Texas A&M University is hosting a Research Experience For Undergraduates: ECOHYDROLOGY OF TROPICAL MONTANE FORESTS – DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY BREADTH, AND GLOBAL AWARENESS. The 10-week summer program (May 28- August 2, 2019) includes 5 weeks at the Texas A&M Soltis Center for Education and Research (Costa Rica) and 5 weeks on the campus of Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas, USA). Participant costs (stipend, travel, housing, etc.) are fully supported by the National Science Foundation.

Purpose: The goal of this REU program is to provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to develop essential skills in designing, executing and disseminating original research that quantifies the hydrologic and biogeochemical fluxes in the watershed of a tropical montane forest in Costa Rica. Students will have an opportunity to work on field and laboratory research under the guidance of faculty mentors at the Soltis Center near San Isidro in central Costa Rica (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoltiscentercostarica.tamu.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C371f5bba5d7e49d64af008d657879ea6%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636792637331981699&sdata=u60%2BGsgcqN70waZxlaNJbp%2FMirBU53Hm46ZyE2Tdg5s%3D&reserved=0). Past years of this REU program (2011-2013, 2018) resulted in several students enrolling in graduate school and publishing work from their research, in addition to gaining a rich cultural immersion and unique opportunity to conduct research in the tropics.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students must be US citizens or permanent residents, be 18 years of age or older (on March 1, 2019), be currently enrolled in a major in the earth or environmental sciences, engineering, or a related field, expect to graduate no earlier than December 2019, and be eligible to have a passport that is valid for 6 months past the REU summer.

For more information about the REU selection process, program, and study area, please visit our websitehttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcostaricareu.tamu.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C371f5bba5d7e49d64af008d657879ea6%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636792637331981699&sdata=1WpWJj7AkqqRL1cVJHAvr6CSNI6oSg9rmaOwi%2FiIPyI%3D&reserved=0.  For general inquiries and questions about our application, contact: tamu.costaricareu.application@gmail.com or the program leaders, Dr. Georgianne Moore (Department of Ecosystem Science and Management) and Dr. Kelly Brumbelow (Civil Engineering)

Greetings!

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook NY is now accepting applications for the summer 2019 REU program in “Translational Ecology”! Thank you for sharing this information with students who may be interested!

 

To apply:  http://www.caryinstitute.org/students/reu-program

Application deadline: January 25, 2019 Midnight

 

Dates: May 20 to August 9, 2019 (12 weeks)

Eligibility: Undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors or first semester seniors. Must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its possessions. Underrepresented minorities and first generation college students are encouraged to apply.

Stipend: $6,600 stipend, plus a $900 food allowance and free on-campus housing.

Other support:  Assistance is available for travel to and from the program as well.

 

Research projects for the summer of 2019 include:

·        Eavesdropping Behavior and Social Information Use in Songbirds

·        Competitive Dynamics Between Invertebrate and Vertebrate Scavenger Guilds

·        Ecosystem Regulation of Mosquitoes and Disease Risk

·        The Role of Natural Enemies in Governing Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

·        Effects of Global Change on Streams of the Northeastern US

·        Hudson River Habitats in a Changing World

·        Ecological Change in the Sky Lakes on the Shawangunk Ridge

·        Lake Management and Recreational Fisheries in Coupled Human-Natural Ecosystems

·        Ecology of Urban Streams/High School Student Mentoring

 

For more information about the Cary Institute, visit http://www.caryinstitute.org/

 

For more information about the program, contact Aude Lochet, REU program coordinator (locheta@caryinstitute.org)

 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO), Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and Idaho State University (ISU), is seeking to fill multiple positions for Crew Leaders, Technicians, and Interns to conduct avian biological surveys primarily targeted at greater sage-grouse at multiple study sites across Nevada and California. Primary duties may include sage-grouse capture and handling, lek counts, radio-telemetry, nest and brood monitoring, habitat sampling, avian predator surveys, data entry and management, and other biological surveys as needed. Work hours will be irregular and include nights, early mornings, and weekends. The Great Basin landscape is beautiful but rugged and challenging to work in. Temperature extremes can range from well below freezing to above 100 degrees F, and inclement weather is always a possibility.

These temporary, full-time appointments will last from the first week of March through the beginning of August, with the potential for extended employment depending on funding and performance. Primitive field housing will be provided, and successful applicants will be required to stay on site during work periods.

Please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three references in a single PDF document saved with applicant’s last name in the title to: sagegrousescience@gmail.com. Please indicate in your cover letter which positions you would like to be considered for: Crew Leader, Technician, and/or Intern. Cover letters and correspondence may be addressed to Rebecca Kelble. Please include “Greater Sage-grouse Position” in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted throughout December. Interviews will begin the first week of January. Exceptional candidates may be contacted for interviews before January. Positions will be filled as successful applicants are identified.

Qualifications: B.S. degree in a natural resource field preferred although experienced undergraduates are encouraged to apply for intern positions. U.S. citizen with valid driver’s license required. Successful applicants must possess the ability to hike long distances over rough terrain often in inclement weather (snow, rain, hail, high winds). The ability to take direction and work independently, a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, a desire to gain experience while maintaining an enthusiastic attitude, and good communication skills with field supervisor and teammates are essential for all positions. Prior experience driving ATVs/4×4 vehicles over rough terrain is also preferred for all positions.

Crew Leaders: We are seeking individuals with extensive experience working on wildlife-related field research projects, previous experience with animal capture and handling and radio-telemetry, and strong interpersonal communication skills. Prior supervisory experience, or demonstrated potential for supervising field crews, is preferred.

Technicians: Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience assisting with wildlife field research. Previous experience with animal capture and handling and radio-telemetry are also preferred.

Interns: Internships will be offered to applicants that lack demonstrated field experience related to this type of work, but demonstrate a passion for wildlife ecology, a willingness to learn new techniques, a desire to work as part of a team, a desire to work hard in a remote but beautiful field setting, and have strong references. Payment is based on reimbursement of travel expenses set on established rates and is not considered an hourly wage. Previous field experience is desirable, but not required.

Start Date:     25 February 2019 (possible early February for some)
Salary: Crew Leaders: (~$2400/mo)
Technicians: (~$1500-2200/mo, dependent on experience) Interns (~$1000/mo travel reimbursement)
Website:        https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.werc.usgs.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C536bece752d7434235f108d657879157%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636792637113679942&sdata=SEy64dVIbOYw8ZChzgILM3BrE9O5RygmzEOuV1KQPuY%3D&reserved=0
Contact:        Rebecca Kelble
E-mail: sagegrousescience@gmail.com (Preferred)

The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world, offering diverse training programs for early career professionals.  The Wilds has nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land and remnant forest patches which present opportunities for ecological restoration and research.

Six month positions start in March 2019 and continue through September 2019, flexible upon request.

Apprentices gain hands-on experience, participate in vegetation and wildlife studies and receive field training on a variety of ecological studies in wetland, forest, stream & grassland habitats.
•Focus: The selected candidate will conduct an independent research project with a final presentation to Wilds employees at the end of their term.
•Typical tasks: implementing habitat improvements and monitoring ecosystem recovery through invasive plant management, vegetation and wildlife surveys, environmental monitoring, photo point collection, data analysis and report writing.
•Training: field methods (species identification, survey protocols, research methodology), GPS & GIS applications/map making, biological monitoring and application of land management and restoration techniques, Wildlife ecology basics and techniques, landscape genetics.
•Position requires hiking and some physically demanding tasks, including outdoor work throughout the seasons.  This may include hot, buggy, cold or otherwise challenging conditions.  Participants should be prepared with appropriate field gear / foot wear.
•Candidates should be eager for learning opportunities and willing to practice new skills independently.  Apprentices must be responsible, flexible, self-motivated and able to work effectively with limited supervision, as well as in a team setting.
•Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to lift at least 45 lbs.

Schedule is typically M-F, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. No monetary compensation is offered; however, on site housing is available for $250/month. The position is ideal for acquiring practical career experience in conservation, natural resource management, land stewardship or ecological studies, and is particularly well suited to prepare participants for graduate school or work in a conservation organization.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcolumbuszoo.org%2Fjob-details%2Fwilds%2Finternship%3Fjob%3D9e26cd32-bd2f-67d7-bdc2-ff0000bf4b43&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C1e08b9a1310849a8173d08d656c9a1a5%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636791821338593989&sdata=OjtqIBK4L0Rcdb77bhFRqAnP1AnyZZi%2FIyuMv%2F08NFU%3D&reserved=0

In your cover letter please outline what you would hope to gain from the position and how your past experience makes you an ideal candidate.  All training programs at The Wilds are competitive and we value placing individuals in programs that suit their career goals.

BTI Intern News November 2018

2019 Plant Genome Research Program Now Accepting Applications!

Greetings from BTI! The 2019 Plant Genome Research Program Summer Internship at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University is now seeking undergraduate and local high school applicants! We are requesting your assistance in sharing this opportunity broadly with your students and relevant departments. For the past 18 years, BTI has been hosting a summer internship providing an outstanding student-development program that focuses on training and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Located on the Cornell University campus, BTI is a world leader in plant research and is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to feed a growing population, while protecting the environment and enhancing human health. The summer internship programs at BTI offer students an unmatched opportunity to gain real-life experience in plant science research and bioinformatics.

Please pass this opportunity on to your qualified students! You can easily share this opportunity by using the social media links below. Or, access and share our new 2019 BTI Summer Internship Poster!

Post Tweet Forward Share

Click HERE for the 2019 PGRP Application

Thank you to our sponsors!

The Vance-Chalcraft lab (http://www.ecu.edu/biology/vance-chalcraft_heather.cfm) at East Carolina University is recruiting M.S. students who are interested in community ecology, outreach, or biology education research for Fall 2019. My research interests are diverse but include areas such as predator-prey interactions in aquatic systems, the benefits of incorporating citizen science projects into courses, and how graduate teaching assistants’ self-efficacy and teaching practices are impacted by professional development experiences.

 

Funding is available to support students.  If you are interested, please email the following information to vancechalcrafth@ecu.edu.

– a short summary of how your interests may complement one or more of my research interests

– a c.v./resume or listing of relevant research, outreach, and/or teaching experiences

– your undergraduate institution, degree field, graduation date, and overall gpa

– your GRE scores (by category)

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.  After we correspond, the formal university application should be submitted before January 15^th.

 

Thank you,

Heather

 

 

Dr. Heather Vance-Chalcraft

Faculty Fellow, Office for Faculty Excellence

Director of Outreach, East Carolina Biodiversity Initiative

Assistant Professor, Department of Biology

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27858

The University of Virginia is seeking an M.S. student in Environmental Sciences to study the impact of neonicotinoid pesticide migration from agricultural fields into surrounding vegetation on pollinator survival and development. The research will focus on monarch butterflies and solitary cavity nesting bees and comprise both field and greenhouse work. Field work will begin summer 2019 with coursework starting in fall 2019. Project is fully funded (no teaching requirements) and housing is available during the summer at Blandy Experimental Farm. Student should have prior experience working with insects, especially bees or Lepidoptera. If interested, please contact T’ai Roulston (tai.roulston@virginia.edu).

A PhD position is available in lab of Mark Christie at Purdue University. A position is available for highly-motivated candidates interested in rapid genetic adaptation, population genetics, and conservation in general. For more information about our research please visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fchristielab.bio.purdue.edu&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C9842beea59de498748ab08d655eec41f%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636790881321693332&sdata=32SIANm9iuUDtmldKPK2VH9Etbd6rQ3UKaPREwaCtx8%3D&reserved=0

Potential projects include:  1. Examining the rapid genetic adaptation of introduced fishes into the Great Lakes, 2. Identifying the genetic and evolutionary consequences of domestication, captive breeding, and supplementation of wild populations, and 3. Using existing and novel approaches to determine patterns of dispersal, gene flow, and local adaptation within a metapopulation context. These are the main research themes in the Christie laboratory, and research often focuses on fishes, but graduate students are free to explore independent lines of inquiry in any system. Previous research experience with molecular techniques, computational work, statistics, bioinformatics, and assisting with the design and implementation of experiments will be highly regarded.

If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact me directly at markchristie1500@gmail.com or christ99@purdue.edu with a CV and a brief description of your research interests and experience. Applications are due December 7th.

A MS graduate assistantship is available in forest modeling/forest ecology at Penn State. The student will be part of a multidisciplinary team assessing and modeling an invasive insect effect on forest ecosystems. Students can enroll in the Ecology or the Forest Resources graduate programs. Excellent quantitative, GIS, and field skills required. Those interested please send CV, transcripts and GRE scores to Laura Leites at lpl3@psu.edu.