Recruiting Masters students; New Mexico Tech Biology

The Biology Department at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM

Tech/NMT) is recruiting outstanding student researcher-scholars to join our highly competitive MS program beginning in Fall of 2025. The Biology Department is a growing force within NM Tech, and is committed to educating and training the next generation of biology-oriented scholars, scientists, and problem-solvers. Master’s students in our program can expect rigorous classroom/laboratory coursework, with the expectation of a high-quality Thesis resulting from research performed under the tutelage of our exceptional faculty mentors. Former NMT Biology MS graduates have gone on to earn PhD’s, MD’s, DVM’s, or immediately entered the workforce taking Biotech jobs, National Laboratory research positions, and work for NGO’s,

Non-profits and as Primary School Educators.

Having the support of a faculty mentor is critical to acceptance in the program. We have limited slots for Fall 2025 and encourage prospective students to contact one or more faculty (see below) regarding potential thesis projects.

Faculty research interests include: biogeochemistry, bioinformatics, ecotoxicology, fungal ecology, landscape genetics, medical microbiology & wildlife ecology

If a formal offer of acceptance is made to a candidate, we provide competitive TA support during the first semester that can be extended based on degree progress. The majority of our students receive a combination of TA and RA (Research Assistantship) financial support. Summer support is typically provided by extramural grants or institutional funding.

The Biology Department is also the historic anchor of an 11-department trans-disciplinary Biotechnology PhD program and outstanding MS students would be highly competitive for entry into that doctorate pathway. Interested prospective students should:

1) Begin formally applying to NMT graduate school:

2) Contact one or more faculty members below with a brief cover letter (email is fine) explaining your research interests and career goals

3) Include a 1-page CV/resume in the inquiry email

Dr. Benjamin Duval (ecosystem ecology, ecotoxicology, global change, soil science)

Dr. Paris Salazar-Hamm (mycologist, emerging fungal disease)

Dr. Joshua Jahner (bioinformatics, conservation biology, landscape genetics)

NM Tech is located in Socorro, NM which boasts proximity to the Rio Grande, Chihuahuan

Desert and the Magdalena Mountains are visible from campus. The town is ~8000 people, is minutes from world-class mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing. Albuquerque is ~1hr north. The cost of living is among the lowest for Southwestern mountain towns. The weather is typically spectacular!

Research Field Assistant (Watershed Science)

Description

A basic description can be found below, while a full description (with application instructions) can be found here: https://unm.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/18/home/requisition/32643?c=unm

The Webster Lab is hiring 1 technician to assist with data collection in the Teakettle Experimental Forest for a multi-year project aimed at understanding the impacts of prescribed fire on water quality of mountain streams. Teakettle is located 80 km east of Fresno, CA, and consists of 1300 hectares of old-growth, mixed conifer forest at ~2200 m elevation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After 136 years of absence, fire was brought back to the Teakettle in 2001, and a history of research has unfolded since.

More information about Teakettle can be found here (https://research.fs.usda.gov/psw/forestsandranges/locations/teakettle), while information about the Webster Lab at the University of New Mexico can be found here (https://alexjwebster.weebly.com/).

Duties will primarily consist of fuel surveys and water quality monitoring, but may include assisting visiting scientists with other projects, as well as helping to maintain the field station. Desired skills include familiarity with fuels survey methods and maintenance/use of water quality instrumentation, as well as the ability to comfortably spend long days in the field without cellular reception. The candidate should be comfortable with camping in rustic conditions and working at high elevation. Prior relevant work experience is helpful, but not necessary. We are looking for an excellent team player with solid communications skills who is eager to learn.

For highest consideration, please submit applications via the link below by April 6, 2025, 11:59 pm MST. Applications submitted after this date will be considered if a suitable candidate has not yet been found. Candidates who can commit to the entire field season will be given high priority, but we encourage current undergraduate students with potentially conflicting academic schedules to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

A completed baccalaureate degree in a related field (e.g., biology, ecology, hydrology) An interest in gaining valuable postgraduate field research experience in watershed science, fire science, forestry, or a related field Flexibility around early summer and fall timing Current Wilderness First Aid or First Responder training Experience conducting scientific surveys/data collection at high elevation

Internship in diamondback terrapin research on Poplar Island

Hi all,

The Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center?(SERC) is seeking an intern starting Spring 2025. The intern will support multiple components of a research project that examines the responses of the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) population to an active island restoration project.

The Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island (Poplar Island) presents a unique opportunity to understand how large-scale ecological restoration projects affect terrapin populations. The two focal components of the project are (1) evaluating the current terrapin population on Poplar Island and how the population responds as the Poplar Island’s restoration progresses, and available habitat increases and (2) continue the Terrapin Education and Research Partnership (TERP), which places hatchlings into local classrooms and evaluate the success of released hatchlings into the population. The intern will support the project by participating in field work including (1) field capture and release of diamondback terrapins using fyke nets and modified crab traps, (2) marking individual captured terrapins using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags and collecting morphometric data on adult and hatchling terrapins (3) conducting terrapin nest surveys, protecting intact nests and collecting emerged hatchlings and (4) capturing eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula), eastern rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) and common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) when encountered and collecting morphometric data including marking with PIT tags. Other responsibilities may include organizing and cleaning gear for field work, entering data and working with volunteers or other interns, and communicating project activities.

The intern will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of diamondback terrapin ecology and conservation, obtain experience working within a research lab and as part of a team, learn about research design and methods for ecological data collection, develop data management and analysis skills, and participate in science communication.

We are seeking applicants with some (but not necessarily all) of the following:

Bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology or related fieldExperience with fieldwork, in hot, humid conditions with biting insectsExperience in data management (collecting, recording, entering, organizing)Experience in capturing and handling reptilesWritten and verbal communication skillsAbility to work independentlyAbility to work as part of a team

Compensation: $700/week

Duration: 8 weeks with potential to extend depending on budget

Application Deadline: March 28, 2025, but will continue to receive applications until the position is filled.

A mutually agreeable start date will be determined with the selected applicant. We anticipate a start date in early May 2025. This will be an in-person internship with field work taking place on Poplar Island, Maryland with some office work in Edgewater, Maryland. Onsite Housing at SERC may be available.

To apply, please email a resume that highlights relevant experiences to Patricia Levasseur (levasseurp@si.edu).

For more information about our lab, please visit our website: https://serc.si.edu/labs/spatial-ecology-and-conservation

Post-baccalaureate internship at the Smithsonian

The Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center?(SERC) is seeking a post-baccalaureate intern starting Spring 2025. The intern will support multiple components of a research project that examines the ecological responses to a nature-based approach (NBA) island restoration project.

The disappearance of more than 400 islands within the Chesapeake Bay has occurred as a result of climate change and erosion. Island restoration is important at both local and global scales to mitigate the loss of habitat and biodiversity caused by climatic and anthropogenic factors. The project focuses on understanding how plant and animal communities respond to a restored island using a nature-based “living shoreline” approach compared to conventional artificial hardened shoreline techniques.

The intern will support the project by participating in field work including (1) vegetation planting and monitoring within experimental plots, (2) turtle nest and visual surveys (3) soil, water, and oyster sample collection and (4) collecting acoustic and video monitoring data and (5) collecting microclimate sensor data. Other responsibilities may include organizing and cleaning gear for field work, assisting in the setup of field experiments, entering data, assisting in identifying birds through acoustic sampling and aquatic fish and invertebrates through video sampling, managing microclimate sensor data, working with volunteers or other interns, and communicating project activities.

The intern will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of island community ecology, obtain experience working within a research lab and as part of a team, learn about research design and methods for ecological data collection, develop data management and analysis skills, and participate in science communication.

We are seeking applicants with some (but not necessarily all) of the following:

•Experience with fieldwork, in hot, humid conditions with stinging/biting insects

       Experience with fieldwork in experimental settings related to plant and animal handling

•Experience in data management (collecting, recording, entering, organizing)

•Experience identifying birds (by sight and sound), fish, and aquatic invertebrates

•Coursework and/or experience in ecology, environmental science, or botany

•Written and verbal communication skills

•Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Compensation: $700/week

Duration: 18 weeks with the possibility of extension (depending on budget)

Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications on March 26, 2025 and will accept applications until the position is filled.

A mutually agreeable start date will be determined with the selected applicant. We anticipate a start date in late April or early May. This will be an in-person internship with fieldwork taking place on Jefferson Island, Maryland with some office work in Edgewater, Maryland. On-site housing may be available.

To apply, please email a resume that highlights relevant experiences to Shelley Bennett (bennettm@si.edu).

For more information about our lab, please visit our website: https://serc.si.edu/labs/spatial-ecology-and-conservation

Shelley Bennett, M.S.

Head Technician – Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

bennettm@si.edu | +1-408-829-1414

she/her/hers

Art (Science) Attack course

Dear all,

We are excited to announce our upcoming online course, Art (Science) Attack, running 14-17 April.

This course bridges the gap between art and science, empowering researchers to create engaging visuals that effectively communicate their work. Using open-source software such as Krita and Inkscape, participants will learn how to design figures, project mascots, and compelling graphics for presentations, papers, and public engagement.

Course website: https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/art-science-attack/

Who should attend?
Researchers, students, or anyone interested in improving how they visually communicate scientific ideas — no prior artistic experience required.

What you will learn:

Strategies to simplify complex scientific concepts into clear, attractive designs Creating logos, project mascots, and journal cover art Developing scientific schematics, one-panel figures, and outreach materials Practical training with Krita (rasters) and Inkscape (vectors)

Bring your ideas to life:
Participants are encouraged to submit a “portfolio” — this can be anything from a rough sketch to figures or visual concepts related to their projects.

For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/

Best regards,

Carlo

The Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants at UConn

I am reaching out about an opportunity from the Office of Sustainability called The Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants Program. This program offers up to $10,000 for student-faculty projects that enhance environmental sustainability at UConn.   

Projects must address one of UConn’s strategic sustainability goal areas (climate change, energy and buildings, waste, outreach and engagement, water resources, food and dining, purchasing, transportation, and conservation) and one or more related social challenges (fostering inclusion of diverse perspectives, addressing systematic inequalities, environmental justice, social and health inequity, community development, etc).   

Learn more about the Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants on the UConn Office of Sustainability website.

ESSG 2025 Slides