Author: Davis, Miranda L.

M.S. Position in Forest Ecology and GIS at Oklahoma State University

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M.S. Opportunity: Forest Ecology and GIS
Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management
Oklahoma State University
 
The Murray Lab is seeking a M.S. student interested in the spatial ecology and resilience of forests. Research in the lab is focused around how spatial patterns and processes influence forest and wildlife habitat resilience. A candidate with research interests in forest ecology, disturbance ecology, wildlife habitat ecology, or ecological applications of geospatial technologies would be a great fit.
 
DESIRED START DATE: January 2019
 
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. in biology, ecology, geography, forestry, wildlife biology, or a related field. Experience or coursework in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and experience conducting field research. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.00) and have taken the GRE.
 
TO APPLY: Prospective applicants should send via email a brief letter of interest, CV (including GPA, GRE scores, and contact information for three references), and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Bryan Murray (bryan.murray@okstate.edu). Review of application materials will begin October 5 and continue until the position is filled.
 
LOCATION AND FACILITIES: The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is part of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University. The University is a land grant institution with an enrollment of about 25,000 students located midway between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management conducts interdisciplinary research, instruction, and extension education to address the sustainable management and conservation of the fishery, forest, rangeland, and wildlife resources of Oklahoma and beyond. The Department is a source of cutting-edge research, quality instruction, and effective outreach to students, landowners, managers, and public agencies.
 

Non profit in the Bolivian Amazon looking for a biodiversity student

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I am contacting you on behalf of Sustainable Bolivia, a US registered non profit created in 2007 and with activities since then in Bolivia. Since last year, Sustainable Bolivia has relocated to the city of Riberalta, also known as the “Capital of the Bolivian Amazon” in order to develop its own environmental and community development projects. As such, we have been working with public authorities and rural communities for the creation of a 20,000 hectares natural reserve, the Aquicuana Reserve.
As part of these projects, we would like to improve the knowledge we have about the Reserve itself and we’ve been working this year with biodiversity students to research, register and list different species of the reserve. As such, we now have registered 302 different species of birds, including one unique in the world, the Masked Antpitta, but also more than 40 different kinds of amphibians. In this context, we are looking for new biology students to help us next year to continue this work. Please find enclosed the detailed description of the volunteer position and tasks.
I would like to know if it would be possible to forward this opportunity to your students?
Thank you in advance,
-- 
Ludivine Félix
National Director
www.sustainablebolivia.org 
information@sustainablebolivia.org | ludivine@sustainablebolivia.org 
Cel : +591 65319279

Graduate position: UWisconsin_Milwaukee.PopulationGenomics

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The Alberto lab is searching for graduate students to join the lab in
Fall 2019

The Alberto lab at UW-Milwaukee is seeking for a graduate student for
Fall 2019 with particular interest topics ranging from a more
conceptual molecular ecology (kelp forests, seagrass species) to more
applied research topics such as genomic selection in macroalgae. The
lab research interest is broad in all areas of population genetics and
genomics, from fine-scale spatial genetic structure and demographic
inference, local adaptation, oceanscape genetics and range-wide
biogeographical analysis of model organisms. Our focus is both on
empirical research through the acquisition of population genetics data,
using molecular marker techniques, simulation-based hypothesis testing,
and species distribution modeling.

Our closer collaborators have included the Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
(http://sbc.lternet.edu/) based at UCSB, California, The Moss Landing
Marine Laboratory in Central California, the Center for Marine Sciences
at University of the Algarve, Portugal
(http://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/maree/) and recently the University of
Southern California and its Wrigley Marine Science Center. Students
interested in developing projects in topics related to seagrass
population genetics or the balance between clonal and sexual
strategies, focusing marine or freshwater plant model species, are also
welcomed to contact me. Please see my website for more information on
our team (http://alberto-lab.blogspot.com/).

Much of our work involves some form of programming in R, students are
expected to be motivated to learn how to code. However, while coding
skills are a benefit, they are not required to successful applicants.

UWM has an active group of researchers
studying evolutionary genetics and behavior:
https://uwm.edu/biology/research/ecology-evolution-and-behavior/. Students
would enroll in the graduate program in the department of biological
sciences at UWM (https://uwm.edu/biology/graduate/prospective-students/),
the deadline for applications is December 1. The minimum requirements
for admission to the Biology Department include an undergraduate GPA
of at least 3.0 and GRE scores (both verbal and quantitative) in the
50 percentile or better. You can find more information on the Graduate
School website http://uwm.edu/graduateschool/.

All graduate students at UWM can be supported financially by teaching
assistantships (TA) and receive a stipend, full tuition waiver, and
health insurance. TA appointments are usually made at the 50% level,
which involves a teaching commitment of 20 hours per week. MS students
can expect TA support for up to 3 years and Ph.D. students up to 5
years. You must apply by December 1 to be considered for a TA position.

There are also other opportunities for funding, such as University-wide
fellowships that are generally based on GRE and GPA, which are given to
students after they have been enrolled at UWM for one year. More
information at https://uwm.edu/biology/graduate/funding/
To apply please send me an email (albertof@uwm.edu) including 1) a
statement of research interests, 2) a summary of your previous academic
and research experiences, and 3) a summary on how your research
interests might fit our lab. Finally, please include a CV (with GPA and
GRE scores).

M.S. graduate position in Fish Ecology/Invasion Ecology

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Jim Garvey’s Fish Ecology Lab at the Southern Illinois University, Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences (CFAAS) in Carbondale, IL is seeking a M.S. student to conduct research comparing the behavior and ecology of invasive bigheaded carp (Bighead Carp and Silver Carp) relative to surrogate species to determine ways to control the ongoing carp invasion (e.g., harvest and barriers). This project is a collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Qualifications: An interest in laboratory- and field-oriented research and a desire to work in research or academia. B.A. or B.S. in biology, fisheries, aquatic ecology or related fields. Coursework in fisheries and/or ecology required. Prior experience with acoustic telemetry, analysis of ecological studies, R, Arc GIS, and Microsoft office (including Access) is preferred but not required.

Duties: Develop, complete, present, and publish field, lab, statistical, and/or simulation studies related to fisheries or invasion ecology.  The selected student will have access to CFAAS’s resources including a pond facility with 100 experimental ponds, 2 wet labs, and multiple large river boats including one modified for acoustic telemetry river work.
Prospective students will be expected to complete field work associated with their projects, with assistance and training from other lab personnel including 2 postdocs and 2 research technicians.  The successful candidate must make multiple overnight trips for field work, work long hours under adverse weather conditions, maintain a valid driver’s license, and be able to routinely lift 50 pounds. The selected student will also be part of a large, multi-agency and university research group.

Application Deadline: October 15th or until filled.  Preferred start
date: Jan 2019 (later start possible)

Salary: Research assistantship includes stipend plus tuition waiver and insurance

Application Procedure: Interested applicants must submit via email (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume or CV, (3) unofficial transcripts (official required prior to hire), (4) GRE scores, and (5) the names and contact information of three references (at least to references must be research/academia related) to:

Dr. Alison Coulter
Email: acoulter@siu.edu

SIU Carbondale is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer of individuals with disability and protected verterans that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.

grad student opportunity – NMSU

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Graduate Student Opportunity (MSc or PhD) – Algae Biofuel; Aquatic Ecology Location: New Mexico State University (NMSU), Las Cruces, NM 
 
The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology at New Mexico State University (NMSU) seeks a motivated Master’s (MSc) or Doctorate (PhD) Student to participate in a Department of Energy (DOE)- funded project aimed to increase algal biomass productivity through the design of microbial consortia. The project was developed in response to the Bioenergy Technologies’ Office (BETO) Productivity Enhanced Algae and Tool-Kits (PEAK) FOA (http://bit.ly/2HBN1i4). 
 
Duties: The student will compare the productivity and stability of bacteria-algae combinations that were designed by researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and New Mexico Consortium to that of algal monocultures through outdoor raceway trials in Las Cruces, NM. The student will be responsible for algal cultivation, daily sample collection, and laboratory analyses as well as occasional weekend duties. In addition, the student will design and conduct their own research according to interest. 
 
Desired qualifications: Technical (electrical and computer) skills and abilities to trouble-shoot and make minor repairs to outdoor algae raceways; basic knowledge of cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, ecology, and statistics; willingness to work independently as well as in a team, including outdoors in hot and cold weather; ability to lift 50 lbs; display common sense, awareness for safety, and efficiency. 
Travel to scientific meetings is encouraged and will be funded. 
 
The application deadline is October 31 and the starting date is either January 15, 2019 (spring semester) or August 15, 2019 (fall semester). The successful applicant will have to apply to NMSU graduate school. For further information or to submit your application (letter of interest, curriculum vitae, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information of three references) contact: 
Dr. Wiebke Boeing
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology New Mexico State University
2980, South Espina; 132, Knox Hall
Las Cruces, NM, 88003-0003
(575) 646-1707

Graduate position: UtahStateU.PlantMicrobeInteractions

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The Schaeffer Lab in the Department of Biology at Utah State University
(USU) is looking for MS/PhD students starting Fall 2019. Potential to start
earlier however may be possible for the right candidate.

The lab uses experiments and field studies, coupled with chemical,
molecular, and bioinformatic techniques, to examine the ecology and
evolution of cross-kingdom interactions between plants, insects, and
microbes in both natural and human-modified ecosystems. Many research
topics can be pursued, including but not limited to, the chemical and
evolutionary ecology of plant-pollinator-microbe interactions,
microbial-assisted biocontrol of plant disease and invasives, among others.
Students are welcome to work on systems in which research is already being
pursued in the lab; however, I strongly encourage development of
independent lines of research, as well as pursuit of external funding
to support
those efforts.

The Department of Biology and USU offer excellent opportunities for
education, training, funding, and collaboration. All graduate students in
the department are provided with a competitive stipend and benefits for up
to 3 (MS students) or 6 (PhD students) years through a combination of
fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
Moreover, abundant opportunities for collaboration exist, given the vibrant
research community that spans across the Biology department, Ecology
Center, and two USDA-ARS labs focused on pollinating insects and poisonous
plants respectively. Finally, being centered in the Cache Valley of
northern Utah, Logan offers abundant recreation opportunities, given close
proximity to the Wasatch Range, as well as National parks.

Prospective students should email me (schaeffer.robert@gmail.com) with a
note expressing research interests, as well as a description of your past
research experience. Please include your C.V. and contact information for
three references. Ideal applicants will have: background in plant or
microbial ecology, or related subject; strong written and oral
communication skills, strong quantitative and/or bioinformatic skills;
ability to work independently or part of a collaborative team.

Please visit the lab webpage for more information:
http://secure-web.cisco.com/1vRS9_QaI1BI_H-NTzY1ecqe0acMcR1LhKLY1LyrOiJZSX1uPnDUJnhyuAEaPsoaVBIKaKrabwolZBo3iodg6r_zrwXVnRlbfzIAtag4zYWwYuZ24y5_xj5bCfHjHHVUsHc5JONBOb7vAZxzoicre-aFsk7NsdIqBSEqoYKr6qI6JVrMC0B3gjYnJZNEl4wgBlcmyFN1mAJSPiPZIZ5Lq7s8tlS70yU6Y9a3fchwmYVZoG16iM_aeYwgUu0Rnu4WCxZS1dkdzQnzAdbOPJv9SX6binM5m_eD28KZhz84tpCfobbR6CerIU4DoNsFMUZVwv4A5EsDOnPDb-Pf1WXMvirxN-vTJ4XkeoDpEykfyg1vB4Co0a0yHC2OS7T8FVqAyzqBNfLkN3Rd0F640Q8pSg4WehBuoZKIY0c0a6DwLX3MTUv2JaMErt4HxGoJbq9zd9EnjKAaO13GEx5V5cGvBlw/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertnschaeffer.com

Robert Schaeffer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (starting Jan 2019)
Department of Biology
Utah State University
schaeffer.robert@gmail.com

schaeffer.robert@gmail.com

M.S./Ph.D. Graduate Assistantships in Disease Ecology at Virginia Tech

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M.S./Ph.D. Graduate Assistantships in Disease Ecology at Virginia Tech
 
 
Agency
Virginia Tech
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Laboratory of Disease Ecology and Biogeography
 
Location
Blacksburg, VA
 
Job Category
Graduate Assistantships
 
Salary
Stipend, tuition, and student health benefits
 
Last Date to Apply
October 20, 2018
 
 
Description
Are you interested in understanding why epidemics occur in some places but not others? Many studies have shown that infectious diseases do not occur at random; outbreaks occur under specific environmental conditions facilitated by specific human activities and behaviors. To effectively control and anticipate epidemics, it is indispensable to understand the ecological factors that better explain the occurrence of an outbreak. Disease ecology helps to determine how changes in the environment are associated with emerging infectious diseases. MS and/or PhD student positions are available for Spring 2019/Fall 2019 to conduct research in the areas of biogeography and ecology of infectious diseases. The intended research will use ecological niche modeling and other analytical tools to study infectious diseases affecting humans and wildlife. Potential research topics include rabies, vector-borne diseases, mange, and others. In addition to research work, responsibilities will include acquiring teaching experience, raising extramural funding for international internships and research work, and mentoring of undergraduate students. We are seeking highly motivated students to be part of a research team investigating diseases using theory and methods from ecology and biogeography. Preference will be given to candidates with evident passion for these topics and quantitative and writing skills.
 
The positions are based within Dr. Luis Escobar at the Laboratory of Disease Ecology and Biogeography, in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, which is affiliated to the Global Change Center and part of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment, the No. 1 ranked natural resources program in the US (by USA Today) for three years running.
 
The Escobar’s group is highly collaborative and works with researchers in universities across the US, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and with state, federal, and non-governmental agencies. International students are accepted. This position includes full tuition and salary support. Minorities and underrepresented groups in STEM are encouraged to apply.
 
Virginia Tech’s main campus is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The New River Valley offers the charm of a small town combined with the modern conveniences of a metropolitan area. The thriving community boasts a plethora of unique and chain restaurants and stores, symphonies, theatres, historical attractions, museums, a vibrant night-life, sporting events, outdoor recreation activities, and a temperate climate. We have mountains to the west, the ocean to the east, and Washington D.C. to the north.
 
Qualifications
The Laboratory has a long history of multidisciplinary research. Students from diverse academic backgrounds with interest in joining the lab are encouraged to apply (e.g., B.S. in wildlife, ecology, computer sciences, statistics, mathematics, or related fields are welcomed). Applicants must have a strong work ethic; quantitative, oral, and written communication skills; high attention to detail; the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a culturally diverse team; and capacity to work long hours. A prior DVM or a MS in ecology, epidemiology, or related biological or health sciences would be a plus, although not required.
 
To apply
Send a single pdf including: 1) a cover letter of no more than two pages that highlights your research interests, interest in graduate school, interest in infectious diseases, and why we should consider your application; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) unofficial transcripts; 4) sample of scientific writing (e.g., a manuscript in preparation, an undergraduate thesis, published manuscript as first author); and 5) contact information for 3 references who can explain your research skills and interests. Application consideration will begin on October 20, 2018 and will continue until the positions are filled. References will only be contacted after applicants are notified.
 
Contact Person
Contact Dr. Luis Escobar at escobar1@vt.edu for additional questions and to submit your application.
 
Website
 
 

PhD position: Dynamics and viability of trailing-edge populations

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Subject: PhD position: Dynamics and viability of trailing-edge populations

A PhD position is available in the Chandler Lab at the University of Georgia to study the dynamics and viability of trailing-edge populations of birds near their southern breeding range limits in the Appalachian Mountains. The research will involve collecting demographic data on bird populations, and developing novel statistical models to forecast spatio-temporal population dynamics in response to environmental change in the region. Five years of data have already been collected. Preference will be given to applicants with a strong background in population ecology and statistical modeling.
Field experience with songbirds is desirable but not required. Four years of funding is available through a NSF CAREER grant. The start date is negotiable, but is anticipated to be August 1, 2019. Applicants should send a single PDF including a coverletter, CV, and contact information for three references to Richard Chandler (rchandler@warnell.uga.edu). Applications will be accepted until Dec 1, 2018.

Graduate position: EastCarolinaU.FrogColorEvolution

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I am seeking a PhD student to carry out research associated with an
NSF-supported project focused on the genetic underpinnings of mimicry and
color pattern evolution in a mimetic radiation of poison frogs in Peru
(see description below), starting in Spring or Fall 2019. Candidates
must have a strong academic record and be motivated to continue
learning. Desirable qualifications for the position include an interest
in the evolutionary biology and genetics of tropical amphibians, and
some combination of 1) background in evolutionary genetics or genomics,
2) experience working in a molecular genetics laboratory, 3) previous
work with amphibians and captive breeding, 4) fieldwork on amphibians
(especially in Latin America), 5) programming experience in R, Python
and/or UNIX.

Direct support through research assistantships is available for 2
years, followed by support through teaching assistantships (at least 5
years of support in total). The Department of Biology at ECU is large
and multidisciplinary, with strong research groups in evolution,
ecology, behavior and genomics: see www.ecu.edu/biology for more
information on the department. East Carolina University is located
in Greenville, North Carolina, centrally located between Raleigh and
the Outer Banks. The Summers lab focuses on evolution, ecology and
behavior of the Neotropical poison frogs. See my lab research page at
http://blog.ecu.edu/sites/summersk/research-page/ for more information. I
encourage applications from minorities and under-represented groups of
all kinds. Please send a letter detailing your research interests and
experience, as well as a current CV (including coursework), GRE scores
(if available), and names and addresses of three references, to Kyle
Summers (summersk@ecu.edu).

This project combines three research groups with complementary skills
and realms of expertise to investigate the genetic basis and population
genomic processes underlying color pattern divergence in the context of
mimicry in the Peruvian mimic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator: Dr. Kyle
Summers (East Carolina University), Dr. Rasmus Nielsen (UC Berkeley)
and Dr. Matthew MacManes (University of New Hampshire). The project will
make use of several different approaches: 1. Next generation sequencing
(RNAseq, Illumina platform) will be used to produce transcriptomes across
species, color pattern morphs, and color patches within morphs. These
will be assembled and used to investigate patterns of differential gene
expression. 2.  Genome-wide marker arrays (exome capture sequences)
will be used to screen transition zone samples and enable divergence
and admixture mapping to identify candidate genes. 3. We will test the
association of specific candidate loci with color pattern variation
using pedigree analyses of candidate genes identified from 1 and 2,
using a multigenerational pedigree. 4. We will investigate the expression
patterns of these genes in developing embryos using designed hybridization
probes. 5. We will use phylogenomic methods to reconstruct the evolution
of the divergent populations of R. imitator, and of the color genes in
those populations. 6. We will test specific hypotheses regarding selection
and demographic processes in the transition zones and between mimics and
models. Together these complementary, mutually reinforcing approaches
will begin to reveal the genetic underpinnings and population genomics
of color pattern diversity in this mimetic radiation of poison frogs.

Kyle Summers
Dept. of Biology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC  27858
252-328-6304

“Summers, Kyle” <SUMMERSK@ecu.edu>

 

Graduate Positions: RiceU.Ecology&Evolution

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The Department of BioSciences at Rice University invites applications for admission into our Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. program. BioSciences is home to a vibrant community of faculty, postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate scholars in Ecology and Evolution, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics and Neuroscience. Our EEB program has particular strengths in animal behavior, population and community ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, and evolutionary genetics and genomics.
 
The following faculty members are potentially accepting graduate students for Fall 2019:
  
Lydia Beaudrot (beaudrot@rice.edu): community ecology, macroecology, and conservation biology of tropical mammals
 
Adrienne Correa (ac53@rice.edu): coral reef virus isolation and characterization, multipartite symbioses, SISPA, omics, community ecology
 
Scott Egan (scott.p.egan@rice.edu): population genetics and genomics of rare species, environmental DNA surveillance, community metagenetics, conservation biology, evolutionary biology
 
Volker Rudolf (volker.rudolf@rice.edu): Community, population, and disease ecology; climate change; biodiversity
 
Julia Saltz (julia.b.saltz@rice.edu): Development and evolution of individual differences in behavior, behavioral genetics, evolutionary feedbacks, phenotypic plasticity, learning.
 
We offer highly competitive financial support, a supportive and friendly environment, and light teaching requirements for graduate students. We are located in Houston, Texas, an exciting, diverse, and affordable city with world-class opportunities for dining, arts, and entertainment and access to diverse terrestrial and aquatic environments. Rice is located beside one of the country’s largest medical research centers, providing additional opportunities in bioinformatics and genomics.
 
Completed applications should be received by December 31 to ensure full consideration. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors before applying. Complete information about the graduate program, including application instructions and how waive the application fee, may be found at https://biosciences.rice.edu/graduate-studies/eeb-grad-program