Position: MS Graduate Research Assistantship: Trophic cascades in longleaf pine woodlands.

Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA and the Jones Center at Ichauway, Newton, GA

Description: We seek a highly motivated student to fill a MS assistantship in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. Field work will be conducted at the Jones Center at Ichauway, a 29,000 acre private preserve in southwest Georgia. Further information can be found on the web site at https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.jonesctr.org&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7Cd3a7e81b68d54ebb29dd08d6aea7e6e9%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636888433521408264&sdata=eeTsWpC0Eik22IgeDE32iI4ikOzBiD3OWzTD1kWDFX4%3D&reserved=0. The successful applicant will investigate trophic cascades from a long-term (~15 year) predator exclosure experiment. Large-scale experimental treatments have increased deer abundance, altered deer behavior, and increased browsing pressure on understory plants.  The goals of this study are to explore and quantify the primary plant community and/or population responses to long-term increases in browsing pressure. Primary response variables of interest may include plant community shifts, plant morphological adaptations, and/or plant physiological changes related to carbon allocation strategies. Opportunities to incorporate the effects of prescribed fire and post-Hurricane Michael disturbance effects may also exist. The work may include both descriptive plant data and additional manipulative components related to herbivory. Supporting data from a long-term deer and predator population monitoring program will be available.

Qualifications: Applicants must hold a BS in Ecology, Biology, Wildlife, or a related field, have a GPA of 3.0 or greater, and competitive GRE scores.

Applicants must be highly motivated, have excellent written and oral communication skills, and be capable of working independently as well as managing a large field team. The successful candidate must be willing to conduct sometimes strenuous physical activity under demanding field conditions (i.e., heat, high humidity, and insects). The most qualified applicants will be integrative thinkers who are interested in testing novel linkages using data from diverse sub-disciplines within ecology and wildlife management. Experience programming in R, or similar language, and conducting community analyses is a plus.  The student will receive a MS in Fish and Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech.

To Apply: Please email a cover letter describing research experience and interests, CV, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information of three references to both Dr. Michael Cherry (mjcherry@vt.edu) and Dr. Steven Brantley (steven.brantley@jonesctr.org) with MS Application in the subject line.

Salary: Competitive stipend, plus tuition and benefits.

Start-Date: May 2019 preferred start at Jones Center with August start date at VT.

I am seeking a highly motivated M.S. student to join the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, starting fall 2019 (August). This student will join a research team working with Dr. Holly Ober and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to learn about the enigmatic Florida bonneted bat, Eumops floridanus. This federally endangered species is endemic to south Florida, and believed to have the most limited geographic distribution of any bat in the US. Very little is currently known about its foraging and roosting ecology. The student will examine foraging and roosting habitat selection patterns of bonneted bats, examining effects of Everglades hydrological restoration efforts on the species. The candidate should have an interest in acoustical survey methods, and must be willing to work unusual hours in the field as the biology of the species demands.

Required credential include a B.S. in wildlife, ecology, natural resource conservation, environmental studies, or a related field; strong quantitative skills and demonstrated writing ability; competitive GPA and GRE scores. Applicants should be willing to work independently and as part of a team, have experience conducting acoustic surveys, experience with GIS, field experience handling bats and extracting them from mist nets, and the ability to withstand demanding south Florida field conditions.

If interested, send (1) a cover letter briefly describing your research interests, career goals, and why you would like to pursue a graduate degree; (2) a resume; (3) unofficial copies of GRE scores and academic transcripts; and (4) name, phone number and email address of 3 references. There is no need to pursue the official application process through the university until candidate selection is complete.

Benefits include tuition, stipend, health insurance, and field expenses for two years from the date of hire. Review of applications will begin immediately. For more information, contact Dr. Holly Ober, University of Florida; holly.ober@ufl.edu.

Job Description: The Jones Center at Ichauway invites applications for two Seasonal Technician positions. We will be filling two 3 month positions beginning in May 2019, with the possibility of extension to 6 months. The worker will assist in all aspects of an NSF-funded study to assess the ecological effects of Hurricane Michael on longleaf pine woodlands. A large portion of time will be spent in the field, where activities will include forest mensuration, vegetation classification, coarse woody debris sampling, and use of GPS equipment. The worker will also be involved with data entry and other duties as required.

Location: The 29,000 acre research center is located approximately 30 miles south of Albany, Georgia. The Center’s research, education, and conservation programs focus on ecology and natural resource management. The site includes 16,000 acres of longleaf pine woodlands, over 1,000 acres of wetlands and 26 miles of two stream and river ecosystems.  For more information visit our web site: https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2Fjones_center&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C663dd7ff46f4430225ec08d6ad15d5bc%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C1%7C636886706644049705&sdata=92UkqmgMJg0fWOEISlP6IrSnLkYEvgMJW3zSEoepx%2F8%3D&reserved=0.

Job Requirements: Ability to conduct physical activity in the field under a variety of weather conditions, to follow instructions with attention to detail, and work well within small groups.  Computer experience is required, and familiarity or experience with southeastern vegetation and plant communities is desirable. GIS experience is a plus.

Qualifications:  B.S. degree preferred. Minimum A.S. degree or substantial progress toward a B.S. degree in forestry, conservation biology, ecology, or related field.

Salary:   $9.00 to 11.00 per hour with housing

                              $10.00 to 12.00 per hour without housing

Rate depends on qualifications.

Limited on-site housing is available on a space-available basis.

To Apply: A letter of application, resume, college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable) and a list of references should be sent via email to: jobs@jonesctr.org AND steven.brantley@jonesctr.org; Subject: Hurricane Michael Seasonal Technician (please use exact wording in subject line, otherwise your application may be overlooked). For additional information regarding the position contact Steven Brantley (steven.brantley@jonesctr.org).  Applications received by April 14th will receive highest consideration.

The Jones Center at Ichauway is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/E-Verify Employer.  Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Fisheries Research Technicians (3)

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Oregon State University, Corvallis

Description

Successful applicants will conduct surveys for adult Chinook mortalities in the upper Willamette River Valley. Tasks include hiking long distances through rugged terrain, wading in flowing water over slippery surfaces, locating dead or severely compromised Chinook Salmon, conducting field necropsies, preserving tissue samples, collecting and processing of water samples for eDNA, collecting habitat and water quality data, data entry, the operation of vehicles, and kayaking. Additional duties may also include assisting cooperating agencies with adult Chinook salmon trapping, processing, and outplanting activities.

Qualifications

The successful applicant should be highly motivated and have or be in pursuit of a B.S. in fisheries, aquatic ecology, biology, zoology or closely related field. Applicants must be able to work in remote areas for extended periods with limited cell phone access; in excellent physical health and be able to work under challenging conditions, work well in a team environment; and be in possession a valid driver’s license. Familiarity with fish physiology, sampling/data recording techniques.

Salary

$17-$20 hour, depending on qualifications

Duration

The position will start approximately 30 April 2019 and continue to approximately 1 October 2019.

Location

Principal duty station will be located at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Oregon State University, Corvallis with daily travel to survey sites. Successful candidates also may be required to travel and stay overnight to accomplish project objectives.

Contact

Applications should include: cover letter, resume, and transcripts (unofficial or official). Please include contact information for three professional (academic or work) references on your resume. Applications should be submitted by email no later than 5:00 PM PST on 30 March 2019 to:

James Peterson

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Oregon State University, Corvallis

jt.peterson@oregonstate.edu

The Mitchell Lab at UNC Chapel Hill is hiring field technicians for the 2019 field season! Apply to work on a grant-funded project examining the role of the plant microbiome in pathogen transmission.

About the position:

Most work will be performed in the field, but may occasionally include lab work.

  *   Conduct vegetation surveys, manage collected data

  *   Collect plant and fungal samples from field

  *   Culture fungal pathogens from infected plant material

Job duration: 6 months, starting mid-May into June

Work hours: 40hr/wk, Mon – Fri, 7-4p

Hourly rate: $12.75 – $14.25/hr

Housing and moving expenses not provided

Required Qualifications:

a) A valid driver’s license and personal mode of transportation to an off-campus field site

b) Willingness and ability to work early mornings and outdoors in summer heat, inclement weather, and around insects

c) Ability to work well independently and with a team, pay attention to detail, and maintain exceptional communication with other members of the team.

To Apply and view the complete job posting, please visit unc.peopleadmin.com and reference position S014268. EOE.

For questions, please contact:

Brooklynn Newberry

Lab Manager, Mitchell Lab

bnewberry@unc.edu

North Dakota State University is offering two technician positions that

will contribute to research investigating soil nutrient cycling and plant

communities in grasslands under varying land management systems in

southwestern North Dakota. The positions can begin between mid-May and

early June and extend through August.

Both technicians will work on the soils and vegetation components of the

project, but one technician will be more focused on soil sample collection

and lab analysis while the other will be more focused on vegetation surveys.

Soils work will include, but is not limited to: in-field soil sampling,

litter decomposition bags, and in-lab soil nutrient analysis. Applicants

for the soils component should possess knowledge or interest in soil

sampling techniques and soil nutrient analysis; prior experience with

nutrient analysis preferred.

Vegetation work will include, but is not limited to: biomass clipping;

surface and vegetative canopy composition; visual obstruction readings; and

forage quality analysis preparation. Applicants for the vegetation

component should possess knowledge or interest in vegetation sampling

techniques and plant identification; prior experience with Northern Great

Plains grassland and forage plants identification is preferred.

These full-time, seasonal positions offer compensation beginning at

$12/hour, although applicant experience will be considered in the final

offer. Housing at the Hettinger Research Extension Center in Hettinger,

North Dakota is provided in addition to all work-related transportation at

the Center. Additional travel to the Central Grasslands Research Extension

Center in Streeter, ND for vegetation sampling will also be provided along

with housing at the Center.

Competitive applicants for both positions will be comfortable with living

and working in a rural setting. Hettinger (population ~1,200) is located in

southwestern North Dakota and is roughly 70 miles south of Dickinson, ND

and 140 miles southeast of Bismarck, ND. The technicians will be required

to live and work amicably and near other research staff at the Center.

Technicians should be comfortable working in a variety of weather

conditions typical of the Northern Great Plains. Evidence of ability to

work both cooperatively and independently in the field is required, A valid

driver’s license is also required.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter as soon as possible

expressing interest and suitability for the position along with a resume to

Jonathan Spiess (jonathan.spiess@ndsu.edu), the graduate student supervisor

for this project.

Jonathan Spiess

PhD Student – Natural Resource Management

North Dakota State University

jonathan.spiess@ndsu.edu

Title: Deer Habitat Research Technician

Organization: Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

Job Category: Full-Time Temporary

Salary: $11/hour

Duration: May 6 – Aug 16 (with possible extension until Oct 4)

Last Date to Apply: 3/30/19

Description: The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is seeking a technician to assist with fieldwork on the Integrated Deer Management Project, a multiyear, statewide research effort seeking to combine information on deer populations, current deer habitat, and people’s attitudes and expectations about deer populations for improved understanding and management of deer in Indiana. The successful applicant will work with Purdue faculty, staff, and graduate students to study the impacts of deer on habitat condition in Indiana. Technician duties include, but are not limited to, performing browse surveys, tallying sapling and seedling densities along transects, cutting understory trees to create stump sprouts, and measuring growth of oak seedlings and stump sprouts. Housing is not provided. Start and end dates are flexible. We will consider applicants who are only available for the summer season (May – mid-August). Please indicate availability in your cover letter.

Required Qualifications:

–              Progress towards or completion of Bachelor’s degree with coursework in Wildlife Biology,

        Forestry, or a related field

–              Prior experience in identification of woody plant species in the Midwestern U.S.

–              Knowledge and ability to use basic wildlife research tools and equipment including compass

        and hand-held GPS

–              Ability to accurately record scientific data

–              Ability to work effectively as part of a team

–              Ability to work in extreme and variable conditions (long days, inclement weather including

        extreme heat and rain, the presence of biting insects, and rugged terrain)

–              Ability to work a flexible schedule, with potential weekend work

–              Comfortable speaking to law enforcement, landowners and other stakeholders

–              Valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to drive University vehicles

Preferred Qualifications:

–              Chain-saw experience and safety certification

–              Experience with browse surveys

–              First Aid/CPR certification

To Apply: Send a brief cover letter (≤ 1 page), resume, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for at least two references in one document to Patrick McGovern at pmcgove@purdue.edu.

Contact Person: Patrick McGovern

Contact Phone: (765) 496-6277

Contact Email: pmcgove@purdue.edu

The Genung Lab at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (genunglab.com ) is advertising 2 research technician positions for the summer of 2019. Positions are available May 13 and can run for up to 20 weeks, but the start and end dates are very flexible. Pay is $10-15 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Research will contribute to two related projects: (1) Plant-pollinator networks of the Cajun Prairie and (2) Effects of sequential pollinator visits on pollination effectiveness. The job involves field and lab work in pollination ecology, primarily vacuum/net collection of pollinators and pollen deposition experiments.

Required Qualifications: Field research experience; willingness to working outside in very hot, humid conditions; ability to carry up to 40 lbs; drivers’ license; no known bee sting allergy; maturity and ability to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with field entomology and/or botany; experience curating insect and plant collections; personal vehicle.

Example Qualifications for Higher Salaries: Demonstrable knowledge of eastern US bee identification, experience mentoring undergraduates, demonstrable experience with managing high-quality scientific data (and checking data for undergraduates/technicians).

To Apply: As a single PDF, send a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position, resume, and names and contact information for three references to: Mark Genung (mark.genung at louisiana.edu) Please place “2019 Pollination Tech” in the subject line of the email. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

*Location: Washington, DC*

*Start Date: May 20, 2019 *

*End Date: Aug 31, 2019*

*Last Date to Apply:  April 21, 2019*

*Hours:  Approximately 16-20 hours/week*

Intern needed to assist biologist and technician in conducting mist netting

for bats in Washington, DC. This work is part of a larger survey of the bat

community of the National Capital region. The majority of the work will be

conducted at *NIGHT. * Must have own transportation. Housing *NOT*

provided. Hours and days worked will vary, so candidate must have

flexibility. Minimum of 2 nights/week required.

*DUTIES:*

Assist mist netting for bats

Assist tracking bats to roosts using telemetry

Assist collecting environmental data at bat roost locations.

Assist conducting bat roost exit counts

Assist conducting bat acoustical monitoring

Occasional data Entry

*COMPENSATION:*

Stipend: $3,500 ($233/weekly)

*QUALIFICATIONS:*

Applicants must be able to:

Stand for 30-180 minute intervals

Hike/walk 1- 10 miles a day

Carry up to 30 pounds

Use hand-held and driving navigation tools

Accurately record field data

*PREFERRED:*

Vaccinated for rabies

The ideal candidate will have experience with mist netting, identifying

bats, and tracking with telemetry.

Please send resume/CV with three references to *lindsay.rohrbaugh@dc.gov*

Please consider, or pass along, to interested students opportunities for several summer classes at Shoals Marine Lab, located on Appledore Island, Maine, which is part of the beautiful Isles of Shoals. https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C6742be3abadc4821db4b08d6addf7828%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636887572654969960&sdata=VSN%2FNN44Fa%2B0RK8M5cy0T9%2BEypLOSfRhjj3ve6GNF44%3D&reserved=0

The following are a listing of the available courses for summer 2019. Shoals Marine Lab is a unique place to spend 2 or more weeks learning about a number of varied, interesting, and informative disciplines. Please pass along!

https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org%2Fcourses%2Fundergrad&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C6742be3abadc4821db4b08d6addf7828%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636887572654969960&sdata=heVTIhIg9M4Iknf60CGnyOdcgH2IMPHufmxNMZmM3vA%3D&reserved=0

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

-Field Ornithology, Dr. Kristen Covino, 05/24/2019-06/07/2019

-Applied Science Communication, Dr. Mark Sarvary & Ms. Kitty Gifford, 05/27/2019-06/10/2019

-Field Wildlife Forensics, Dr. Wayne Lord, Dr. Bob Kenney, Dr. Bill Rodriguez, Dr. Inga Sidor, Kama King, 06/03/2019-6/10/2019

-Marine Mammal Biology, Dr. Nadine Lysiak & Dr. Andrea Bogomolni, 06/10/2019-06/24/2019

-Marine Parasitology and Disease**, Dr. April Blakeslee & Dr. Amy Fowler, 06/10/2019-06/24/2019

-Sustainable Fisheries, Dr. Erik Chapman, Owen Nichols, Lindsey Williams, 06/10/2019-06/24/2019

-Climate Change and the Gulf of Maine, Dr. Drew Bush, 06/24/2019-07/01/2019

-Field Marine Invertebrate Biology, Dr. Justin McAlister & Dr. Scott Santagata, 06/24/2019-07/08/2019         -Evolution and Marine Diversity, Dr. Warren Allmon, Dr. Jan Factor, Dr. Matt Hare, 06/27/2019-7/15/2019

-Coastal Habitat Field Research Methods, Dr. Gregg Moore, 07/01/2019-07/15/2019

-Investigative Marine Biology Laboratory, Dr. Douglas Fudge & Andy Turko, 07/15/2019-07/29/2019

-Marine Ecological Genomics, Dr. David Plachetzki, 07/15/2019-07/29/2019

-Integrated Ecosystem Research and Management, Dr. Mike Sigler, Dr. Chris Siddon, Dr. Elizabeth Siddon, Dr. Jennifer Seavey, 07/15/2019-07/29/2019

-Introduction to Sustainable Engineering, Dr. Nancy Kinner, Dr. Martin Wosnik, 07/25/2019-07/29/2019

-Research in Biology, Andrew Swafford, 07/29/2019-08/12/2019

-Ecology and the Marine Environment, Dr. Jan Factor, Dr. Rick Zechman, Dr. Jed Sparks, 07/29/2019-08/12/2019

-Shark Biology and Conservation, Dr. Heather Marshall, 07/29/2019-08/12/2019

-Surveying Sustainability, Dr. Vanessa Levesque & Dr. Cameron Wake, 07/29/2019-08/05/2019

-Underwater Research, Dr. Jarrett Byrnes, 07/29/2019-08/12/2019

Marine Immersion, Dr. Jessica Bolker & Dr. Jason Goldstein, UNH pre-freshmen only, 08/12/2019-08/19/2019

**I of course need to make a plug for the course I will be co-teaching: Marine Parasitology & Disease (6/10-6/24). Come learn all about the importance of parasites in marine systems!