Month: March 2017

Research technician: Deer camera trapping

Dr. Paige Ferguson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama, is seeking a research technician to collect field data during the Summer of 2017. The technician will work in conjunction with a MS student to conduct camera trapping of deer in the Black Belt region of Alabama.

Applicants who have or are currently pursuing a B.S. degree in wildlife sciences or a related major are preferred. Applicants should have experience in sampling design, camera trapping, GPS, and database management. Applicants must have strong communication skills and work ethic.

To apply, please email Dr. Ferguson (pfferguson@ua.edu<mailto:pfferguson@ua.edu>) the following:

1. a cover letter describing your interest in the project and prior experiences that have prepared you for the project,

2. CV, and

3. contact information for 3 references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Job Opportunity: Range Technician

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified applicants should apply using the following link:

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=3DECOLOG&REQ=3D2017-ACI-016

Description:

In cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office, Great Basin Institute is recruiting two (2) qualified Range Technicians to join our AmeriCorps program. TheTechnicians will assist with the following projects:

=95Range Technicians will work closely with agency personnel to assist with vegetation monitoring, maintain program database and documents, research needed information, and inventoryand spraying noxious and invasive weeds.=20=20=95Plant surveys and mapping efforts in order to refine population boundaries for species of management concern. Survey efforts will be concentrated within areas identified forpotential habitat treatment projects and locations where occurrence has been previously documented.

This position is field-work intensive with approximately 80% of the term spent in the field and the remaining 20% spent analyzing data and compiling progress and final reports to besubmitted by established deadlines.

Compensation:=20=95Living Allowance: $5,659.20

=95AmeriCorps Education Award*: $1,527.45

=95$34/night field per diem (as needed)

=95$75 Weekly Housing Stipend

*AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future education experiences, including payment of qualifying federal student loans. Loan forbearance and accruedinterest payment on qualifying student loans is also available.

Timeline:May 22, 2017 =96 August 18, 2017

Location:Based in Casper, WY, in the vicinity of Casper Mountain and southern Big Horns. The Casper Field Office manages 1,326,733 million acres of public land for diverse resources and uses,including National Historic Trails , rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and livestock grazing.

Qualifications:

=95Interest or experience in botany, biology, ecology, or other related field;

=95Duties include:

     -Identifying  plants to species and subspecies and noxious and invasive plants;

     -Conducting population surveys;

     -Performing monitoring on rangeland sites using established protocols;

     -Carrying a backpack (30lbs) sprayer over rough terrain and spray weeds

     -Using GPS/GIS technology to collect, organize and display field data;=20=95Technical writing skills that communicate scientific results effectively and efficiently highly desirable;

=95Familiarity with the NRCS soil survey descriptions highly desirable;=20=95Ability to conduct field work across rugged terrain, carry personal and technical field equipment, and withstand inclement weather conditions;

=95Ability to be self-motivated and willing to accomplish objectives independently with minimal supervision;=20=95Ability to function as part of an interdisciplinary team comprising various BLM resource specialists; and

=95Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver=92s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and

=95Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime orthe equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) Adhere to the rules, regulationsand code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) Will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified applicants should apply using the following link:

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=3DECOLOG&REQ=3D2017-ACI-016

Job Opportunity: Wildlife Technician

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified applicants should apply using the following link:

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=3DECOLOG&REQ=3D2017-ACI-017

Description:

In cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office, Great Basin Institute is recruiting two (2) qualified Wildlife Technicians to join our AmeriCorps program.

=95Wildlife Technicians will work closely with senior Wildlife biologists to assist with habitat and vegetation monitoring, wildlife and T&E species surveys, vegetation treatments, andincorporating collected data into electronic databases.

=95Routine assistance with activities including: Recreation and/or interpretive programs, basic GIS analysis and cartography, livestock grazing management, mineral applications and otherresource projects.

Typically, these duties will require you to spend approximately 80 percent of you time working in the field and the remaining 20% spent analyzing data, compiling progress or finalreports with associated and established deadlines.

Compensation:=20=95Living Allowance: $5,659.20

=95AmeriCorps Education Award*: $1,527.45

=95$34/night field camping per diem (as needed)

=95$75 Weekly Housing Stipend

*AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future education experiences, including payment of qualifying federal student loans. Loan forbearance and accrued interestpayment on qualifying student loans is also available.

Timeline:May 22, 2017 =96 August 18, 2017

Location:The position(s) is based in Casper, WY. The Casper Field Office manages 1,326,733 million acres of public land for diverse resources and uses, including National Historic Trails,hiking, livestock grazing, mineral withdraw, and oil/gas development.

Qualifications:

=95Interest or experience in wildlife biology, ecology, botany, or other related fields;

=95Duties include:

      -Identifying  plants and animals to species residing in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem;

      -Conducting wildlife, plant and habitat surveys;

      -Field work may include coordination with contractors, members of other government agencies, members of the public and or industry representatives;

      -May be required to word independently, hike long distances, and/or work in remote locations;

      -Using GPS/GIS technology to collect, organize and display field data;=20=95Technical writing skills that communicate scientific results effectively and efficiently highly desirable;

=95Proficient in map reading and basic land navigation;=95Ability to conduct field work across rugged terrain, carrying personal and technical field equipment, and withstand inclement weather/environmental conditions (heat, cold, pollens,allergens, insects etc.);

=95Ability to follow established protocols to collect data and incorporate it into electronic databases; and

=95Ability to be self-motivated and willing to accomplish objectives independently with minimal supervision;=20=95Ability to function as part of an interdisciplinary team comprising various BLM resource specialists;=95Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver=92s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on gravel or dirt roads; and

=95Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime orthe equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) Adhere to the rules, regulationsand code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) Will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship Available Immediately!

LSU Department of Entomology

For agroecosystems to be sustainable, they must be both productive and protective.  Agroecosystems must provide sufficient natural enemy diversity to help regulate pest populations.  However, though insecticides are often a necessary tactic used to control insect pest populations, they disrupt the integrity of agroecosystems.  We seek a highly motivated M.S. student to evaluate the effects of current insecticides meant to control stink bugs on soybean looper and natural enemies.  The student will test whether insecticides cause pest resurgence and secondary pests by reducing natural enemies.  Over the course of the project, the student will create and validate best management practices that integrate insecticides to control pests while preserving natural enemies and ecological partnerships.

The successful student will have the opportunity to work in diverse agricultural production systems throughout Louisiana and will be expected to publish both peer-reviewed journal articles and extension publications.  The student will gain valuable experience in southern field crop production, from planting to harvest, including pest scouting.  This is also an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience in systems level ecological management.

A full stipend including tuition waiver for a full three years is available immediately.

Requirements:  A B.S. degree in Life Sciences and a valid driver=92s license.

Interested students should send a letter of interest including future research and professional goals and a CV including a list of references to Dr. Jeff Davis at jeffdavis@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Background Information:  The Department of Entomology is an essential part of the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The Department of Entomology was established in 1889 and includes 13 faculty involved in basic and applied research related to pollinators, urban pests, taxonomy, integrated pest management, toxicology, biological control, and insect physiology.

REU position in desert stream ecology at ASU

We are seeking two summer undergraduate researchers to participate in a project investigating how variation of streamflow affects energy transfer through stream food webs. The goal of the Food Chain Length (FCL) project is to link the mechanisms of temporal variation in streamflow and intensity of disturbance regimes to FCL in aridland streams. Ongoing research conducted in streams across Arizona includes repeated measures of variation in food chain length, ecosystem metabolism, nitrate concentrations, and experimental nitrogen pulse manipulations. Additionally, we are investigating how flood pulses of water and nitrogen stimulate production in the riparian ecosystem by measuring changes in soil processes, primary producers, and consumers.

Students will contribute both to the field campaign and laboratory sample processing. Students will also collaborate closely with the principal investigator, graduate students, and technicians to develop an independent research project that will build on the ongoing research.

Fieldwork will consist of traveling to rivers across the state of Arizona for aquatic biological surveys, water quality measurements, sensor maintenance, and requires spending long days in the desert during the Arizona summer, often carrying heavy equipment. Lab work will consist of processing samples for stable isotope analysis, invertebrate sorting, and soil microbial activity and nutrient assays.

Applicant requirements: Students must have demonstrated interest in ecology. The position lasts 12 weeks, preferably starting in early May, though exact dates are flexible and is based at Arizona State University. Application is restricted to currently enrolled undergraduates that graduate no sooner than fall 2017. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Desired qualifications: Previous experience with laboratory or field-

based research; coursework in biology, ecology, chemistry, and math/statistics; enthusiasm about conducting both field and lab work, with occasional long days in the field or multi-day field trips; valid U.S. driver=92s license. Women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

To apply: 1) letter summarizing research interests and experience, 2) list of relevant coursework, and 3) CV to Dr. Tamara Harms (tkharms@alaska.edu) by March 21, 2017

Field technicians in forest ecology and silviculture with Michigan State University Forestry Department

The Walters Lab in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University

is looking to hire several field technicians for the coming summer season.

We are an applied forest ecology (silviculture) lab with a current focus on

exploring alternative management regimes in northern hardwood forests. The

upcoming field season will involve surveying pre-harvest vegetation

structure for forests to be harvested Winter 2017/18, marking forest stands

for harvest, and quantifying the impacts of beech bark disease on forest

stand structure in aftermath forests. There is a possibility for one

position to transition to a combined field/lab technician role in support

of a dendrochronology project. Field sites are throughout the Upper

Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula in Michigan.

Desired skills: Experience or aptitude for plant identification, and GPS

navigation; interest in forest ecology/silviculture; experience and/or

desire to work outdoors in rugged conditions. Undergraduates and recent

graduates are encouraged to apply.

Time Frame: May =E2=80=93 August with the opportunity for one or two to sta=

rt in

early April for timber marking work and the opportunity for one position to

extend beyond the end of August.

Pay rate: $11/hr minimum, commensurate with experience. Typically 40

hours/week. We provide housing.

To apply: Submit a CV or resume, list of three references with contact

information (including email and phone number), and a brief cover letter

outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience, as well as

your dates of availability, to Evan Farinosi (farinosi@msu.edu) with

=E2=80=9CWalters Lab Summer Field Technician=E2=80=9D in the subject line.

SUMMER INTERN/FIELD ASSISTANT POSITIONS for GRASSHOPPER ECOLOGY IN WESTERN

The Belovsky Lab has paid positions available this summer to assist with

their long-term (30+ years) experimental project in Montana grasslands

(NSF: LTREB).  This study uses field experiments to understand how food and

predators influence grasshopper behavior and ecology in combination with

varying climate.  Field assistants/interns will help with the field portion

of this project on the National Bison Range, Moiese, MT.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The position is 90% + field work.  Assistants

will help set up (assemble, catch grasshoppers and stock experiments),

monitor, and take down experiments.  Daily work will include monitoring

grasshopper densities in the experiments, maintaining experimental cages,

and sampling vegetation and soils.  Assistants will gain experience with a

wide variety of ecological field techniques, including insect enclosures,

soil nutrient manipulation experiments, quantification of herbivore damage

and plant growth, and insect behavior.  Assistants also will learn relevant

principles of experimental and sampling design in field ecology, as well as

identification of key insects and plants in Palouse Prairie grasslands.

QUALIFICATIONS:

. Completion of or pursuing a degree in ecology, biology, entomology,

conservation biology or related field.

. Capacity to learn identification of grasshoppers and Palouse Prairie

flora, including grasses.  Previous field experience with plants and

insects is preferred, but not required.

. Hard-working, highly motivated, ability to accurately collect data, keep

meticulous records, and pay close attention to detail while performing

repetitive tasks; ability to work independently as wells as contribute to a

positive group dynamic.

. Must be willing to work outside for long periods in unpredictable weather

and conditions, some heavy lifting is required.  Also, the ability to deal

with a flexible work schedule (i.e., work around weather conditions and

phenology of grasshoppers).

APPLICATION DETAILS:

2 positions: One position starts May 15 and ends September 30, 2017.

Second position starts Aug 1 and ends Sept 30, 2017. Shared housing is

provided near the research site, as well as a stipend of approximately

$1200/mo.  Travel to/from Montana is not provided.

By March 20, please send letter of interest, resume and contact information

for 3 references (name, position, phone, e-mail) to Jennifer Belovsky by

e-mail belovsky.2@nd.edu.

Hiring is through the University of Notre Dame.  The University of Notre

Dame is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

For more information visit the Belovsky labpage – –

http://belovskylab.nd.edu

Graduate student positions Evolutionary biodiversity of plant-eating insects

Nate Hardy is looking for two graduate students  (either PhD or MS) to jo=

in his research group at Auburn University and work on the evolutionary biodiversity of sap-sucking bugs. He needs help with two projects: 1) Estimating the aphid phylogeny and using it to figure out what drives speciation in plant-eating insects. 2) Conducting selection experiments a=

nd gene expression analyses to figure out how plant-eating insects evolve th=

eir diets. Please see the Hardy Lab website (http://hardylab.skullisland.info=

/) for a more detailed overview of the research program.

Students with an interest in any of the following subjects are encouraged=

to apply: speciation, species diversity, phylogenomics, comparative phylogenetics, evolutionary ecology, experimental evolution, and transcriptomics.

Four years of support are available for PhD students and two years for MS=

students, through graduate research fellowships that include a tuition waiver, health benefits and a competitive stipend. The start date for bot=

h positions is August 18, the beginning of the 2017 Fall Semester.

If you are interested, please send a CV and a short statement of your research interests (less than 500 words) to Nate Hardy, n8@auburn.edu. Fe=

el free to contact him by email for further information. Please also apply t=

o the Auburn Graduate School (http://graduate.auburn.edu/prospective-

students/application-instructions/). Review of applicants will start on M=

arch 24. The positions will stay open until filled.

Dr Nate B Hardy

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Auburn University

Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849

n8@auburn.edu

REU – Grassland Ecology in Western Montana

Gary Belovsky in the Dept. of Biological Sciences at the University of

Notre Dame is seeking applicants for an NSF Research Experience for

Undergraduates (REU) position in summer 2017 to study insect ecology.

The REU student will be part of a research team examining grasshopper

ecology in western Montana, at the National Bison Range National Wildlife

Refuge in Moiese, Montana.  Potential projects for the REU include

examining grasshopper population dynamics or species interactions

(competition, predation, etc).

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a solid academic record,

and a strong interest in field ecology.  The REU will be working as part of

a team, which can include working outside for long periods in unpredictable

weather and conditions, and which requires the ability to work

independently as well as contribute to a positive group dynamic.

The duration of the study is from June 1 to mid-August, although the dates

are somewhat flexible. The REU student will earn a stipend of $4500.

Research supplies, lodging, and travel to/from Montana will be provided.

Review of applications will begin after mid-March and continue until

filled. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

and must be enrolled as an undergraduate for Fall 2017. Students from

underrepresented groups in STEM disciplines are particularly encouraged to

apply.

To apply, please e-mail the following application materials to Jennifer

Belovsky (belovsky.2@nd.edu) with the subject line =E2=80=9CREU=E2=80=9D no=

later

than March 17, 2017:

1.  Statement/cover letter explaining the following:

=E2=80=A2why you are interested in this position

=E2=80=A2what are your future plans

=E2=80=A2dates you are available to start and end this position

=E2=80=A2confirm eligibility for the REU program

=E2=80=A2your e-mail address and phone number

2.  Resume

3.  Names and contact information for two people who can serve as your

references

For more information, please contact Jennifer Belovsky (belovsky.2@nd.edu)

or visit the Belovsky labpage – – http://belovskylab.nd.edu

Washington Cascades Plant Communities and Climate Change (University of Washington, Seattle)

The HilleRisLambers community ecology lab at the University of Washington is seeking applicants for an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in the summer of 2017.  The REU student will work with Drs. Janneke HilleRisLambers and Amy Angert (at University of British Columbia) to develop and implement an independent project focusing on how plant communities vary across large-scale macroclimatic and fine-scale microclimatic gradients, relevant to understanding impacts of climate change. Field work will occur in Washington at Mt. Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, and nearby National Forests; with lab work occurring at University of Washington (in Seattle).

The REU will run 12 weeks from June 5th =96 August 25th, with some flexibility in start and end dates possible. A stipend of $600/week is provided for the 12-week period of the internship. Lodging, travel and food are provided while conducting field work.

To apply and get more information about the position, please visit https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/jhrl/325701. We will start reviewing applications on March 20th, and anticipate making hiring decisions by early to mid April. To be eligible, you must be a US Citizen or permanent resident currently working towards a Bachelor=92s degree in a related field, graduating no sooner than Fall of 2017.

For more information about Dr. HilleRisLambers and Dr. Angert research groups, visit http://faculty.washington.edu/jhrl/Index.html and http://angert.botany.ubc.ca/.