DNA Laboratory Technician – University of California, Davis

Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
We seek a technician to conduct DNA analyses in the Mammalian Ecology
and Conservation Unit, located at the University of California in Davis,
CA. The technician will be involved in genetic and genomic projects on
various mammals and the occasional herp or bird as part of research
and other projects under the direction of Drs. Ben Sacks and Mark
Statham. Research projects will be primarily laboratory based, but may
involve some field work.

The position will involve basic DNA skills (DNA extraction, PCR, Sanger
sequencing), next-generation sequencing (Illumina) library preparation,
ancient DNA, and other molecular methods as required.  Bioinformatics
capabilities and experience are a plus. The work will include a
wide variety of projects, including but not limited to species- and
individual-level identification of noninvasively collected genetic samples
(e.g., scat, hair), metabarcoding for dietary, microbiome, and/or pathogen
identification; both Sanger and next-generation sequencing, including
library preparation for whole-genome and genotyping-by-sequencing; and
possibly bioinformatic analysis.  Demonstrated experience in at least
one of the above-mentioned methods is required.

The position will be available initially for a five-month contract (with
very likely extension to at least one year) and will begin as soon as
possible following the deadline, ideally by October 15, 2024.

Please email Ben Sacks (bnsacks@ucdavis.edu) with:
(1) a brief letter of application describing your interests and
   experience in the methods listed above;
(2) a current curriculum vitae or resume; and
(3) names, email addresses and phone numbers of at least three
   references.

Deadline is 27 September 2024.

Fellowships/assistantships are available for self-motivated students to pursue PhD degrees and conduct innovative and high-impact research in the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) at Michigan State University (http://csis.msu.edu). 

Applications are welcome from students with a variety of backgrounds and in a wide range of disciplines, such as anthropology, artificial intelligence, behavioral science, biology, computer science and engineering, conservation, data science, demography, ecology, economics, environmental science and engineering, geographic information science, geography, geosciences, land science, remote sensing, sociology, sustainability science, and other related fields.

Research topics may include telecoupling (telecoupling.org),  giant pandas, food system resilience and sustainability, sustainability science, protected areas, UN Sustainable Development Goals, coupled human and natural systems, systems integration (e.g., integration of natural sciences such as ecology with social sciences such as economics, policy, and technology), biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, food-energy-water-climate nexus, human well-being, nature-based climate solutions, forest and landscape ecology, global change, wildlife ecology and conservation, land change science, applications of AI and machine learning, and computer modeling and simulation (e.g., agent-based modeling). Studies on these and other related topics by faculty and students at CSIS have been published in journals such as Science and Nature. 

With flexible start dates (e.g., spring, summer, or fall of 2025), successful candidates can build on previous studies and explore new frontiers.

Application materials include: (1) letter of application, (2) CV or resume, (3) transcripts, (4) GRE scores, (5) TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers only), and (6) list of 3 referees (names and contact information). Unofficial copies of GRE scores, TOEFL scores, and transcripts are OK initially.  Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.  Applications and questions about these opportunities should be emailed to: 

The University of Connecticut is searching for a full-time lab research
> technician, to work in Dr. Daniel Bolnick’s lab group in the Department
> of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, on the evolutionary genetics of
> fish immunity to tapeworm parasites.
>
> The primary responsibility of the technician will be to run the lab’s
> fish colony of threespine stickleback. Secondary responsibilities include
> assisting with laboratory experiments, and lab management tasks. This
> position is funded by a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
> Disease (NIAID) grant to map the genetic basis of differences in immunity
> between natural populations of fish, and differences in immune suppression
> between populations of tapeworm parasites.
>
> Tasks: Animal colony management includes feeding fish, aquarium system
> maintenance, monitoring fish health, record keeping, and breeding lab
> animals. The technician will also supervise and coordinate other lab
> members who contribute fish care help. Secondary responsibilities
> related to the fish colony will be to collaborate with lab members
> doing laboratory experiments (e.g., vaccination assays) and associated
> laboratory work. In addition the technician will help with general lab
> management including purchasing lab supplies for lab members, ensuring
> safety compliance, and helping to keep the lab organized.
>
> Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must be have an undergraduate degree
> (BSc or BA) in biology or a related field. They must be organized and
> reliable and have the ability to carry out independent laboratory research
> and fish care protocols after initial training. Previous educational
> experience and work records should demonstrate a good work ethic,
> organizational ability, and interest in scientific research.
>
> Preferred Qualifications: Experience with animal care is strongly
> preferred. Prior experience with care of fish or other aquatic organisms
> is especially valuable. Some prior experience with laboratory research
> such as (but not limited to) molecular genetics, immunology, or cell
> biology, is helpful but not required.
>
> Start date and duration: The position is available to begin as early
> as September 16, and we would prefer candidates who could begin before
> October 1. The position will begin with a one year appointment subject
> to renewal for up to four years. The position might be extended for
> additional years beyond four, if additional grants are funded.
>
> Salary is expected to be between $38,000-$45,000 per year depending
> on qualifications.
>
> Applicants should electronically submit a single pdf file containing the
> following in order:
>
> 1.        Cover letter (1 – 2 pages), including summary of relevant
>          job experience, research experience, career goals, and how
>          this position fits your career plans.
>
> 2.        CV
>
> 3.        List of two (or three?) references, with contact information
>          (email, telephone and mailing address)
>
> We will request letters directly from these references, after identifying
> top candidates.
>
> The application pdf file should be emailed to Dr. Daniel Bolnick
> (daniel.bolnick@uconn.edu). Include the subject line “Fish Care
> Technician Application: <YOUR NAME>”. Applications must be received
> by September 15, 2024 for full consideration though late applications
> may be considered.
>
> For questions about this position, please email Dr. Bolnick
> (daniel.bolnick@uconn.edu). For information about the Bolnick Lab,
> visit the lab website (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbolnicklab.wordpress.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C3b10f8e91c384d64b59108dcce6e83b2%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638612221271866064%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qR1hJMpA9G12yi1dNLpcXxD3Rzmj4sClPV37Dj2l5Aw%3D&reserved=0),
> and Dr. Bolnick’s Google Scholar page
> <https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.ca%2Fcitations%3Fuser%3Dcfwxm0AAAAAJ%26hl%3Den&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40uconn.mail.onmicrosoft.com%7C3b10f8e91c384d64b59108dcce6e83b2%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638612221271874819%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FDQBu89j1i8NOmjnwdDNziKDP97FhYuqtd6d9qNK%2BoA%3D&reserved=0>.
>
> The University of Connecticut is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants
> with questions about disability services can privately discuss their
> application with the University of Connecticut Disability Services Office.
>
>
>
>

MS and PhD openings are available in my research group (Javier
delBarco-Trillo) in the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois
State University to start in the fall of 2025. My research topics
are quite diverse, including sexual selection (sperm competition),
olfactory communication, urban ecology/evolution, and animal behavior,
normally working with mammalian systems. I’m happy to supervise
projects in topics and organisms beyond what you can read in my website
(about.illinoisstate.edu/jdelbar) as long as the project is feasible
given my expertise and available resources. I’m mostly interested
in supporting self-driven, independent, and imaginative students with
high proficiency in written and spoken English, and with some previous
experience analyzing data.

If interested, please send (jdelbar@ilstu.edu) a copy of your CV, and a
one-page cover letter explaining your background, any research outcomes
to date, your future research interests and expectations, and what type
of research projects you would envision developing in my lab. Please
include “Graduate Student Application 2025” in the email subject
line. I will make an initial selection of a group of candidates that
I think could be a good fit in my lab, set up short zoom conversations
with those candidates in October-November, and assist with the formal
application process, which deadline is February 1, 2025. Please be aware
that there are two strong requirements: 1) GPA requirement: last 60hrs
GPA must be 3 or above; 2) English proficiency for international students:
TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7, or Duolingo 125.

All accepted applicants into our program are guaranteed Teaching
Assistantships and full Tuition Waivers. The length of this support is
6 semesters for MS and 10 semesters for PhD students provided sufficient
progress and performance are maintained.

The application procedure, including requirements, is laid out here:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbiology.illinoisstate.edu%2Fgraduate%2Fbio-as-graduate%2Fapplication-procedure%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C2a9ecb01ff524f065bfe08dccca8fedc%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638610273433073277%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6bM5SQfYVZ9FGRc4bn9xZaBvPOmtnx1XfIJ3iGHG6SM%3D&reserved=0
You can find more information about the School of Biological Sciences
and the Graduate Programs here: https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbiology.illinoisstate.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C2a9ecb01ff524f065bfe08dccca8fedc%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638610273433083257%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1D4RqHdF8OyNPqDG4k%2FdBTnMjlJgbUMBHC7BiSU0w4U%3D&reserved=0

Javier delBarco-Trillo, PhD
Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Physiology
School of Biological Sciences
Campus Box 4120
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-4120, USA

The Diversity Committee at American Society of Naturalists
(https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amnat.org%2Fabout%2Fgovernance%2FDiversity.html&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C29a3027bf42347b511eb08dccd686a0d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638611095551991014%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vT7osDvvAhtlGKkIIWHdaO67DDsaRxxkVSylweofhOA%3D&reserved=0 ) is happy to
announce the 2024 edition of the EEB Mentor Match:

https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feebmentormatch.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C29a3027bf42347b511eb08dccd686a0d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638611095551999814%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=12Q3i88Ns3KVEDCVhBl0dtrdSxhN3j336tYCseLlAj0%3D&reserved=0

The program provides support to grad school applicants in the US with
their applications for fellowships and grad programs. Signup forms
for both mentors and mentees can be found at the link above. Mentors
and mentees are matched based on their research interests and
backgrounds. More information can be found on our FAQ section:

https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feebmentormatch.com%2Ffaq-2%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C29a3027bf42347b511eb08dccd686a0d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638611095552004774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HHYmqIjWraO9LNLjy16VrRIJQ72cWTPG4Kd1Fj3u3G8%3D&reserved=0

The program is volunteer based and is really valuable to the
students applying, so please consider signing up as a mentor
if you have experience with the US grad school system. Also,
please spread the word to both potential mentors and mentees. We
are happy to answer any questions, so feel free to contact
me (ravi.ranjan@utexas.edu) if you have any.


On behalf of the ASN DC,
Ravi Ranjan
Postdoctoral researcher
Department of Integrative Biology
University of Texas at Austin