Month: March 2018

Undergraduate field research (REU): amphibians and microbes, CA

Undergraduate field research: amphibians and microbes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA.
 
OVERVIEW
An NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) fellowship is open for an undergraduate student to participate in a project studying Sierra Nevada amphibians affected by a chytrid fungal pathogen, and the role of the skin microbiome in disease resistance. The aim of this research is to understand if symbiotic microbes on the skin of frogs explain why some frog populations are able to co-exist with the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), while other frog populations suffer catastrophic declines. The successful candidate will work closely with a senior researcher to conduct surveys of frog population persistence, pathogen infection status, and symbiotic microbes.  This work entails strenuous long-distance hiking, back-packing, handling of sensitive amphibians, and collection of microbial skin swabs. The incumbent will receive experience and training in field ecology, disease ecology, and microbial ecology.
 
SUPPORT, DATES, LOCATION
This fellowship includes a stipend of $500/week. Housing is provided at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab (SNARL). Limited funds for travel are available. Dates of the field work are approximately July 15 through August 30. Exact dates to be determined.
 
QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY
To be considered for this position, you must have have extensive backpacking experience, including backpacking at high elevations (>10,000 feet). Must be able to safely carry a heavy pack long distances over rugged terrain, be comfortable spending days to weeks in the backcountry, working in remote areas often in uncomfortable conditions (e.g., inclement weather, mosquitoes, no access to phone, internet, running water while in the backcountry) and be in excellent physical condition. You must have a strong work ethic and a passion for field research, as well as the sensitivity and attention to detail required for handling fragile amphibians and microbial samples. Must have own backpacking equipment, including broken-in boots, tent, and pack. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in microbial ecology or disease ecology.
 
You must be an undergraduate student (enrolled in a degree program in biology, ecology, or related field, part-time or full-time, leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree); students graduating in Spring 2018 generally are not eligible.  Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident. Students from underrepresented groups and institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.
 
 
 
APPLICATIONS
Applications should include the following: current transcripts (unofficial OK), resume, 3 references (include reference’s name, position, affiliation, and context from which he/she knows you), and a statement of interest specifically describing (1) why you are interested in the position; (2) your qualifications, including field research and experience backpacking at high elevations and in remote areas (be specific about when, where, under what conditions you have experience); (3) your professional goals; (4) specify your dates of availability.
 
Where to send applications:
Send all application materials, PREFERABLY AS A SINGLE PDF FILE, to Andrea Jani (jania-at-hawaii.edu). Name the application file with the applicant’s name. For example: Doe_Jane.pdf.
 
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEVED BY FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
 
 
 
 
 

Accepting Apps for MS Environmental Biology in Denver CO

We are still accepting applications for fall, 2018 admission to the MS Environmental Biology program at Regis University in Denver, CO! The M.S. in Environmental Biology is a degree program that emphasizes skills crucial for success in the environmental and ecological workforce.

TOP FEATURES of our PROGRAM

-Focus on RELEVANT SKILLS demanded by environmental employers:
statistical computing (R), GIS, NEPA, grant writing & field work in the Rocky Mountains & elsewhere

– EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE in an intensive one-year program or up to 2 years as it fits with each student’s schedule/goals.

– HANDS-ON internship at local agencies or research experience with faculty members

– SMALL CLASS SIZES that allow students to build close relationships with faculty and other students

– KNOWLEDGABLE FACULTY focused on individual student goals and success

Go to: REGIS.EDU/ENVIRONMENT for more information on admission

The application cycle will remain open through spring, 2018.

Trinidad.Internship.GuppyEvolution

Research Internships – Evolutionary Biology

Research interns are needed to assist in a multi-disciplinary,
multi-investigator, experimental study of the interactions between
ecology and evolution in Trinidad, West Indies. The research is led by
Professor David Reznick at the University of California, Riverside in
collaboration with Joseph Travis (Florida State), Tim Coulson (Oxford),
Paul Bentzen (Dalhousie U.), and Ron Bassar (Williams).  We seek to
integrate multiple biological fields for the study of these
interactions in experimental populations of guppies in Trinidad. Duties
include assisting in monthly censuses of guppy populations in montane
streams. The monthly censuses include long hours in the field and
laboratory.  There will also be 12 days off between each census when
interns can pursue an independent project.

Qualifications: We seek interns who are entertaining the
possibility of pursuing graduate studies in some area of ecology and
evolution and who wish to gain some additional field research
experience before doing so.  Research will take place in semi-remote
areas of Trinidad sometimes under bad weather conditions. Applicants
must be able to live and work well with others. Research will involve
carrying heavy packs over slippery and steep terrain. Applicants must
be in good physical condition and be able to meet the demands of field
research under these conditions. Ability to drive a standard
transmission vehicle is desirable but not required. Applicants with
first-aid/first responder training, skills in automobile maintenance,
and construction skills are highly desirable. Please address these
skills when applying.

Interns will be required to spend a minimum of 3-months in
Trinidad, with possibility of extension. There are potential start
dates in July 2019 and every month thereafter until early 2019. We will
cover all travel and living expenses and provide housing.

Please see our website <www.theguppyproject.weebly.com> for
more information on the project and access to reprints.  Be sure to
check out our video menu, which includes a “guppy censuses” submenu
that details the main tasks associated with the internship.

Applicants should send cover letter, CV and the names and e-mail
addresses of three or more professional references to David Reznick
(gupy@ucr.edu). At least two of the references should be academics.

Ron Bassar <rdb4@williams.edu>

Research Experience for Undergraduate Positions in Alaska

Subject: Research Experience for Undergraduate Positions in Alaska

We are seeking enthusiastic undergraduate researchers interested in summer field research in Alaska for two Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU) positions in the Bret-Harte and Ruess labs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Our overall research objective is to understand the consequences of potential future changes in arctic vegetation for arctic ecosystems and the rest of the world.  In this project, we are focusing on the mechanisms by which increasing abundance of large deciduous shrubs in tundra ecosystems may alter the near-surface cycling of C and N, and feedbacks to further vegetation change. You will assist with fieldwork in arctic tundra and laboratory work consisting of tasks such as plant sorting and data entry.
You will collaborate closely with the principal investigator, graduate students, and technicians to develop an independent research project of your own that will build on the ongoing research, and will present your work at an informal symposium at the Toolik Field Station. In addition, you will attend weekly seminars on the research at the station.  One student will be based at the Toolik Field Station, north of the Brooks Range in arctic Alaska (http://toolik.alaska.edu), which is the focus of research by nearly
>100 scientists who work on a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecology
projects.  The other student will be based in Fairbanks, Alaska, with frequent trips camping in the boreal forest, and some time at Toolik Field Station.  Both positions will last approximately 10 weeks, starting in mid-June, though there is some flexibility.

Class background in plant ecology, botany, ecosystem ecology, statistics, and computer science would be an advantage.  Experience in field or laboratory, experience with data analysis, and experience working in a remote field site is preferred.  You should have skills with plant identification, data collecting and recording, data manipulation in Excel, and data analysis. You must be willing to work in the field, occasionally under adverse weather conditions.  A valid U.S. drivers’s license is preferred.  Competent, careful, emotionally mature, and enthusiastic people desired!  We want the work to be both fun and challenging.  You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, with graduation expected no sooner than fall 2017.  You must provide a copy of your social security card at the time of employment.  Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in this position, send 1) a copy of your resume, including the names and contact information for 3 references, 2) a list of your coursework in biology, ecology, chemistry, and math/statistics, and 3) a cover letter than explains why you are interested, describes your background and research experience, and includes anything that you think would convince us that you are the most appropriate person for this position, to Syndonia Bret-Harte, msbretharte@alaska.edu by March 25, 2018.
We will contact you to discuss the position.

Seeking Plant Ecology Technicians – Portland, OR vicinity

Subject: Seeking Plant Ecology Technicians – Portland, OR vicinity

Seeking Plant Ecology Technicians – Portland Oregon Vicinity

Duty Station: NW Oregon and SW Washington (work is mostly within 2 hrs.
drive of Portland, OR)

Duration: May 30, 2018 – August 31, 2018

Salary Range: $ 2,200 – $ 2,400 per month, positions do not qualify for benefits, or housing Project

Description: This research examines differences between forest patches left after harvest and the surrounding clearcut area. The objectives of the study include examining differences in vegetation community and structure between patches and adjacent harvest areas, as well as examining edge effects of the patches on vegetation. While technicians will be based out of the Portland, OR area, study sites are located from southwest Washington to the mid-Oregon coast range. Lodging will be provided as necessary for long-distance field work, some camping may be required. Technicians will collect data on vegetation species cover in retained patches and surrounding clearcuts. Technicians should have a working knowledge of Pacific Northwest plants, including tree, shrub, and forb species, and have experience identifying plants using field guides such as Pojar and MacKinnon (2004), and taxonomic keys like Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973). Ideally, technicians will have previous field work experience in the Pacific Northwest, and are comfortable navigating terrain, conducting field work in the woods, and working outdoors in inclement weather.

Essential Job Functions: 1. Collect data on vegetation species cover in retained patches and surrounding clearcuts 2. Position will require working outdoors in inclement weather, often in recently harvested forest stands. Must be able to get to and work from remote locations, drive forest roads, read maps, navigate through a forested landscape, and relate well with the public.

Minimum Qualifications: 1. A Bachelor?s degree in a biological sciences discipline or related environmental field and knowledge of plant identification. 2. Must have driving record which can be approved by Federal Agencies to drive government vehicles. 3. Basic data entry experience (Microsoft Excel).

Additional Qualifications: 1. Knowledge of local plant communities (west of the Cascades in Oregon or Washington).

Please send cover letter, resume, and 3 references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses to: Jake Verschuyl, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., P.O. Box 1259, Anacortes, WA 98221. The positions will remain open until filled. Materials may be submitted electronically to:
jverschuyl@ncasi.org. NCASI is an equal opportunity employer.

More information can be found here: http://bit.ly/1kGHagj

M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship – Riparian Wildli fe Ecology, West Virginia University

M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship –
Riparian Wildlife Ecology, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University
 
 
STARTING DATE: May to August 2018 
 
CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled and pending final approval of funding.
 
DESCRIPTION:  Student will be supported by 12-month Research Assistantship for 2 to 2.5 years. 
Student will work with an interdisciplinary team on a stream and riparian restoration project in northcentral West Virginia.  Student will be responsible for monitoring of small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, macroinvertebrates, and plants in an active farmland landscape.  Thesis will establish baseline (pre-restoration data) and short-term post-restoration data. An additional thesis chapter will be developed on a relevant topic based on the interest of the student.  The student will be working toward a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University (http://bit.ly/WVUForestry).
 
QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. in Wildlife or closely related field.  Minimum GPA of 3.0 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 310.  A strong interest in riparian wildlife ecology and the ability and desire to work with multiple taxa required. 
 
STIPEND: $16,536/year plus health insurance and complete tuition waiver.
 
CONTACT:  Student will be advised by Dr. James T. Anderson.  Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to jim.anderson@mail.wvu.edu.
 
 

Hiring – undergrad summer researchers at the KBS LTER

Please share widely with interested undergraduates!
 
The Kellogg Biological Station Long-term Ecological Research (http://bit.ly/kbslter) program investigates the ecology of agricultural landscapes. We have two summer Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) positions open. These positions are based at Michigan State University’s main campus in East Lansing, MI.
 
  1. Impact of production system on soybean microbiome with Drs. Greg Bonito and Frances Trail: This REU project is based on Michigan State University’s main campus in East Lansing, MI. There, the student will work on a project aimed at characterizing leaf, stem and root microbiomes of crops in a wheat- maize-soy rotation under three production systems: conventional, organic, and no-till. The overall project goal is to understand the impact of production systems, plant species, and chemical inputs on the assembly and function of the plant and soil microbiome. Deadline for applications: March 15, 2018. For more information on the position and how to apply, read the project description athttp://bit.ly/kbslterREUmicrobiome.
  2. Remote Sensing Irrigation with Multi-Platform Imagery, Cloud Computing, and Machine Learning with Drs. Anthony Kendall and David Hyndman: This REU project is based on Michigan State University’s main campus in East Lansing, MI. There, the student will work on a project consisting of three primary components: 1) working with remote sensing data from different platforms within cloud-based tools such as Google Earth Engine, 2) developing a robust training and validation dataset for machine learning algorithms, and 3) helping to improve those algorithms and incorporate advances from the fields of deep learning and artificial intelligence. Deadline for applications: March 15, 2018. For more information on the position and how to apply, read the project description at http://bit.ly/kbslterREUirrigation.
— 

Field Technicians: Oak forest regeneration and restoration

Field Technicians: Oak forest regeneration and restoration

Job Description:
We are hiring two technicians to collect field data at sites within the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana as part of a collaborative study between Purdue University and the USDA Forest Service.  The goal of the project is to determine how overstory removal, competition control and prescribed fire can be used to regenerate and maintain oak forests.

Duration:
Mid-May to August 2018 (40 hours/week)

Pay:
$11.50 per hour. Housing is included.

Experience and Skills:
The ability to identify woody plants of the Midwest is strongly desired.
We also desire basic knowledge of forest measurement practices, experience with backcountry navigation using a topographic map and compass, familiarity with standard equipment including GPS, and experience/training in identifying herbaceous vegetation. Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.

To apply:
Please email a cover letter describing your qualifications, resume (including contact information for two references) and unofficial transcripts to Mike Jenkins (jenkinma@purdue.edu).  We will begin reviewing applications on April 4, 2018 and will continue until the positions are filled.

Contact:
Please contact Mike Jenkins if you have any questions about the positions.

Field Research Technicians – Feral Hogs in Missouri

Two Field Research Technician positions are available to assist in a project evaluating the distribution of feral hogs in Missouri using camera traps. Both positions are 9-12 month non-benefits eligible positions and will start in late February. Salary is $23,000/year. The positions will be based in Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties in south central Missouri. Work will generally require around 40 hours/week and may require working at night in remote areas. Housing and a field vehicle will be provided.
Candidates must have field research experience and have (or be close to finishing) a B.S. in wildlife science, biology, or a closely related discipline. Strong work ethic, ability to work alone or in groups, and an interest in wildlife management are essential. The technician will work closely with, and under the supervision of, an MS student from the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources.
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until both positions are filled. Submit via email a cover letter that includes a description of work experience and career goals, resume, and the names and contact information (phone and e-mail address) of 3 references to: Mary Clay, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 302 Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211; E-mail: macnq8@mail.missouri.edu
 

JOBS: USFWS biological technicians and volunteer crew – Johnston Atoll/Honolulu HI

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently hiring GS-07 ($42,462 to
$55,199 per year) term biological technicians for the Pacific Islands
Marine National Monument, located in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The Monument
includes 7 National Wildlife Refuges: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis
Island, Johnston Island, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.  The
biotech would spend 6 months on Johnston Atoll leading a crew of four
volunteers in a remote field camp, and the remainder of the year based out
of Honolulu.
 
The timeline is short and the ad closes on March 12, so please apply soon!
For full description and to apply, go to:
http://bit.ly/2Fiq1rS
 
The FWS is also still seeking volunteers for the Johnston Atoll field crew
for the May -December 2018 season to continue work towards eradicating the
infestation of the Yellow Crazy Ant (YCA) and to monitor seabirds and other
wildlife. Johnston Atoll is located in the central Pacific Ocean about 720
nautical miles west-southwest of Honolulu and is uninhabited except for the
four volunteers and one crew leader.  For the full position description and
for instructions on how to apply, go to:
http://bit.ly/2trWh6w
 
The deadline listed is March 12, but is being extended. Volunteer
applicants are being reviewed and interviews conducted as applications are
received.