Join the Marinos Watershed Biogeochemistry lab!
Everybody who is interested in joining the lab is advised to look at our lab's principles and expectations to learn what we expect of each other and what you can expect from me.
Graduate Student Opportunities:
The Marinos Watershed Biogeochemistry lab at the University at Buffalo is seeking to recruit a M.S. graduate student to join us in fall 2025.
Work in the lab focuses on understanding the ecological, geochemical and hydrologic controls on carbon and nutrient cycling in soils and the streams that drain them. Since all ecosystems bear the imprint of human activities, our work explicitly examines how these activities (e.g. land use change, acid deposition, climate change, artificial drainage) impact these elemental cycles. We currently focus on temperate forests, agroecosystems, and other human-impacted landscapes, but we will follow interesting questions wherever they lead us! The lab is part of the Water and the Environment research group within the Earth Science (formerly Geology) department at UB. This research group is an exciting, close-knit team of geochemists, physical hydrologists and biogeochemists who study all environmental topics connected to water quantity and quality.
The student(s) will have the opportunity to have substantial leeway in developing their research program, if desired. Bring me your research ideas if you know what you'd like to study! Possible research topics include:
(1) Hydrologic controls on soil carbon-mineral interactions and carbon stabilization, with an emphasis on the impacts of climate change
(4) Soil carbon and nutrient responses to decreased acid precipitation across forests grown on contrasting geological materials.
(5) Plant-microbe-mineral soil interactions and consequences for C stabilization
The ideal candidate for the position has previous research experience (lab, field or modelling), is highly self-motivated, and has a broad interest in understanding environmental systems and the many roles of humans in these systems. Our work is interdisciplinary by nature, and the position will be well-suited for people with backgrounds across the natural sciences (e.g. geology, biology, environmental science, environmental engineering, applied mathematics). I am committed to increasing representation of women and minorities in the geosciences, and such candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates of all physical abilities are also encouraged to apply; physically-demanding fieldwork need not be a component of a successful research program.
The student will matriculate into the Geology department at UB. Students without a masters' degree may pursue a M.S. or M.S./Ph.D. degree, and students with a M.S. will pursue a Ph.D. The position will be fully funded (2y for M.S., 4y for Ph.D.) through a combination of research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Additional fellowships to supplement student incomes are available for exceptionally well-qualified students and students from diverse backgrounds (considered broadly).
The University at Buffalo is a Carnegie-recognized R1 university and the largest school in the SUNY system. Buffalo is a fun city with over a million people in the metro area and ample cultural opportunities, both highbrow and lowbrow. Lakes Erie and Ontario, as well as Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, provide nearby outdoor recreation opportunities, and Allegany NF, the Finger Lakes, and various ski areas are a short drive away. The city offers excellent affordability for people on a graduate student stipend.
How to apply:
If interested, please contact Dr. Richard Marinos ([email protected]) as soon as possible and no later than December 28. (Fellowship deadlines are approaching soon.) Please include the following: (1) A short cover letter describing your interest in environmental science broadly and what appeals to you specifically about the work in our lab (2) your resume/CV, including contact information for at least two professional references, and (3) unofficial transcripts OR a writing sample OR anything else (short please) that you believe demonstrates your potential as a researcher. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in pursuing a M.S., Ph.D. or either, and why.
Applications to the University at Buffalo are accepted on a rolling basis.
Undergraduate Student Opportunities:
Are you looking to complete an honors project in geology? Do you just want to try real-life research to decide if it's something you enjoy? I am always looking for promising undergrads to participate in our research program! You can work on extant projects in the lab, or we can work to develop your own project. Research can be performed for class credit or as a part-time job (including federal work study). We typically do not have non-credit volunteer positions in the lab because unpaid work is a barrier to participation for disadvantaged students. Well-justified exceptions to this policy may be considered, though. Email me if you're interested in working in the lab and we can set up a time to talk. Please include in your email a brief description of your interests and previous research experience (if any).
Graduate Student Opportunities:
The Marinos Watershed Biogeochemistry lab at the University at Buffalo is seeking to recruit a M.S. graduate student to join us in fall 2025.
Work in the lab focuses on understanding the ecological, geochemical and hydrologic controls on carbon and nutrient cycling in soils and the streams that drain them. Since all ecosystems bear the imprint of human activities, our work explicitly examines how these activities (e.g. land use change, acid deposition, climate change, artificial drainage) impact these elemental cycles. We currently focus on temperate forests, agroecosystems, and other human-impacted landscapes, but we will follow interesting questions wherever they lead us! The lab is part of the Water and the Environment research group within the Earth Science (formerly Geology) department at UB. This research group is an exciting, close-knit team of geochemists, physical hydrologists and biogeochemists who study all environmental topics connected to water quantity and quality.
The student(s) will have the opportunity to have substantial leeway in developing their research program, if desired. Bring me your research ideas if you know what you'd like to study! Possible research topics include:
(1) Hydrologic controls on soil carbon-mineral interactions and carbon stabilization, with an emphasis on the impacts of climate change
(4) Soil carbon and nutrient responses to decreased acid precipitation across forests grown on contrasting geological materials.
(5) Plant-microbe-mineral soil interactions and consequences for C stabilization
The ideal candidate for the position has previous research experience (lab, field or modelling), is highly self-motivated, and has a broad interest in understanding environmental systems and the many roles of humans in these systems. Our work is interdisciplinary by nature, and the position will be well-suited for people with backgrounds across the natural sciences (e.g. geology, biology, environmental science, environmental engineering, applied mathematics). I am committed to increasing representation of women and minorities in the geosciences, and such candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates of all physical abilities are also encouraged to apply; physically-demanding fieldwork need not be a component of a successful research program.
The student will matriculate into the Geology department at UB. Students without a masters' degree may pursue a M.S. or M.S./Ph.D. degree, and students with a M.S. will pursue a Ph.D. The position will be fully funded (2y for M.S., 4y for Ph.D.) through a combination of research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Additional fellowships to supplement student incomes are available for exceptionally well-qualified students and students from diverse backgrounds (considered broadly).
The University at Buffalo is a Carnegie-recognized R1 university and the largest school in the SUNY system. Buffalo is a fun city with over a million people in the metro area and ample cultural opportunities, both highbrow and lowbrow. Lakes Erie and Ontario, as well as Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, provide nearby outdoor recreation opportunities, and Allegany NF, the Finger Lakes, and various ski areas are a short drive away. The city offers excellent affordability for people on a graduate student stipend.
How to apply:
If interested, please contact Dr. Richard Marinos ([email protected]) as soon as possible and no later than December 28. (Fellowship deadlines are approaching soon.) Please include the following: (1) A short cover letter describing your interest in environmental science broadly and what appeals to you specifically about the work in our lab (2) your resume/CV, including contact information for at least two professional references, and (3) unofficial transcripts OR a writing sample OR anything else (short please) that you believe demonstrates your potential as a researcher. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in pursuing a M.S., Ph.D. or either, and why.
Applications to the University at Buffalo are accepted on a rolling basis.
Undergraduate Student Opportunities:
Are you looking to complete an honors project in geology? Do you just want to try real-life research to decide if it's something you enjoy? I am always looking for promising undergrads to participate in our research program! You can work on extant projects in the lab, or we can work to develop your own project. Research can be performed for class credit or as a part-time job (including federal work study). We typically do not have non-credit volunteer positions in the lab because unpaid work is a barrier to participation for disadvantaged students. Well-justified exceptions to this policy may be considered, though. Email me if you're interested in working in the lab and we can set up a time to talk. Please include in your email a brief description of your interests and previous research experience (if any).