The Duval Lab of Applied and Systems Ecology at New Mexico Tech is soliciting applications for a funded Master’s student position studying arid-land biogeochemistry and plant-microbe-soil-atmosphere interactions.
The student will be expected to contribute to a 21-year study examining the effect of climate and soil on pinyon, juniper and scrub oak seed production. The student will also play a critical role in the establishment of a long-term litter decomposition experiment (D-DIRT) that is part of an international network of studies designed to explore the role of above- versus belowground carbon inputs from vegetation to soil (more information on the network at:https://dirtnet.wordpress.com/santa-
rita/). The student will work at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, and help establish other experimental sites in grassland and conifer forests in the Chihuahuan desert and Magdalena Mountains near Socorro, NM.
In addition to field work in the diverse landscapes of central New Mexico, NM Tech boasts excellent laboratory facilities in the Biological and Earth sciences, and the student will gain hands-on expertise with a variety of instruments to analyze field samples. These include: FTIR gas analysis to measure trace gas flux (CO2, CH4, N2O and NO), inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for elemental analysis of plant tissue and soil at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, and the opportunity to learn stable isotope analysis through the Department of Earth and Environmental Science (EES) at NM Tech. The Duval Lab is equipped for routine soil nutrient analysis, soil enzyme assays, maintains space in two research labs, and has dedicated greenhouse research space on campus. We also collaborate with microbiologists and geneticists within the Biology Department, work with the Chemistry and EES Departments at Tech, the Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas, NM, and researchers at Sandia National Laboratory.
Student support will be provided with a combination of teaching (Intro Ecology Lab & Ecosystems Field Course) and research assistantship in the first year. The second year of support is to be determined based on Department needs and Lab funding. We hope to identify a suitable student as soon as possible, as there is funding to support a Research Assistant position on related projects beginning in May or June of 2018, which would provide an hourly wage and the opportunity to begin collecting thesis data prior to enrolling for Fall 2018 classes.
Interested students should email Dr. Benjamin Duval
(benjamin.duval@nmt.edu) with a 1) brief statement of interest, 2) CV or resume that includes contact information for one professional reference and one reference that can speak to the prospective student’s work outside of the classroom (summer employers or supervisors). More information about New Mexico Tech, the Biology Department, the Duval Lab and living in Socorro, NM can be found at:
www.duvalecology.org
www.nmt.edu
Internships in the Peruvian Amazon
The Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon (ASA) is pleased to announce its 2018 Internship Program. Our interns contribute to projects spanning biological research and monitoring and/or sustainable tropical agriculture through hands-on activities and independent research under the guidance of a team of professional biologists and conservationists. The internship program is based at Finca Las Piedras, the ASA’s main field site in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon rain forest.
About the Internship Program
Three internship opportunities are available:
1) Introduction to Sustainability (4 weeks)
Multiple sessions available in 2018
Total fees: $1,300
2) Advanced Sustainability (8 weeks)
Multiple sessions available in 2018
Total fees: $2,200
Independent Research Project
3) Academic Quarter (12 weeks)
Multiple sessions available in 2018
Total fees: $3,000
Total fees: $3,000
Independent Research Project
Fees cover full room and board at Finca Las Piedras, 7 days per week, including 3 meals per day and drinks/snacks 24 hours per day, as well as local transportation to and from the field site. Full time support is also provided by the ASA’s team of professional academic faculty, as well as field assistance by our team of resident naturalists. Fees do not cover international or domestic airfare to the meeting location (Puerto Maldonado).
All interns receive training during the first weeks of the internship period in basic field techniques such as methods for conducting biological inventories, field data collection and management, observation and note-taking skills, wildlife observation and natural history, off-trail navigation with compass and GPS, and canopy access (tree climbing), among others, after which interns spend time working with ASA faculty and staff on projects of their interest. Two and three month interns are encouraged to develop and carry out an independent research project under the guidance of ASA academic faculty. All interns also participate in guided reading discussions drawn from the primary literature that cover topics spanning Amazonian biodiversity, biology and ecology, and current conservation challenges.
Independent Research
Independent research projects are intended to help interns build the skills needed to conduct field research in the tropics, as well as to further the ASA’s mission, which is to aid the conservation of Amazonian biodiversity through basic research. Previous independent research projects conducted at Finca Las Piedras include:
- An estimation of carbon in the living above ground biomass at Finca Las Piedras
- Herpetofaunal diversity and abundance change from abandoned agricultural areas over edge habitat to terra firme rain forest
- Macaw artificial nest boxes to boost reproductive success
- Wild cacao (Theobroma cacao) survey and mapping at Finca Las Piedras
- Assessing the sustainability of local farming practices in the vicinity of Finca Las Piedras
- Discerning diurnal roost preferences of cavity roosting bats for the purpose of designing successful artificial bat roosts
Our internship program is ideal for:
- Those considering a career in field biology or ecology, tropical agriculture, conservation, or sustainable development who are seeking field experience
- Students wishing to conduct independent research for a capstone, honors thesis, etc., who want close guidance in the field
- Those wishing to contribute directly to biological research or conservation in the Amazon rain forest
More about the field site, Finca Las Piedras
Finca Las Piedras is a 54 hectare (135 acre) property located 2 km from the recently completed Interoceanic Highway in Peru’s Madre de Dios department. The property itself is comprised mostly of upland, ‘terra firme’ rain forest, although Mauritia palm swamps as well as active and abandoned agricultural fields and regenerating secondary forest are also within easy reach. To the east of the property the rain forest stretches unbroken for hundreds of kilometers into neighboring Bolivia. Facilities at the site are comfortable but rustic and include shared dormitories, shared composting toilets, a bathing platform over a crystal-clear jungle stream, a screened dining hall, shade houses, and a butterfly flight enclosure.
Please visit www.sustainableamazon.org/internship-program-2018 for more information about the ASA, Finca Las Piedras, and our internship program.
REU position at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest LTER
REU at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest LTER
Oregon State University
We are seeking applicants for an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position in summer 2018 to do tree physiology research at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest LTER on the west slope of the Oregon Cascades near Blue River, Oregon. This project will focus on characterizing the physiology of old-growth and second growth Doug-Fir trees, as well as their response to environmental conditions, using a combination of lab experiments and field observations. This research will contribute to a larger Ph.D. project on the impacts of heat waves and drought on Pacific Northwest forests, as well as facilitate research into needle endophytes. The student will be encouraged to participate in tree climbing, sample collecting, data analysis and lab experiments.
The position will be based at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest and travel will be required for short trips to Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon). The Andrews Forest was established in 1948 as an US Forest Service Experimental Forest, and since 1980 is one of the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites. The field station has modern apartments with full kitchens, a well-equipped computer lab, and wireless internet (see http://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu for more information on the site, facilities and research programs at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest). The landscape is home to iconic Pacific Northwest old-growth forests of cedar and hemlock, and moss-draped ancient Douglas firs; steep terrain; and fast, cold-running streams.
The goal of this program is to provide undergraduate students an opportunity to participate in 10 weeks of mentored, paid, independent research. The program includes a weekly seminar series and an opportunity for the student to interact with a multitude of scientists, OSU faculty, federal scientists, and graduate students conducting research in the area. Participants will work with the PI of the project (Dr. Chris Still) and a PhD student (Adam Sibley) on the grant. The REU student will conduct supervised and guided research and be encouraged to tailor the research project to his/her own individual interests.
This position lasts for 10 weeks, starting in June (dates flexible) and going through mid August 2018, working at least 40 hours/week. The student will be responsible for 1) meeting all requirements of the mentors and 2) writing a final research report on his/her research experience. Housing and a weekly stipend of $550 will be provided ($5500 total). There are also some funds to defray the cost of travelling to the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest.
Position Requirements: Applicants should have a valid driver’s license, the ability to carry a heavy pack (40+ lb) and be comfortable spending long days on their feet in the field. The position will involve working in inclement weather. Students with experience and/or interest in plant physiology, field measurement techniques, tree climbing, and data analysis are particularly encouraged to apply. Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled undergraduates that have a graduation date no sooner than fall 2017. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. Women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply: Please submit a brief cover letter (1 page) indicating your interest, experience and professional goals after graduation, curriculum vitae or resume, transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) and 3 professional references (names, addresses, phone number, and email address) as 1 document to: adam.sibley@oregonstate.edu andchris.still@oregonstate.edu . Please include in the subject: HJA REU 2018 Application. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will start Apr. 1st, 2018 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Seasonal Vegetation Monitoring Technicians – Hiring now!
2018 SEASONAL VEGETATION MONITORING TECHNICIANS – Ely, NV
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (ENLC) is currently seeking vegetation monitoring technicians for our upcoming 2018 field season.
Located in Ely, Nevada, the ENLC is a non-profit conservation organization comprised of public, private, and non-profit partners dedicated to the restoration of Western ecosystems through collaborative teamwork. The ENLC conducts a variety of vegetation/wildlife monitoring projects throughout Nevada and surrounding states. We are requesting applications for a minimum of two to three (2-3) vegetation monitoring technicians to work out of our main office in Ely, NV.
VEGETATION MONITORING TECHNICIAN DUTIES: Field technicians’ primary responsibility will be to collect post-fire vegetation response data in burned areas on public lands managed by the BLM as part of the Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) program. Data collected will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of post wildfire rehabilitation treatments.
Technicians will be responsible for driving (in company vehicles) and hiking to sampling locations, following rigorous sampling protocols for data collection, data quality control and data entry.
Field work will involve driving on and navigating backcountry dirt roads, hiking and navigating potentially long distances off trail, establishing and monitoring plots using the BLM’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, all while camping in the backcountry for 4-8 days at a time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
Other duties include data entry using the Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment (DIMA), collecting herbarium quality plant specimens, identifying plants to species in both a field and office setting, operating 4WD vehicles, communicating effectively in a small crew setting, and operating safely in sometimes harsh and stressful field conditions.
LOCATION: Ely is centrally located in the Great Basin and offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. Hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, bouldering, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, disc golf, fishing and hunting opportunities abound near the town of 4,200 people. Over 20 separate BLM and USFS designated wilderness areas occur within three hours of Ely, and several national parks, including Great Basin (60 miles), Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon National Parks, are located within a six hour drive. In addition to outdoor opportunities, urban centers such as Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are only a four hour drive. For outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, Ely is a perfect place to experience.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Applicants should have graduated from a program in biological sciences, ecology, natural resources or a related field. The ideal applicant will have experience in plant identification and a general knowledge of plant taxonomy.
Applicants should be able to hike 2-10 miles a day while carrying a pack with field equipment, and be comfortable with truck camping in the backcountry for up to 8 days at a time in sometimes harsh weather conditions. Preferred applicants will be experienced with 4WD vehicles, GPS navigation, have had a clean driving record for the past 3 years, and are passionate about the outdoors.
COMPENSATION: $15-$16/hour depending on experience (plus $34/day per diem when camping)
SCHEDULE: Positions will begin in late April and continue through late August to September as needed. Work will occur on an 8-days-on/6-days-off schedule (10-hour days).
Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for at least three references to Patrick Hellmann at phellmann@envlc.org.
Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible from receipt of application materials.
For more information, please visit our website (http://www.envlc.org) or email any questions to Patrick Hellmann at phellmann@envlc.org.
Undergraduate field research (REU): amphibians and microbes, CA
Undergraduate field research: amphibians and microbes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA.
OVERVIEW
An NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) fellowship is open for an undergraduate student to participate in a project studying Sierra Nevada amphibians affected by a chytrid fungal pathogen, and the role of the skin microbiome in disease resistance. The aim of this research is to understand if symbiotic microbes on the skin of frogs explain why some frog populations are able to co-exist with the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), while other frog populations suffer catastrophic declines. The successful candidate will work closely with a senior researcher to conduct surveys of frog population persistence, pathogen infection status, and symbiotic microbes. This work entails strenuous long-distance hiking, back-packing, handling of sensitive amphibians, and collection of microbial skin swabs. The incumbent will receive experience and training in field ecology, disease ecology, and microbial ecology.
SUPPORT, DATES, LOCATION
This fellowship includes a stipend of $500/week. Housing is provided at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab (SNARL). Limited funds for travel are available. Dates of the field work are approximately July 15 through August 30. Exact dates to be determined.
QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY
To be considered for this position, you must have have extensive backpacking experience, including backpacking at high elevations (>10,000 feet). Must be able to safely carry a heavy pack long distances over rugged terrain, be comfortable spending days to weeks in the backcountry, working in remote areas often in uncomfortable conditions (e.g., inclement weather, mosquitoes, no access to phone, internet, running water while in the backcountry) and be in excellent physical condition. You must have a strong work ethic and a passion for field research, as well as the sensitivity and attention to detail required for handling fragile amphibians and microbial samples. Must have own backpacking equipment, including broken-in boots, tent, and pack. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in microbial ecology or disease ecology.
You must be an undergraduate student (enrolled in a degree program in biology, ecology, or related field, part-time or full-time, leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree); students graduating in Spring 2018 generally are not eligible. Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident. Students from underrepresented groups and institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should include the following: current transcripts (unofficial OK), resume, 3 references (include reference’s name, position, affiliation, and context from which he/she knows you), and a statement of interest specifically describing (1) why you are interested in the position; (2) your qualifications, including field research and experience backpacking at high elevations and in remote areas (be specific about when, where, under what conditions you have experience); (3) your professional goals; (4) specify your dates of availability.
Where to send applications:
Send all application materials, PREFERABLY AS A SINGLE PDF FILE, to Andrea Jani (jania-at-hawaii.edu). Name the application file with the applicant’s name. For example: Doe_Jane.pdf.
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEVED BY FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Accepting Apps for MS Environmental Biology in Denver CO
We are still accepting applications for fall, 2018 admission to the MS Environmental Biology program at Regis University in Denver, CO! The M.S. in Environmental Biology is a degree program that emphasizes skills crucial for success in the environmental and ecological workforce.
TOP FEATURES of our PROGRAM
-Focus on RELEVANT SKILLS demanded by environmental employers:
statistical computing (R), GIS, NEPA, grant writing & field work in the Rocky Mountains & elsewhere
– EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE in an intensive one-year program or up to 2 years as it fits with each student’s schedule/goals.
– HANDS-ON internship at local agencies or research experience with faculty members
– SMALL CLASS SIZES that allow students to build close relationships with faculty and other students
– KNOWLEDGABLE FACULTY focused on individual student goals and success
Go to: REGIS.EDU/ENVIRONMENT for more information on admission
The application cycle will remain open through spring, 2018.
Trinidad.Internship.GuppyEvolution
Research Internships – Evolutionary Biology
Research interns are needed to assist in a multi-disciplinary,
multi-investigator, experimental study of the interactions between
ecology and evolution in Trinidad, West Indies. The research is led by
Professor David Reznick at the University of California, Riverside in
collaboration with Joseph Travis (Florida State), Tim Coulson (Oxford),
Paul Bentzen (Dalhousie U.), and Ron Bassar (Williams). We seek to
integrate multiple biological fields for the study of these
interactions in experimental populations of guppies in Trinidad. Duties
include assisting in monthly censuses of guppy populations in montane
streams. The monthly censuses include long hours in the field and
laboratory. There will also be 12 days off between each census when
interns can pursue an independent project.Qualifications: We seek interns who are entertaining the
possibility of pursuing graduate studies in some area of ecology and
evolution and who wish to gain some additional field research
experience before doing so. Research will take place in semi-remote
areas of Trinidad sometimes under bad weather conditions. Applicants
must be able to live and work well with others. Research will involve
carrying heavy packs over slippery and steep terrain. Applicants must
be in good physical condition and be able to meet the demands of field
research under these conditions. Ability to drive a standard
transmission vehicle is desirable but not required. Applicants with
first-aid/first responder training, skills in automobile maintenance,
and construction skills are highly desirable. Please address these
skills when applying.Interns will be required to spend a minimum of 3-months in
Trinidad, with possibility of extension. There are potential start
dates in July 2019 and every month thereafter until early 2019. We will
cover all travel and living expenses and provide housing.Please see our website <www.theguppyproject.weebly.com> for
more information on the project and access to reprints. Be sure to
check out our video menu, which includes a “guppy censuses” submenu
that details the main tasks associated with the internship.Applicants should send cover letter, CV and the names and e-mail
addresses of three or more professional references to David Reznick
(gupy@ucr.edu). At least two of the references should be academics.Ron Bassar <rdb4@williams.edu>
Research Experience for Undergraduate Positions in Alaska
Subject: Research Experience for Undergraduate Positions in Alaska
We are seeking enthusiastic undergraduate researchers interested in summer field research in Alaska for two Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU) positions in the Bret-Harte and Ruess labs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Our overall research objective is to understand the consequences of potential future changes in arctic vegetation for arctic ecosystems and the rest of the world. In this project, we are focusing on the mechanisms by which increasing abundance of large deciduous shrubs in tundra ecosystems may alter the near-surface cycling of C and N, and feedbacks to further vegetation change. You will assist with fieldwork in arctic tundra and laboratory work consisting of tasks such as plant sorting and data entry.
You will collaborate closely with the principal investigator, graduate students, and technicians to develop an independent research project of your own that will build on the ongoing research, and will present your work at an informal symposium at the Toolik Field Station. In addition, you will attend weekly seminars on the research at the station. One student will be based at the Toolik Field Station, north of the Brooks Range in arctic Alaska (http://toolik.alaska.edu), which is the focus of research by nearly
>100 scientists who work on a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecology
projects. The other student will be based in Fairbanks, Alaska, with frequent trips camping in the boreal forest, and some time at Toolik Field Station. Both positions will last approximately 10 weeks, starting in mid-June, though there is some flexibility.
Class background in plant ecology, botany, ecosystem ecology, statistics, and computer science would be an advantage. Experience in field or laboratory, experience with data analysis, and experience working in a remote field site is preferred. You should have skills with plant identification, data collecting and recording, data manipulation in Excel, and data analysis. You must be willing to work in the field, occasionally under adverse weather conditions. A valid U.S. drivers’s license is preferred. Competent, careful, emotionally mature, and enthusiastic people desired! We want the work to be both fun and challenging. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, with graduation expected no sooner than fall 2017. You must provide a copy of your social security card at the time of employment. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in this position, send 1) a copy of your resume, including the names and contact information for 3 references, 2) a list of your coursework in biology, ecology, chemistry, and math/statistics, and 3) a cover letter than explains why you are interested, describes your background and research experience, and includes anything that you think would convince us that you are the most appropriate person for this position, to Syndonia Bret-Harte, msbretharte@alaska.edu by March 25, 2018.
We will contact you to discuss the position.
Seeking Plant Ecology Technicians – Portland, OR vicinity
Subject: Seeking Plant Ecology Technicians – Portland, OR vicinity
Seeking Plant Ecology Technicians – Portland Oregon Vicinity
Duty Station: NW Oregon and SW Washington (work is mostly within 2 hrs.
drive of Portland, OR)
Duration: May 30, 2018 – August 31, 2018
Salary Range: $ 2,200 – $ 2,400 per month, positions do not qualify for benefits, or housing Project
Description: This research examines differences between forest patches left after harvest and the surrounding clearcut area. The objectives of the study include examining differences in vegetation community and structure between patches and adjacent harvest areas, as well as examining edge effects of the patches on vegetation. While technicians will be based out of the Portland, OR area, study sites are located from southwest Washington to the mid-Oregon coast range. Lodging will be provided as necessary for long-distance field work, some camping may be required. Technicians will collect data on vegetation species cover in retained patches and surrounding clearcuts. Technicians should have a working knowledge of Pacific Northwest plants, including tree, shrub, and forb species, and have experience identifying plants using field guides such as Pojar and MacKinnon (2004), and taxonomic keys like Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973). Ideally, technicians will have previous field work experience in the Pacific Northwest, and are comfortable navigating terrain, conducting field work in the woods, and working outdoors in inclement weather.
Essential Job Functions: 1. Collect data on vegetation species cover in retained patches and surrounding clearcuts 2. Position will require working outdoors in inclement weather, often in recently harvested forest stands. Must be able to get to and work from remote locations, drive forest roads, read maps, navigate through a forested landscape, and relate well with the public.
Minimum Qualifications: 1. A Bachelor?s degree in a biological sciences discipline or related environmental field and knowledge of plant identification. 2. Must have driving record which can be approved by Federal Agencies to drive government vehicles. 3. Basic data entry experience (Microsoft Excel).
Additional Qualifications: 1. Knowledge of local plant communities (west of the Cascades in Oregon or Washington).
Please send cover letter, resume, and 3 references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses to: Jake Verschuyl, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., P.O. Box 1259, Anacortes, WA 98221. The positions will remain open until filled. Materials may be submitted electronically to:
jverschuyl@ncasi.org. NCASI is an equal opportunity employer.
More information can be found here: http://bit.ly/1kGHagj
M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship – Riparian Wildli fe Ecology, West Virginia University
M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship –
Riparian Wildlife Ecology, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University
STARTING DATE: May to August 2018
CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled and pending final approval of funding.
DESCRIPTION: Student will be supported by 12-month Research Assistantship for 2 to 2.5 years.
Student will work with an interdisciplinary team on a stream and riparian restoration project in northcentral West Virginia. Student will be responsible for monitoring of small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, macroinvertebrates, and plants in an active farmland landscape. Thesis will establish baseline (pre-restoration data) and short-term post-restoration data. An additional thesis chapter will be developed on a relevant topic based on the interest of the student. The student will be working toward a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University (http://bit.ly/WVUForestry).
QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. in Wildlife or closely related field. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 310. A strong interest in riparian wildlife ecology and the ability and desire to work with multiple taxa required.
STIPEND: $16,536/year plus health insurance and complete tuition waiver.
CONTACT: Student will be advised by Dr. James T. Anderson. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to jim.anderson@mail.wvu.edu.