Graduate Masters Position in Applied Bacterial Genomics.

The bioinformatics and genomics-focused Jue lab (https://csumb.edu/juelab) at California State University, Monterey Bay is recruiting a graduate student (M.S. Environmental Science) position in applied microbial genomics. This position is part of a broader project to identify the genetic mechanisms used by bacteria to remediate pesticides from agricultural runoff and understand the metagenomic community dynamics that contribute to optimal remediation activity.
Prospective students should be interested in using genomics and bioinformatics to understand the functional genetic basis of complex phenotypes and/or how genetics can inform us on the ecological contexts for successful pesticide remediation. This position in our M.S. program starts Fall 2018. Please contact Dr. Nathaniel Jue (njue@csumb.edu) for more information. A successful applicant will be passionate about functional and evolutionary genomics, interested in microbial genetics, and familiar with sterile technique and basic genetic lab techniques.
Experience with programming and statistics is also valued. Students working in the Jue lab get professional training in scientific computing, applied data science and advanced genomic lab techniques. Details about the M.S. program in Environmental Science at CSUMB can be found
here: https://csumb.edu/amws. Our program provides excellent training required to enter technical positions in industry (~30% of graduates) and government (~40% of graduates) or academia (~20% of graduates) with a 90% graduation rate. Through CSUMB membership in the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Program
(CMP) provides additional opportunities for financial support for graduate studies leading to the Masters of Science degree at CSU Monterey Bay. Center research emphases include Coastal Resilience, Coastal Intelligence and Place-Based Conservation. Prospective students must be applying to the thesis track and must be interested in working in the priority areas of the CMP.
Please review the eligibility criteria and application instructions in the CMP graduate page
(https://csumb.edu/cme/graduate-students) and contact Dr. Jue if you have questions about it.
The Jue Lab celebrates having members from diverse backgrounds and training and encourages underrepresented and underserved groups to apply. The program application deadline is February 1.

Full-time, temporary seasonal biotech positions with the U.S. Geological Survey working on invasive annual brome control projects in National Park Service units in the northern Great Plains are now advertised on USA Jobs at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/488838000.  Hourly wage $14.30 or $16.00, season runs June-August or May-October, depending on position applied for.

I’m looking for two field assistants to help me conduct my dissertation research in the Patagonian-Andean Region of southern Chile (Aysén Region) between the first week in March and mid-April 2018.

We’ll be investigating the regeneration ecology of Pilgerodendron uviferum (ciprés de las Guaitecas), as well as the ecological differences between burned and unburned forests and peatlands in the La Junta and Tortel areas of Chile, respectively.  This will involve long days in the field collecting tree cores, in addition to data pertaining to stand structure, vegetation composition, and environmental conditions (e.g., light levels and water table depth).

In the La Junta area, we’ll stay in a small rented cabin (or possibly with a local family).  In the Tortel area, we’ll be staying in town at a hostal, thus sharing space with other visitors.  Lodging, food and fieldwork-related travel expenses will be provided.  However, you will need to cover your round-trip travel to Coyhaique, Chile.

Preferred qualifications include experience conducting biological/ecological field work in remote, rugged terrain; a positive, flexible attitude, and ability to get along with others in close quarters; a willingness to hike, scramble (and even crawl) through extremely dense (and sometimes very wet) temperate rainforest; and moderate Spanish comprehension.  Ideal qualifications include experience with plant identification and/or familiarity with the common plants of Chile’s temperate rainforests, and Spanish fluency.

I expect that the majority of our time will be spent conducting fieldwork, but we’ll also have opportunities to drink mate and participate in asados with local folks, as well as to enjoy the magnificent Baker and Palena Rivers.  Assistants will be strongly encouraged to arrange to do some exploring of Patagonia on their own after the field season.

To apply, please email me with some details about yourself and why you’re interested in the position, as well as your resume and contact information for three references to:  KZaret@pdx.edu.

Saludos,
Kyla

Project description: Understand the effects of climate change on carbon cycling in tundra ecosystems. The field site borders Denali National Park in Healy, AK. Find more information about the research athttps://www2.nau.edu/schuurlab-p/

Position duration: April until late November 2018.

Job description: Fieldwork will include maintenance of experimental plots, measurements of ecosystem-level carbon exchange and complementary environmental variables. The technician will work closely with a postdoctoral researcher, other technicians, graduate and undergraduate students to collect data and maintain field equipment. Other responsibilities will include data entry, preliminary data processing, and data quality control. The technician will work and live in a shared rustic cabin with an outhouse, on the outskirts of Healy, a small
(~1000 people) town in interior Alaska.  Travel to and from the field site is via ATV or car.

Applicants should be prepared to work long hours, sometimes in cold and adverse weather conditions.  Required qualifications: B.A/B.S in related field.  Must be eligible to work in the US (Canadian or Mexican with TN visa eligibility is OK too). Must have valid drivers license.
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs, attention to detail, ability to work independently as well as part of a research team, desire to live and work in remote settings, ability to spend long hours outside, and willingness to learn to operate technical sensors and data loggers.

Desired qualifications: Prior experience with scientific fieldwork, carbon flux or ecosystem function measurements is beneficial, but not necessary. Good computer skill and knowledge of Excel, R are a plus, but not a must. Being handy with tools and troubleshooting complex systems is also desirable.

Benefits: The salary range is $12 – 14 per hour depending on qualifications. Travel to and from Alaskan field site is paid for by the project. Housing is also paid for by the project.

To apply: Please send a cover letter detailing your preparedness for the position, CV or resume, and list of three references to Meghan Taylor (meghan.taylor@nau.edu) by February 25th 2018. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date, and you will be contacted for an interview.

Subject: NSF REU Wisconsin 2018 (LAKES REU Project

The LAKES (Linking Applied Knowledge in Environmental Sustainability) REU focuses on water quality and phosphorus mitigation in an interdisciplinary manner over an 8 week program (June 17-August 12), with projects this year in human geography, economics, biology, and geology.  Students will be provided with room and board and a generous stipend during their participation in the LAKES program.
This program prioritizes students under-represented in the scientific community, pairing them with mentors in individual projects.  These collectively will contribute to a more complete understanding of the dynamic interactions of the Red Cedar Watershed’s land and water, political economy, social networks, culture, and sense of place.  We will start reviewing applications for the 2018 summer program on February 11th.  Complete program information can be found here: http://www.uwstout.edu/lakes/.

Questions can be directed to: lakes@uwstout.edu

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

NSF supports Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites at hundreds of research institutions across the country and in international locations. Most of these REU Sites host groups of 10-20 students for summer internships, although some operate during the academic year. Interns receive a stipend, housing and travel expenses.  The students are paired with a scientist as a mentor, conduct an independent research project and participate in various professional development workshops. Many interns receive support to present their work at a scientific conference after the internship is complete. The Division of Ocean Sciences supports about thirty REU Sites each year. The list of REU Sites for 2018 can be found here:

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

Application websites for most of these OCE REU’s are open now or will open soon and most application deadlines are in mid-February or March. The deadline for the fall semester program in Bermuda is in May.  Please encourage undergraduates to apply to an OCE REU Site.  Applications at each site are accepted from undergraduates enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree. Students must be US citizens or permanent residents of the US or its territories. Applications from veterans, students with disabilities, minorities, first-generation college students and community college students are encouraged.

If anyone has questions about the OCE REU Site program, please contact Lisa Rom (elrom@nsf.gov) or 703-292-7709.

Regards,

Rick Murray
Director, Division of Ocean Sciences
NSF

PhD POSITION IN AQUATIC COMMUNITY ECOLOGY The Spatial Community Ecology Laboratory at Utah State University
(http://www.eddhammill.com/) is seeking PhD applicants to undertake research in the field of freshwater community ecology. Current areas of interest include – 1) The evolutionary responses of mosquitoes to pesticide contamination. 2) Understanding the relationships between habitat condition, aquatic community health, and ecosystem function. 3) How do changes in water conditions affect interactions between predators, prey, and competitors? 4) Can distributions of aquatic insects inform conservation decisions? Candidates with other specific research interests are encouraged to suggest projects in their application.

The successful candidate will have access to a well-equipped laboratory, and Utah State University’s nearby outdoor Aquatic Research Facility that houses 90 mesocosms and experimental ponds. In addition the research group has strong ties to research stations in Costa Rica, Brazil, Canada and Australia that will be available for field projects.
A knowledge of the statistical programming package R, and/or ArcGIS, and conversational ability in either Spanish or Portuguese will be looked upon favorably. Candidates should be reasonably physically fit, and be able to carry a 40lb backpack 1 mile.
Utah State University (http://www.usu.edu) is a Research I (Extensive
Doctoral) land-grant institution with a student body of over 24,000, 42 departments, 8 academic colleges, a school of Graduate Studies, and diverse research programs. The main campus is located in Logan, a community of 100,000 people. Logan is 85 miles north of Salt Lake City in scenic Cache Valley, a semi-rural mountain basin with nearby ski resorts, lakes, rivers, and mountains providing many recreational opportunities. The area has a low cost of living and provides a high quality of life.  For more information on Logan see http://www.tourcachevalley.com.

Initial funding for tuition and salary will be through a Quinney PhD Scholarship, which covers the first two years, subsequent years will be covered through other awards. Candidates contact myself initially and then we apply together for the fellowship. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for external fellowships through the NSF and other sources. Candidates will be provided extensive support with the application process. Starting salaries are $18,700 for a PhD. In addition, successful candidates will have the opportunity to work as teaching assistants to supplement their starting salaries.
Please contact Edd Hammill (edd.hammill@usu.edu, 435 265 5964) for more information or to submit application materials (CV, cover letter, any publications, details of their research interests). Initial review of applications will begin Jan 30th 2018.

Edd Hammill’s google scholar page –
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=THOE6q0AAAAJ&hl=en

Interested applicants can find more information/apply online at https://www.squamlakes.org/summer-lrcc. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Application closes February 20, 2018 at 8:30 AM.
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The Lakes Regions Conservation Corps (LRCC) is an AmeriCorps service program that develops skills and experiences for conservation professionals. LRCC members are the driving force behind many of the conservation efforts of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. The program is based out of the Squam Lakes Association with host sites at the Squam Lakes Conservation Society and the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. The program provides hands-on conservation work experience and certifications over a broad range of areas, which ensures that LRCC members are capable of independently approaching a variety of tasks in the environmental conservation field. Members remove invasive species, maintain trail networks, lead volunteer crews, educate the public on local and regional conservation initiatives, and spearhead reports on conservation efforts.
The trainings, certifications, and experiences also develop important professional skills that are applicable to future careers within many occupational and educational fields. The program ensures that LRCC members are capable of independently approaching a variety of tasks, acting as a leader, and thinking critically to solve any problem that may arise. For more information about the LRCC program please visit https://www.squamlakes.org/summer-lrcc.

LRCC members must meet the following qualifications regardless of host
site:
-Available from May 21, 2018 through October 17, 2018 (end date dependent on completion of service hours) -Must be 18 years of age by May 21, 2018 -Must be covered by health insurance for duration of program -Must be a competent swimmer -Able to lift 50 pounds -Able to carry and use heavy tools while hiking -Able to hike at least 8 miles in a day -Able to work independently and with a group -Must apply online -Must pass all certification exams -Must be covered by health insurance for the duration of the program -Must meet the Corporation for National Community Service’s minimum
requirements:
-Must clear all required National Service Criminal History Checks -Must be a US citizen, US national, or legal permanent resident of the US -Must be high school graduates, GED recipients, or must be working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service

LRCC members receive the following over the course of the program regardless of host site:
-NH Safe Boating certification
-NH Commercial Boating license
-Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certification -Student loan forbearance on qualifying loans.
-Living allowance  of $200 weekly, distributed biweekly -AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,907 received upon successful completion of program (minimum of 900 hours)

ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE at https://www.squamlakes.org/summer-
lrcc. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.