MS Graduate Opportunity in Ecological Restoration

A funded MS graduate assistantship is available in the lab of Dr. Kristina Hufford at the University of Wyoming.  The project will characterize plant community outcomes of native species seeded along roadsides in southern Wyoming.  Specifically, we’ll look at the effectiveness of revegetation for limiting invasive species along road right-of-way strips and also in adjacent wildlands.  The graduate research assistant will study the site conditions and species combinations that lead to successful establishment of native plants.  In addition the student will work with Wyoming Department of Transportation personnel to review wildlife palatability and associated risk of targeted plant species.

Applicants must possess a valid US driver’s license, and should be capable of working in sometimes challenging (but beautiful) field conditions both independently and as part of a team.  There will be opportunities to develop independent lines of inquiry and we welcome applications from enthusiastic and highly motivated candidates with interests in field ecology, plant community diversity, and data analysis.

Please send a letter of interest and resume, undergraduate transcripts (informal copies are acceptable), GRE scores and contact information for 3 references to: Kristina Hufford (khufford@uwyo.edu).  This position is available immediately and we hope to fill it by summer 2018. Funding includes graduate stipend, tuition and fees.

For more information about the Ecosystem Science and Management Department and the Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management graduate degree, please visit http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/

Learn more about Laramie, Wyoming at http://visitlaramie.org/

Please contact Kristina Hufford (khufford@uwyo.edu) with questions.  Lab
website: http://www.khuffordlab.com/

MS Position, Comparative Plant Population Genetics

Graduate Research Assistantship, Austin Peay State University
(Clarskville, TN, U.S.A.)

Annual stipend of $15,750 and a tuition waiver for two years

Start Date: summer 2018 (preferably June)

Contact Person:  Carol Baskauf (baskaufc@apsu.edu)

Highly motivated students wishing to earn an MS in Biology and
interested in plant population genetics research are invited to apply
for a Graduate Research Assistantship in Dr. Carol Baskauf’s lab at
Austin Peay State University (APSU) in Clarksville, TN.  The
assistantship includes a tuition waiver and stipend for two years
($15,750 annually), and the successful candidate will begin lab/field
work in the summer of 2018 before beginning graduate classes in the
fall.

Generally, research in the Baskauf lab includes plant population
genetics, ecology, and ecophysiology, with a particular interest in
rare plant species and comparative studies.  Specifically, this NSF
funded Graduate Research Assistantship will involve genetic analysis of
several rare and widespread congeners as part of a larger collaborative
research project examining correlations between genetic diversity and
phenotypic plasticity as well as potential adaptive and/or acclimatory
responses to future environmental change by rare and widespread
species.

An undergraduate degree in a biology-related field is required.
Competitive applicants will have excellent written and oral
communication skills and the ability to work independently and
carefully, with attention to detail.  They should also be able to work
collaboratively and to supervise undergraduates carrying out related
research.  In addition to an unofficial copy of college transcripts,
prospective students should send Dr. Carol Baskauf (baskaufc@apsu.edu )
a single pdf file consisting of a brief letter of interest and
background, a CV or resume (including GPA, GRE scores, and, if
applicable, TOEFL scores), and the names and contact information for 3
academic or profession references.  Review of applicants will begin
Jan. 2 and continue until a suitable candidate is found.  For full
consideration, submit all materials prior to Feb. 1, 2018.

The successful applicant will enroll in the Masters program prior to
APSU’s March 15, 2018 application deadline in order to be eligible to
complete coursework and a thesis leading to an M.S. degree in Biology.
Information about the graduate program is at the Biology Department’s
web page
(http://www.apsu.edu/grad-studies/graduateprograms/biology.php).
General questions can be directed to Graduate Admissions
(1-800-859-4723, gradadmissions@apsu.edu).  APSU is an equal
opportunity employer, and underrepresented and minority groups are
encouraged to apply.

“Baskauf, Carol” <BaskaufC@apsu.edu>

Bridging the Americas Marine Conservation Fellowship Program

Five-year graduate student (PhD level) fellowship position is available to start in Fall 2018 to join an international collaboration between the University of Florida and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). The graduate fellow will conduct interdisciplinary, collaborative research in Panama, Florida, and the greater Caribbean region with a focus on mangrove ecosystems. The fellow will be based in Florida in the University of Florida’s Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment in the new Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics group. Fellowship includes stipend, tuition, benefits, travel, and research allowance. Ideal applicants will have a strong background in ecology and/or marine science (bachelors or masters degree), excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated potential to conduct intensive field-based research both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. Experience in science communication is a plus.

In an era when international collaborative research is key to major scientific advances, this graduate fellowship program has been created to provide students with the opportunity to develop skills, perspective, experience, and academic networks necessary to meet the challenges facing society and our environment. This program focuses on tropical and sub-tropical coastal habitats where biodiversity is highest, human impacts are accelerating fastest, and the need to build research capacity is greatest.

Those interested in applying for a fellowship position should email Andrew Altieri with a copy of their CV (including contact information for at least two references) and a brief statement (<500 words) outlining their interests and suitability for the fellowship program prior to a formal application to the ESSIE graduate program. Review of CVs and statements will begin on January 8th 2018.

Contact information:
Andrew Altieri
andrew.altieri@essie.ufl.edu
www.altierilab.org

Graduate Positions in Behavioral Ecology in the Tinghitella lab at the University of Denver.

The Tinghitella lab at the University of Denver (https://tinghitellalab.weebly.com) is recruiting motivated new graduate students to begin in the fall of 2018. Work in the lab centers on the roles of ecology and behavior in (rapid) evolutionary change. We mix field and laboratory work to understand the forces that shape diversity in animal communication and mating systems.
Recently we’ve been thinking a lot about how human impacts alter the mating environment and the evolutionary implications of those perturbations. Graduate students will be supported through teaching assistantships (2 years MS and 5 years PhD). I am specifically recruiting students interested in working on Pacific field crickets. Students will be expected to develop their own projects within the scope of the lab, but topics are open. Recent work in the field cricket system has addressed rapid evolution of sexual signals, plasticity in mate choice, and effects of anthropogenic noise on acoustically communicating invertebrates, for instance.

Please contact Robin Tinghitella, robin.tinghitella@du.edu, for more information. Additional information about our graduate program and our vibrant group of Organismal Biologists can be found athttps://www.du.edu/nsm/departments/biologicalsciences/degreeprograms/phd.html
and https://sites.google.com/site/duecoevo/home. Deadline for applications for the graduate program in Biological Sciences is January 1, 2018.

From: Johansen, Rebecca E [mailto:johansenr@APSU.EDU]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 2:32 PM
Subject: Graduate (M.S.) Positions in Biology at Austin Peay State University

The Department of Biology at Austin Peay State University (APSU) invites applications for admission to our M.S. program for Fall 2018. We offer both thesis-track and non-thesis track degrees. The program comprises approximately 30 graduate students supported by research and teaching assistantships. APSU (11,000 students) is located in Clarksville, TN, 45 minutes northwest of Nashville and is in close proximity to remnant prairies, numerous parks and public lands, and diverse aquatic ecosystems. For more information about the Biology Department and resources for research, please visit www.apsu.edu/biology.

The application deadline for Fall 2018 admission is March 1. For more information on application and admission requirements, see http://www.apsu.edu/grad-studies/graduateprograms/biology.php.
Successful applicants will receive support from teaching or research assistantships and receive a full tuition waiver.

Because support of a faculty advisor is necessary for admission to the M.S. thesis-track plan of study, interested students should communicate with potential faculty research mentors as part of the application process. The following faculty are recruiting students for the upcoming Fall 2018-19 academic year. Support of a faculty research mentor is not required for admission of those students interested in pursuing a non-thesis degree.

Carol Baskauf (baskaufc@apsu.edu)
Population genetics and ecophysiology of plants, focusing on rare species of conservation concern; comparisons of genetically or ecologically relevant attributes of rare and widespread congeners.

Mollie F. Cashner (cashnerm@apsu.edu)
Evolution of reproductive behavior in fishes using both experimental and molecular approaches.

C.M. Gienger (giengerc@apsu.edu)
Ecology of amphibians and reptiles.

Rebecca Blanton Johansen (johansenr@apsu.edu) Evolution, phylogeography, and conservation of freshwater fishes and crayfishes.

Jason Malaney (malaneyj@apsu.edu)
Species-environment relationship with research focused at the interface of ecology and evolution; focused questions target a better understanding of the factors responsible for generating and maintaining diversity of wild mammals using specimen-based research.

Sergei Markov (markovs@apsu.edu)
Research interests include: a) molecular hydrogen production by microorganisms; b) microalgae for biofuels and chemicals; c) bioreactors/photobioreactors and bioprocess engineering, and d) wastewater clean-up by microorganisms.

Daniel Frederick (frederickd@apsu.edu)
Dr. Frederick in the Department of Geosciences is recruiting a student to examine Foraminifera as a measure of environmental conditions of Puget Sound in Washington. The successful applicant will collaborate with Dr. Frederick, APSU Biology faculty, and faculty at the University of Washington to sample tidal flats of Puget Sound to identify foraminiferan diversity and to use data to develop a numerical index of environment quality that can be applied throughout the region.

Gilbert Pitts (pittsg@apsu.edu)
Reproductive neuroendocrinology.  Particularly, control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Stefan Woltmann (woltmanns@apsu.edu)
Behavioral and breeding ecology of birds associated with forested streams; ecology of imperiled grassland/prairie birds in the region.

Amy Thompson (thompsona@apsu.edu)
Study of cellular damage caused by brown recluse spider venom and identification of drugs that might reverse this damage; characterization of brown recluse spider sodium channels to aid in pesticide additive development that could be used to control spider populations; identification of limitations of currently used assays for determining gluten content in foods.

Austin Peay State University embraces diversity as a core value and as essential for our effective participation in the global community. Therefore, Austin Peay State University (APSU) does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by APSU.

From: Dr. Sara Galbraith [mailto:sara.galbraith@OREGONSTATE.EDU]
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2017 6:05 PM
Subject: CREW LEADER (1) AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (5) NEEDED FOR FOREST POLLINATOR STUDY IN OREGON COAST RANGE

CREW LEADER (1) AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (5) NEEDED FOR FOREST POLLINATOR STUDY with a large-scale study led by Dr. Jim Rivers
(http://people.forestry.oregonstate.edu/jim-rivers/) and Dr. Sara Galbraith in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. The objective of this research is to assess how native pollinator communities within managed forests are influenced by stand age and management intensity. Field work will take place in the rugged and scenic Coast Range of western Oregon and will involve physically demanding work in challenging conditions (heat, cold, rain, sun, steep slopes, loose rock, logging slash, hazardous plants), working long days, including some weekends, and navigating alone through difficult forest terrain. Primary duties of crew members will consist of collecting insects through a variety of techniques (netting, traps) in managed forest stands, conducting pollination experiments, quantifying floral resources and nesting habitat, and curating insect specimens in the lab.
Crew members are likely to assist with related research project conducted in crop fields as time allows.

Crew leader position runs April 23-August 31, 2018; research assistant positions run May 7-August 31, 2018; there is the potential for flexibility on start and end dates. Pay rate is $2500-$2700/month for crew leader and $2200-$2400/month for research assistants, depending on previous research experience. Free housing will be provided as well as free project-related transportation.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a B.S. degree in entomology, animal ecology or a related field and with a minimum of 2 years of field experience for research assistants (2 season-long field positions = 2 years of field experience) and 3 years of field experience for crew leader. Preference will be given to candidates who are proficient with capture and identification of insects, have previous experience sampling wild pollinator communities in forest or agricultural settings, and who are familiar with Oregon flora. Successful applicants will be self- motivated, have a strong work ethic, be able to carry heavy gear (30+
lbs) on steep slopes, be able to work harmoniously in a group living situation, have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, be able to maintain a positive disposition under challenging field conditions, and have a proven track record of working in a safe, efficient, and cooperative manner in a team setting. Crew leader applicants should have these qualities as well as strong and demonstrated leadership skills, and experience making decisions and communicating effectively in a field setting under challenging conditions.

To apply: Applicants should create a single PDF or MS-Word file that contains (1) a cover letter addressing the candidate’s qualifications as they relate to the specific duties described in the position description; (2) a full-length CV or resume; and (3) the names and contact information (email, telephone) of three referees who may be contacted; this document should be emailed to oregonbeecrew@gmail.com with “Bee Crew Position 2018” in the subject line. Positions will be filled as qualified applications are received.