Master’s Research Degree opportunity in the CB Fenster lab, South Dakota State University: Pollination Biology in Agricultural Ecosystems

Starting Date: Preferably mid of July 2018

Pollinators play a key role in ecosystem functioning because they mediate interactions between species and facilitate ecological and economic impacts.
However, pollinator health is globally declining in agricultural landscapes largely due to the use of insecticides, reduced habitat and lack of nutritional resources. The student opportunity is to participate with a team
1) to understand how pollination services contribute to ecosystem functioning, enhancing ecosystem services including maximizing crop yield and 2) transfer this role of pollinator services to policy development aimed at enhancing pollinator health. This team, in addition to myself, includes insect ecologists (Jon Lundgren), plant landscape ecologists (Henning
Nottebrock) and economists (James Stone, Heidi Sieverding).We are using Brassica carinata and other flowering crops, to study plant-pollinator interactions in an agricultural ecosystem. Specifically, we will quantify the parameters that maximize ecosystem functioning, thus increasing ecosystem services. e.g., maximized carinata productivity and pollinator-associated ecosystem services resulting in maximized honey production.

Location: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. Brookings is a small, but vibrant community with easy access to culture and the outdoors. More information about the Department of Biology and Microbiology at SDSU can be found at:

http://www.sdstate.edu/biology-and-microbiology

Requirements: The ideal student should embrace field-based research as well as have some background or interest in large data and or landscape approaches. Most importantly, you should be passionate about biology and the questions being pursed at the CBFenster lab. Specifically for this project, one should have an interest in sustainable agriculture and the consequences of various land-use polices for ecosystem services. Generally, students who work with me either have or develop a broad understanding of statistics.
Foreign students need to meet English language requirements.

I encourage you to contact me or Henning, if interested at:
charles.fenster@sdstate.edu or henning.nottebrock@sdstate.edu

More information can be found at the CBFenster lab website and project
colleagues:

Charlie: https://charlesbfenster.wordpress.com/
Henning: https://henningnottebrock.wordpress.com/
Jon: http://bluedasher.farm/

Please include in your email:
*       brief description of your research interests
*       concrete evidence of interest in this project
*       experience related to this project
*       CV

Funding options are available for both US and International students.

The Marine and Freshwater Ecology lab at Louisiana Tech University, under Dr. Jennifer Hill, is seeking a M.S. candidate to examine the impacts of sub-lethal pesticide concentrations on crayfish and snail behavior and trophic cascades. The candidate will join the lab and work on both laboratory ,as well as field mesocosm experiments and be based on campus at Louisiana Tech (Ruston, LA)

The objectives of the project include:
–       To examine the impacts of sub-lethal pesticide concentrations on the
behavior and foraging activity of crayfish and snails in lab experiments
–       Examine if pesticides impact cascading interactions in freshwater
macrophyte communities using cattle tank mesocosms .
Responsibilities include:
–       Under the direction of the PI, lead and/or participate in the experiments
accomplishing above objectives
–       Develop oral and visual products for presentation to scientific audiences
at local and national meetings
–       Attend scientific meetings to engage and network with scientists and
colleagues
–       Author and develop a Master’s thesis and scientific manuscripts
–       Advise and direct undergraduate students on lab and field techniques
Qualifications include:
–       B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related field
–       the ability to work collaboratively with fellow graduate  and
undergraduate students
–       Good communication skills
–       previous experience with aquatic animal care preferred, but not required
The start date of the position is September 2018 (the beginning of Fall
quarter) with experiments beginning in January.  The assistantship is supported by a combination of grant funding and teaching assistantships at a rate of ~$19,000 per year. Tuition and fees are not waived by Louisiana Tech.

Interested applicants should submit a single pdf (with the applicants first and last name in document title) composed of a cover letter, CV (including GPA and relevant coursework), and the names and contact information of 3 references to jmhill@latech.edu .Please put “ecology MS student position” in the email subject header. Please submit applicant information by June 25th but other later applications may be reviewed.

AIS was just awarded a 5 year contract for fisheries observer work in the Northeast (North Carolina to Maine).  We are looking for qualified fisheries observers.  More info can be found on our website: www.aisobservers.com and the following hyperlink:http://aisobservers.com/employment/

Subject: Restoration Technician (Entomology) Position

The Soil Ecology and Restoration Group (SERG) is a research group within the biology department of San Diego State University (SDSU) and administered by the San Diego State University Research Foundation. The research emphasis of SERG is on ecosystem dynamics of southern California.

We seek five (5) Restoration Field Technicians to assist with field research directed at the conservation of native species and the management of invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, population on San Clemente Island, a Naval installation on the southern-most of California’s Channel Islands. This position requires a 6 month commitment, July to November.

Primary duties:
(i) utilizing a variety of sampling methods to collect and identify arthropods and (ii) measuring the efficacy and conservation gains of an invasive species management strategy (iii) implementing eradication protocols in wildland areas. This position requires extensive physical labor to conduct management activities, including working with pesticide around heavy equipment, ATVs and helicopters; hand deployment of pesticide over rugged terrain; bending and crouching to perform monitoring and control efforts; and hauling heavy, awkward materials and equipment. Technicians may also contribute to additional projects and duties as assigned.

Technicians need to enjoy working in remote field environments and be able to perform repetitive, labor intensive tasks with sustained accuracy. All work will be conducted on San Clemente Island, which is owned and operated by the
U.S.    Navy as a test and evaluation site, shore bombardment range, and warfare training
grounds. The island is home to a large number of endemic and rare plant, animal and bird species, with an extensive community of biologists, archaeologists and researchers.
Applicants should enjoy living as part of a small community and be able to maintain a professional, positive attitude at all times.

Position requirements:
*       Ability to repeatedly lift loads of up to 50 lbs throughout the workday
*       Experience performing strenuous labor with a high level of physical endurance under
a variety of weather and work conditions
*       Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field and/or significant relevant experience
*       Valid driver’s license and ability to drive 4-wheel-drive-vehicles
*       Experience safely operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, hand tools,
herbicide/pesticide application equipment, and GPS units
*       Ability to work independently or as part of a team
*       Ability to safely navigate and work off-trail in steep, rocky, cactus-covered terrain

Compensations:
Salary will be $14.00/hour plus benefits. Room and board will be provided while on San Clemente Island. Work schedule will be 10 days on-island and 4 days off-island.
Transportation to and from the island is provided by means of a twin engine 20-seater plane which departs from Naval Base Coronado.

To apply, compile your cover letter, resume and contact information for three (3) professional references in
one(1) pdf or Word document and email it to:

Steven Thielking Argentine Ant Project Manager sthielking@sdsu.edu

An MS assistantship is available starting Fall 2018 in the Biological Sciences Department at Southeastern Louisiana University.  The student will conduct studies to characterize plant-pollinator networks in a longleaf pine forest, a conservation priority habitat that requires fire management to survive.  The ideal candidate will be independent, highly motivated, and have interests in community ecology and conservation biology.  Graduate Assistants in the Biological Sciences Department are guaranteed two years of assistantship support and full tuition waivers.
Why pursue an MS degree? An MS degree is the best choice for many career paths and is also the perfect option for students unsure of their specific research area of interest or whether they want to pursue a PhD.
Southeastern Louisiana University is located in Hammond, LA, which is an easy drive to both New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  The region is known for its diverse, unique terrestrial and wetland habitats, and its abundance of eclectic cultural experiences and activities.  Interested students should submit a letter of interest that includes their GRE scores, a current CV with contact information for three references, and unofficial transcripts directly to Dr. Janice Bossart (jbossart@selu.edu) via email attachment.  Review of applications will begin immediately.

Info on the Bossart lab can be found here:
https://www2.southeastern.edu/Academics/Faculty/jbossart/

Specifics of the graduate program in Biological Sciences at Southeastern are at:
http://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/depts/biol/grad_degree/index.h
tml.

Info on current graduate students and the Biology Graduate Student Organization (BGSO) is at:
http://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/depts/biol/student_success/stu
d_orgs/bgso/index.html

Subject: Graduate Preview Weekend – Princeton Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (expenses-paid)

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University is offering a special preview weekend – *the EEB Scholars Program* – this upcoming October 4th-7th for students considering graduate school. The goal of this weekend is to invite competitive prospective graduate applicants to campus in order to showcase the department, demystify the graduate application process, and highlight participants’ research experience. We especially encourage students from underrepresented minority groups and those inhabiting other axes of underrepresentation in STEM to apply.

Please see <https://eeb.princeton.edu/graduate/eeb-scholars-program> for more information. The application deadline is July 15, 2018. The *EEB Scholars Program* is open to all prospective graduate students, including rising juniors and seniors, as well as international applicants. We particularly encourage students from developing nations to apply. Travel, food, and lodging expenses will be covered by Princeton EEB.

Please direct any questions to EEBScholars@princeton.edu.

This is a repost of an earlier advertisement with the application deadline extended to June 15.
—
Funded PhD or MS Student Position in Plant Ecology: Apply by June 15

The Dovciak lab (http://www.esf.edu/efb/dovciak/) at the State University of New York (SUNY ESF) is looking for a highly motivated graduate student (PhD or MS) for a funded position to study vegetation dynamics of Long Island Pine Barrens of New York State. The student is expected to study forest plant communities and examine patterns of regeneration, recruitment, and mortality for pitch pine and oaks on vegetation plots surveyed in 2005/2006.
The data and protocols from this survey are available for use. The position will include (1) resurvey of the vegetation plots, (2) quantification of changes in forest community and tree populations, and (3) building statistical models to relate tree population processes to environmental conditions (including canopy cover, understory vegetation, and soil properties).

The position starts on August 20, 2018, but a later start (January 2019) may be considered. The position is based at SUNY ESF in Syracuse
(http://www.esf.edu/) and field work is based at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. Collaborative partners include the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The position will be supported by research (2 years) and teaching assistantships (1-3 years) that cover a stipend, tuition, and health benefits.

Additional collaborative research opportunities exist in our lab within an NSF-funded project examining ecotone dynamics between deciduous and conifer forests of northeastern United States.

Desired qualifications:
– MS or BS in plant or forest ecology, botany, or a related field
– Ideally GPA >3.5 and GRE scores >70% (lower may be acceptable with relevant research experience)
– Basic vascular plant identification skills and familiarity with ecosystems of the northeastern United States
– Excellent time management, interpersonal, and team/collaborative skills
– Ability to work long hours in potentially adverse field conditions over a period of 2-3 months
– Interest in organizing and managing large data sets (e.g., in Excel or Access)
– Ability to use, or willingness to learn, advanced statistical methods and packages (e.g., R)
– Driver’s license and an own car

To apply, send (1) cover letter summarizing your interests, educational goals (MS, PhD), and qualifications, (2) CV, including GPA and GRE, (3) transcripts (unofficial OK at this stage), and (4) contacts for three references to Martin Dovciak (mdovciak@esf.edu), ideally as a single pdf file. Please use “Plant Ecology Research Assistantship” in email subject line. Earlier inquiries are welcome. The review of the applications will start on May 15 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Selected candidates will be asked to submit a full application (with official transcripts, reference letters, and GRE reports) to SUNY ESF
(http://www.esf.edu/graduate/admission.htm) as soon as possible.

Info on Syracuse academic community/environment is here:
http://www.esf.edu/efb/dovciak/Syracuse.htm

Info on Long Island Central Pine Barrens is here:
https://pb.state.ny.us/central-pine-barrens/overview/

—
Martin Dovciak, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Roosevelt Forest Ecologist State University of New York, College of Environmental Science & Forestry (SUNY ESF) Faculty webpage: http://www.esf.edu/faculty/dovciak/
Research Gate profile:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin_Dovciak?ev=prf_highl