The Anderson lab at the University of Georgia is searching for an
enthusiastic undergraduate with a strong interest in evolutionary
ecology for field research in an NSF REU position (National Science
Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates) from June-August
2021. We study the ecological and evolutionary consequences of climate
change for natural plant populations. We focus on research on Drummond¡¯s
rockcress (Boechera stricta in the plant family Brassicaceae), a mustard
plant native to the Rocky Mountains. Our studies take place around the
Rocky Mountain Biological Lab (http://www.rmbl.org/), which is located in
Gothic, Colorado near the wildflower capital of Colorado (Crested Butte).
We quantify plant fitness and traits to ask whether climate change
could disrupt long-standing patterns of local adaptation, and to test
whether phenotypic plasticity will enable populations to persist in the
short-term. We perform large-scale reciprocal transplant experiments
to examine patterns of adaptive evolution and natural selection in
contemporary landscapes. Since fall 2013, we have planted >150,000
seeds and seedlings into five experimental gardens ranging in elevation
from 2500 m to 3340 m (8202 feet to 11000 feet). Our summer research
involves intensive monitoring of these experimental plants to record
data on germination success, survival, growth, reproductive success,
as well as life history and morphological traits. We conduct most of
our work in the field, with a small proportion of indoor lab work.

Undergraduate students are eligible for this REU position. If you will
graduate prior to field work, please consider applying to our field
technician positions.

The successful candidate will assist with ongoing fieldwork. In addition,
there are many opportunities for students to develop independent
projects associated with our overall objectives, including studies on: 1)
population divergence in ecologically-relevant traits, especially drought,
UV tolerance, and herbivore resistance; 2) phenotypic plasticity at
multiple spatial scales; 3) population density and species composition
of the herbivore community that attacks Drummond¡¯s rockcress; 4)
flower color polymorphism; and 5) the importance of maternal effects in
biological responses to climate change.

We are offering a stipend of $500/week for a full time REU student (40
hours/week) for 10 weeks.  The exact start and end dates are flexible. We
will cover room and board at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
and reimburse travel expenses up to $500. Fieldwork will involve hiking
to experimental gardens through rough terrain (1-3 miles one-way daily).

The University of Georgia is committed to maintaining a fair
and respectful environment for living, work, and study. We celebrate
diversity in human identity, experience, and perspective. Collectively,
we excel when we learn from each other and when we remain open to new
points of view. We seek to cultivate an inclusive lab culture, open to
people of all racial, socioeconomic, religious, cultural backgrounds,
family structure, gender identities, and sexual orientations, and to
people with disabilities. To this purpose, we encourage applications from
individuals excited to study evolutionary ecology in nature. Members of
the Anderson field team are expected to be masked and maintain social
distancing in public locations as detailed in RMBL and Gunnison county
public health guidelines (covid19.gunnisoncounty.org). Vaccinations
against COVID-19 are strongly encouraged but not required.

The application consists of a cover letter listing your qualifications,
a CV/ or r¨¦sum¨¦ and contact information for two references, all of
which can be emailed to Dr. Jill Anderson at: jta24@uga.edu.

Applications are due by March 25th, 2021

Feel free to contact Dr. Anderson if you have any questions about
the position.  Additional information about our work can be found at:
https://research.franklin.uga.edu/Anderson/

Please find attached the following job announcement describing several Research Assistant positions that are available for students this summer at the Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, CT.  Would you kindly post and/or bring these to the attention of your students whom you think may be interested.

Student summer jobs- mosquito program 2021

Fundación Para La Tierra, an international award-winning (Rolex Awards, Nat Geo, Rufford, NAAEE, International Primatology Society etc.) research and conservation organization based in Paraguay, offers students professionally supervised internships and placements to help boost their career prospects while contributing to long-term conservation in Paraguay. If your students are looking for opportunities to support their academic studies, we have opportunities available during both term-time and the summer months. 

At Para La Tierra, students earn hands-on experience running a research project of their own design. Interns are trained in the field techniques required for their study and gain valuable skills to strengthen their profile, including research, scientific writing, presentation, data collection, and data analysis. From project design to execution, our interns are in charge of every step of their project, receiving guidance from experts in their field. Interns can choose from a wide variety of projects ranging from behavioral or ecological research, to taxonomic studies or even community-based projects. All intern projects are directly involved in promoting the conservation of the threatened and understudied Ñeembucú Wetland Complex in Southern Paraguay. The most successful projects are published in peer-reviewed journals, raising Paraguay’s profile at the international level. So far 19 interns have had their studies published in international peer-reviewed journals, with 13 more in preparation. 

Fundación Para La Tierra was founded in 2010 and is dedicated to the conservation of fragile habitats in Paraguay through scientific research, community engagement and environmental education. Over the past decade, we have hosted over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students from across the world to conduct independent research projects in Paraguay. Every one of them has made a tangible contribution to the conservation of species and ecosystems of Paraguay.

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the well-being of our visitors remains our biggest priority and we are taking the advice of experts and the authorities. We have implemented strict internal health and safety protocols in accordance with worldwide recommendations to keep everyone safe and healthy. Students are able to travel to Paraguay, where COVID numbers are relatively low, and to Pilar where the Para La Tierra research station is based, with complete peace of mind.

If you believe that these opportunities would be of interest to your students, please find attached an information booklet to share with your network. I would love to organize a call to provide more details or discuss how Para La Tierra can adjust our opportunities to better suit the students at University of Connecticut.

To learn more about our organization as a whole, please visit our website www.paralatierra.org.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT – NEST-SEARCHING FIELD TECHNICIAN SW OREGON
Pay Rate: $13.95/hr.
Duration: ~April 15 – July 30, 2021 (exact dates TBD)
Primary Location: 40 min. east of Ashland, OR

Klamath Bird Observatory (https://klamathbird.org/) is seeking to fill a Field Technician position in our Oregon Vesper Sparrow demography research program. We are contributing to a range-wide study to understand causes of decline in this imperiled subspecies. Primary duties will include nest-searching and monitoring, color-band resighting, and vegetation surveys in meadows of the western Cascades, and associated data entry based out of our office in Ashland, Oregon.

EXPECTATIONS: Primary duties will be nest-searching and monitoring, color-band resighting, vegetation surveys, and data entry. The Field Technician will also assist in supervising one intern. Previous nest-searching experience is required, and additional experience in the other field methods is preferred. Training in specific protocols will be provided. Ability to use your own vehicle (typically on paved or improved dirt roads; 4WD is not necessary), and willingness to camp for the duration of the field season are required. We can provide suggestions for free rustic camping options near field sites.

QUALIFICATIONS: Previous nest-searching experience and ability to see full range of colors are required. Experience searching for grassland bird nests using parental behavior and identifying common western grass species is preferred. Applicants should be prepared to start at dawn, work in the field in all types of weather, carefully follow protocols and meticulously record data, be in good physical condition, and possess good communication skills. Applicants must enjoy the outdoors, and be willing to work in areas with biting insects and the potential to encounter rattlesnakes, black bears, and cougars. It is essential that the applicant be comfortable with camping and working independently in the field (but near rural highways, and within a 40-min. drive of Ashland).

COMPENSATION: The Field Technician will be paid $13.95/hr., not to exceed 40 hrs./wk. Transportation to Ashland, OR, and personal field and camping gear are the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants must have a car, valid driver’s license, current insurance, and be able to provide their driving record upon request. Use of a personal vehicle for work purposes will be required, and the Field Technician will be reimbursed for mileage at $0.56/mile.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter including your dates of availability and vehicle type, and contact info for 3 references by email to Dr. Sarah Rockwell (smr@klamathbird.org). We will review applications on a rolling basis, starting immediately and continuing until the position is filled. Note that offers are contingent on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health and safety mandates throughout the field season.

Subject: Job: Seasonal Field Assistant, Central Ohio

The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio has an opening for a Seasonal Field Assistant during the spring-summer-fall of 2021.

Position Description
Under the direction of the Land Conservation Director, the seasonal Field Assistant supports the department land management efforts through invasive species control, wildlife control and monitoring, trail maintenance, and mowing. This position will also assist with the restoration of ecosystems, daily greenhouse care and native plantings. In addition, the seasonal Field Assistant will perform routine, non-skilled grounds maintenance and general labor functions, when needed.

Job Responsibilities
-Conduct routine land management tasks, including invasive species control, herbicide application, native plantings, water resource management, trail maintenance and mowing to benefit native wildlife.
-Utilize a variety of equipment and hand tools, to include but not limited to: tractors, mowers, ATVs, chainsaws, string trimmers, hedge trimmers and herbicide backpack sprayers.
-Support daily greenhouse operations.
-Assist with strategically timed mowing of trails and native grasslands to promote native biodiversity in The Arboretum natural areas.
-Conduct weekly bluebird trail monitoring, maintain nesting structures and aid in additional wildlife surveys.
-Contribute to educational events that support The Arboretum mission.
-Assist with nuisance wildlife management, as needed.

Qualifications
-Minimum of two (2) years of college-level education in natural resources, wildlife ecology, ecosystem restoration, conservation or related field required.
-Ability to regularly use motorized equipment and hand tools, including tractors mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and string trimmers while adhering to all safety protocols.
-Ability to work independently with instruction and as part of a team.
-Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physically strenuous work.
-Strong knowledge of central Ohio flora and/or native avian identification.
-Demonstrated experience utilizing herbicides for invasive species management.
-Ability to regularly work weekends, occasional holidays and evenings as scheduled.
-Must have a valid driver license with acceptable driving record.

To Apply
E-mail your cover letter and resume to smdrake@dawesarb.org by Sunday, March 21, 2021.  In the subject line, include position title, Seasonal Field Assistant.

Subject: Part-Time Passerine Bander/Field Assistant, New York

Position: Part-Time Passerine Bander/Field Assistant
Employer: Clark Lab of Fordham Universit
Location: Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station, Armonk, NY
Salary: $2,000 – $3,000 for the summer, commensurate with experience
Application Deadline: Review of applications begins 4/1/2021

Details:
Experienced passerine bander needed for the summer field season: June – August (and possibly September) 2021. We are looking for one field assistant to work alongside undergraduates, graduate students, and experienced banders to assist with data collection for two graduate research projects. The banding schedule is dependent on weather, and the fieldwork schedule is generally decided on a week-to-week basis.

For one project (mostly June – July), we will be banding passerines and near passerines, color banding gray catbirds, and collecting blood samples from gray catbirds. Color-branded individuals are then tracked with a handheld GPS and audio recorder on non-banding days to record vocalizations and map nesting territories. We will also be piloting the use of tracking packages containing both a GPS data logger and a VHF transmitter to track bird movement and map territories.

For the second project (July – September), we will be banding passerines and near passerines and collecting ticks and blood samples for a project exploring birds in the ecology of tick-borne diseases. We will band birds and collect samples specifically for this project at least once a week in July and September and twice a week in August.

Primary responsibilities include: 1) extracting birds from mist nets, 2) handling and processing birds, 3) tracking catbirds, and 4) other fieldwork related responsibilities as necessary. Field assistant must have experience opening/closing mist nets, extracting birds, and handling, identifying, aging, and sexing passerines and near passerines. Experience color banding and collecting blood samples would be preferred but is not required. Experience identifying arthropods is welcome, but not required. Work will generally be 30 minutes prior to sunrise for 6-7 hours, 3-5 days per week for an average of 20-30 hours/week. Successful candidates should have an interest in birds, possess a positive attitude, be able to work in close company with coworkers, be able to follow protocols, be prepared to work long hours in sometimes adverse conditions (heat and humidity), and be meticulous.

We have a socially distancing bird banding protocol based on CDC guidelines, including the use of face masks. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, applicants would ideally be based in New York State or from states not on New York’s travel advisory list and be able to commute to field sites. The provision of basic housing is a remote possibility that is still being discussed.

Please submit a resume and two references to Medha Pandey (95pandey.m@gmail.com). Please include “Summer Passerine Bander/Field Assistant” as the email subject line.