The Purcell lab in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside seeks

motivated undergraduate students to contribute to summer research projects.=A0

Members of the Purcell lab study the behavioral, ecological, and genetic

basis of evolutionary transitions in social organization in insects such as

ants. One such project, focusing on division of labor in ants will require

an undergraduate research assistant this summer.=A0 Division of labor, in

which individual members of a society specialize in a single or narrow range

of tasks, is a prominent aspect of social insect biology and a major

contributor to their ecological dominance. Many social insects have

well-defined worker castes, either through age or morphological polyethism.

However, ant species of the genus Formica, native to North America and

Europe, don=92t have distinct worker castes, and the way in which labor is

divided within their colonies remains unknown. Mari West, a PhD student in

the Purcell lab, is investigating what behavioral, genetic, developmental,

and ecological factors act as worker caste determinants within this genus.

Her research this summer will consist of conducting behavioral observations

and field collections in Kananaskis, Alberta from mid-June to mid-August.

Applicants should have prior experience working in field conditions or else

an extensive hiking/camping background, be capable of working in a group or

independently, enjoy the outdoors, and be willing to work in rugged outdoor

conditions that have the potential to change rapidly. No prior entomological

experience is necessary, but applicants should be comfortable handling

insects, particularly sting-less ants. A successful applicant will gain

skills in behavioral observation, mark-recapture, experimental design, and

general social insect biology and may have the opportunity to carry out

his/her own side project. If interested, please send a brief letter of

interest and a resume/CV with at least 2 references to Mari West at

mwest008@ucr.edu. Applications will be accepted through April 15th, 2017.

Technical Position in Fisheries Ecology

Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Job Description: A full-time technician position is available to assist on a field- and laboratory-based research project that has been assessing the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife channel catfish reservoir-stocking program, and also helping to better understand the ecology of this species. This project requires extensive field sampling for adult channel catfish (June, hoop nets) and other top predators (autumn, electrofishing). When not in the field, the incumbent would help with the following: 1) otolith preparation and aging; 2) diet analysis; 3) conducting hatchery experiments; and 4) data entry. Opportunities will exist to help with data analysis, manuscript writing, and/or student mentorship, depending on experience.

Location:  Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of technicians, students, post-docs, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (http://ael.osu.edu/) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (http://eeob.osu.edu/).

Qualifications:  Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups.  A master’s degree in biology, ecology, general aquatic sciences, or a related field is preferred. However, those with a bachelor’s degree and a strong academic background or wealth of related work experience are also encouraged to apply.

Compensation: $12-14 per hour, depending on experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Funding exists for two years, following successful completion of a one-year probationary period.

Start date: Early May 2017 is preferred, although exceptions will be made, if needed.

How to apply: Please submit the following materials to Cory Becher (becher.23@osu.edu<mailto:becher.23@osu.edu>): 1) a cover letter that briefly describes your educational and research background, as well as describes your research interests/career goals; 2) your curriculum vitae (or resume); 3) an unofficial copy of your college/university transcripts; and 4) contact information for at least three professional references. Please place “Channel Catfish Project” in the subject line.

The application window will close on April 7, 2017, although we will begin the application review process immediately.

Contact information: For additional information, visit http://www.ael.osu.edu/ or contact Mr. Cory Becher at the above email address.

—

Stuart A. Ludsin

Associate Professor

Co-Director, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, 222 Research Center, 1314 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212

614-292-1613 Office / 614-795-7044 Mobile / 614-292-0181 Fax

ludsin.1@osu.edu<mailto:ludsin.1@osu.edu> email / http://ael.osu.edu/ & http://www.ludsinlab.com/ web

We seek a highly motivated student to fill a funded Ph.D. assistantship at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs. MS. The selected student will be co-

advised by Dr. Kelly M. Darnell (http://gcrl.usm.edu/cv/darnell.kelly/cv.darnell.kelly.php) and Dr. M. Zachary Darnell (http://sites.usm.edu/zdarnell/).=20

The overarching goal of this project is to conduct a management-driven, Gulf of Mexico-wide assessment of the use of turtlegrass as habitat by nekton and to evaluate the support provided to blue crabs, a commercially valuable species, using habitat-specific production estimates. This project will involve substantial field sampling and laboratory sample processing. Experience working in seagrass beds is preferred, but not required. This is a collaborative project with researchers at Texas A&M-

Corpus Christi, the University of Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The student will work closely with personnel from these institutions.

The student selected for this assistantship will pursue a Ph.D. in the Division of Coastal Sciences within the School of Ocean Science and Technology. This assistantship will begin in August 2017, and includes tuition and a stipend of $23,400 per year (increasing to $24,000 per year after achieving candidacy). The student selected for the assistantship will be a fully integrated member of the project team and will contribute to study design, collection and analysis of data, and manuscript preparation. Applicants with an M.S. degree are preferred.

The Division of Coastal Sciences is a research and graduate education unit within the School of Ocean Science and Technology, offering programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. The Division is located at Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (Ocean Springs, MS), a marine laboratory featuring comprehensive basic and applied research programs in coastal and marine biological sciences. Research program support includes state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and instrumentation; a fleet of small and large research vessels, including the R/V Point Sur; the GCRL Museum collection; the Center for Fisheries Research and Development; NSF I/UCRC Science Center for Marine Fisheries, and aquaculture facilities including the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center.

Interested students should contact Dr. Kelly Darnell (kelly.darnell@usm.edu). Please include a copy of your CV (including GRE scores), unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for three professional references. For full consideration, submit all materials prior to April 15.

A position for an M.S. student is currently open in the research team of Dr. Jeffrey Matthews (http://publish.illinois.edu/matthewslab/<https://webmail.illinois.edu/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=3DJd2W_kP0pKgKljlqdJZckLn3xU8Ogs20qLf1lcepOTA2SesiLXfSCGgAdAB0AHAAOgAvAC8AcAB1AGIAbABpAHMAaAAuAGkAbABsAGkAbgBvAGkAcwAuAGUAZAB1AC8AbQBhAHQAdABoAGUAdwBzAGwAYQBiAC8A&URL=3Dhttp%3a%2f%2fpublish.illinois.edu%2fmatthewslab%2f>), Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  The successful candidate will conduct research on plant community development in restored wetlands and other ecosystems in a study being conducting across four U.S. regions.

The ideal candidate will have completed a B.S. degree in ecology, natural resources, or a related discipline, have experience in plant identification, and possess knowledge of the flora of at least one of the following U.S. regions: Midwest, New England, Southwest, Southeast.

Prospective students should email a summary of research interests and qualifications, CV, unofficial transcript and GRE scores to Dr. Jeffrey Matthews (jmatthew@illinois.edu<mailto:jmatthew@illinois.edu>).  Suitable candidates will be invited to apply to the graduate program in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science program (http://nres.illinois.edu/).  Funding will be available through a combination of research and teaching assistantships.

The Jeff Feder lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the

University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, Indiana has a graduate student

position available for studying the genomics of ecological adaptation and

speciation in insects. Our research has both laboratory and field

components, spanning the realms of ecology and evolution from experimental

manipulation studies to high throughput DNA sequencing, focused on

discerning the adaptive basis of speciation and its genomic underpinnings.

Ideally, we seek individuals with experience in bioinformatics and

candidates with past research experience (e.g., in a master=E2=80=99s program), for

the position.  However, all highly motivated students are encouraged to

apply. The Department provides graduate students with generous stipend

support and benefits. To apply please e-mail a CV, personal statement of

interest, and contact information for three references to feder.2@nd.edu.

For additional information about our lab and graduate program, please see

http://federlab.nd.edu/ and

http://biology.nd.edu/graduate/graduate-studies-overview/, respectively.

Technical Position in Aquatic Ecology

Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Drs. Michael Fraker (https://ael.osu.edu/people/fraker.24) and Stuart Ludsin (www.ludsinlab.com/<http://www.ludsinlab.com/>) are seeking a full-time technician to assist on a project designed to better understand how prey integrate phenotypically-plastic antipredator defenses (behavior, morphology) over their development. The responsibilities of the technician would include: 1) measuring and imaging tadpoles; 2) analyzing behavioral data on tadpoles and their predators; 3) conducting measurements of physiological condition; 4) assisting with laboratory and outdoor mesocosm experiments; and 5) data entry. Opportunities will exist to help with data analysis, manuscript writing, and/or student mentorship, depending on experience.

Location:  Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of technicians, students, post-docs, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (http://ael.osu.edu/) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (http://eeob.osu.edu/).

Qualifications:  Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups.  A master’s degree in biology, ecology, general aquatic sciences, or a related field is preferred. However, those with a bachelor’s degree and a strong academic background or wealth of related work experience are also encouraged to apply. Experience working with amphibians is useful, but not required.

Compensation: $12-14 per hour, depending on experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Funding exists for one year, with the possibility of extension for a second year following successful completion of a one-year probationary period.

Start date: April-May 2017 is ideal, although exceptions will be made, if needed.

How to apply: Please submit the following materials to Dr. Michael Fraker (fraker.24@osu.edu<mailto:fraker.24@osu.edu>): 1) a cover letter that briefly describes your educational and research background, as well as describes your research interests/career goals; 2) your curriculum vitae (or resume); 3) an unofficial copy of your college/university transcripts; and 4) contact information for at least three professional references. Please place “Predator-Prey Project” in the subject line.

The application window will close on April 10, 2017, although we will begin the application review process immediately.

Contact information: For additional information, visit http://www.ael.osu.edu/ or contact Michael Fraker at the above email address.

Office Title: Vegetation Monitoring Field Technician=20

Civil Service Title: Community Associate=20

Work Location: Staten Island, New York

Duration: Beginning April 15, 2017

Salary: $24.00/hr

NYC Parks is the steward of nearly 30,000 acres of land – 14 percent of New York City – including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 67 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.

NYC Parks is seeking a Field Technician with prior fieldwork experience, preferably in vegetation monitoring, to assist with data collection and analysis of vegetation data. We are collecting data on vegetation and associated white-tailed deer impacts in forested ecosystems in NYC Parks as part of an effort to assess the impact of deer on the City’s ecosystems. The Field Technician will work with NYC Parks Ecologists using GPS units and ArcGIS to create maps and data representing collected field data. The Field Technician will aid in data entry and data clean up. In addition, there may be some opportunities to help Ecologists with other field work.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Work:

– Collect vegetation data in forested areas of the City

– Use GPS units and GIS software, input collected field data and plot points

Data Entry:

– Use Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and other software to enter data and perform data quality checks

Data Organization/Inventory/Process:

– Organize and maintain plant specimen collection and associated log

– Organize data and maintain database

– Create field maps detailing habitat type and urban structures

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and either

     a) Two summer seasons, or six months, of experience as an instructor, counselor, or coach in an organized recreational program; or

     b) Completion of sixty credits toward a baccalaureate degree in an accredited colleges; or=20

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

– B.S. in biology, botany, ecology, forestry, or related field

– Experience in field ecology, specifically in terrestrial ecosystems

– Knowledge of northeastern plant species (herbaceous and woody) with expertise in herbaceous and rare plant identification

– Ability to conduct research and work independently

– Ability to sometimes work under adverse conditions (heat, early/late hours, inclement weather, muddy or wet conditions)

– Experience with GPS and GIS

– Proficiency with Microsoft Office

– NYS Driver’s license

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required for all other candidates.

Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $41.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to an $87.00 background check fee.

HOW TO APPLY

Send resume and cover letter to: Novem Auyeung, 1234 Fifth Ave, Room 229, New York, NY 10029=20

Email to: Novem.Auyeung@parks.nyc.gov. For questions, please contact 646-864-7886.

The Jarchow Lab<http://www.jarchowlab.org/> at the University of South Dakota is seeking an innovative and hard-working student to be part of the first cohort of students in a graduate program in sustainability that is being developed at USD.  The PhD position is fully funded for four years at $22,000 per year.  The position has a flexible start date of either summer or fall 2017.

The PhD position is part of a project, funded by NSF, titled “Sustainable socio-economic, ecological, and technological scenarios for achieving global climate stabilization through negative CO2 emission policies.”  The project brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers from USD, Montana State University, and the University of Wyoming to evaluate the role that a BEECS (bioenergy and carbon capture and sequestration) economy would have on the Upper Missouri River Basin (UMRB).  The Jarchow Lab-led project has two main components.  First, we will assess, map, and quantify how residents of the UMRB perceive the social values of the ecosystem services provided by their environment.  Second, we will do sustainability visioning to develop a scenario of a desirable future for the UMRB.

Applicants with training in a number of academic disciplines will be considered for this position including sustainability, biology/ecology, environmental science or studies, political science, sociology, or other related fields.  Additional qualifications include knowledge of geographical information systems (GIS) software, excellent oral communication skills, and interest in conducting interdisciplinary research.

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter describing your career goals and how your experience and qualifications make you a strong fit for this position to me (Meghann.Jarchow@usd.edu<mailto:Meghann.Jarchow@usd.edu>).  Also attach your CV or resume, unofficial transcript(s), GRE scores (unofficial OK), TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers only), and the names and e-mail addresses of three references.

For more information, please contact me.

Meghann Jarchow

Assistant Professor

Sustainability Program Coordinator

Department of Biology

University of South Dakota

Churchill-Haines Labs 171E

(605)677-3115 (office)

(605)659-1889 (cell)

http://www.jarchowlab.org/

Avian Field Technician: Massachusetts

Agency: The University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Location: Amherst, MA

Job Category: Full time seasonal

Salary: $11.00/hr, 40 hrs/week

Note: Housing not provided

Start date: early May

End date: early August

Last date to apply: April 7, 2017

Description: Technician will work under the supervision of a PhD student

running the research project. Duties include but are not limited to:

nest searching for Wood Thrush and Gray Catbird nests in suburban forest

patches and a large forest with minimum public access, nest monitoring

and observation, placing and maintaining nest cameras, mistnetting to

capture and band adults, measuring nestling and adult body conditions,

taking detailed notes for data entry, using equipment responsibly, and

assisting other field crew members when necessary. Applicants should be

able to start work early (~ 5am), move through forest patches carrying

equipment (including 25 lb. golf cart batteries), and handle summer

field conditions (heat and insects). Applicants MUST have a car which

can be used as an additional field vehicle (with gas reimbursement).

Ideal applicants also have experience bleeding birds, plant ID skills

for northeastern temperate forests, and can identify northeastern birds

by sight and sound.

Qualifications: Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in wildlife related field.

Must be willing to work early hours (starting approx. 5 am), drive

personal vehicle, and work in field conditions in forested areas.

General computer knowledge and skills required. Previous experience nest

searching and mistnetting birds is necessary.

Note: Start and end dates are flexible. Housing not provided.

Interested and qualified applicants should submit a resume, cover

letter, and contact information for three references to: Kit Straley

kstraley@cns.umass.edu .

Once again we will be welcoming volunteers, especially undergraduate students, to help with our long-term research project on diamondback terrapins in New York City’s Jamaica Bay in June and July 2017.  The field site can be easily reached by train, bus, or car from NYC, Long Island, and nearby NJ.  The field work involves mark-recapture of nesting terrapins, monitoring nests and raccoons, and interacting with park visitors.  This is an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their experience with urban wildlife and scientific research.  Please pass this information on to your undergraduate students and other potentially interested people.  More on Jamaica Bay Terrapin Research is available at http://jbtr.org/.  For more information, contact Dr. Russell Burke at biorlb@hofstra.edu. =20