A PhD position is available in the Forest and Fire Ecology Lab (http://forestfire.fwrc.msstate.edu/) at Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS) to study stand dynamics, fire ecology, and forest restoration of upland oak and/or pine forests. The student’s research will examine how changes in forest composition and structure as a consequence of changing fire regimes and/or herbivory impact regeneration of desired species and the potential outcomes for forest restoration at a variety of sites, including Spirit Hill Farm and Holly Springs National Forest in northern Mississippi and Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in western Kentucky. The student will interact with faculty in the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, private landowners, and state/federal agency personnel. The student will be appointed as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in the Department of Forestry. In addition to developing and executing dissertation research, the student will be expected to (1) act as a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses in Dendrology and/or Ecology during several semesters, (2) assist other collaborating researchers with their projects, and (3) contribute to departmental, college, and university service. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, ecology, biology, or a related field; preference will be given to applicants with a MS degree in one of these fields. Prior experience in fieldwork related to forest ecology, silviculture, and/or wildlife habitat management is required. Successful candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for research, strong analytical and oral and written scientific communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and as a team. Applicants must be capable of working long hours outdoors exposed to harsh weather, biting insects, and thorny vegetation. If interested, please email to Dr. Heather Alexander (heather.alexander@msstate.edu) (1) a cover letter discussing interest in the research, qualifications, and applicable background experience; (2) a resume/CV; (3) unofficial transcripts; and (4) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Details on the full application process to the MSU Graduate School can be found at http://www.grad.msstate.edu/prospective/. Financial support is available for three years, starting as soon as January 2019, and includes a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Funding for additional semesters may be available if needed. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Month: September 2018
JOB Plant Conservation and Natural Lands Research Associate
Subject: JOB Plant Conservation and Natural Lands Research Associate
The Plant Conservation team at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research seeks a Research Associate to perform assigned activities related to habitat restoration, research on endangered species, seed collections processing, data entry, and record keeping. Co-mentored by the Director of Plant Conservation and Natural Lands Manager and reporting to the Director of Plant Conservation, the Research Associate position is Full-Time, benefited and grant funded through December 2020, with possible extension in the event of additional funding.
The San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research is the largest zoo-based multi-disciplinary research effort in the world. Based at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, more than 200 dedicated scientists carry out research vital to the conservation of animals, plants, and habitats, locally and internationally. It is located adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located in San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California. This position offers ZOO Perks, which include discounts on food/premium products, free and discounted admission to local attractions, and accrual of vacation and sick time.
The ideal candidate:
* Assists Natural Lands Manager with land management and ongoing restoration
research
* Assists with seed processing
* Assists with germination trials of endangered plant species
* Updates and maintains plant records and research data
* Assists with database management.
* Coordinates GIS data with internal and external partners.
* Conducts literature reviews
* Contributes to SDZG online presence through blogs and website updates
* Works with volunteer groups to accomplish restoration and seed bank tasks
* Maintains supply inventories and prepares purchase requisitions
* Tracks budget expenditures
* Contributes to written annual reports and publications
* Adheres to all SDZG and department policies and practices
* Practices the GRRREAT Customer Service Standards
In addition:
* may analyze data
* may train and oversee students and volunteers
* may occasionally assist with field collections
* performs related duties and responsibilities as required
Qualifiications for this position include:
* B.S. or M.S. degree in plant sciences, botany, ecology, restoration
ecology, invasion biology
* excellent written and oral communication
* experience with monitoring plants and animals, field techniques, GPS and GIS
* experience in data collection, entry and analysis
* attention to detail.
* ability to work cooperatively with SDZG colleagues as well as independently
* computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, GPS and ArcGIS software, R and
statistical tools
* preferred experience with UNIX operating system or R programming language.
* must have a valid California driver’s license
Applicants must be able to safely lift and carry up to 40 lbs, hike off-trail on steep terrain for extended periods, and endure exposure to the
elements: heat, cold, rain, insects, etc. that are all a routine part of the position. Laboratory work may include working with hazardous chemicals or biohazardous materials, requires sitting, standing, microscope work, and ability to work in close quarters.
Deadline for application is Thursday, September 13, 2018. Apply by emailing cover letter and two letters of recommendation to Dr. Joyce Maschinski, Director Plant Conservation, jmaschinski@sandiegozoo.org and completing online system at:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hrapply.com%2Fsandiegozoo%2FAppJobView.jsp%3Flink%3D9149%26page%3DAppJobList.jsp%26skimSessionName%3Dcom.hrlogix.view.tags.bootstrap.table.JobListTable%26skimName%3Drequisition.requisition_id%26skimNdx%3D0%26amp%3Bop%3Dreset&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C41bb61b6c1494f23479208d60c156b1b%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636709683467567221&sdata=ul6MRPkFQCkR3PyMNimjD5D%2FqXwTMPwa4PTsJWQFdlk%3D&reserved=0
THIS EMPLOYER PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY. **San Diego Zoo Global is a smoke-free workplace** SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL IS AN EEO/AA/DISABILITY/PROTECTED VETERAN EMPLOYER.
ALL NEW HIRES ARE SUBJECT TO PASSING A DRUG SCREEN.
SOME EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON PASSING PRE-PLACEMENT TESTING.
Undergraduate internship and volunteer opportunities
Dear Students,
UCONN has been developing a relationship with our local land trust (Joshua’s Trust) that provides a wealth of internship and volunteering opportunities, not to mention great hiking and people. In particular, Joshua’s Trust is looking to characterize its properties using GPS and other geospatial information. They welcome interns who would like to get credit for working with them in-depth. Projects include trail characterization and maintenance, working with geo-databases, digital mapping, etc. They are also happy to have students just visit one of their sites for a hike and characterize the property with a GPS as they go. This is a quick and beautiful way to both enjoy local hikes and help a wonderful organization!
If you are interested in interning or volunteering to collect data while hiking, please contact Professor Jolly-Ballantine and he can hook you up with a GPS and interesting hike (if you are volunteering) or contact information if you are looking for an internship. Enjoy these beautiful days and the beautiful woods around us! Cheers,
Andy Jolly-Ballantine
John Andrew Jolly-Ballantine, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Department of Geography
University of Connecticut
(860) 486-2579
Research Technician position
Research Technician
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is hiring a Research Technician to support and enhance experimental research in the Biogeochemistry laboratory. Research is related to studying the effects of global change factors on the ecology and structure of tidal wetlands. This position seeks a motivated individual who will contribute to research efforts in a multidisciplinary environment. Tasks include, but are not limited to, maintaining and upgrading experiment infrastructure and equipment, collecting and analyzing biological samples, and operating laboratory equipment. Applicants must be detail-oriented, organized, and able to work on several projects at once. In addition, applicants must be able to lift heavy equipment, roughly 50 pounds, and able to work outside in all environmental conditions. Qualifications include experience working in a field and laboratory setting. Experience working with power tools and constructing infrastructure is a plus.
SERC is located in Edgewater, MD. This is a one-year, entry-level position that will begin in October 2018. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer; individuals who are underrepresented in the scientific field are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please email a copy of your curriculum vitae, a 1-2 page cover letter describing how your experience and interests meet the requirements of this position, and a list of 3 professional references (with email and phone contact information included) to Jenelle Whitman at whitmanj@si.edu.
Applications will start being reviewed immediately and will be accepted until the position is filled.
PhD Position: Dam Removal and Stream Ecology (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
From: Allison Roy [mailto:allison.h.roy@GMAIL.COM]
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2018 2:45 PM
Subject: PhD Position: Dam Removal and Stream Ecology (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
PhD Position: Dam Removal and Stream Ecology Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Massachusetts Amherst https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feco.umass.edu%2Fpositions-in-eco%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C973aa5e58e2f467703ac08d60a7ce824%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636707928925155289&sdata=ZxLVIucUY9%2FDF7CyA%2B%2BXroY1BZB0%2F5wh93l46vVearM%3D&reserved=0
Position Description: A PhD position is available to assess the effects of small dam removal on stream ecosystems in Massachusetts. The research involves deploying and maintaining water quality loggers for temperature and dissolved oxygen; sampling and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates; and sampling fish assemblages. Over the last 4 years, we have been collecting pre-removal and initial post-removal data at >12 dam sites, and the incoming student will be able to build on existing data and analyze a large, comprehensive dataset, with flexibility of adding additional components. The student will work closely with collaborators from the USDA Forest Service, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, Trout Unlimited, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and American Rivers. The successful candidate would enroll in the PhD program in the Department of Environmental Conservation (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feco.umass.edu%2Fdegree-&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C973aa5e58e2f467703ac08d60a7ce824%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636707928925155289&sdata=Pi9hYM1xC5qXncc%2F4nGsoB3a3oBWKTZ11hTzHOwrMqk%3D&reserved=0
programs/graduate-programs/) or the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology graduate program (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgpls.cns.umass.edu%2Foeb&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C973aa5e58e2f467703ac08d60a7ce824%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636707928925155289&sdata=49lXrwtdVdwsMVqSJJ6gz2PetmJwTB1z%2BaM6ZcvnpTA%3D&reserved=0), if accepted, and be part of the MA Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coopunits.org%2FMassachusetts%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C973aa5e58e2f467703ac08d60a7ce824%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636707928925155289&sdata=B8LSONB1H9m7y5P1dqhdt0ch6IrgvZkZdc6GqxQZTcM%3D&reserved=0).
Qualifications: Competitive candidates will have a background in stream ecology with an interest and expertise in water quality and biota, field sampling, and statistics. Good communication (both oral and written), organization, and quantitative skills are required. Experience in macroinvertebrate identification and R software are strongly desired, but not required. Particular consideration will be given to candidates who hold an MS degree in a relevant field, but we will consider non-MS degree holding candidates if they can demonstrate research experience, relevant skills, and accomplishment.
Salary/Benefits: The position will begin in January 2019. The student will be funded primarily on a research assistantship through Trout Unlimited and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Current graduate student stipends are $29,734 for a 20 hour/week assistantship, plus a tuition waiver. When funded at UMass, benefits are available through the Graduate Employee Organization (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geouaw.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C973aa5e58e2f467703ac08d60a7ce824%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636707928925155289&sdata=7Vroi4z%2BZhPqZ4PlkvABwXR4ufR6c0GxfmFS8Hn3u4s%3D&reserved=0). Funding is also available for travel to support site visits and attend professional conferences.
Application: To apply, send 1) a cover letter describing your interests and experiences as they relate to the position, 2) a CV with names and contact information for 3 references, and 3) unofficial transcripts to Allison Roy (aroy@eco.umass.edu). The deadline for applications is 20 September 2018.
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Allison Roy, U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Project Collaborators:
Dr. Keith Nislow, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station Dr. Erin Rodgers, Trout Unlimited Kris Houle & Beth Lambert, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration Steven Mattocks, Dr. Rebecca Quinones, & Todd Richards, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Amy Singler, American Rivers & The Nature Conservancy