The Bernot lab at Ball State University (http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/biology/facultyandstaff/biofaculty/bernotrandal
l) is recruiting motivated new graduate students to begin in the Fall of 2018. Work in the lab centers on the roles that parasites play in animal behavior and ecological community structure and function. We mix theory, field, and laboratory approaches to learn more about parasite diversity and how parasites shape host phenotype and species interactions. Recent work has used ecological stoichiometry as a framework better understand how parasites alter nutrient cycling and energy flow in aquatic ecosystems. New student projects will not be limited to only aquatic systems, but will address interesting questions that test or shape ecological theory. Graduate students will be supported through teaching assistantships (2 years MS and 4 years PhD). I am specifically recruiting students interested in working with parasites of crickets and grasshoppers or have an interest in mermithid nematodes or nematomorphs that infect any number of hosts. The preferred candidates will be individuals that enjoy reading, love field work, and play nicely with others. Students will be expected to develop their own projects within the scope of the lab, but topics are open. Please contact Dr. Randy Bernot (rjbernot@bsu.edu), for more information. Additional information about our graduate programs can be found here (http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Biology/Academics/ProgramsofStudy/Masters.
aspx) and here (http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/environmentalscience)
Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and is within a short driving distance of Indianapolis, IN, Fort Wayne, IN, and Dayton, OH.
Deadline for full teaching assistantship consideration is January 31, 2018.

 

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship

Ph.D. assistantship in Avian Physiological Ecology (beginning September 2018) on an NSF- and USDA- funded project that focuses on how diet and nutritional requirements affect the spatial ecology and exercise performance of songbirds during migration stopover. The work includes measuring diet composition and fatty acid composition of depot fat in migrating songbirds, and conducting experiments with wild-caught songbirds that focus on how dietary antioxidants influence diet choice, metabolism, and exercise physiology of migratory birds. Most fieldwork will be conducted on Block Island (ca. 15 km off the mainland), Rhode Island. Captive animal facilities are on the University of Rhode Island’s main campus in Kingston.

Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons interested in birds need apply.
Applicants must have at least a 3.2 GPA and must have taken the GRE.  Field experience with passerine birds, experience in physiological ecology and quantitative analyses, and a BSc degree in a relevant field of biology is required.  Ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field is also required. Experience with captive birds, standard laboratory analysis techniques, and an MSc degree in a relevant field of science would be big pluses. Excellent writing and oral communication skills are required. Stipends are approx. $25,000/yr (a combination of RA & TA), tuition is paid, and an additional summer stipend is provided.

To apply submit the following: a letter stating your qualifications and research interests, resume or CV, college transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference by no later than 15 January 2018 (early application is encouraged!) to Dr. Scott R. McWilliams, Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 (401-874-7531; srmcwilliams@uri.edu).

Graduate students will be trained in the Ecology & Ecosystem Science graduate specialization within the Biological & Environmental Science graduate program (http://web.uri.edu/cels-gradprograms/ees/) at URI. This is an interdepartmental graduate group within our College of the Environment and Life Sciences (http://web.uri.edu/cels/) that is designed to provide students with a strong, interdisciplinary and integrative learning environment.

University of Wisconsin-Madison MS and PhD positions on molecular
adaptation of invasive insects

Position Description:
MS and/or PhD research assistantships are available to assess how
invasive insects adapt to novel environments in the Molecular Ecology
Lab at UW Madison. Insect pests can be viewed as model systems in which
to explore fundamental concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology.
They are especially promising candidates to study mechanisms of rapid
evolution at the genetic level, as many insect pests have shown a
remarkable ability to cope with pesticides, novel climatic space, and
novel host plants. While there are significant challenges in determining
adaptation at the genetic level and in finding ways to forecast future
changes, there are strong incentives (ecological, economic and social)
to do this research. Students will combine population genomics
approaches with field ecology and manipulative experiments to understand
the evolutionary mechanisms of adaptation. Training will focus on the
use of population genomics and physiological approaches to relate
spatial and temporal variation in the environment to adaptive genetic
variation.

Information on University, Department, Lab, and City:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the major research
universities in the United States. This project will be supported in the
Department of Entomology and under the supervision of Dr. Sean
Schoville.  Madison consistently ranks as one of the best places in the
United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin’s capital city,
with a vibrant population of approximately 230,000 that combines small
town charm with a variety of leisure and cultural opportunities.

Stipend/Salary:
Current annual stipend levels are $22,081 per year before taxes, plus
tuition remission and health care benefits.  Financial support is
available for two years.  The start date for the project is September 2018.

Qualifications:
A BS or BA degree in entomology, biology or a related discipline is
required.

We are looking for motivated students interested in pursuing a MS or PhD
degree at UW-Madison. Students with an MS degree will be given
preference in admissions to the PhD program. The preferred candidate
will have prior research experience and have some knowledge of
population genetics. Candidates should have interests in entomology,
evolutionary ecology, and working in both the field and laboratory.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills are expected, as well
as the ability to work collaboratively.

Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue
until candidates are chosen.  The application deadline is Jan 9, 2018.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage
all qualified individuals to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the following documents listed
below to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu)
(in ONE PDF file please).  Please specify in your letter when you would
be available to start.

Required Documents:
-The “Entomology; University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate Application
Cover Sheet” which can be found at:
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/schoville_coversheet.doc
– A well-crafted cover letter outlining research interests, academic and
professional backgrounds
– Resume/CV
– Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
– GRE scores if available
– Names and contact addresses of three references

—
Sean Schoville
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Entomology
1630 Linden Drive
637 Russell Labs
Madison, WI 53706
Office phone: 608-262-2956
http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/molecularecology

sean.schoville@wisc.edu

University of Wisconsin-Madison MS and PhD positions on molecular adaptation of invasive insects

Position Description:
MS and/or PhD research assistantships are available in the Molecular Ecology Lab at UW Madison to assess how invasive insects adapt to novel environments. Insect pests can be viewed as model systems in which to explore fundamental concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology. They are especially promising candidates to study mechanisms of rapid evolution at the genetic level, as many insect pests have shown a remarkable ability to cope with pesticides, novel climatic space, and novel host plants. While there are significant challenges in determining adaptation at the genetic level and in finding ways to forecast future changes, there are strong incentives (ecological, economic and social) to do this research. Students will combine population genomics approaches with field ecology and manipulative experiments to understand the evolutionary mechanisms of adaptation. Training will focus on the use of population genomics and physiological approaches to relate spatial and temporal variation in the environment to adaptive genetic variation.

Information on University, Department, Lab, and City:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the major research universities in the United States. This project will be supported in the Department of Entomology and under the supervision of Dr. Sean Schoville.
Madison consistently ranks as one of the best places in the United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin’s capital city, with a vibrant population of approximately 230,000 that combines small town charm with a variety of leisure and cultural opportunities.

Stipend/Salary:
Current annual stipend levels are $22,081 per year before taxes, plus tuition remission and health care benefits.  Financial support is available for two years.  The start date for the project is September 2018.

Qualifications:
A BS or BA degree in entomology, biology or a related discipline is required.

We are looking for motivated students interested in pursuing a MS or PhD degree at UW-Madison. Students with an MS degree will be given preference in admissions to the PhD program. The preferred candidate will have prior research experience and have some knowledge of population genetics.
Candidates should have interests in entomology, evolutionary ecology, and working in both the field and laboratory. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills are expected, as well as the ability to work collaboratively.

Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until candidates are chosen.  The application deadline is Jan 9, 2018. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the following documents listed below to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu) (in ONE PDF file please).  Please specify in your letter when you would be available to start.

Required Documents:
-The “Entomology; University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate Application Cover Sheet” which can be found at:
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/schoville_coversheet.doc
– A well-crafted cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds
– Resume/CV
– Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
– GRE scores if available
– Names and contact addresses of three references