that), they should be familiar with state-of-the-art database construction and practices, and be able to write scripts to allow the retrieval and processing of the data, e.g. for performing statistical analyses. This person will "have their finger on the pulse" of the Lake, and will be expected to interact with public officials and the media routinely. 

REQ08672 Biogeochemical Coordinator: This person will split their time between the Geochemistry and Geochemical Sensing Lab and the Phytoplankton Dynamics lab and will plan and conduct all sorts of geochemical and biological analyses. Great position from someone fresh out of a Masters degree or a couple of years post bachelors degree (or with lots of previous lab experience)

Please visit the FAU website, select the Harbor Branch campus, and find those those corresponding requisition numbers. Please contact me if you have questions!!

Thanks

Jordon

To combat Florida freshwater eutrophication, harmful algae proliferation, and ultimately protect human and ecosystem health, a comprehensive sensing and information visualization package will augment existing State of Florida monitoring programs by expanding ambient and ground water water quality and biological measurements with innovative HAB detection and environmental characterization technologies, allowing the pinpointing problem areas prior to or early during Lake Okeechobee harmful algal bloom (HAB) emergence, and developing predictive models. The HALO system (Harmful Algal Bloom Assessment of Lake Okeechobee) will include a web-based platform for visualizing Lake Okeechobee freshwater HAB bloom intensities and extents, as well as results of environmental characterization and modeling. The multi-faceted approach will provide the necessary data to improve our overall knowledge of the triggers underlying HAB formation, toxin generation, and bloom senescence. Finally, the innovative technologies and the knowledge gained during this Project will set a foundation for selecting and applying future mitigation technologies, whether of a preventative or active nature, while the HALO system will provide a platform for mitigation efficacy monitoring.

Briefly, tasks include:                                                               

●      Task 1: A round-the-clock data portal, HALO, will be implemented and serve as a publicly available database and data portal. HALO will integrate data collected in other tasks and from existing monitoring programs to provide data visualization. Biogeochemical and machine learning models will also be implemented within HALO to forecast bloom conditions based on data aggregated within HALO.

●      Task 2: Traditional HAB sampling monitoring techniques will be applied in conjunction with advanced analytical methods to detect and monitor HABs. This task will focus on environmental monitoring, biological sampling and analysis, and toxin analysis of water column samples. Data collection will include discrete samples as well as autonomous in situ monitoring via innovative optical and acoustic techniques.

●      Task 3: Traditional and novel sediment sample measurements will be utilized to determine the role of sediment nutrient loading in relation to HABs in Lake Okeechobee. Spatial and temporal load mapping and benthic fluxes of carbon and nutrients will be assessed, in situ sediment measurements will be collected continuously and over discrete time periods, and toxin analysis will be conducted on sediment cyst samples.

●      Task 4: An Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) will be employed to provide continuous environmental, biogeochemical, and physical monitoring of surface waters with real-time communication. The ASV will be programmed to survey a specified area of Lake Okeechobee, but its route can be updated based on bloom conditions or other factors. Data will be transmitted at regular intervals to HALO.

●      Task 5: A SeaPRISM radiometer will be used to conduct autonomous monitoring of spectral radiometry at a fixed location on Lake Okeechobee. Additionally, satellite remote sensing data will be obtained, processed, and uploaded to HALO, and eventually used for development of HAB and other algorithms specific to Lake Okeechobee.

●      Task 6: Fixed-location intensive water quality monitoring will be conducted via at two locations in Lake Okeechobee. The systems will provide an intensive array of continuous water quality monitoring parameters, including chlorophyll, nitrate, and orthophosphate, and data will be regularly uploaded to HALO.

●      Task 7: Human exposure to HAB toxins will be monitored over the course of this study to determine the relationship between environmental and human health. Nasal swabs of human subjects participating in this study and ambient air samples will be collected and analyzed for microcystin.