Undergraduates or recent graduates seeking research experience in forest ecology are invited to apply for a 10-week expense-paid internship at Bartlett, Jeffers Brook, and Hubbard Brook Experimental Forests in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

About the Project: Multiple Element Limitation in Northern Hardwood Ecosystems (MELNHE) seeks to examine the limits to forest productivity in the context of resource optimization theory. In 2011, we began the first long-term N x P factorial manipulation experiment in a temperate forest; previous tests of N and P limitation in temperate forest systems have been few, and those few have been short-term with very high rates of fertilization. Our experiment involves 13 forest stands distributed across three sites in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Five years ago, we found that trees had grown more in response to P than to N addition (Goswami et al. 2018), which was important, as forests on recently glaciated soils have been presumed to be N limited. Perhaps anthropogenic N deposition has tipped many systems towards P limitation. This summer, we will measure trees again to test whether co-limitation has been attained within a decade, as predicted by the MEL model (Rastetter et al. 2013).

More information on the project is available at https://http://www.esf.edu/melnhe/ , including a blog from previous field crews.

Internship Description: In addition to all-hands activities such as applying fertilizer at the beginning of the field season, excavating soil pits in July, and measuring tree diameters in August, interns will be guided in the design of independent research projects and will interact closely with graduate students and senior research scientists. Research projects could include the effects of nutrient addition on soil pH and N availability, fine and woody litter production, or soil respiration and belowground carbon allocation. Interns will gain a wide variety of skills by assisting in all ongoing projects and will have the opportunity to present their results at the annual Hubbard Brook Cooperators Meeting in July.

The field season will begin on Monday, June 3 (arrive on June 2) and end on Friday, August 9 (depart on August 10). A stipend of $200 per week is provided for living expenses. Interns are provided with shared housing at Bartlett Experimental Forest; tenting is optional. Work days typically begin at 8:00 and end at 4:30, but may be shorter or longer depending upon the day’s activities. Days off may not always land on weekends due to logistical considerations. Food is prepared communally by the interns and graduate student researchers, and the cost of groceries generally runs $6-7 per day.

Desired Qualifications: Ideal applicants will have a strong interest in forest biology, ecology, or biogeochemistry. Undergraduate students and recent graduates will be considered. A positive attitude is important and a sense of humor is a plus. Willingness to work and live in a communal setting is critical. Candidates should be able to perform repetitive tasks with attention to detail in a field setting under adverse conditions. Applicants should be flexible in their expectations, but an estimated breakdown of the summer is: 60% fieldwork, 15% lab work, 10% data management, and 15% research proposals and reports of independent projects.

To Apply: Please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to Alex Young, aryoung@syr.edu  . Interested students should apply by Sunday, March 10 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. 

The Global Change Ecology Lab (GCEL) within the Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, led by Dr. Scott Ferrenberg, is seeking a graduate student interested in pollinator ecology and climate change. This position will begin in the fall of 2019 and will be supported by a research assistantship as part of an NSF funded research network. Students interested in insect species distribution models, characterization of ecological niches, and understanding population dynamics of important pollinators in the face of global change pressures are encouraged to apply. This position will provide opportunities to utilize interdisciplinary approaches to the characterization of ecological niches of important bee species, including physiology, genomics, and quantitative biology.

Interested, potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Ferrenberg at ferrenbe@nmsu.edu   to inquire further about the lab and research opportunities. Please include a letter of interest that states: 1) general research and career goals, 2) if you are interested in obtaining an M.S. or Ph.D., and 3) experience in the applicable fields/disciplines related to this position. In addition, applicants must provide a current curriculum vitae and unofficial transcripts. Official applications for admission to the NMSU graduate school for Fall 2019 are due on 15 April. More information about the GCEL can be found at https://ferrenberglab.wordpress.com/ and about NMSU’s Department of Biology can be found at https://bio.nmsu.edu/ 

 

Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology Lab, Iowa State University

The Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology Lab at ISU is seeking a summer field technician to assist with vegetation sampling in beautiful northern Minnesota. The study is located on the Cutfoot Experimental Forest and addresses experimental approaches to increasing adaptive capacity of forest ecosystems to future conditions. Individuals will gain valuable field experience as well as have an opportunity to work collaboratively with researchers at ISU and the USFS Northern Research Station.

Qualifications:

·         Applicants should be pursuing or hold a degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a similar discipline

·         Skills identifying trees and shrubs are desired but not required

·         Previous vegetation sampling experience is desired but not required

·         Knowledge of map, compass and G.P.S. is desired but not required

Requirements:

·         Ability to perform extensive field work in remote areas

·         Ability to travel over uneven terrain

·         Be able to work in inclement weather conditions (rain, high humidity, heat)

·         Be willing to learn new skills

Duration: Late-May 2019 to Early-August 2019

Compensation:

$11.50-$13.00/hour, depending on experience. Shared lodging and transportation to and from research sites will be provided.

To Apply:

Please send a resume, contact information for two references, and a letter of interest to Lewis Wiechmann (wiechmlj@iastate.edu). The position will be open until filled but applications submitted prior to Friday, March 15th will be given priority.

Full-time (40 hours/week) paid research technician positions are available for Summer 2019 in entomology at Michigan State University. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to participate in conducting ecological research in the field and the lab; setting up experiments, collecting insects and data. You will often travel in university vehicles (travel time is paid) to research sites across Michigan. Research will focus on insect ecology, biological control, pollination, organic farming, insect-plant disease vectors, and crop scouting. You will get to know researchers, learn how to conduct ecological experiments, identify some insects, process data, collaborate in a research team and work independently. For more information about the lab and current research topics, visit: http://vegetable.ent.msu.edu 
To apply, please email your updated resume and a short description of why you are interested in working with us to Zsofia Szendrei (szendrei@msu.edu  ) by 03/11/2019. Please put ‘Summer Research Technician’ in the subject line of the email. Please also provide contact information for two professional references and indicate in the email if and when you are planning on taking time off during the summer with specific dates.
Required qualifications: valid U.S. driver’s license, ability to drive for several hours at a time, ability to work outside for long periods, attention to detail, ability to work in teams and independently.
Desirable skills: Interest in insects, ecology and agriculture will be helpful. Candidates should be enthusiastic, willing to work flexible hours and enjoy working outside. Experience working with insects and Excel is a plus. 

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife is looking for two volunteer coordinators/research assistance for the Delaware Shorebird Project field season. 

 

Primary responsibilities will be to recruit and manage a large volunteer team for the Delaware Shorebird Project to monitor migratory shorebird populations in the Delaware Bay. The Biological Aide is expected to assist the state shorebird biologist with coordinating and leading a team of volunteer scientists in data collection during an intense migratory period in May. Responsibilities prior to the May field season include reviewing volunteer applications, communicating with potential volunteers to develop an informed and efficient team for the field season, and developing volunteer orientation and training materials.

During the field season the Biological Aide will be expected to spend workdays based at the field house to serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers. They will be responsible for coordinating the arrival and departure logistics, assisting volunteers with paperwork and navigating the communal living environment.  The Biological Aide will direct, coordinate, train and organize volunteers to perform field activities, data management, and project logistics. Additionally, the Biological Aide will also participate in fieldwork including, shorebird capture using cannon nets, weighing, measuring and marking shorebirds, and resighting marked individuals using spotting scopes. During the field season, most of the day will be spent in the field where weather conditions may be variable.

Work entails operating and trailering small boats, and walking for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment while counting and reading shorebird leg flags. The Biological Aide, will carry and use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance. The Biological Aide will work independently and must be able to work in an efficient manner with good time management. This field work requires long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours). After the field work is completed, the Biological Aide will assist with data entry, data management, and QA/QC, and prepare outreach materials for volunteers such as a field season report and social media posts.

Must be available to start this job by the beginning of April, but an earlier start date is preferred. Please note there will be no housing provided outside of the field season. Applications will be reviewed as they are received so we encourage early application.

Job Duties:

·     Walk for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment.

·     Use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance.

·     Direct, communicate with, and organize volunteers.

·     Use programs for data entry and management (i.e., GIS, Excel and Access).

·     Work under instruction or independently in an efficient manner with good time management.

·     Work long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).

·     Trailer and operate small boats.

·     Other duties are required.

37.5 hour Schedule:  Varies-— Evenings/Weekends/Holidays required

Preferred Qualifications:

·     Work towards Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology/management or closely related field.  Completed degree is preferred.

·     Prior field work experience, especially capturing, handling, and banding wild birds.

·     Experience using a spotting scope to resight color bands and/or alphanumeric coded bands/flags

·     Experience using spreadsheet and spatial applications (e.g. Excel/Access, ArcGIS/Google Earth).

·     Experience report writing

·     Experience coordinating and leading a teams of volunteers or similar groups.

·     Must have valid driving license.

·     Experience trailering and operating small boats.

To learn more about the Delaware Shorebird Project, visit: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Shorebirds/Pages/default.aspx, or visit us on facebook and twitter @deshorebirds. 

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife is looking for a seasonal Biological Aide to monitor breeding shorebirds and terns.

 

Primary duties are to monitor and protect piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and gull and tern colonies on beaches and islands in Sussex County Delaware (primarily Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, and Fenwick Islands State Parks, and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge). Responsibilities include monitoring territorial shorebird pairs, active nests and broods, monitoring tern and gull colonies, and protecting nesting habitat and nests with fencing, signs, predator exclosures, and by interacting with the public. The Biological Aide will also coordinate, train, schedule, and communicate with volunteers assisting the project who help educate and inform the general public and beach nesting species. Daily work entails driving a 4WD vehicle in sand and walking for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment while searching for and monitoring nests and broods. The Biological Aide, will carry and use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance. The Biological Aide will work independently and must be able to work in an efficient manner with good time management. This field work may require long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).

After the field season, the Biological Aide will assist with data entry, management, and QA/QC, and prepare reports using GIS, Excel, and Access. Additional opportunities may include assisting with migratory shorebird fieldwork with the Delaware Shorebird Project and raptor ID serving as an alternate Hawk Migration Counter at the Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Migration Station (September and November). Duties for the Hawk Migration Counter entail identifying and recording migrating raptors and interpreting hawk migration patterns for the public.

Must be available to start this job by late April, but an earlier start date is preferred. Please note there will be no housing provided. Applications will be reviewed as they are received so we encourage early application.

Job Duties:

·     Walk for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment.

·     Distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance.

·     Direct, communicate with, and organize volunteers.

·     Use programs for data entry and management (i.e., GIS, Excel and Access).

·     Work under instruction or independently in an efficient manner with good time management.

·     Work long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).

·     Operate a 4WD vehicle in sand.

·     37.5 or 29.5 hour Schedule:  Varies-— Evenings/Weekends/Holidays required

Preferred Qualifications:

·     Work towards Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology/management or closely related field.  Completed degree is preferred.

·     Field work experience with beach nesting birds, especially nest searching and using/constructing predator exclosures at nests.

·     Experience using a spotting scope to resight color bands and/or alphanumeric coded bands/flags.

·     Experience using spreadsheet and spatial applications (e.g. Excel/Access, ArcGIS/Google Earth).

·     Must have a valid driving license.

·     Experience driving in sand.

Please visit https://www.jobapscloud.com/DE/sup/BulPreview.asp?R1=022219&R2=MGCC02&R3=400308 to learn more and apply. 

__________________

Audrey DeRose-Wilson

Program Manager for Avian Conservation and Biodiversity

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife

Cell: (631) 365-3856

Office: (302) 735-8667

Audrey.DeRose-Wilson@delaware.gov