Month: February 2018

MS Announcement – Silviculture and Invasive Species

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Subject: MS Announcement – Silviculture and Invasive Species

One MS student is sought to continue a long-term research project evaluating forest community response to multiple silvicultural treatments for the control of Chinese tallow, a highly invasive tree species of the southeastern coastal plain. The objectives of this project include: 1) determining changes to the plant community, including evaluating affects to forest structure, composition, and regeneration from mastication and repeated prescribed fire; 2) establishing a relationship between morphological characteristics and survival of Chinese tallow to prescribed fire; and 3) develop management guidelines to underplant longleaf pine in slash pine stands while seeking to control Chinese tallow. This project will build on previous work conducted in the Silviculture and Ecology Lab at Clemson University. The project will be conducted at Parris Island Marine Corps Base in Beaufort, South Carolina and will work directly with the Natural Resource Staff. Ideal candidates will be able to lead the project, work collaboratively, and tolerate harsh field conditions. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a degree in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. Candidates must be able to pass federal background checks.  The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($15,000/year) plus a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 2 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are also available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. The assistantship will start in May 2018.

In your initial contact, please send the following information: resume, statement of your research interest, GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL score (for foreign students).

If you are interested, contact:

Dr. Geoff Wang
Phone: 864-656-4864
Email: gwang@clemson.edu
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
261 Lehotsky Hall
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 www.clemson.edu/~gwang/

and

Dr. Lauren S. Pile
Phone: 845-304-8348
Email: lpile@fs.fed.us
USDA Forest Service
Northern Research Station
Columbia, MO 65205

Workshop: UTennessee_Knoxville.WomenMathBiology.May16-18

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*Hello all,We are seeking undergraduate and graduate women in mathematics
or mathematical biology to participate in a peer networking workshop at
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, coinciding with the Applications
of Spatial Data: Ecological Niche Modeling tutorial taking place at
NIMBIOS (National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis)
from May 16th-18th.This workshop, fully funded by the Association
for Women in Mathematics, will provide early-career women with the
opportunity to meet with female mentors in a small group setting. During
the workshop, participating students will collaborate to interview
mentors and produce videos documenting their career trajectories and
research. Mentors will be selected from faculty attending the tutorial,
University of Tennessee – Knoxville faculty, and Oak Ridge National
Laboratory researchers.If you or someone you know are interested
in attending, please go to https://goo.gl/forms/3O9D9ijzwAikadwi1 to
apply. Any questions regarding the event or application can be directed
to jbeck10@vols.utk.edu. Applications are due March 30th.Thank you,Jessica
Beck and Natalie Lemanski*

natalie.lemanski@gmail.com

 

Plant Ecology Technician in Acadia National Park

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Subject: Plant Ecology Technician in Acadia National Park

The Schoodic Institute located at Acadia National Park is recruiting 1 seasonal Plant Ecology Technician to conduct long-term vegetation monitoring and contribute to forest research in the Acadia National Park Region

Job Title: Plant Ecology Technician
Job Type: full-time, temporary position
Organization: Schoodic Institute
Location: Bar Harbor, ME
Open Period: February 9-16, 2018
Vacancies: 1 position
Duration: 15 weeks mid May to August (exact dates TBD)

Job Description:
The incumbent will contribute to forest research programs with the Schoodic Institute, and assist with long-term vegetation monitoring programs in Acadia National Park. Incumbent will attend forest crew training during the first two weeks of the field season located at Marsh- Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, VT and in Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, NY. Incumbent will then rotate time between assisting the Forest Ecology Program Director with forest research at Schoodic Institute (approx. 4-6 weeks), and sampling forest, rocky intertidal, and freshwater wetland vegetation for long-term monitoring programs in Acadia National Park (approx. 7 weeks). Other duties may include pressing unknown plant specimens, preparing soil samples for processing, data entry, and data quality assurance/quality control.

This is largely a field based position, and incumbents will be required to carry heavy field equipment (40+lbs), hike though rough terrain, learn and identify plants common to eastern forests, and work in all weather conditions.  Incumbent may be exposed to deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, biting insects, poison ivy and dense brush.

For more information and to apply, please view the announcement on the Schoodic Institute website:
https://www.schoodicinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Plant-
Ecology-Technician.-1.pdf

Forestry Technician in Eastern National Parks

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Subject: Forestry Technician in Eastern National Parks

The Schoodic Institute located at Acadia National Park is recruiting 3 seasonal Forestry Technicians to be a part of a 4 person field crew that will be collecting forest health data in 16 National Parks throughout the Eastern US.

Job Title: Forestry Technician- Traveling Job Type: full-time, temporary position
Organization: Schoodic Institute
Location: Bar Harbor, ME (Field Station first 9 weeks), and Fredericksburg, VA (Field Station second 9 weeks) Open Period: February 9-16, 2018
Vacancies: 3 crew members
Duration: 18 weeks mid May to September (exact dates TBD)

Job Description:
Incumbents will sample permanent forest monitoring plots collecting data on forest health, structure and composition, regeneration, understory vegetation, coarse woody debris, and soil characteristics. The crew will work in 16 park sites from Virginia to Maine, starting with a week of training in Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, VT. The first 4 weeks of the season will be spent sampling National Historic Parks in New York, New England. The crew will then spend approximately 5 weeks sampling in Acadia National Park, and 8 weeks working in Mid-Atlantic parks located in Virginia and Pennsylvania. The crew will stay in park housing where available, and lodging may include hotels, historic buildings and cabins. Other duties may include pressing unknown plant specimens, equipment maintenance and repair, preparing soil samples for processing, and data entry.

This is largely a field based position, and incumbents will be required to carry heavy field equipment (40+lbs), hike though rough terrain, learn and identify plants common to eastern forests, and work in all weather conditions.  Incumbent may be exposed to deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, biting insects, poison ivy and dense brush.

For more information and to apply, please view the announcement on the Schoodic Institute website:
https://www.schoodicinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Forestry-
Technician-Traveling.pdf

Research Assistant: Buck Island Sea Turtle Research Program 2018

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Buck Island Sea Turtle Research Program Research Assistant Vacancy Announcement 2018

Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), located on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, is seeking applicants for the position of Sea Turtle Research Assistant (intern) to conduct sea turtle research and monitoring. This will be the 31st year of the Buck Island Sea Turtle Research Program (BISTRP), a long-term monitoring, research, and conservation project supported by the National Park Service (NPS), Buck Island Reef National Monument. BIRNM is a nesting beach for hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles.

This project will be begin in mid-July and extend for 12 weeks into early October 2018 (applicants must state availability in their cover letter). If selected, interns are expected to stay the length of the project. This is a highly competitive project that is physically and mentally intense, aimed at individuals who want to make ecology/resource management their career. Access to the island is by boat only, where there are minimal facilities. Ability to navigate rugged terrain, work in adverse weather conditions, and amongst biting insects and poisonous and spiny plants is essential. Shifts last up to 12 hours and require interns to work effectively on a nocturnal schedule. Interns work equally effectively as a team and individually.

Interns will provide assistance to the NPS staff in the collection and processing of field data. A mixture of methods will be used: night duty and day patrols. Night duty focuses on working with animals during the laying process. During this time, all nesting turtles will be encountered; biometric data will be collected on turtles, physical data will be collected on nest locations, and animals will be tagged (inconel and PIT). Imperiled nests will be relocated to mitigate risk and increase hatch success. Nests will be excavated to determine hatch success. Night work will last in shifts up to 12 hours and will be labor intensive. Day patrols will be conducted in the early morning and require accurate assessment of the previous night’s nesting activities from tracks left in the sand alone. Nests that hatch will be excavated to estimate hatching success and beach productivity. Throughout the project interns will be required to perform equipment maintenance, data entry, and quality assurance/quality control on the long-term dataset.

Interns are also responsible for weekly daytime monitoring of beaches at The Buccaneer Hotel, their residence, recording activities using GPS. Interns will also conduct outreach to hotel guests on a daily basis as well as during scheduled beach walks discussing the BISTRP program and sea turtle ecology. In addition to BISTRP objectives, interns will provide assistance to NPS staff and collaborators with a wide-variety of ongoing projects including forest restoration, deployment of acoustic and satellite tags, and a sea turtle nest temperature study. In addition, interns may have the opportunity to conduct snorkel surveys for foraging sea turtles and/or assist in sea turtle stranding response incidents.

Interns will receive two meals/day and lodging from The Buccaneer Hotel at no cost to the interns. A small weekly stipend will be allotted to each intern ($100), and travel costs will be covered by the NPS. Interns need to seriously consider their finances before applying to these openings; it will not be possible to work locally while conducting intern duties.

Qualifications Required – Must:

·        Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing
·        Have biology training/background
·        Collect data and maintain records precisely according to standardized protocol
·        Have previous field work experience lasting at least one month
·        Enter and analyze data (written and computer database format)
·        Be in excellent physical shape
·        Be able to persevere under stressful conditions
·        Work outdoors, day and night in isolated conditions, and in adverse weather.
·        Walk in the sand up to 10 kilometers/night; climb rocks; stoop, kneel and stand on soft substrate and in cramped conditions.
·        Have a strong work ethic
·        Be able to work all night and on weekends
·        Be able to lift and move heavy objects
·        Operate and maintain communications equipment properly (cell phone, hand-held VHS radio, marine radio)
·        Be able to swim; crew a boat in open water conditions
·        Have a valid US driver’s license

Desired Qualifications– Please comment on applicable skills and experience in your cover letter:

·        Experience working with Microsoft Access and Excel
·        Familiarity with statistics and competency in statistical software
·        Experience using GPS information to create maps in ArcGIS
·        Communicate conservation and science objectives to the public
·        Interest in documenting science and research for social media and public awareness posts
·        Previous experience conducting nesting sea turtle saturation tagging and monitoring

To apply, send a cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the project, a resume or CV summarizing your experience, and contact information for three references to the email address below. The document(s) you submit should include your last name and document type in the file name. Email is preferred, but postal mail/fax is accepted. Deadline for application: 2 March 2018, no applicants will be considered after this date.  If selected for interview you will be contacted in mid-March, please do not make follow up inquiries.

Email: Tessa_Code@nps.gov

Buck Island Reef National Monument
BISTRP c/o Tessa Code
2100 Church Street, #100
Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00820

Apply for University of Miami Graduate School – Marine and Atmospheric Science

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Good morning!
 
I hope you are having an amazing Spring semester. My name is Josh Coco and I am the Executive Director for Communication and Development at the University of Miami Rosenstiel Campus. We know lots of students are making decisions about where they want to go for graduate school and I just wanted to make sure you knew that our campus has many different marine and atmospheric graduate degree programs. 
 
Along with our amazing MS and PhD programs, we off a Master of Professional Science (MPS) degree that is an accelerated, graduate degree is intended for students who want to generate innovative solutions to marine, coastal, and climate related issues. Students enrolled in this program are exposed to a unique, multidisciplinary curriculum, including science theory, field and laboratory training, legal and regulatory knowledge, communication and media training, and the development of project management skills, designed to prepare them to address environmental challenges as future global leaders. Last year, 98% of our students had jobs in their field within 6 months of graduation.
 
We have 14 tracks to choose from. The best part of our program is that we help you customize it toward your interests and career goals.
o    Aquaculture
 
Applications are due July 1st! Looking forward to speaking with you!
 
Sincerely,
 
Josh Coco, Ed. D.
Executive Director, Communication and Development
 
University of Miami
RSMAS Campus – 105C
 
 
 

PhD Assistantship – Deer Population Modeling

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I seek an energetic and motivated Ph.D. student to join an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, students and state agency personnel who are working to integrate biological, ecological, and sociological aspects of deer management in Indiana. The successful applicant will conduct dissertation research focused on estimation and modeling of deer populations. Specifically, population-level data will be collected from multiple study landscapes replicated in three socio-ecologically different regions of the state using aerial infrared imagery, remotely triggered ground-based camera imagery, and fecal pellet counts. Data will be combined into integrated population models with available age-at-harvest records, prior data on fawn survival, and region-specific indexes of fawn predation risk. To inform management decisions, the successful applicant also will be involved in modeling the relationship between deer population size and data collected by others on societal attitudes/values and ecological condition of habitat in the study landscapes.
 
The position is budgeted for 4 years beginning no later than mid-August 2018, with an initial annual stipend of $23,310, a tuition waiver, and health insurance. Excellent support for infrastructure, logistics and professional development is available including necessary equipment, travel to meetings, field and logistical assistance from a full-time project coordinator, an academic-year field coordinator, and undergraduate student technicians, and academic and career mentoring from faculty investigators, the state deer biologist and Extension specialists.
 
Required qualifications include GPA of 3.2 and strong GRE scores. Strongly preferred qualifications include a M.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, natural resources, or related field. Experience conducting aerial, remote camera, and/or pellet-based sampling is desirable, as are strong quantitative skills and experience with population and statistical modeling, preferably in R. 
 
To apply: Prospective applicants should send via email a brief letter of interest and CV (including GPA, GRE scores, and contact information for references) with “Assistantship” in the subject line to Rob Swihart atrswihart@purdue.edu. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
 
Women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Purdue University is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer.
 
About Purdue: Purdue is a land-grant university of over 40,000 students and ranked the 5th best public university in the U.S. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue is an easy drive from Indianapolis and Chicago. The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) is housed administratively in the College of Agriculture (#8 world ranking), emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches across a broad spectrum of natural resource sciences, and offers vibrant, nationally ranked graduate programs in wildlife and ecology. The West Lafayette-Lafayette area is home to a diverse community of 174,000, with good schools, safe neighborhoods, over 40 parks and extensive trail systems, active Farmers Markets, and year-long community festivals and art events.
 
 
Rob Swihart
Professor of Wildlife Ecology
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2033
PH: 765-494-3575
 

Seasonal Wetland Field Technician in Wisconsin

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Seasonal Wetland Field Technician position at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Work Location: Stevens Point, WI
Supervisor: Kennedy-Grohne Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Pay Schedule-range: $12.00/hour
Shift: Will vary based on need during the field season (March-April; May- July); must be able to work long shifts (i.e. 12-14 hours)

The project examines waterbird abundance and ecological condition of wetlands and their adjacent upland sin the Glacial Habitat Restoration Area
(GHRA) of Wisconsin. Selected wetlands will occur on state, federal, and private lands, Technicians will report to Stevens Point, WI, but extensive travel to the GHRA will be required. Field season will include spring (March-April) and summer (May-July). Main duties will include:
following secretive marshbird protocols (call-response surveys), conducting visual surveys of waterfowl pairs and broods, identifying other wetland dependent birds (point counts), and taking various measurement to assess wetland condition including vegetation surveys, macroinvertebrate sampling, and wetland rapid assessment methods. Other duties will include recording and managing data, data entry, contacting landowners, driving university vehicles, and interacting with state and federal conservation partners.
Work will be performed with a partner or group for long hours.

Required Qualifications
– Applicants should be working toward or have a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, natural resources, ecology, or a related field
– Able to tolerate adverse field conditions including walking miles in waders through muddy and difficult terrain, exposure to low temperatures, ice, summer heat and humidity, biting insects, and irritating plants (e.g. nettles and wild parsnip)
– Strong work ethic
– Good interpersonal skills
– Flexible schedule
-A satisfactory driving record as defined by UW-Stevens Point Transportation Services policy 6.1-6.3. As defined by Policy 6.1-6.3, an unsatisfactory record includes, but is not limited to three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two years, an Operation While Intoxicated (OWI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citation within
12 months, or suspension or revocation of driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications
– Previous field experience identifying wetland dependent birds and wetland plants
– Previous experience working in wetlands or for long days (>8 hours at
times)
– Previous experience using a GPS in the field

Please be sure to complete all required fields and include all required documents before submitting your application.  To return to a draft application, click on the “My Activities” link at the top of the screen after logging in. Once you click on Submit Application, you will not be able to edit or attach any application materials. After submitting the application, you will receive an Application Confirmation email from the application system.

Please refer to the following website about how to apply for this position:
https://www.uwsp.edu/hr/Pages/Employment%20Opportunities/Employment-
Opportunities-Index.aspx

Anticipated Appointment Date: March 19, 2018

Terms of Employment: This is a seasonal, temporary, University Staff Temporary Employee position, non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
This is a grant-funded position. Technicians will report to Stevens Point, WI but extensive travel to the Glacial Habitat Restoration Area will be required. Work will be performed with a partner or group for long hours.

Deadline To ensure consideration, completed online applications must be received by end of day on February 22, 2018. However, screening may continue until the needs of the recruitment are met.

Required Materials
Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:
– Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience
– Resume
– Contact information for three professional references

Position Contact
For additional information regarding the position, please call or email:
Jacob Straub
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
Email: jacob.straub@uwsp.edu
Phone: 715-346-3323

Human Resources Contact
If you have any questions regarding the application process, need special arrangements, or if you submitted your application with missing materials, please call or email:
Anna Golackson
Email: human.resources@uwsp.edu
Phone: 715-346-2606

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. UW-Stevens Point values diversity and inclusion as supported by our mission, “Through the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point fosters intellectual growth, provides a broad-based education, models community engagement and prepares students for success in a diverse and sustainable world.”

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at 715-346-2606 or hr@uwsp.edu. The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report athttp://www.uwsp.edu/dos/Pages/Annual-Security-Report.aspx

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Link to a pdf version of this announcement can be found here:
https://www.uwsp.edu/hr/jobs/Pages/AcademicJobView.aspx?UWSPJobsCode=13946

REU Opportunity at Oregon State University/USFS Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Forest Ecology, Physiology and Genetics

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Subject: REU Opportunity at Oregon State University/USFS Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Forest Ecology, Physiology and Genetics
 
We have funding for one enthusiastic student interested in a research experience in forest ecology, physiology and genetics of disease resistance in collaboration with the Still lab at Oregon State University and the USDA Forest Service Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Cottage Grove, OR.
 
The successful applicant will become part of a research team working to quantify the geographic pattern and frequency of natural genetic resistance of southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) to the non-native invasive pathogen, Cronartium ribicola, across the tree’s range. There is growing concern that many forests will become endangered as a result of climate change, shifting disturbance regimes and invasive pathogens. The broad aim of this collaborative project is to study how the mechanistic processes spanning scales of biological complexity over time and space interact with global change to influence the distribution, gene flow, local adaptation and host-pathogen dynamics in southwestern white pine. Our research utilizes genomic techniques, bioinformatics, and common garden experiments. This is an integrative research program that includes plant growth and physiology measurements in the common gardens at Dorena Genetic Resource Center and greenhouse experiments at Oregon State University, as well as analysis of patterns of resistance using statistical analysis, GIS, and landscape genetics methods. The student will be exposed to various methods and will be expected to develop an independent research project within the scope of the larger research program.
Students will be fully supported for 10 to 11 weeks during the summer of 2018. Funding is provided from an REU supplement to our National Science Foundation Macrosystems Biology grant. A $500 weekly stipend will be provided to the student for food and lodging in the Eugene, OR area. The start of the REU is negotiable with optimal start dates between May 1 and June 17.
To apply please email Johnson and Still an updated copy of your CV (including GPA) and a one page statement of your research interests and experience, as well as goals for your education and career. Applicants should arrange to have one faculty member provide a letter of recommendation (email is fine).
Students with experience in quantitative genetics, physiology, mixed model analysis, GIS and/or bioinformatics are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is 9 March 2018. Feel free to email us with questions.
-Jeremy Johnson, Postdoctoral Research Associate – Dorena Genetic Resource Center: jeremy.johnson@nau.edu
-Chris Still, Principle Investigator: chris.still@oregonstate.edu
 
Jeremy Johnson
Northern Arizona University
USFS Dorena Genetic Resource Center