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Research Technician II:

We are looking for a dynamic and innovative person who enjoys working outdoors with their hands and using varied mechanical equipment, in an environment that focuses on innovation and creative problem solving, mentoring and training of students and junior staff. Reporting to the Director of the Morwick G360 Institute, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Senior Field Manager, the incumbent will play a key role in supporting our field-based data collection efforts, ensuring accurate and high-quality data for our research activities.

Main responsibilities of the role include: (i) under the supervision of Morwick G360 personnel, the incumbent will organize and successfully conduct field work, including but not limited to, multilevel system installations, geophysical logging, water level measurements, rock core sampling, groundwater and gas sampling; (ii) organize field data, document and input into electronic data systems, QA/QC data and prepare raw data outlines using figures and tables; (iii) communicate with project managers and team members regarding activities, data and results as required; (iv) perform maintenance, and work with other Morwick G360 personnel to develop design improvements, and determine how to implement new designs for hydrogeological and geophysical tools and methods.

Does this sound like something you would like to do? See here for more details and application instructions!

Project Manager:

Reporting to the Director of the Morwick G360 Institute, the Project Manager will manage the daily operations of several field-based research projects, ensuring all aspects of project protocol are adhered to, and ensuring all projects are adequately resourced, and project deliverables are met. The incumbent will be accountable for the administration and financial management of grant- or contract-funded research projects within the Institute. Individual projects are coordinated and implemented under the direction of the Morwick G360 Director and/or other principal investigator(s).

Main responsibilities of the role include: (i) liaise regularly with principal investigator(s), industrial partners, government officials and others; (ii) coordinate planning, execution and reporting of research progress; (iii) provide timely progress reports on research (including coordination with financial reporting) on projects; (iv) establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty and staff in academic units at the University of Guelph, other institutions, and any government and non-governmental counterparts involved in projects; (v) provide administrative, budget tracking and human resources support to principal investigator(s), program managers, management committees and other project meetings; and (vi) assist with project procurement, expenditures, and financial reporting.

Does this sound like something you would like to do? See here for more details and application instructions!

MG360 Alumni, Family and Friends! Come join us next Friday for an inspiring afternoon as we connect and celebrate our shared passion for groundwater research. 🤩

Friday, June 2 from 1-3pm in the Adams Atrium, Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

We hope to see as many familiar (and new) faces as possible to kick off the ground-breaking of our new research facility!

If you are able to attend, please register here: https://lnkd.in/gjvap4h5

Can’t make it in person? The event will be live streamed here: https://lnkd.in/gjJpPh4U

MG360 has long standing relationships with Sweden through Lund University and the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU) through collaborative research efforts at multiple field sites, where MG360 have deployed various components of the DFN-M field approach for site characterization.

In 2020, Dr. Beth Parker was awarded the Tage Erlander Visiting Professorship (checkout our January newsletter and this article to read more) which was accompanied by an 8-month sabbatical at Lund University in Lund, Sweden. However, due to Covid-19, this sabbatical was split into two trips, with the first half being in spring of 2022 and the second half during the spring of 2023.  

During the second half of her sabbatical, Dr. Parker taught a 2.5-week intensive PhD-course in Hydrogeological Conceptual Models for Groundwater Use and Protection: Characterization methods and scaling considerations, in the Department of Geology at Lund University, from March 15-31^st, 2023.  

This course was designed to lean into hands-on education and incorporate lessons through lectures, field-work demos and real-world experience, case studies and student-led presentations.  

The new cohort of MG360 students, including MSc. students Cindy Li, Calvin Veenkamp, Isabella (Kat) Bowman, and PhD students Rosialine Roedel, Hamidreza Dannak and Jennie Hansson, all attended the short course before setting sails to go in different directions to do their own travelling before returning back to Ontario to continue their studies. 

Dr. Beth Parker and Dr. Charlotte Sparrenbom, from Lund University, spearheaded the short course, with guest lectures and field work supported by MG360 Team members Dr. Peeter Pehme, Dr. Jonathan Munn, Dr. Ferdinando Manna, Dr. Jonathan Kennel, Steven Chapman and Ryan Kroeker. This course came to fruition through collaboration and team efforts from those mentioned above, as well as numerous colleagues and supporters from Lund University. 

We are excited to announce we will be hosting this years Darcy Lecture on May 3rd from 10:30-12:00pm in Richards 3504, at the University of Guelph.

Dr. Alicia Wilson is a professor of hydrogeology in the School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of South Carolina. She has been selected as the 2023 Darcy Distinguished Lecturer by The Groundwater Foundation and the National Ground Water Association

You can read more about Dr. Alicia Wilson and the history of the Darcy Lecture here: https://lnkd.in/gGQgTrK3

This is an in-person event only, and is of course free of charge – no registration required.

We hope to see you there!

On March 22 we celebrated World Water Day – Accelerating Change, by hosting a half day, hybrid (virtual and in-person) event, with an introduction by Dr. Ferdinando Manna, followed by talks from three guest speakers. 

Dr. John Spoelstra, a Research Scientist from Environment and Climate Change Canada, started us off with a presentation on how artificial sweeteners can be used to track wastewater. 

Dr. Bassim Abbassi, the Director of Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre, followed up with a presentation on phosphate removal in decentralized and onsite wastewater treatment systems. 

Samantha Mehltretter, a PhD candidate from the School of Engineering, wrapped up our event with a presentation on respectful braiding of indigenous and western knowledge systems for freshwater ecosystem restoration. If you would like to learn more about her presentation and research you can checkout the full report here or connect with Samantha at mehltres@uoguelph.ca and Dr. Andrea Bradford at abradfor@uoguelph.ca.

The topics were diverse, and included something for everyone. They reflected on the broad range in which groundwater influences all of us, every day, in many (often unnoticed and underappreciated) ways. These stimulating talks highlighted some of ways we can accelerate change: 

In addition to these presentations, we had some student posters displayed throughout the atrium, which provided opportunities for fruitful and engaging discussions. 

We had a great turnout, with passers-by stopping in and a virtual audience who tuned in locally and globally, including listeners from Ukraine and Sweden. 

The event was insightful, thought provoking and served as a reminder of the roles each of us play in making a difference, to protect and conserve our groundwater.  

Thank you to our speakers for their time and knowledge sharing, and to everyone who attended in person and on-line. We look forward to seeing you all again next year! 

If you want to learn more about the history of World Water Day, including the story of the Hummingbird and more ways you can help out, we encourage you to check out the UN World Water Day. 

“‘One day in the forest, a fire broke out. 
All the animals ran for their lives. 
They stood at the edge of the blaze, looking at the flames in terror and sadness. 
Up above their heads, a hummingbird was flying back and forth to the fire, over and over again. 
The bigger animals asked the hummingbird what she was doing. 
“I am flying to the lake to get water to help put out the fire.” 
The animals laughed at her and said, “You can’t put out this fire!” 
The hummingbird replied, “I’m doing what I can.”’